It’s easy to crave less. Less to buy. Less to clean. Less to store. Less to chose from. Less to throw away. And we’re those people who get a rush from consolidating two items down to one or earning more space in the drawer/cabinet/closet by paring down, so this is our idea of a good time (why buy ten bottles to do ten things when one product can do it all?). Three years ago I wrote a post about how we try to keep things simple in small ways, so after more than a few requests for an update/extended list, here it is. Happily, three years after embarking on Project Simplify, we probably have fewer cleaning/grooming/hygiene products around the house than we did back then – even with a third person in the house to care for. The “magic products” that work for us are probably going to be different than the ones that work for you (so there’s no pressure to conform to organic stuff if that’s not your jam), but hopefully it helps to see how we try to keep things simple.
Back in 2009, John and I realized that we don’t mind using the same shampoo and conditioner (Avalon Organics from Target) and could also share the same body wash (we currently use Say Yes To Cucumbers, also from Target) so why not stop buying our own bottles – for a total of 6-7 containers in the shower at all times – and share? Purchasing a single bottle of each breaks the constant cycle of someone needing shampoo or conditioner every time we go to the store, and three bottles (total) in the shower at all times is pretty darn refreshing. We don’t have other bottles of shampoo/conditioner/body wash in the vanity or linen closet – this is it. When it gets low we get a new bottle. It’s nice and uncomplicated.
Thanks to a lot of our eco-related changes from a few years back, pairing down in a few other areas has gotten awesomely automatic. Relying only on Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent (without any fabric softener) makes shopping for laundry products few and far between (and makes storing a single bottle a breeze). We used to use Charlie’s Soap for diapers but alternated with Seventh Generation whenever we ran out, and eventually just stuck with Seventh Generation (diapers are still doing great and it’s easier to find and use one thing on everything across the board). We ran out of fabric softener a few years back and did some loads of laundry without it and didn’t even notice a difference, so we just stopped buying it.
We use this in the dishwasher. We have talked about making homemade laundry detergent and dish detergent too, but haven’t tried it out yet (we’ll blog all about it if we make the switch someday). We have some great recipes in this post of yore.
When it comes to cleaning everything else around the house, from floors to counters and tubs and tile, we use these two cleaners 99% of the time (along with the occasional homemade recipe from this post). No buying window cleaners and tile cleaners and wood floor cleaners each to do an individual job. We usually just water down some Mrs. Meyers (the “all purpose cleaner” label really means it works on counters, wood floors, etc) and use a moist microfiber cloth to rub down whatever it is that needs scrubbing (floors, counters, tabletops, windowsills, etc). For glass, I just use vinegar and water (5 parts water to 1 part white vinegar). Here’s a post with more of our cleaning routine broken down for ya.
We also water down our Dr Bronner’s soap (it recommends that on the bottle, which is awesome since it goes twice as far) and use it for all the hand-washing in the house (kitchen sink, bathrooms, etc). We do one part water to one part soap and it’s great. It’s also what I use to wash my face/remove makeup. It’s nice and mild. And we wash Burger with it. So it’s pup approved.
I think I got bitten by the simplicity bug back in NYC, when I lived in the tiniest studio, with no room for anything. Ladies (and gents?), I give you my makeup bag. I’m not proud of my $5 Chinatown bag from nine years ago (I can’t believe the zipper still works) but the point is that virtually all the makeup that I own lives in this little bag. It’s not a travel bag, it’s my only bag – which makes it easy to pop into a suitcase. It actually lives in the car for the most part since John’s the driver and I get to “put on my face” as we go wherever we’re going (since I can never seem to get it together and do it at home).
It holds:
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear bronzer/blush (from Target or CVS)
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear two-toned eye make-up (from Target or CVS)
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear concealer stick (from Target or CVS)
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear mascara (from Target)
- An eyelash curler (from Sephora)
- A blush brush (from Sephora)
- One lone contact (just because I am known to lose them randomly)
I’ve used all of the above products exclusively for the past 2-3 years. And I love them. I’ve never been great with anything like liquid liner or fake eyelashes, so for those of you who are, maybe I don’t know what I’m missing. But either way, my simplified makeup bag facilitates super speedy makeup application, which actually results in me looking more polished. I’d never slap on make-up if it was too complicated or took too long – I’m just a wash and go girl (hence my ponytail tendencies). And now that I only use a few organic things, my skin is a lot better, and I find that I don’t amass a pile of new products (no more impulsive purple eye shadow or bubble gum pink lip gloss purchases that seemed like a good idea at the time).
