This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NaturalGoodness #CollectiveBias
if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that a few years ago I made a choice to switch to natural deodorants, and the ones from Tom’s of Maine are currently among my favorites. However, going green is not just about the environment [although that’s a pretty good reason to switch], it also helps minimize the amount of harmful chemicals and irritants that enter your body, and protect your family from potential exposure to toxins.
Knowing that April is the official Earth Month, I decided to expand my stash of environmentally friendly products, and replace most of my old yucky household essentials, that made me sick every time I used them. Just in case you were also thinking of slowly transitioning into a greener household, here’s what I swapped out so far:
1. Toothpaste
Toothpaste might be the last thing you think of when it comes to going green, but it actually makes perfect sense. You use it twice a day, and some of it inadvertently gets swallowed on a regular basis, which is why it’s important to make sure that it doesn’t contain anything poisonous. I’ve tried those dirt-based all-natural pastes and powders, but they were just too gross, so instead I settled for the middle ground and picked up Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry Fluoride Toothpaste, Antiplaque & Whitening Peppermint & Spearmint Fluoride Free Toothpaste, and Whole Care Peppermint and Spearmint Fluoride Toothpaste on my last trip to Walmart. See, green doesn’t necessarily mean boring! P.S.: I’m having way too much fun with that strawberry toothpaste.
2. Dish Soap
We do have a dishwasher, but it doesn’t mean I never have to do dishes by hand. I used to have this plain cheap dish soap, but it was so harsh that my hands would always be dry and itchy, even after using lotion. After I switched to an environmentally friendly liquid soap with lavender extract, that problem went away on its own, and it cleans the dishes just as well as the cheap stuff.
3. Body Products
I admit, I probably won’t ever completely switch to an all-natural beauty routine, but I made a commitment to natural deodorants and don’t see myself quitting anytime soon. You can read more about it in my previous Tom’s of Maine post, but in short, going for a healthy deodorant was one of the best decisions I made for my well-being and I don’t regret it one bit. I recently added Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Apricot Deodorant to my bathroom shelf, so now I have even more options to choose from every day.
4. Household Cleaning
I always had a hard time with bathroom bleach and mirror shine liquid, my skin would get irritated regardless if I wore gloves or not, and the fumes were just awful to inhale. I recently found out about companies that make animal and kid-safe household cleaning products that are also not harmful for the environment and come in biodegradable packaging. Now instead of choking on chlorine fumes, I enjoy scents of orange-based heavy duty de-greaser, parsley all-purpose spray, and rosemary/thyme kitchen counter desinfecting wipes.
5. Hair Care
… or aerosols, to be precise. If you use hair spray to style your hair then you are releasing hydrocarbons into the air, contributing to the global warming. I admit, I only swapped about half of all my aerosol bottles, but that means I’m already contributing 50% less than I would have otherwise, and it all adds up in the end.
There are many other things that we can all change in our daily lives that could help make the Earth a better place, and no effort is too small; we just need to start somewhere, so why not from the bathroom?
Bonus: Friends don’t let friends shop without coupons, so here’s the link to $1 off any Tom’s of Maine product coupon, redeemable at Walmart. You can print it or click the “Help” button in the bottom right and fill out the form to have it mailed to you.
Do you use any eco-friendly products? What does your family do to celebrate Earth Day? Share in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features sponsored content and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
My son uses Tom’s deodorant and toothpaste! I tried using the deodorant, and it just didn’t work for me.
Natural essential oils always interact with body chemistry, that’s why those oil perfumes smell different on everyone. I’m guessing these particular oils just don’t work well with your skin; I hd that happen to me before with another product that everybody loves.
Great post! I’m also trying to go more green in my routine, so I appreciate the recommendations. I tried the Tom’s of Maine deodorant after your last post and I really like it. I recently had a “spot” on a mammogram which required additional imaging. It turned out to be nothing and more than likely was remnants from the clinical strength deodorant I was using. That was enough for me to switch to natural.
Thanks Angela! I’m glad that you liked the deodorant and that the spot turned out to be nothing; in my case I had to switch because of kidney issues, since there’s a possibility that all that accumulating aluminum makes it hard for the body to flush it out, and who knows where those particles will end up after a while.
I want some of that strawberry toothpaste! for me tho… I guess I can share lol
I feel like a total kid when I brush my teeth with it 🙂 I love strawberries!
This is a great, thought-provoking post. It would be so easy to swap out some of the products we use for these greener choices! Thank you for sharing this!!!
You’re very welcome! So far the household cleaning products were my favorite “swap”, especially the bleaching bathroom cleaners.
I’m curious about the natural deodorants, I admit! And the strawberry toothpaste sounds kinda cool!
It’s actually white in color, but it does smell and taste like strawberries 🙂 When I first switched to natural deodorants I sweated buckets for two whole weeks before my skin adjusted, but now I’m really happy I did.
I have read good things about Tom’s products but I have never picked any up to try. I should remedy that.
They offer more than just toothpaste and deodorants, I also found their lipbalms at my local stores. And that $1 off coupon helps 😉
I haven’t used any TOM products in a long time. The strawberry toothpaste sounds relish!
Haha, I wish it also looked like strawberries, but it’s plain white in the tube. Love it though, it smells so good!
I haven’t used any TOM products in a long time, but I should. the strawberry toothpaste sound delicious!
It’s so much fun to use, I feel like a kid every time I brush my teeth 🙂
You know I tried Tom’s a LONG time ago. I will have to revisit the brand. I might pick up the kid’s toothpaste and the apricot deodorant!
Great picks! I would also recommend checking out their lip balms.
I need to give Tom’s of Maine a try. Every time I try to buy their antiperspirant it’s sold out at Target.
Usually when something’s sold out I take it a sign that it’s a very popular product. I know I love my Tom’s deodorants!
I’m a huge fan of Tom’s and use their toothpaste and deodorant. I started using them when my thyroid got messed up and the doctor told me to switch.
Good to know I’m not alone! I’ve been using their toothpaste and deodorant for a while, and it was also my doctor’s recommendation, except in my case it’s a kidney problem.
I’m so much more aware of eco-friendly brands now. I’m glad that they are more readily available.
I think there were always lots of great eco-friendly brands, but most of them were pricey. A few years back I could probably think of maybe alba and Burt’s Bees at drugstores, so it’s nice to see more and more green products on the shelves.
I used to use Tom’s deodorant, I should go back to it.
Tom’s deodorants are among my favorites, and I tried over a dozen different brands.
I think I need to get this toothpaste!!!!
It’s so fun to use, and I bet your kids (and the inner kid!) will love the flavor.
The toothpaste sounds great – especially the one for kids! Will have to pick some up!
I love it and I don’t even have kids; it adds some fun to my morning routine 🙂
The toothpaste is great, I didn’t much luck with the deodorant though.
Since the deodorant contains natural oils, it’s probably a body chemistry thing, you know kind of like perfume oils smell different on everyone? I hope you can find a healthy deodorant that works for you 🙂
Great natural products!
Indeed!
love Toms!!
Me too, especially the deodorants 🙂
Tom’s of Maine makes so many great products for both adults and children. Thanks for sharing this information on your blog! #client
Always happy to share!