I have been really bad about posting. So bad, that when I read my old posts, I can see how rushed and not very thorough they are. So I wanted to take a moment to share a few more of our favorite products and some updates!
My little guy is now 2 1/2 years old. It's amazing how time flies. And we keep evolving. A very long while ago, I wrote a 3 part post on strollers. I'm happy to report that our little guy chose his very own Maclaren Volo and that's been going strong for a while. Our PVC free rain cover from Bumbleride is still in use but it's starting to tear a bit. I love it but I wish it was slightly longer and a bit more durable for NYC parents.
Teeth brushing is a very enjoyable experience for our boy with Earthpaste's Lemon Twist. It's made from Redmond clay, real salt and essential oils. We are coming up on having to go to the pediatric dentist time so I'm a bit anxious to see what the Doc says and also really scared of having the dreaded fluoride discussion.
Mr. Husband and I are very much less stinky with Bubble and Bee's cream deodorants. I adore Bubble and Bee. Their products are fantastic and they do a ton of chemical research. Stop by, get a deodorant or two and read about their chemical of the day. They also sell Earthpaste, so huge plus. An even huger plus is that if your deodorant doesn't work for you, they will send you a free replacement of a different version of which they have many - sticks, creams and sprays! Mr. Husband alternates between cream and spray depending on how rushed he is.
Our little one has also moved up into his very own toddler bed (aka converted crib)!! We never used blankets before, so this one was a bit tricky. We ended up getting a set on super duper sale on Amazon and he is now sleeping with a super soft set of Summer Infant organic sheets and comforter for only $50. It matches his room, he loves the look and feel. The only downfall is, we never used a pillow before, so started out with the Naturepedic toddler pillow (with it's hefty price tag). The set only comes with a standard pillowcase. I may take it to my sewing machine for a bit of trimming but in the meantime, I made him one pillowcase out of cotton flannel and am planning on making two more with cute organic cotton fabrics I got from Etsy (also on sale)!
Mr. Husband and I are also contemplating our own online store in which we will sell the products we've road-tested love and thoroughly endorse. More on that one later!
Showing posts with label toothpaste. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toothpaste. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Going SLS Free... Bring on the Suds!
One of my BIG detox missions right now is removing all sulfates, and not just the ones in my shampoo! It seems that the shampoo companies are jumping on the natural bandwagaon these days by touting that they are sulfate (and sometimes even paraben) free. I won't even get into the other harmful chemicals that a lot of these products contain and instead I'll keep my focus on the other products that contain sulfates - toothpaste, laundry soap (see my first ever post), hand soap, dish soap, etc.
So what are sulfates and why are they used? And most importantly, are they harmful?
What? Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are the chemicals used to make your soap, shampoo, toothpaste foam up. It's how you get the uber sudsy effect. Something my husband pointed out in the laundromat one day when it seemed that are fellow laundromat patron used way too much detergent. It wasn't too much, it was just the foaming factor was a lot heavier than ours was.
Why? They are cheap and effective.
Harmful? Although they are considered "safe" in many products, they are known irritants. Some products with these chemicals have also been contaminated with low levels of 1, 4 Dioxane, which has been classified as a carcinogen. Shampoos have been removing it due to irritation on the scalp.
If you've been following my story here then you know that 1-I don't want to take any chances with the health of my family and 2-I am very much sensitive to the effects of SLS. Much to my dismay, a lot of natural products use SLS stating that it is deemed safe and that it is natural because it is derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. Also noting that it can be irritating if left on the skin - hence the shampoo again.
So here we are with the decision again - go with it or get rid of it? I recently switched my toothpaste from Tom's Whole Care to the new SLS-free Clean and Gentle. I know a lot of people are down on Tom's because they are corporate and use fluoride, etc. But I have to say that I do like them. It was the ONLY toothpaste I could tolerate through morning sickness and they have really stepped up creating both SLS and fluoride free toothpastes based on customer demand.
Most SLS-free products are not fan favorites due to their low foaming action. So in their defense, here are a couple of pics of SLS-free soap products. They are looking pretty sudsy to me!
So what are sulfates and why are they used? And most importantly, are they harmful?
What? Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are the chemicals used to make your soap, shampoo, toothpaste foam up. It's how you get the uber sudsy effect. Something my husband pointed out in the laundromat one day when it seemed that are fellow laundromat patron used way too much detergent. It wasn't too much, it was just the foaming factor was a lot heavier than ours was.
Why? They are cheap and effective.
Harmful? Although they are considered "safe" in many products, they are known irritants. Some products with these chemicals have also been contaminated with low levels of 1, 4 Dioxane, which has been classified as a carcinogen. Shampoos have been removing it due to irritation on the scalp.
If you've been following my story here then you know that 1-I don't want to take any chances with the health of my family and 2-I am very much sensitive to the effects of SLS. Much to my dismay, a lot of natural products use SLS stating that it is deemed safe and that it is natural because it is derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. Also noting that it can be irritating if left on the skin - hence the shampoo again.
So here we are with the decision again - go with it or get rid of it? I recently switched my toothpaste from Tom's Whole Care to the new SLS-free Clean and Gentle. I know a lot of people are down on Tom's because they are corporate and use fluoride, etc. But I have to say that I do like them. It was the ONLY toothpaste I could tolerate through morning sickness and they have really stepped up creating both SLS and fluoride free toothpastes based on customer demand.
Most SLS-free products are not fan favorites due to their low foaming action. So in their defense, here are a couple of pics of SLS-free soap products. They are looking pretty sudsy to me!
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| Dolphin Organics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash | (Not even the bubble bath)! |
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| Dapple Dish Soap |
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