As for what we do use in the name of hygiene, John has hair stuff (Crew from Target after he couldn’t find his favorite old stuff, Got2be – which we later learned got new packaging so it was hard to spot) and shaving cream and aftershave (Burt’s Bees). I actually just shave with a little bit of conditioner in the shower. We both use the same type of razor (we have two of them, mine is in the shower and John’s is in the drawer) so that buying refill blades is nice and simple (we don’t have to buy two types for two different razors). And we both use Tom’s of Maine deodorant and toothpaste (the kind with fluoride since we tried the fluoride free kind and both got cavities and then switched back and have had none for the past two years).
That’s about it when it comes to beauty/grooming products that we buy beyond shampoo, body wash, and conditioner (John’s not a cologne guy and I’m not a perfume girl). We also use sunscreen and lotion, but just try to buy one container and restock only when it runs out. We like Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Coconut Organic Lotion (from Target or Whole Foods) and Bullfrog Sunscreen SPF 30 (Target, CVS). We keep a tube of each of those in our travel bag under the sink and in our car’s middle console. I don’t even use face cream now that I use mild makeup and Dr Bronner’s soap (it doesn’t strip my face so it’s not dry and in need of lotion anymore – which used to make my sensitive skin break out anyway).
In high school I was kind of a slave to beauty products (you should have seen my stash – I probably had a million bottles) but since I no longer get home from school at three pm and play with my nails/hair/face for hours, this new “grown up busy mom” routine works for me. For the past three years I’ve actually not used hair spray, pommade, or perfume. This is definitely one of those to-each-his-own things, but I like the smell of my shampoo and body wash enough to be cool with that being “my scent” – and thanks to my ponytail propensity, there’s no need for any hair stuff beyond shampoo, conditioner, and a good old fashioned brush. It’s a look I like to call low-maintenance chic on a good day (and messy momma on a bad day).
One of the nicest things is that there are sections of magazines about makeup and perfume that I can gloss over entirely (in high school I was kind of an “ooh I want that!” kind of girl, which is probably why I had approximately 500 bottles and samples and cans of things on my vanity) so I can’t tell you how nice it is to not always want everything I read about. I just flip on by. Oh wait, but there’s nail polish.
I didn’t paint my nails or toes for a while just to keep it simple, but I do have occasional yearnings for a bright pop of color, so I do have a few polishes made by Zoya and Honeybee Gardens (they’re free of some of the fumier chemicals in some other brands). I have ten nail polish bottles total, which all fit into our freshly organized drawer. It’s nice to keep it to that number, so I won’t impulsively buy any more. I probably had 50+ bottles in high school, but now ten is the new number – no buying any more unless one runs out.
Oh and I love this stuff. It’s in my purse, a box next to my desk, on my night table and in the glove compartment of the car. You don’t want to see me when I can’t get my hands on lip balm. I’m a total baby. You’d think my lips were falling off or on fire or something. Seriously, it’s not pretty. So I learned that keeping one stick of it in four key places is the simplest solution for me. I never completely run out since I have a few stashed around the house, and because I have so many in rotation, they tend to last a while so I’m not always buying it a stick at a time.
