Eco-friendly home products- rants and raves

[cap]

I switched to Ethique shampoo and conditioner bars a few months ago. I really like what they're doing for my hair, but like others, am disappointed in how quickly I'm using up the shampoo bars. The conditioner bar is lasting much, much longer, yet does a good job at detangling and moisturizing my super curly, fine hair that is easily weighed down.

I have also been using their face moisturizer bar for about a month now and love, love it. My skin is really dry, especially in winters, and this is the best stuff I've ever used. My face often feels itchy in the winter, and has not since I started using it. It would likely be too heavy for most people, though.

This isn't exactly a home product, but my Toyota Rav4 Prime should be arriving this week. It's a plug-in hybrid with 42 miles of all electric range. I can't wait!

[SusanBAnthony]

cap good to know about the face lotion. I would love it if that works for me because it would be great for travel.

Speaking of, the ethique bar face soap worked great for me. I got the small sample size and only use it a few times a week, but it seems to be lasting well. I am saving the small one now for my toiletry bag for travel but will buy a full size one the next order I do.

[cap]

Jan 11, 2021 10:39:03 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

cap good to know about the face lotion. I would love it if that works for me because it would be great for travel.

Speaking of, the ethique bar face soap worked great for me. I got the small sample size and only use it a few times a week, but it seems to be lasting well. I am saving the small one now for my toiletry bag for travel but will buy a full size one the next order I do.

I've been using the Neutrogena face bar for a couple of years now. It does a good job and it's very affordable (under $5 IIRC and it lasts for 2-3 months at least). It comes in a cardboard box wrapped in a very thin cellophane type layer, which I wish they'd ditch. That said, I get it at my grocery store, so there's no extra environmental cost in shipping it to me or driving to an extra store. 

[Pilsy]

Jan 11, 2021 10:33:36 GMT -5 cap said:

The conditioner bar is lasting much, much longer, yet does a good job at detangling and moisturizing my super curly, fine hair that is easily weighed down.

I have also been using their face moisturizer bar for about a month now and love, love it. My skin is really dry, especially in winters, and this is the best stuff I've ever used. My face often feels itchy in the winter, and has not since I started using it. It would likely be too heavy for most people, though.

This isn't exactly a home product, but my Toyota Rav4 Prime should be arriving this week. It's a plug-in hybrid with 42 miles of all electric range. I can't wait!

Ooh, your hair sounds like mine. Is there anywhere to buy those bars locally, or do you have to order online? ETA: I Googled and see the options. 

We are getting a Toyota Sienna (hybrid) soon, and I'm so excited!!  


Also, this isn't the same as what you're all discussing and I realize I'm slow on the uptake, but I (finally) recently bought cutlery that's strictly for use with packed lunches. I was tired of wasting disposables, even though my office composts mine, but I also didn't want to risk my good stuff getting thrown away. We have these dedicated sets now that have been a good solution. It also helps that the handles are colorful, so they're easy to pick out of the clean caddy. 

[cap]

Jan 11, 2021 12:00:42 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Jan 11, 2021 10:33:36 GMT -5 cap said:

The conditioner bar is lasting much, much longer, yet does a good job at detangling and moisturizing my super curly, fine hair that is easily weighed down.

I have also been using their face moisturizer bar for about a month now and love, love it. My skin is really dry, especially in winters, and this is the best stuff I've ever used. My face often feels itchy in the winter, and has not since I started using it. It would likely be too heavy for most people, though.

This isn't exactly a home product, but my Toyota Rav4 Prime should be arriving this week. It's a plug-in hybrid with 42 miles of all electric range. I can't wait!

Ooh, your hair sounds like mine. Is there anywhere to buy those bars locally, or do you have to order online? ETA: I Googled and see the options. 

We are getting a Toyota Sienna (hybrid) soon, and I'm so excited!!  


Also, this isn't the same as what you're all discussing and I realize I'm slow on the uptake, but I (finally) recently bought cutlery that's strictly for use with packed lunches. I was tired of wasting disposables, even though my office composts mine, but I also didn't want to risk my good stuff getting thrown away. We have these dedicated sets now that have been a good solution. It also helps that the handles are colorful, so they're easy to pick out of the clean caddy. 

Isn't hair like ours frustrating? I've finally figured out that anything with shea oil/butter makes it look limp and dirty and that a volumizing mousse works the best. I'm using the Frizz Wrangler shampoo and the Guardian conditioner (I assumed Too Delicious conditioner wouldn't work due to shea butter). Since the shampoo bar goes so quickly, I think I'll try another brand. 

[Pilsy]

Jan 11, 2021 13:05:05 GMT -5 cap said:

Jan 11, 2021 12:00:42 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Isn't hair like ours frustrating? 

