Stuff We Use

I decided to revamp this page a bit. Formerly this was a road test page, where I was going to rate everything we've tried.  Instead I've decided to dedicate this page to products we currently use in our home.  At a glance, it seems like an awful lot and I hope to reduce this list in the near future.  (Updated March 11, 2014)
 
Baby
Dolphin Organics Baby Lotion (Skindeep: 0):  I don't use lotion on my little one that often, but this is now my top brand.  It's a tad bit greasy at first but rubs in well and leaves the skin silky smooth.  Plus it's fragrance free and super gentle. 

Dolphin Organics Baby Shampoo and Bodywash* (Skindeep: 1): I first started with a sample of the bubble bath and really liked it.  For the bodywash, I've tried both the fragrance free and the citrus and I love them both.  They are really mild.  The citrus smell can be a bit overpowering at first but I eventually got used to it, though I do prefer fragrance free.  It soaps up well and I feel safe using it on my little one's delicate skin.

*We also LOVE the bubble bath!

Episencial Babytime! Peaceful Bubbles, Playful Wash, Cheeky Salve & Nurturing Balm (Skindeep: 0-2) This is a current favorite in our house along with Dolphin.

Tropical Traditions Moisture Cream (Skindeep: N/A) This is an intense Coconut Oil bases moisture cream.  I use it on our toddler's dry skin and mine!

Burt's Bees Diaper Cream: I'm not a huge fan of Burt's but this stuff works wonders and has a pretty good ingredients list.  Smell is a bit potent as with most items containing Calendula.  We use this as a backup when we run out of Episencial since it is easier to get (CVS sells it).

Diapers & Wipes
Honest Company
Earth's Best (as a backup if we run out)

Mama & Daddy Bath Stuff
Dr. Bronner's Shave Gel and Liquid Soap: My husband and I have been huge Bronner's fans since we heard of it.  Several years ago my husband was going to the Amazon and needed an all-in-one biodegradable soap - enter Dr. Bronner's.  So I was super happy when I discovered this new product (also a fan of the pepper mint lip balm!)  This is an unscented version but does have a smell - almost like candy, sort of sweet (I'd like to try the peppermint next).  It has a very thin viscosity* so I need to be careful not to pour out half the tube when using it, especially since you only need very little.  Aside from that, it works well and leaves your skin silky smooth afterwards.  I'm just not too crazy about the smell. *In the summer and when the heat is cranking.  When it was cold in our apt, it became the perfect consistency.

Note: I used the baby mild soap on our little one and I love the way it smells on him - I'm obsessed with smelling his hair afterwards, so clean smelling.  Although it is not recommended on a squirmy baby as it can really burn the eyes.

Little Soap Shop Soaps: A local treasure in Astoria, NY

Toothpaste
Jack and Jill Toddler Toothpaste
Weleda (several variations)

Deodorant
Bubble and Bee Deodorants in both spray and cream: Love love love this stuff

Home Care
Haan Steam Mop:  After our Bissell died, we did some research and purchased a Haan.  The heat of the steam released reaches 212° F and is supposed to kill up to 99.9% of household germs.  We have the select version.  It's a bit heavy and hard to maneuver.  The pads are larger than the bottom of the mop so often we are left with a line of grime on the floor that needs to be wiped up. The Bissell had a pad that wrapped around the mop and we did not have this problem.  The pads also get pilly in the wash (even when hand washed and air-dryed).  It does do a good job of cleaning the floor and does look sanitized but I did like the Bissell better.  (Though the old model did not reach this high temperature, which is why we switched brands, and it did also die after 2 years).  The Haan uses a continual amount of steam, where the Bissell had a press button.  You could hold it on a tough to clean spot and release a double dose of steam that would clean it right up.  The Haan has a tough time with stuck on food.   We also tried a Shark and ended up returning it the same day.

Better Life Oaky Dokey: Wood polish, with an amazing smell
Better Life Even the Kitchen Sink
Seventh Generation Glass and Surface and also Toilet bowl cleaner
Dishmate Dish Soap
Dr. Bronner's
Good OLD Baking Soda and vinegar




Laundry Care 
Charlie's Soap Laundry Liquid (Skindeep: n/a): I'm a huge fan of Charlie's Soap.  As mentioned in my very first post, Charlie's, I believe, helped cure a chronic rash of mine.  It cleans well and our clothes are incredibly soft without the need for fabric softener. It's biodegradable so a big plus for the environment as well.

Ecover Stain Remover (Skindeep: n/a):  This has a rather strong pine scent to it, which is from a natural plant based fragrance.  It's a bit strong but not as overpowering as most traditional detergents.  It goes on easily with a brush applicator and works really well.  It got poop out of my little one's ivory color bedsheets.  Didn't work too well on blueberries - but it got poop out!!! My one problem with it is that I'm a bit unsure about some of the ingredients and need to do a bit more research on it.

Makeup
Lauren Brooke Cosmetics
Honeybee Gardens Face Powder
Beauty Without Cruelty Eyepencil
Zoya Nail Polish
Burt's Bees, Badger, Bubble and Bee, Earth Mama and Dr. Bronner's Lipbalms
Afterglow Lipstick
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara

Nursery
Naturepedic Changing Pad: This is one expensive changing pad.  But it's very nice, sturdy, seems comfortable, contains organic cotton, is made in the USA and does not contain Vinyl / PVC or phthalates.  It seems to be very well made, durable construction and we haven't had an issue with our covers coming off.  Plus I like that the screws it uses to bolt to your dresser or table are actually snaps, so you can remove it if need be without having to unscrew anything.

Naturepedic Mattress 

Sunblock
Badger 
All Terrain


Have also used, but not currently:
Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm (Skindeep: 0):  This stuff worked really well on a bad diaper rash.  It took one day to reduce the severity of the rash by about 75% and by day 3 it was healed completely, only to come back.  Within a week, he had no signs of diaper rash and we've been continuing to use the product.  My only problems with it are 1- it's expensive and 2 - there is strong tea-tree oil smell to it, very medicinal, so it's not my favorite in the scent department.

Eco-Store USA Baby Nappy Balm 

Weleda Baby Cream: For chapped faces

Nuture My Body Volumizing Shampoo: Just used this for the first time today.  So far it is the most like regular shampoo I've used in awhile.  Clean, gentle scent.

Bubble and Bee Spearmint & Tea Tree Pit Putty with Baking Soda (Skindeep: 0): My husband has been using this and so far, so good.  It's not a traditional deodorant and can be a bit chalky, which is explained on the website.   I had originally purchased it for myself but the spearmint was a bit too minty for me.  The scent definitely works better on my husband.  It works just as well as his old "natural" deodorant but doesn't contain the triclosan. 

Purple Prairie Botanicals Natural Deodorant* (Skindeep: 0): This has been my natural deodorant of choice these days.  There is a strong lemon / anise smell to it and at first application, I find the scent a bit strong but that might be because I am used to a more mild "fresh" scent.  After awhile, it does tone down and seems to be pretty effective, especially for one without baking soda.   If it's a hot day, it is definitely one that needs to be reapplied, but works surprisingly well for a non-antiperspirant.

*I had to stop using because it gave me a rash.  I also got tired of being chased by flies in the summer! And it felt a little sticky.

Aubrey E plus High C Deodorant
Earthpaste
Tom's Clean and Natural (No SLS)


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