Oh yes, but within the last three years we had a baby! So we must have amassed a ton of products for Clara, right? I mean we are pretty attached to the girl. But when it comes to keeping Clara moisturized, clean, diaper-rash-free, and sunburn free, instead of registering for twenty creams and lotions we decided to scan three things and take more of a wait-and-see approach. We knew we could always purchase more/different products once Clara came along (who knows if she’d have an allergy to something anyway) so we started with:
- California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash (for bathtime) from Target
- Badger Baby Sunscreen (for sun protection) from Whole Foods
- California Baby Calendula Cream (for face, body, diaper rash, cradle cap, eczema, dry skin, etc) from Target
That’s it. No baby powder, no face lotion and body lotion and diaper cream (just one that does it all), and no body soap that differs from hair soap. Just three basics. And miracle of all miracles, that’s still all we use! After almost two years. Seriously, those three products are our entire arsenal. So you can imagine that when it comes to storing them it’s no biggie (they all slip into the top drawer of her dresser except for the shampoo which we keep in the closet in her bathroom with the washcloths and towels). So we don’t have a big basket of products or a stockpile of extra bottles. Just those three things. And when they run out we get more. Just one more though, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. Haha. Who knows when things could change. But so far, so good. Off to knock on some wood…
By making an effort to covet less (and trying to focus on natural things or a small amount of items) it cuts way down on the products that can jump into my cart on a whim. And it doesn’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. It feels like I’m gaining closet and cabinet space, more moolah in my wallet, and extra time that I can spend doing things other than restock various bottles. I’m dying to know what you guys do to make life easy and live with less. From sharing products and even making your own to forsaking certain things and purchasing specific items in bulk, I’d love to hear what works for you.
Update – Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint colors we used? Just click on this button:
Nicole says
That’s so cool that your Target sells organic/natural products! I have to go to Whole Foods to get mine, and I live in California (!!). You would think we would be ahead of the curve out here…
cappy says
Can I say after the 3 years of following you all the last few post are my favorites! I really streamlined our products in our home-what a huge difference! I had 12 bottles of perfume and never worn them! I did keep just one that I used on my wedding day and will break that out from time to time on special occassions. Question on the Badger…do you find it very greasy? I use this on my three year old and when I try to rub it in, it gets into her hair. It makes her hair look so greasy like she hiked for 7 months on the AT trail w/o a bath! I only use sunscreens on her that are non-nano and I think Badger is one of the only few. Just wondering if you have any application methods that work with Clara?
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Cappy! So glad to hear it. As for Badger, yes it’s soooo greasy! Haha. But as you mention, it’s one of the more pure types so I guess we just look at it as a trade off. Poor girl looks all greased up but we try not to over-apply it and rug it in as well as we can. That’s one thing I hope gets better over time (eco sunscreen seems a few light-years behind the traditional stuff).
xo,
s
Maureen says
Cappy, I feel ya when it comes to the Badger sunscreen. I was recently doing some hiking in Sequoia National Park and brought the high SPF (unscented) Badger for my face. Whoa, ghost/clown alert! I figured the whiteness would fade after a few minutes but at the end of the day when I got back to a mirror…nope still white as a sheet. Good news though! Badger just came out with some new sunscreens that don’t leave you super white! Look for the tube that says “Sunscreen LOTION”. It’s more for everyday with an SPF 16 and it works great…no more clown face. I’d probably still use the higher SPF for hardcore outdoor activities or beach time but for everyday or lighter outdoor stuff this does the job. Here’s the link so you can see the info. *I don’t work for Badger, haha, I just love their stuff! http://www.badgerbalm.com/p-483-spf-16-sunscreen-lotion-aloe-vera.aspx
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE THAT TIP! I’ve been waiting and waiting for less white ones. Haha.
xo,
s
Sara says
I just LOVE Dr. Bronner’s products! Their liquid soap is awesome diluted in a foaming hand soap dispenser, no spurts or gummed up soap around the nozzle :)
Mostly though, hooray to simplifying! Good for the environment and our kids! I’m still a bit of a product junkie, but I’m working on it! Thanks for sharing your awesome tips.
Shannon says
Thanks for sharing! My make up lives in the car too. My hubby is the driver and I just can’t get to it before we walk out of the door.
I have been making my own laundry detergent for a while. We still love it. We have a 6 month old, so we do her diapers (we’re doing cloth)and clothes in Charlie’s still. Here is the recipe we use:
http://quarryorchard.blogspot.com/search/label/Homemade%20solution
and some clarification after I had so many questions
http://quarryorchard.blogspot.com/2009/12/home-made-laundry-soap-part-2-some.html
These posts are 3 years old and it is still what we use. I do add some OxyClean in it now, from time to time, if I think our whites are starting to look not-so-white.
I’ve tried about 6 different dishwasher recipes and haven’t found one that cleans without cloudiness or grittiness on our ‘clean’ dishes.
I’ll have to check out the diaper rash cream. We love what we use (Earth Mama Angel Baby Butt Balm) but I can’t find it in stores. I always have to order it and have it shipped. It is difficult to find cloth friendly products. But, in 6.5 months, she’s never had diaper rash, so something is doing its job!