You can say that again!

[fortnightlily]

Has anyone had any success with a subscription box or site to sample some of these products or ones in the same vein?

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:08 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Has anyone had any success with a subscription box or site to sample some of these products or ones in the same vein?

It’s not specifically for green products, but I’ve gotten most of my stuff from my Causebox subscription.

[onthemove]

Jan 12, 2021 5:07:27 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:08 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Has anyone had any success with a subscription box or site to sample some of these products or ones in the same vein?

It’s not specifically for green products, but I’ve gotten most of my stuff from my Causebox subscription.

causebox is great and has a lot of variety, with some choice, but is also fashion and beauty. For green home things (and some health/beauty) I now use mightyfix. You can tell them what you have and are interested in trying, and can even choose. Then you can buy more at a discount with free shipping if you like something.

[monad]

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:08 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Has anyone had any success with a subscription box or site to sample some of these products or ones in the same vein?

I've liked MightyNest. 

[ksun]

Rave: I use both Lush and Basin White shampoo bars and conditioners. I like Basin's conditioner better. I also use their bar soaps, and only use bar soaps in the shower either from Basin or small shops.

I'm also a Grove customer. Pretty much anything Mrs Meyers has been great - surface spray, dish soap, and we get 7th Generation TP (although early on it was out of stock so we got whatever)

I've been using resuable sandwich bags for years that a CO Nestie makes in her small shop - mamamade

[litebright]

I started a Grove subscription in the spring when cleaning supplies disappeared. I have kept it up because sometimes I still have a hard time finding things like the dishwasher pods we use (we have a septic system so I'm very careful about what goes down our drains). I mostly use it for dishwasher pods, handsoap and Method stuff, but I loved the Caldrea countertop spray, it smells marvelous.

However, I'm a bit meh on the service itself. I have had two orders get lost or damaged and never be delivered, and I wish they would notify you of that -- the information is available through the tracking info on their web site, but they only replace the order if you request it. Both times, it took me awhile to realize that the order that I got a shipping notification on had never arrived.

And I'm glad they send you alerts before your order goes out so you can edit it, because they seem to automatically subscribe you to practically everything you put in your cart and if you don't go in and remove things that you wanted as one-offs, you can end up with a huge order. That happened once and now I'm more careful about managing it.

I had hoped when I subscribed that it would be very set-it-and-forget-it, like my Amazon subscription for trash bags -- they just show up every three months, reliably, and I don't have to worry about running out. It requires more active management than that.

[pixy0stix]

Jan 13, 2021 20:44:47 GMT -5 ksun said:

I've been using resuable sandwich bags for years that a CO Nestie makes in her small shop - mamamade

She has a ton of other eco-friendly products as well. Her items are incredibly well made. 

[iheartmaui]

Jan 11, 2021 13:12:50 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Jan 11, 2021 13:05:05 GMT -5 cap said:

Isn't hair like ours frustrating? 

You can say that again!

I have thin curly hair and in August started using the Hibar shampoo and conditioner bars that were mentioned earlier in the thread. Still working on the volumizing bars and I imagine I have a couple more months left. I wash twice a week and use Deva Curl gel.

[Pilsy]

Jan 14, 2021 11:19:36 GMT -5 iheartmaui said:

Jan 11, 2021 13:12:50 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

You can say that again!

I have thin curly hair and in August started using the Hibar shampoo and conditioner bars that were mentioned earlier in the thread. Still working on the volumizing bars and I imagine I have a couple more months left. I wash twice a week and use Deva Curl gel.

Thanks for this! 

Sorry to get off-topic, but what do you do with your hair on the off days? Do you wet it in the shower? My curls might need some kind of a refresh on days 2, 3, and 4. Also, I feel like mine might be greasy, but maybe I can change that if I adopt this routine. 

Thanks again for the rec and details. 

[aspentosh]

Jan 14, 2021 9:57:32 GMT -5 litebright said:

I started a Grove subscription in the spring when cleaning supplies disappeared. I have kept it up because sometimes I still have a hard time finding things like the dishwasher pods we use (we have a septic system so I'm very careful about what goes down our drains). I mostly use it for dishwasher pods, handsoap and Method stuff, but I loved the Caldrea countertop spray, it smells marvelous.

I started ours in February to test out as much eco friendly stuff as possible but I have not been impressed.

I understand why they have a shipping minimum but $25 is more than I want to spend most of the time to try things out so I find myself not using it much. Or I order a couple extra things that I *do* like but that don't need right now, which goes against allllll my planning, lol. I will 100% not subscribe to it next year and just place a couple larger bulk orders when I have enough stuff that I need. 

