What you should buy: You actually don’t need anything for this one other than about 50 bits of cloth in wipe-sized pieces. You can use GOTS or Oeko-Tex certified cloth if you’d like. To make the spray, mix two tablespoons of castile soap and two tablespoons of olive oil and make sure they don’t separate. Boil two cups of water and let cool. Then add the mixture to it. Spray onto the cloth to create wipes. Put the soiled wipes in their own diaper pail and then launder them. (Make sure to use your handheld bidet to wash off any solids first.) These work great!
Dog beds made of plastic and full of fire retardants are bad for you AND bad for them. It’s a good idea to invest and get something good and (mostly) chemical-free. This was an expensive purchase for me, and I waited for a sale. But it could save me money on vet bills, human doctor bills AND give me more time with my beloved animals. Worth it.
I actually didn’t buy the bed that I recommended. It was too big for my dog’s crate. I ended up purchasing from The Futon. https://www.thefutonshop.com/certifications (If purchasing, make sure to get a wool filling, which is temperature-regulating and no outside coating.) I don’t recommend The Futon Shop if you’re not prepared to wait. It took a couple follow-up emails before they finally sent me a shipping confirmation. You can message the company directly to ask for a discount on the product as it and shipping are expensive. If you live in California or Seattle you can pick the beds up directly. They also ship the beds with a ridiculous amount of plastic and now I have a huge pile of the stuff that I have to repurpose somehow. It’s a huge pain and not environmentally friendly at all.
If I were to do it over, I’d get My Essentia. I wanted to use non-plastic, Oeko-Tex and/or GOTS certified materials. Several of the sites fill their beds with recycled water bottles, which is awesome but not for me. Avocado had some parts of the bed that were certified but not everything. The Rawganique looked amazing, but the price was more expensive than My Essentia.
No matter what you buy, ask the company to ship you the product without plastic.
NOTE: Bearaby and Omi mattress are both no longer available. You can still get Avocado but not through the site. You have to message customer support with exactly what you want and they’ll send you a link to buy it. (I asked but they wouldn’t tell me why it’s such an odd buying process!)
TLDR: I haven’t found an eco-friendly couch cover.
Why you should care: A lot of parents (both for fur babies and human babies) want a couch cover to protect their sizable investment. But getting something that’s not made of natural materials will leak microplastics into the environment, which we now know ends up in our bodies.
What you should buy: I don’t have a recommendation, but I’ll tell you what NOT to buy. Molly Mutts has a couch cover that they SAY is eco friendly OEKO-TEX certified cotton and natural silicone. But it’s actually half polyester, which is plastic. I don’t mind buying thrifted polyester but I don’t believe in bringing more plastic into circulation, especially since microplastics are everywhere.
I would like something made of OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified alpaca because it’s so good at repelling spills and odors. Otherwise, I’ll find something with a natural silicone bottom.
TLDR: It seems that the worry over what’s in our hair dye is slightly overblown. From the studies I’ve read, not too much dye comes into contact with your skin, and the stuff that DOES get on your skin isn’t usually absorbed to a dangerous degree. What you should avoid is dyes containing a chemical called PPD. If you do that, even pregnant people don’t have to worry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582739/
Why you should care: For this product, it comes down to plastic. I couldn’t find ANY dyes that didn’t involve plastic in some way. This is where the “adoption” part of my research comes into play. Am I willing to give up plastic, which is harmful to the environment, and stop coloring my hair? At this time, no. Coloring my hair is such a part of what makes me happy and what makes me feel comfortable in my body that giving it up would be too much of an ask. But if you can do it, I applaud you! The other issue is PPD—it’s not great for your health, and it’s looking like it’s pretty bad for the environment. https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/original_article/pdf/244736/20240623-5018-er6oe3.pdf and https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(13)00737-0/abstract
In my research, there aren’t any dyes that are totally natural that’ll give you fun, long-lasting colors. There are dyes that will do the job with minimal synthetic chemicals that are also vegan and cruelty-free. (Henna is an all-natural dye, but experts caution against it as it reacts with each person’s hair differently and can cause some pretty odd streaks and patches. Get a professional to show you how to do it the first time!)