YoungHouseLove says
Love the tips!
xo,
s
Allyn says
We’ve started doing a lot of this. Use the same shampoo/conditioner. Sadly, he likes bar soap and I like liquid. I need to try the cucumber though!
I really like having less stuff to deal with.
We totally have your glass soap dispenser. Two, actually. Great minds.
Lindsey d. says
I swear by baking soda and vinegar for my household cleaning needs. It is so versatile. I only made the switch about six months ago, so in a few cases (like bathroom cleaner and floor cleaner), I’m still trying to use up what I’ve got left before I go solely to vinegar/baking soda.
I also made my own laundry detergent earlier this year, which is working like a charm. My recipe came from Yellow Brick House, with a couple of tweaks (more baking soda and less borax since I have very soft water). I’ll definitely keep doing that!
As for personal products, I have more than I’d like, but I love Cetaphil and Neutrogena for lotion/face wash/sunscreen. That, plus Dove sensitive skin face wash is all I need. Although I’d like to try some organic formulas, my skin is sensitive and it took too long to find products that don’t irritate to risk it again!
I stopped using lip balm daily a while back and it was hard at first, but now I rarely need it. I do love a spot of color, so I’ve got a couple of lipsticks around (usually cast offs from my mom when she buys the wrong color).
Leigh Anne says
When you all posted about Avalon Organics in your shower recently, I decided to give it a try. After reading the back of the bottle, it really inspired me to go Cruelty Free and make sure that the products that I use in the future are not tested on animals. I found this website is a great source to use when shopping http://leapingbunny.org/, and almost all of the products you mentioned in the post fit the bill. Thanks for such an informative post – you’ve certainly encouraged me to take a step in a better and more eco- and animal-friendly direction!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that link! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Eleanor says
I make my own laundry detergent, and it’s ridiculously easy. I pulverize a bar of soap (I’ve used both Dr. Bronner’s and Mrs. Meyer’s), add a cup of borax, and a cup of oxi-clean. It works great for me! Often I do a double batch and it lasts forever. I also just wash my dishes with Dr. Bronner’s with some lemon and tea tree oil mixed in.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Eleanor!
xo,
s
Leah Case says
I was trying so hard to use minimal amounts of products on our baby, and really wanted to keep them natural! Turns out she is allergic to everything I have tried except cetaphil + desitin, as non-natural as you can get. Sad!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that’s sad, but I’m so glad you found things that work for her!
xo,
s
OwningSingle says
I’m trying to pare down my bottles of stuff starting with cleaning products. I’m using up everything I have and once they are done I’m going to try to limit it to a couple of products. Now the makeup and bath products are a whole other battle. I’m a bit of a junkie of those things but I really do need to limit the amount of bottles in my shower. It’s getting a bit crazy in there.
Rhonda says
Loving this post. Simplicity is so satisfying. I just had to post to pass on a blog on the topic of financial and life simplicity. http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/06/meet-mr-money-mustache/
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, his tagline is hilarious.
xo,
s
Rhonda says
I love the concept of simplifying! What do you do if you are gifted different products than what you use? I seem to get a lot of scented lotions and body sprays as gifts from other people. I have a hard time just getting rid of them, so I just end up storing them for seemingly no reason.
Ideas?
YoungHouseLove says
Oddly enough I am never gifted products. Does that mean people think I have given up entirely on grooming/beauty?! Haha. I don’t know whether to be relieved or insulted. Haha. I think if I were gifted something I would try to regift it to someone who could use it or yard sale it.
xo,
s
Sarah says
My only one question:
You’re also into the couponing.. I’m just curious if a great sale/coupon comes along are you willing to buy a few extras in order to save $$ down the line?
I feel that I am quite similar.. me and my boyfriend share pretty much everything the same as you and john, but my vanities are pretty full with items to cheap to pass up.
