Review of vegan, plastic free deodorant, 2in1 shampoo and conditioner bar, toothpaste and toothbrush |
Plastic Free Eco Swaps For In The Bathroom
Zero Waste Path Normal Hair 2in1 Shampoo & Conditioner received from EarthBits |
2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Bar for Normal Hair - Zero Waste Path Review
This 2 in 1 solid shampoo for normal hair is SLS free and handmade in Cambridge (UK) from vegan ingredients including argan oil and jojoba oil. They also make 2 in 1 bars for Dry Curly Hair, Oily Fine Hair and Itchy Scalp. I previously bought a different make shampoo bar because I wanted to cut down the use of single use plastic in the bathroom, but I ended up giving up on it after a few weeks. I had read that hair sometimes needs a transition period, but it made my hair feel disgusting after the first wash and it didn’t improve even when I stuck with it for over a week. I don’t know if the shampoo was wrong for my hair type, if it was wrong for our water (we have hard water) or if it was just a badly made bar. If you experience problems like this when you try a shampoo bar, the EarthBits website have some great tips on how to using shampoo bars. As much as I want to be more eco-friendly I don’t want my haircare routine to be hard work.
The Zero Waste Path 2in1 Shampoo and Conditioner doesn’t need a transition period due to it’s pH level of 5.5 and I was relieved that straight after washing my hair felt clean and well, normal! The 70g bar is square and fits nicely in the palm of my hand. I find I only need to use a really small amount with my shoulder length hair and I suspect it will last much much longer than the 40 washes ZWP suggest.
I held the bar under the shower then made some lather which I applied to my hair. I left my hair to dry naturally as normal, I didn’t apply any products and it looks great. I normally wash my hair every other day and I haven’t had to change this since trying the 2 in 1 bar. My hair is coloured and I think it would benefit from a more intensive treatment every few weeks, but for my regular use I am totally converted.
Zero Waste Path Deodorant comes in a recyclable tin |
Lavender and Tea Tree Deodorant - Zero Waste Path
As a long time user of anti-perspirant switching to deodorant was a bit of a change. Where as anti-perspirant stops you sweating (by clogging the pores) deodorant wont make you sweat less, but it should stop bacteria making your sweat smell. I’m not sure if testing the deodorant out during a heatwave was brilliant timing or not. I definitely noticed feeling more damp under the arms, but have heard you can sweat more during a transition period so it will be interesting to see how this settles down. The big question though is: did I smell?
The vegan Zero Waste Path deodorant comes in a metal tin which easily pops open when you squeeze on one side. One of the things I had to get used to is the fairly solid cream is applied with your fingers. Different companies do plastic free stick deodorants if you prefer to apply it directly to under your arms. The deodorant I was sent is Lavender and Tea Tree which smells really nice, but there are a couple of other combinations available as well if you aren't a fan of lavender.
I apply the deodorant in the morning after washing and enjoy the pleasant smell of it most of the morning. I even suggested my partner smell my arm pits at one point, he declined. By the afternoon the smell has faded, but it is still doing it’s job. After using the deodorant for a week I find I am regularly sniffing under my arms to check and fortunately I last the day without that not-so-attractive body odour smell.
I’m not really sure how much I should be putting on, but I have been applying a fine layer in a similar area to where I grow arm pit hair. At first I thought the deodorant was being used quite quickly, but I think it will easily last me a couple of months. When finished the tin can be reused or recycled.
My old anti-perspirant works well on a normal or even hot day, but I often “stress sweat”. I don’t necessarily feel sweaty when this happens, but when I am nervous or stressed about something I really pong. I often experience the same issue when I am ovulating and my body temperature is slightly higher.
Since starting to use the deodorant I haven’t noticed a sweat smell during the day at all. As I write this on Friday lunchtime I haven’t had a shower since yesterday morning and there is only the mildest hint that I need a shower despite it being over 30 degrees celsius yesterday and today.