TLDR: Get good ingredients ‘cause this stuff is getting absorbed into your skin. And keep it sustainable!
Why you should care: Lotion gets absorbed into your body. Plus, the bottles are a waste of plastic, which takes resources to make and then lives in our landfills and oceans. Gross.
There are also a lot of sustainable options that come in glass jars. I keep lotion all over the house, and I know I’m going to knock one over or a pet will so that won’t work for me either. I need something in aluminum or cardboard.
I decided that cardboard was the most eco-friendly. And I went with a vegan option that didn’t use beeswax since I have a lot of questions about the sustainability of beehives from my honey research and potential glyphosate in beeswax. I can attest that the bars actually do last a long time so you only need a small amount.
TLDR: Even supposedly “green” cleaning products can emit VOCs. It’s more cost-effective, more sustainable and healthier to make your own cleaners out of simple stuff you probably already have in the house.
Why you should care: VOCs cause lots of health issues. It’s not worth it.
I like Etee for SO many reasons. They’re based in Canada so they’re not too far away. They donate to good causes. They don’t do plastic. They don’t test on animals, and use safe materials. They care about their workers and supply chain. Their soap doesn’t have a strong scent, which is great if you have smell sensitivities.
TLDR: North Americans spend 80-90% of their time indoors and when a house is carpeted, you’re inhaling a lot of VOCs, which aren’t healthy and can cause short-term issues like dizziness and long-term issues, too.
Why you should care: Carpets trap dust, bacteria, mold and VOCs. New carpets give off VOCs. Old carpets trap VOCs and other chemicals and then let back out in a never-ending cycle. Walking and playing on the carpet can also release chemicals. You, your kids, your pets, your visitors—they’re all impacted.
(I didn’t buy an Organic Weave Shop rug made of 100% cotton. It was too pricey for me. I got something from The Citizenry on sale. But I’d still recommend OWS as the best because it’s GOTS certified.)
Floors, walls, and ceilings in buildings can affect air quality by releasing or absorbing chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carpets are known to have the highest ability to absorb and release chemicals compared to other indoor materials. People can be exposed to VOCs by breathing in the air, touching materials like floors that give off these chemicals, or accidentally swallowing dust from the floor. When dust settles on the floor, it can get kicked up again into the air, which can change the amount of VOCs indoors. This is especially true for certain chemicals that are not easily visible or noticeable.
VOCs released from carpets can be divided into two types: primary and secondary emissions. Primary emissions come from VOCs that are not stuck to the carpet, like chemicals used in making the carpet or in the manufacturing process. Secondary emissions come from VOCs that are attached to the carpet and are released later, through things like wear and tear or chemical reactions. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between these two types because the VOCs can move back and forth between being stuck to the carpet and being released into the air. The carpet can also absorb chemicals from the environment and then release them back into the air later.
Primary VOCs usually stop being released after about a year, but secondary VOCs can continue to be released for a much longer time, sometimes as long as the carpet is there. The way VOCs move between the carpet and the air depends on the balance of chemicals, so they can easily shift between being stuck to the carpet and floating in the air. This is important to understand because it helps explain how VOCs affect the air in our homes.
Newer carpets tend to release more secondary emissions than older ones. One study found that improving ventilation could actually increase secondary emissions, particularly from materials that react easily to air changes. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/24/12989
Ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles themselves do not emit VOCs. Some grouts, sealants, and adhesives used in tile installation may contain VOCs, but low-VOC and no-VOC options are available. Unlike carpet, tile does not trap VOCs from other household products, making it better for air quality.
If you HAVE to buy a carpet, look for Green Label Plus-certified carpets, which have lower VOC emissions. Air filters, dehumidifiers, thorough and frequent cleaning and lower room temperatures can help reduce VOC exposure.
CLEANING: Area rugs must be cleaned regularly, front and back and washed at least once a year.
NOTE: The rug pad I chose doesn’t have the GOTS/OEKO-TEX certifications. I had a really hard time finding anything that was remotely affordable. I emailed the founder of Earth Weave and they replied: “This non-toxic rug pad provides both cushion and grip to your area rug without the hazardous chemicals found in most carpet pads. Made with 100% untreated natural wool on the top layer and natural rubber backing for non-slip. These pads contain no synthetic rubber, SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber), or other harmful chemicals. They are safe for everyone including those with chemical sensitivities. Sustainable and completely bio-degradable.
