How to Start Switching to More Natural Products
For a few years now I have been s l o w l y making the switch to a more natural lifestyle. I started our with my foods and got rid of any boxed, processed or packed with preservatives and pesticides. I’ll have to write about that soon too. I have found that it can be a bit overwhelming when looking into switching. It’s hard to know what is really healthy for you. I wanted to share with you all some tips I’ve come across over the years to help me find more natural items for our family. While I still feel as though I have a long way to go, I feel better having switched many of our products already.
How to Start
Start out slow one item at a time. There is no need to go throw away everything in your house all at once. I know the feeling to do so once you realize how many toxins are in our every day items we use…believe me I know.
Use current items up. Don’t go tossing your items out, well unless you want to donate some. As a couponer who still had a semi small stockpile, I did donate some of my personal care items I had left over. Other items I’m using up then I will be switching to a new item. I really want to find a shampoo that works well. The hardest thing to find is one that makes me feel like it’s cleaning. It’s said that the foaming agent used it bad. I like our Honest Shampoo but it doesn’t have the lather effect which is said to be good. I also have to find natural scents. Those seem to be the most popular items used in so many.
Read all your ingredient labels. It’s important to become familiar with the common toxic items manufacturers are putting in their products. A general rule, is if there are ton of items you can’t figure out easily what they are they may be bad for you. Here are some common items to avoid.
- Perfumes
- Phthalates
- Ammonia
- Chlorine
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Formaldehyde
- Triclosan
- 2-Butoxyethanol
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine
- Synthetic Fragrances and Colors
- Dimethicone
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Making the Switch
It doesn’t have to be hard. Coming from a person who has couponed her entire life, you can do this! The biggest concept many first think of is cost. Yes, it can be more pricey and there are less coupons. It is not impossible to find ways to save. There are many small companies out there now a days selling natural products. I’ve wanted to try a few and cost definitely has held me back. I just can’t afford to pay $50 on a bottle of shampoo or oils, even after rewards perks they may offer.
Find what works for you. I know the items I’m using may not be the most natural out there. I’m trying my best and getting rid of as many harsh chemicals in our every day use as I can. I started with our food then moved to our cleaning products. Now I’ve been working on the personal care products. It is hard work you guys, but seems totally worth it to me.
Sign up for companies that offer savings. I have been using The Honest Company now for months. They offer a subscription boxes that you can choose how often you get and what you get in them. They run amazing offers for first time buyers often. I would suggest signing up then to try. I recently signed up for Gover Collaborative. They are also a subscription box run site, but they offer many freebies when you spend x amount. You can choose from a wide range of popular brands like Toms of Maine, Method, Burt’s Bee’s and many more. They offer cleaning items, personal care, baby and more. Right now they are offering up a set of Meyer’s Cleaning products for free when you make your first order (I choose the Grove Concentrated pack instead once I signed up and went to offers it was there).
Beware of Greenwashing
This is a new term brought to my attention lately. I have actually read about this before, but never had a name to go with it. Greenwashing is if a product claims itself as “green” or “natural,” that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s completely nontoxic. Ouch. That’s tough, right? This is where it can be confusing and hard. While these items are more then likely a bit healthier then their common counterparts, they are still not as natural as they come off being. So be aware and do your own research and choose which ever items you feel is a good match for your family. That’s what I’m trying to do an not put too much extra worry into it right now.