Are eco-friendly dental products any good? |
Eco-friendly Toothbrushing
Toothbrushes and toothpaste have got incredibly high tech and scientific over the years. I love how clean my teeth feel after brushing but I feel bad about the huge amount of waste that ends up in landfill. EarthBits sent me jar of Georganics Charcoal Activated Natural Toothpaste and a bamboo toothbrush from The Truthbrush. To give them a good test I tried using the toothpaste with my normal toothbrush, the bamboo toothbrush with my normal toothpaste, and both together. I am happy to say that my teeth felt well cleaned in all the combinations I tried.The bristles are softer that I am used to, but that’s good for my gums and I’m seeing this as a sign to revisit my brushing technique. I wasn’t happy with the clean from a previous bamboo toothbrush I tried as the bristles were too soft, but this one cleans my teeth well, even after a week of use. I don’t feel the toothbrush cleans as well between my teeth as my old plastic one so I probably need to start flossing (Georganics make a reduced plastic floss which is available from EarthBits too).
Straws - plastic to paper, non plastic storage boxes and food bags - all so much better!
ReplyDeleteI've swapped platic glasses for hemp mde ones and they are fine.
ReplyDeletestraws to stainless
ReplyDeleteI have started using natural shampoo in a refillable container
ReplyDeleteStraws :)
ReplyDeleteWe have picked the bathroom as the battle ground to reduce plastic. The first thing we did a few years ago was giving up shower gels and moved to bar soap.
ReplyDeleteA year ago I moved to solid shampoo and conditioner. With fine curly hair this was nerve wracking but my hairdresser said my hair condition is better so that's a big win.
We have tried various powdered charcoal toothpastes which have been good.
I have also moved to plastic free period products. For that I have swapped to Flo tampons and pads which you can actually get in Boots.
Lots of great swaps. I haven't heard of those period products before, but it is great you can get plastic free products like that in high street shops now.
DeleteI love the metal straws, I think they are great!
ReplyDeletePlastic bags for canvas bags
ReplyDeleteWe use reuseable cleaning cloths and "unpaper" towels in our kitchen.
ReplyDeleteStraws - metal ones are so much better!
ReplyDeleteI no longer use disposable cups and am happy to make the change
ReplyDeleteI've tried toothpaste tablets - My main worry about them was lack of fluoride but in terms of using them they were fine. Interesting to hear how good that deodrant is.
ReplyDeleteI use canvas bags when out shopping.
ReplyDeleteI try to re-use most things rather than use once and throw away
ReplyDeleteI no longer put fresh fruit/veg in plastic bags, i try and leave them loose of put them in a re-usable tub at the shops
ReplyDeleteWell done. I keep forgetting my reusable fruit and veg bags when I go shopping.
DeleteI swapped shampoo in plastic bottles for shampoo bars. Really easy.
ReplyDeletebars of soap and refillable shampoo and conditioner bottles
ReplyDeleteshampoo bottles to bars - ok really :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if they still do it but I used to take empty plastic bottles back to the Body Shop for refills.
ReplyDeleteI always carry a shopping bag with me, and we've just switched to soap bars
ReplyDeleteI bought my first shampoo bar back in January and I’m still using it ( just). Not only has it saved me money and reduced my plastic waste but my hair is in pretty good condition too.
ReplyDeleteI bought my first shampoo bar back in January and I’m still using it ( just). Not only has it saved me money and reduced my plastic waste but my hair is in pretty good condition too.
ReplyDeleteThat's great. I'm interested to see how long this bar lasts me now that I have found one I like.
DeleteI bought my first shampoo bar back in January and I’m still using it ( just). Not only has it saved me money and reduced my plastic waste but my hair is in pretty good condition too.
ReplyDeleteI've just bought my first set of bamboo cotton buds. They're fine, but do break fairly easily. On the whole though, I think it's worth the swap and I'll just have to be more gentle with them!
ReplyDeleteI now use a shampoo bar.
ReplyDeleteI use paper straws in my home, and I always carry bags to the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteWe use sustainable cloths instead of disposable wipes
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favourite swaps I have made.
DeleteOne of my plastic free swaps is to take reusable string bags for buying loose vegetables in the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying bicarb of soda and apple cider vinegar instead of shampoo and conditioner, it's going really well so far!
