Last weekend, I read an interesting blog “Bride to BPA” by Anna Davis posted on Healthy Child, Healthy World that I really relate to. In a nutshell, Anna and her fiancé spent an exhausting afternoon registering for healthier household items for their wedding registry. I can see how trying to “green your life” all in one shot can be exhausting! I use a phasing out approach and replace items over a span of time.
Although there is still much to be phased out of my life, I have thoroughly changed my practices over the last couple years. Here’s what I have done thus far:
Products
Common Household Items:
That Was Then
Cookware: Non-stick pots & pans with Teflon
Measuring Devices: Plastic
Cooking utensils: Plastic
Cutting Board: Plastic
Shower Curtain: Vinyl
Candles: Yankee Candles
Sport Water Bottles: Plastic, BPA
This is Now
Cookware: Stainless steel
Measuring Devices: Stainless steel
Cooking utensils: Bamboo
Cutting Board: Ecosmart Poly-Flax Cutting Board
Shower Curtain: PVC-free Shower Curtain
Candles: Soy-based candles or simmering cinnamon on the stove
Sport Water Bottles: WaterWeek BPA-free Water Bottles
Common Household Cleaning Products:
That Was Then
All Purpose Cleaner: Clorox Clean-Up
Disinfecting Wipes/Cleaner: Clorox Wipes
Window Cleaner: Windex
Tub Cleaner: Soft Scrub
Dishwasher Liquid: Cascade or Electrosol
Dish Liquid: Palmolive or Dawn
Paper Towels: Bounty or Viva
Floor Cleaner: Clorox Bleach & water or Swifer Antibacterial
Toilet Cleaner: Clorox Bleach
Laundry Detergent: Tide Free or ALL Free Clear
Air Freshener: Febreze Noticeables
This is Now
All Purpose Cleaner: Vinegar mostly but for added effect: Vinegar, then wipe with water, then spray with hydrogen peroxide(never mixing vinegar and peroxide)
Disinfecting Wipes/Cleaner: Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray
Window Cleaner: Vinegar & water
Tub Cleaner: Baking Soda & hydrogen peroxide
Dishwasher Liquid: Seventh Generation (Free & Clear)
Dish Liquid: Seventh Generation (Free & Clear)
Paper Towels: Green Forest or Seventh Generation
Floor Cleaner: Vinegar & water or Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray
Toilet Cleaner: Seventh Generation toilet Cleaner
Laundry Detergent: ECOS or Seventh Generation (Free & Clear)
Air Freshener: Simmering Cinnamon sticks over the stove
Personal Care Products:
That Was Then (Safety Rating from Skin Deep if available)
Shampoo: Pantene Hydrating Curl (5) or Aussie Cleanse & Mend (5)
Conditioner: Pantene Hydrating Curl (6) or Aussie Moist (5)
Body Wash: Dove Sensitive (5)
Face Wash: Olay Deep Cleansing Face Wash (5)
Toothpaste: Crest (5), Aquafresh (5) or Colgate (5)
Deodorant: Secret Powder fresh (4)
Sunblock: Coppertone Sport SPF30 (5) or Banana Boat Sport SPF30 (7)
Hand Soap: Softsoap (5), Dial (5) or Equate
Burn/Skin irritation: Banana Boat Aloe After Sun (5)
This is Now (Safety Rating from Skin Deep if available)
Shampoo: 365 Mint Shampoo (Whole Foods brand) (N/A)
Conditioner: 365 Mint Conditioner (Whole Foods brand) (N/A)
Body Wash: Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama Body Wash (0) or various all natural bar soaps
Face Wash: Burt’s Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream (4) (Definitely room for improvement here!)
Toothpaste: Organique (N/A)
Deodorant: Crystal Body deodorant stick (0) or Earth Science Natural (2)
Sunblock: All Terrain AquaSport SPF 30 (2)
Hand Soap: Desert Essence Castile Liquid Soap w/ Organic Tea Tree Oil (1)
Burn/Skin irritation: Aloe plant or Earth Mama Angel Baby Baby Bottom Balm (0)
The internet has been ever so helpful in assisting me to find products that are not only healthy but also effective. But I must agree with Anna, “it is clear to me that putting the onus on the shopper to avoid harmful chemicals isn’t the solution….We need to ask Congress to update our laws to include the protections American families deserve and expect”. Not everyone has the time, patience or resources available to research and make wiser choicer. Let’s band together and ask Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act. It takes only a few minutes to make your voice heard….take action now!
Can’t find the products I mentioned at your local store? Click on the product below and purchase yours now.
Babies 411 – Babies Are Our Business
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Babies 411 is an on-line information and resource center for parents. This site has been developed by a neonatal intensive care nurse with the sole purpose of promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all babies.
Author : Diba Tillery RN, BSN, IBCLC, CPST
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