I guess my frugal side over-powers my minimalistic side.. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Great question! I usually never get coupons for the organic stuff that we buy, so it never seems to conflict! Haha. I mean I get them for organic milk or eggs and use them, but for products I never seem to get them except for vague ones like “save $1 on any Burt’s Bees product” that expires about two months later, so I just wait until we need to replace something like a tube of lip balm and use it then.
xo,
s
Dina says
Sherry, CVS has great coupons on Physician’s Formula products in their weekly circulars pretty often. It will usually be something like “Buy $14 of PF products, get $5 in ExtraBucks!” and the coupon prints out when you check out. You just have to remember to look at the weekly circular, which you can actually see at their website online or have emailed to you (to save paper to boot!). I love CVS coupons because they often flat-out give you money (to spend at CVS). I might be a little biased though because my father-in-law has worked for them his whole life. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Really?! I never thought those worked for Organic Wear and were only for the main PF stuff. Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Emily says
My husband used American Crew pomeade in his hair for ages, but it is so expensive. After trying a few different brands, we found the Suave for men line. He said it works just as good, and is about 1/3 of the price. Just a little tip in case you wanted to try and save a few more cents.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much! John is lost without his old stuff, so it’s the first thing he grabbed. I’ll have to convince him to try Suave for men to see if he likes it once this runs out.
xo,
s
Jen says
Totally agree about the Suave for Men line. Way cheaper than the salon stuff and works just as well. Plus, there are always coupons for this stuff! We usually get it for less than $2/container!
YoungHouseLove says
Good to know!
xo,
s
Erin says
Totally agree! My husband also used the American Crew brand but switched to the Suave for Men and actually likes it better. I can usually get it for about $2 with a sale + coupon at Target, etc.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!
xo,
s
Michelle @ Lifewithacrazypup says
My husband and I use the same shower goodies too! It makes our brand new shower (check her out here!! http://lifewithacrazypup.com/2012/03/25/bathroom-reveal-before-afters/) so much more enjoyable because we get to check out our handy work instead of staring at ugly bottles!
You know what’s weird.. I used to use Burt’s Bees lip balm constanlt! Within the last few months, I developed an allergy to it! It’s awful. I had to find a new brand.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- your new bathroom looks awesome! So sorry you have a Burt’s Bees allergy now! Maybe try Dr Bronner’s lip balm? They used to sell it at Target but I haven’t seen it in a while. Maybe try Whole Foods?
xo,
s
Carolyn says
I love physicians formula too, and definitely noticed a change in my skin since switching. My skin is really sensitive so It’d always get irritated with even the slightest non-organic products. I haven’t tried all of their products yet … now I will! I used to buy expensive Aveeno face lotion but recently started getting the Aveeno body lotion (can get a lot more for cheaper) and it works on my face too! We tend to buy products in bulk which I know is easier on the wallet but sometimes I hate having to stash stuff in the closet. Love this post and I’ll definitely refer to it again in the future!
Nancy S says
Burts Bees – just love their products. Whenever I find the lip balm on sale I stock up. A tube is stashed wherever I sit too! And Aveda products, seriously, their botanical line is great. During the winter my dry skin needs Bio Oil, but a bottle lasts for year………….
Right now the “bottle” person is my 16 year old son, with all his smelly stuff – but he’ll learn, eventually ;)
Amy says
Does the Meyers work on glass as well? This is so inspiring to pare down!!
YoungHouseLove says
For glass I just use vinegar and water! It’s awesome! 5 parts water to 1 part white vinegar.
xo,
s
Jen says
If anyone is looking for a less expensive castile soap, I totally recommend Dr. Woods. It’s about half the price of Dr. Bonners and easily available online. They also have a version with shea butter and olive oil that I love!
As for baby products, my son is 15 months old and we are still using the same large bottle of California Baby soap for him. Since we use it on his hair and body, I’m impressed that it has lasted this long! Totally worth the initial (slightly gasp worthy) $22 price tag!
YoungHouseLove says
Never heard of Dr. Woods! Thanks for the tip! And isn’t it crazy how long California Baby lasts? We’re on our second bottle and Clara’s 23 months old!
xo,
s
Nicole says
I just fell in love with this post. I have been so proud to share that my city bill went from $140 to $104 in one month from becoming a little greener! We switched all of our light bulbs to the swirly bulbs. Which means the 25 light bulbs that were 100 watts are now 13 watts and give off the same amount of light! I only use my dryer one time a week for underware and socks and hang all my clothes on the line! I make my own laundry soap, fabric softner and body wash. Wr have switched to organic milk as well!! I am just so excited to keep saving! I am planting my own garden this week and have saved all random old wooden chairs and things i have found from the previous owner and re-painted them and put new fabric on the seats and LVOE them!! Thanks for all the green tips you leave, our next child WILL be using reusable diapers~ Green living!!