I also really dislike that so many of their stuff still uses plastic bottles. I know they are working on it but I was hoping for more plastic free options. 

What dishwasher pods do you use?

[aspentosh]

Jan 14, 2021 11:19:36 GMT -5 iheartmaui said:

Jan 11, 2021 13:12:50 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

You can say that again!

I have thin curly hair and in August started using the Hibar shampoo and conditioner bars that were mentioned earlier in the thread. Still working on the volumizing bars and I imagine I have a couple more months left. I wash twice a week and use Deva Curl gel.

I'm glad you like the Hibar shampoo and conditioner. I seriously love them more than any other shampoo I've tried. 

[litebright]

Jan 14, 2021 12:37:33 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Jan 14, 2021 9:57:32 GMT -5 litebright said:

I started a Grove subscription in the spring when cleaning supplies disappeared. I have kept it up because sometimes I still have a hard time finding things like the dishwasher pods we use (we have a septic system so I'm very careful about what goes down our drains). I mostly use it for dishwasher pods, handsoap and Method stuff, but I loved the Caldrea countertop spray, it smells marvelous.

I started ours in February to test out as much eco friendly stuff as possible but I have not been impressed.

I understand why they have a shipping minimum but $25 is more than I want to spend most of the time to try things out so I find myself not using it much. Or I order a couple extra things that I *do* like but that don't need right now, which goes against allllll my planning, lol. I will 100% not subscribe to it next year and just place a couple larger bulk orders when I have enough stuff that I need. 

I also really dislike that so many of their stuff still uses plastic bottles. I know they are working on it but I was hoping for more plastic free options. 

What dishwasher pods do you use?

Either Method, 7th Generation or the Grove brand, depending on what's available. But usually at least one of them is. 

[gardengal]

Update: so I’ve used this bar-to-liquid/cream conditioner for a few days
ethique.com/products/balancing-conditioner-concentrate-for-oily-to-normal-hair

Recommend if you don’t enjoy rubbing in conditioner to your hair (they have a few different formulations too). It was fairly easy to melt though I did follow comment recs to finely shave or chop bar before mixing with water.

While it has a scent, I don’t feel like my hair actually smells like anything if scent is important to you.

[sweetteavodka]

Rave: Grove Flour Sack Cloths - I realized my family was using a lot of paper towels drying their hands. This towel is perfect for that.

[Pilsy]

It sounds like there are no definitely winners for laundry detergent. Is that right? If I'm wrong and you have one to recommend without reservation, I'm all ears. Thanks!

[iheartmaui]

Jan 14, 2021 11:32:06 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Jan 14, 2021 11:19:36 GMT -5 iheartmaui said:

I have thin curly hair and in August started using the Hibar shampoo and conditioner bars that were mentioned earlier in the thread. Still working on the volumizing bars and I imagine I have a couple more months left. I wash twice a week and use Deva Curl gel.

Thanks for this! 

Sorry to get off-topic, but what do you do with your hair on the off days? Do you wet it in the shower? My curls might need some kind of a refresh on days 2, 3, and 4. Also, I feel like mine might be greasy, but maybe I can change that if I adopt this routine. 

Thanks again for the rec and details. 

My wash days are Monday and Thursday's more times than not. If my hair looks bad on Saturday and Sunday, I don't fret because I'm not going anywhere At night, I do a loose high pony tail and put it up in a silk pocket bonnet like this: www.amazon.com/Stay-On-Satin-Pocket-Bonnet/dp/B077D7DW21 I do not wet it on my non wash day as the few times I have, it looks okay but feels gross and I can't wash it soon enough. Sometimes I use dry shampoo on day 3: shop.naturallycurly.com/hask-monoi-coconut-oil-dry-shampoo-6-5-oz/ Day 3, my curls are looser but they still look okay enough for me. If not, I'll pull my hair back or put it in a pony tail. Day 4, my hair is too far gone but it's on Sunday.

[Pilsy]

Jan 14, 2021 17:50:47 GMT -5 iheartmaui said:

Jan 14, 2021 11:32:06 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Thanks for this! 

Sorry to get off-topic, but what do you do with your hair on the off days? Do you wet it in the shower? My curls might need some kind of a refresh on days 2, 3, and 4. Also, I feel like mine might be greasy, but maybe I can change that if I adopt this routine. 

Thanks again for the rec and details. 