ReplyDeleteStraws and shopping bags
ReplyDeleteLots of shopping bags, straws and lots of plastic Tupperware.
ReplyDeleteWe've invested in some lovely cloth and canvas shopping bags to avoid using plastic bags, and it's so much better!
ReplyDeleteI tried metal straws but didn't like them! I'm now looking for another alternative to plastic straws.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely hard to get used to the different feel isn't it. I think I struggle with metal and glass straws being so hard and silcone too soft. I think my preference is for bamboo ones at the moment when they are made well.
DeleteNow refilling large glass containers to dispense hand wash and body wash. Trying bars for shampoo, conditioner and washing up next.
ReplyDeleteAlways use jam jars to store rather than plastic bags x
ReplyDeleteI use shampoo bars and also beeswax wraps instead of clingfilm
ReplyDeleteI've recently just started using shampoo bars! The ones I have smell amazing!
ReplyDeleteI've got shampoo and conditioner bars which come in cardboard boxes that are fully recyclable, switched my deodorant to a solid one that comes in a cardboard tube and switched out all my dental products for eco friendly ones (toothpaste tablets, bamboo brush and interdental brush and plastic free floss)
ReplyDeleteMetal straws and cups - Bamboo toothbrushes - shampoo & conditioner bars ( great) beeswax wraps
ReplyDeleteShopping bags, straws and face wipes have been swapped here
ReplyDeleteBamboo toothbrushes. An excellent substitute for plastic ones.
ReplyDeleteshopping bags
ReplyDeleteI swapped to natural deodorant and I've never felt better for it to be honest!
ReplyDeletecloth nappies - and love them!
ReplyDeleteI have tried washing up powder which was good and lathered up better than I thought it would
ReplyDeleteplastic straws to metal, much better than the paper straws
ReplyDeleteI always use my bags for life & I bought some silicon straws as the grandchildren love using straws in their drinks. Both seem normal now as I've done it for so long.
ReplyDeleteI buy paper straws instead of plastic ones & I never use plastic shopping bags
ReplyDeleteI make my own soap and bar soap shampoo, and not only do I reduce plastic, but I enjoy knowing what goes into my products x
ReplyDeleteFabric shopping bags for everything, but also bamboo straws and toothbrushes which are great!
ReplyDeleteI now use bars of soap for handwashing instead of bottled handwash.
ReplyDeleteI use canvas bags instead of plastic
ReplyDeleteShopping bags
ReplyDeleteI dont ever use plastic shopping bags anymore and I love the reusable lunch wraps for the kids lunches at school
ReplyDeleteStraws not to keen though
ReplyDeleteall the family now have their own water bottle so i have stopped buying single use water bottles
ReplyDeleteCAROLINE WATSON
Straws. Much prefer the metal ones
ReplyDeleteWe used paper and metal straws. I've switched to cloth sanitary pads now after reading every traditional pad is the same as 6 carrier bags!
ReplyDeleteWe have swapped plastic straws for stainless steel ones at home, and take them with us when we go out, we have also swapped plastic shopping bags for reusable canvas shopping bags.
ReplyDeleteI use refillable bottles and go to the local shop to fill up on soap and shampoo
ReplyDeleteI use bars of soap and washing up liquid refills which are a great success. I have a reusable water bottle, coffee cup and cloths bags and do my best to remember to take them with me.
ReplyDeletePlastic bags have been replaced by cloth and canvas ones
ReplyDeleteBags have been an easy switch. I tried bamboo picnic cutlery but it was quite rough and sharp. I'll use normal metal cutlery from now on.
ReplyDeleteusing a shampoo bar instead of my usual shampoo
ReplyDeletel use the re-usable cotton pads and l love them
ReplyDeleteI’ve been using a reusable coffee cup and filling it at home and in the office for travelling
ReplyDeleteUsing reusable make up pads has been a good change for me.
ReplyDeleteWe swapped plastic straws for paper ones but they were rubbish so we changed to metal ones. We also swapped shampoo for shampoo in a bar which is rwally good.
ReplyDelete