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips Nicole! So inspiring!
xo,
s
Suzanne says
Great post! My hubby uses dr.bronners soap as his shampoo/body wash–so THANK YOU for sharing how you use it. I am going to try it for sure! :)
BTW–love me some California baby!
Brittney P. says
I was recently introduced to Norwex products. They have microfiber clothes that you use with just water, and they take up a lot less space than the cleaning products. I am especially impressed with the glass cleaning clothes.
YoungHouseLove says
We hear great things about that line!
xo,
s
Carolyn says
I have some Norwex products too and just LOVE them. I haven’t used anything on my mirrors and bathroom sink but norwex microfiber + water in almost two years. Can’t recommend them enough (the only downfall is I think you have to find a consultant in your area or go to a party. Can’t just pick ’em up at the store).
Rach says
I love this subject! I use vinegar a lot for cleaning everything!
http://www.vinegartips.com
I also have been trying different products as I run out and I love, “Loving Naturals” for baby:) Both body wash and lotion. All products get a 0 on EWG and work great!
Check out Eco Nuts for laundry…ive been using them for all laundry and cloth diapers. They are all natural from a tree and they have a natural fabric softener in them. You just put some nuts in a sack and put them in your washer (that’s what she said…lol). I also use 7th generation but I do not like that it has the SLS in it:(
Thanks for the info!!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome about Loving Naturals, never heard of them! And we’ll have to check out Eco Nuts. Love all the tips everyone!
xo,
s
heather says
EcoNuts are Soap Nuts.
http://stores.buysoapnuts.com/StoreFront.bok
Love love love.
Nicole says
i forgot to mention we clean everything with vinegar, peroxide or baking soda!! I got rid of any chemicals in my house!
Allison says
I’m in the market for a new shampoo (organic or less chemically). We tried Say Yes to Carrots, but hubs didn’t like the powdery smell. I don’t like scents that are too powdery or sweet. Shampoo should smell fresh. We tried the new line from hurts bees call Gud, but it didn’t lather like regular shampoo. How does Avalon Organics compare? Does it come in a regular size bottle for us to try out?
YoungHouseLove says
We have found Avalon Organics is the most like typical shampoo (in smell and lather, although not as extremely sudsy it still lathers a bit). More eco things don’t lather as much since the things companies add to make things lather are usually not as natural. It comes in regular bottles sizes at Target. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Danielle says
I love Organix, which comes in tons of scents (some fresh and some sweet!) The green tea one is particularly good! Its at any grocery store or CVS.
Liz says
This is a great post! Do you also use the Badger for your face? Just curious what you use for face lotion.
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we just try to apply it thinly (not so thin that we get burned, but not so thick that’s it’s hard to rub in).
xo,
s
Erin says
My husband and I are starting to do this, too. We switched to bar soap from body wash (one less plastic bottle!) and just share a bar till it’s gone. Do you guys have a Trader Joe’s near you? They have great natural bath and body products – me and the hubs both use their shave cream, and we love their oatmeal and honey bar soap.
As far as cleaning products, we’re trying to transition to all-in-one and DIY cleaning products, too. I just came across these bottles with built-in lemon juicers (http://www.fullcirclehome.com/products.php?id=49&prod_num=25) which I think look awesome.
I think it’s great that you guys are so green, and I love reading your tips and ideas. Keep ’em coming :)
YoungHouseLove says
We have heard so many good things about Trader Joe’s stuff, we’ll have to check it out! We have one across town! And thanks for the lemon juicers link!
