Have you tried: Going Green?

Since moving to Washington, DC about three years ago I have noticed a significant jump in our ‘green’ initiatives here at the Baker household. It’s not that we didn’t care about the environment when we lived in Indiana, it’s just that ‘being green’ is more at the front of culture here. I think my interest was initially sparked when I began working at a ‘green’ company in a LEED certified building during the first two years we lived in DC. Since then, we have started recycling (elementary, I know) and using some more earth-friendly products. I thought I would share about my experience and views of these products in case anyone else is looking to be a little more earth-friendly in their every day life.

1. Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Soap – This soap not only smells heavenly, but is earth-friendly. Mrs. Meyer’s herself says that she wanted to make products that “Smells like a Garden, and Cleans like the Dickens.” Perfect. We have been using their soap for about a year now and I don’t see us switching anytime soon. Really, it’s smells sooo good, guests comment on the amazing scent all the time. They also make some heavenly scented candles.

 

 

 

2. Method Dish Soap – I first heard about Method through the book Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes. I loved the story behind how Method started and was intrigued enough to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by fairly low price tag and am in love with the pump bottle. It’s so nice for people like us who are without a dish washer. The soap is natural and biodegradable – amazing. We currently have the lime+sea salt scent and it’s just perfect for summer.

 

 

3. J.R. Watkin’s All Purpose Cleaner – I decided to try out this cleaner a few months ago when our regular All-Purpose cleaner ran out and have been quite happy with it. So happy, in fact, I think I would like to branch and try more of their products. It’s just so nice to clean my counters and smell lavender instead of chemicals. Am I right? I use it all over my kitchen and it’s earth-friendly and toxin-free. Wonderful.

 

 

4. Simple Face Face Care – I was a bit hesitant to switch my skin care routine because I often find that changing things up makes my skin have a minor ‘freak out’ for a few weeks. Anyone else’s skin hate change? BUT I was so intrigued by the idea of ‘no dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh irritants’ in their products and, let’s be honest, the British woman’s voice in their commercials sucked me in, so I went for it. I have been using their face wash, face wipes, and lotion for a couple of months now. I have been very happy with switch and my skin actually looks better! Win.

 

 

5. Method Body Wash – After I heard about Method in the book I was reading and tried out their dish soap, I decided to expand to their toiletries department and grabbed a bottle of their Pure Naked body wash. For a product with no arabens, phthalates or EDTA, I thought it was quite reasonably priced. After using it I didn’t feel like I sacrificed anything when switching from my regular body wash to a more natural product and am on my second bottle now.

 

 

When all is said and done, these product changes are minor and we still have a ways to go in reducing our carbon foot print, but every little bit counts! All of the products I mentioned today can be found at Target in case you are wondering. Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any recommendations for other natural products I need to try?