Commercialism is all
around us. We're pressured to buy, encouraged to think we need to, and often
the products we buy are designed with obsolesce and dependency in mind. It can
be a never ending cycle of wastefulness if we let it.
These are a few items that
we think you can skip!
Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are largely
unnecessary and contain harmful hormone disrupting chemicals, which can be
especially harmful to children.
Instead of masking odors,
consider trapping them! Use boxes or jars (you can make them really cute with a
bit of twine, or ribbon and poke holes in the lid) around the home to absorb
odors.
Soap With
"Microbeads"
Found in everything from
hand soaps to facial cleaners, toothpastes to moisturizers — these microbeads are marketed to us under the idea that
they'll help scrub away grime, gently exfoliate, and more.
The truth is that they
aren't good for our skin and they're even worse for the environment. The small
nature of these microbeads makes them especially hazardous to marine life as
they flow from our drains to the ocean, where they are impossible to remove.
Single-Use Mop Pads
They sound convenient, but
at what cost? For the price of a couple of packs you can purchase a handful of
reusable cloths that will fit onto the same pad.
If your brand doesn't
offer reusable cloth pads you might have a look at Etsy or even preemie sized prefold
diapers!
Bottled Water
Unless you’re on-the-go
and in a pinch, bottled water is a waste of resources and money.
Most bottled water is
nothing more than municipal tap water - filtered at best.
You can save a lot by
investing in a reusable water bottle. I recommend stainless steel or glass for
the best flavor, and also because they won't leach toxins into your water like
plastics can.
Cleaning Products
Traditional cleaning
products are not only filled with caustic chemicals, they also leave residues
on the surfaces in your home.
Making your own cleaning
supplies is surprisingly easy
and effective.
My favorite method is a
50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, plus a few drops of my favorite essential
oil.
Disposable Diapers
Gone are the days of your
grandma’s rubber pants, stagnant diaper pails, and complicated folding methods.
Today’s cloth diapers are trendy, highly functional, and
easy to use and care for.
Not only that but they'll
save you a lot of money (up
to $1500 per child!) and will help you greatly reduce your child's exposure
to toxins, all while reducing your carbon footprint!