All-natural — made with 100% wool and 100% natural rubber
Non-toxic — zero VOC, ultra-low odor, no formaldehyde, insect repellents, mildewcides, fungicides, toxic dyes or PBDEs (flame retardants)
Safe — for everyone, including the chemically sensitive (based on personal tolerance)
Eco-friendly — completely renewable resources and 100% biodegradable
TLDR: Buying the right cutting board will cut down on your risk of food-borne illnesses.
Why you should care: “In the United States, billions of dollars are spent directly on medical expenses from foodborne diseases and billions more are lost due to decreases in employee productivity. Cutting boards could serve as sources of contamination by allowing pathogens to survive and multiply, especially if remnants of raw meat or poultry remain on the surface after food preparation” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0260877412000040
(Not all John Boos cutting boards are NSF certified so check before you order. The board comes with two coats of mineral oil so just wash that off. Also don’t worry about rubbing it with a rough sponge. More surface area actually means less bacteria for wood!)
OK, cutting boards are SUPER interesting, and there’s a lot of contradictory information floating around out there. I went directly to the scientific studies to find the best one for your health.
For an extra layer of caution, you want a solid wood cutting board that does NOT have a coating and does NOT use glue but DOES have a deep juice trench. That’s because wood is pretty awesome at killing a lot of bacteria. Wood is porous so when you get wet bacteria on it, it tries to create an equilibrium. That means it draws the water into its grain and the bacteria inside it dies. https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12199 If you have a coating, all that water just stays on top and the bacteria won’t die. This study shows that European beech had one of the lowest levels of bacteria overall https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/13/4/752 In one study, the bacteria Campylobacter (which causes diarrhea) survived for only 3 hours, whereas it lasted longer on stainless steel and plastic. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/17/3245
Overall, wood is probably better if you want to be extra cautious. But thoroughly washing your cutting board (no matter what it’s made of) with soap and hot water is really the best way to get rid of most bacteria. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713523000786 Again, it’s a matter of which bacteria you’re worried about. This suggests that you should have a separate cutting board solely for cutting meat and another cutting board for stuff that’s not going to be thoroughly cooked. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/17/3245
It’s also good to get a cutting board with a deep juice trench to keep icky bacteria from leaking onto the counter.
So the stainless steel vs wood debate doesn’t matter too much. Let’s look at sustainability. My pick is NSF certified. I also liked this cutting board because it’s black walnut, which is pretty sustainable, but it doesn’t have a NSF certification. https://fromourplace.com/products/walnut-cutting-board
Some cutting boards are made of bamboo. Isn’t that more sustainable? It might be, depending on where it’s made and if forests were clearcut to grow bamboo. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend it because there aren’t enough studies that look at the bacteria levels on bamboo cutting boards.
TLDR: Heated up plastic releases icky stuff. Get silicone. It’s not an expensive switch. Buy them once and use them forever. Let the kiddos play in the dirt with your old plastic tools.
Why you should care: Remember when you were little (or, OK, a few weeks ago) and you left the spatula on the pan after flipping pancakes only to find it partially melted when you came back? Yeah, that’s super not good for you.
OK, so somehow I did like four hours of research on this and can’t find the doc I saved it in. Typical. Luckily, this link pretty much sums it up and doesn’t get into all the studies and rabbit holes I went down. https://thegoodlifedesigns.com/safest-dishes-to-use/
Primarily, I wanted something safe. Something that wasn’t going to leach chemicals and that I could put in the microwave or oven. (I always tell myself that I wouldn’t microwave plastic and then find myself doing it late at night when I’m too tired to care.) I also have a clumsy streak and needed stuff that wasn’t going to break easily. If you have kids, this is doubly true for you. Corelle ticks all those boxes.
I didn’t look into the sustainability of this option. Mostly because I have a set of corelle dishes I bought 15 years ago and they’re still going strong. So I figure this purchase of bowls will last me a long, long time.