My wash days are Monday and Thursday's more times than not. If my hair looks bad on Saturday and Sunday, I don't fret because I'm not going anywhere At night, I do a loose high pony tail and put it up in a silk pocket bonnet like this: www.amazon.com/Stay-On-Satin-Pocket-Bonnet/dp/B077D7DW21 I do not wet it on my non wash day as the few times I have, it looks okay but feels gross and I can't wash it soon enough. Sometimes I use dry shampoo on day 3: shop.naturallycurly.com/hask-monoi-coconut-oil-dry-shampoo-6-5-oz/ Day 3, my curls are looser but they still look okay enough for me. If not, I'll pull my hair back or put it in a pony tail. Day 4, my hair is too far gone but it's on Sunday.

Can't thank you enough!  What better time to "train" my hair than during a pandemic?  

[cap]

Jan 14, 2021 19:17:20 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Jan 14, 2021 17:50:47 GMT -5 iheartmaui said:

My wash days are Monday and Thursday's more times than not. If my hair looks bad on Saturday and Sunday, I don't fret because I'm not going anywhere At night, I do a loose high pony tail and put it up in a silk pocket bonnet like this: www.amazon.com/Stay-On-Satin-Pocket-Bonnet/dp/B077D7DW21 I do not wet it on my non wash day as the few times I have, it looks okay but feels gross and I can't wash it soon enough. Sometimes I use dry shampoo on day 3: shop.naturallycurly.com/hask-monoi-coconut-oil-dry-shampoo-6-5-oz/ Day 3, my curls are looser but they still look okay enough for me. If not, I'll pull my hair back or put it in a pony tail. Day 4, my hair is too far gone but it's on Sunday.

Can't thank you enough!  What better time to "train" my hair than during a pandemic?  

I wash mine every day - I work in greenhouses, so I often get sweaty and gross, or come into contact with stuff I'm allergic to. My hair is tolerating it a lot better with the bars, it seems. Oh, and I've been taking biotin for a couple of years now - that's helped a lot too!

[casarosada]

Jan 14, 2021 15:04:57 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

It sounds like there are no definitely winners for laundry detergent. Is that right? If I'm wrong and you have one to recommend without reservation, I'm all ears. Thanks!

I really like Dropps laundry detergent. Let me know if you want a referral code (I think you'll get a discount on your first order). I've been using them for about a year and really recommend them. I do a subscription. I also use their dishwasher pods and like them.

[BicycleBride]

I really like everything I’ve ever ordered from Chagrin Valley Soap Co. body soap, lotion bars, body powder in cardboard tubes. And they are awesome about packing it in the smallest box possible and packing with shredded paper.

I would like a recommendation for a reusable foaming hand soap dispenser. We’ve been reusing Method dispensers but the pump action seems to become less effective quickly and I want something that looks a little nicer.

[Pilsy]

Jan 15, 2021 10:54:02 GMT -5 BicycleBride said:

I would like a recommendation for a reusable foaming hand soap dispenser. We’ve been reusing Method dispensers but the pump action seems to become less effective quickly and I want something that looks a little nicer.

I have these in the kitchen and one bathroom and like them a lot. Not sure if these are what you had in mind, but I've had them since late 2017, and they're going strong. 

smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076K6GVH7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I also have these in another bathroom, but my H has decided he prefers liquid soap to foaming, so I'll be retiring them soon. Argh. 

smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075MQZS7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We have had others with metal pump spouts, and the finish wore off, so I've been careful to look for plastic since then. ETA: I do prefer a glass base, which the first set I linked above has. This second set is completely plastic. 

[Pilsy]

Jan 15, 2021 7:25:53 GMT -5 casarosada said:

Jan 14, 2021 15:04:57 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

It sounds like there are no definitely winners for laundry detergent. Is that right? If I'm wrong and you have one to recommend without reservation, I'm all ears. Thanks!

I really like Dropps laundry detergent. Let me know if you want a referral code (I think you'll get a discount on your first order). I've been using them for about a year and really recommend them. I do a subscription. I also use their dishwasher pods and like them.

I'll give them a shot. Thank you!

Feel free to PM the code if you'd still like to share.  

[fortnightlily]

Jan 14, 2021 15:04:57 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

It sounds like there are no definitely winners for laundry detergent. Is that right? If I'm wrong and you have one to recommend without reservation, I'm all ears. Thanks!

A friend of mine raves about Sheets Laundry Club, but I have yet to try it myself.

[sugarplum]

Jan 15, 2021 11:13:44 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Jan 14, 2021 15:04:57 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

It sounds like there are no definitely winners for laundry detergent. Is that right? If I'm wrong and you have one to recommend without reservation, I'm all ears. Thanks!

A friend of mine raves about Sheets Laundry Club, but I have yet to try it myself.

We use Sheets Laundry Club since I've heard issues with the dissolvable coating on pods. Tru Earth is another one.