xo,
s
Laura says
Three years ago, my husband and I moved our family of four from a 3000 sq. ft house to a 2000 sq. ft house. We moved to a better school system and closer to our church. While I would do it again in a minute, the paring down was hard. And I’m not talking paring down of small toiletries…we had to lose furniture, a garage, basement, walk-in pantry, walk-in closets, etc. So we REALLY had to decide what was important for us to keep. And amazingly enough, we are doing just fine without those items we lost. Our closets can’t get crammed with stuff b/c there is no room for it (same goes for our pantry). Although there is more than enough room for our clothes. I’m convinced that we as humans are like goldfish–we will expand to whatever “bowl” we happen to have. My house takes less time to clean and maintain. My daughters don’t have a giant basement playroom anymore (filled with toys to the brim that they don’t play with), but they have more than enough toys in their rooms to keep them happy. I have friends with huge homes and their families are no happier than ours–I even think that sometimes it is the opposite! :)
MS says
I started doing this a few years ago at our house too. No more “backups” to replace things as they run out in the linen closet. (Made me feel like I was committed to a brand for life, which I didn’t love anyway).
We use vinegar, water and peppermint oil in a spray bottle to clean everything. Literally, everything. I finally turned in our other cleaning products to our county’s household hazardous waste collection. Not the best solution, but better than down a drain or continuing to use them in our house!
Glad you guys are leading the charge to simplify and go green. Life is so much easier that way!
my honest answer says
I really wish I hadn’t read this! I went upstairs to tidy my drawer and throw some stuff out – and instead I ended up painting my nails! Of course, that means I’ll be unable to organize for a few hours until it is totally dry… procrastinating much?
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahha, I totally do that. Forgetting that I have junk to do I’ll paint my toes and then John will be like “put on work boots, we have to go do ____” and I’m like “uh, my toes are wet.” Hahah.
xo,
s
Joelle says
going to do some serious purging tonight. i thought we were scaled down, but we have way too much stuff. and we are moving in a few months, and i’m in a give-it-away/throw-it-away mood. i just don’t know if i can share body soap with the hubs? I like the smell of his, but maybe we can share shampoo, but i used a more expensive shampoo (i have curly hair that is colored and straightened). oh i need to think about this more.
Nora says
I sooo covet your low maintenance routine. I found that cutting down on my makeup definitely helped my skin but I still love Sephora. This inspires me to clean out my make up drawer and get organized! Do you use a facial moisturizer?
I also have been trying to go organic with certain products but I’ve found more than I dislike than like. I’m currently hating my way through a bottle of Say Yes to Carrots orange shampoo, and I also liked Avalon but then my Target randomly didn’t have it. Which Toms deodorants do you guys like? I had to give up on the one I bought because it wasn’t working well. Hopefully once I get through my trial and error, I’ll find the ones I like!
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t use facial moisturizer just because Dr Bronner’s and my makeup is so mild that I don’t find that it strips my skin (so it’s not all dry and tight). With old cleansers I used, I definitely needed face cream, but with my sensitive skin they made me break out so it was a viscous cycle. As for which Tom’s deodorant we like, we just get whatever scent tickles our fancy. We have tried them all and they seem to work for us but we hear that some others don’t like them, so I think they only work for some people.
xo,
s
Carolyn says
Sherry, you’ve inspired me to try Dr. Bronner’s as face soap! Do you just use a 1:1 ratio like when you mix it for hand soap? Looks like the peppermint kind is your favorite – have you tried other scents? Also looking at trying some Tom’s deoderant. I know my sister uses it and says it doesn’t keep you from sweating, but rather just helps the odor not be so bad. Only one way to find out! : )
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, just one part water and one part soap in a soap pump, so we can use it for hands or faces (we even wash Burger with it).
xo,
s
Lana says
I just read the first chapter of “The Happiness Project” last night, and it’s about freeing your home of clutter for a clearer mind. After reading that and now this post today, i am inspired to finally tackle my closet of products I buy on a whim, use for a while, then stash away.
Thanks for the visual reminder that less really can be more!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, that first chapter will make you want to jump up and organize like crazy!
xo,
s
Nicole says
I LOVE this post! I was just so excited to share with everyone that my city bill went from $140 dollars down to $104 dollars by switching all of our 100 watt light bulbs to 13 watt energy efficent light bulbs! We also make our own laundry soap, fabric softner and body wash! I have gotten rid of all the chemicals in our house and only use vinegar, peroxide and baking soda to clean everything! We only use our dryer one time a week for socks and underware otherwise we always hang our clothes on the line! Make sure all lights are shut off and open windows for natural light! We just switched to organic milk and my son loves his whole organic milk :) We love all your green tips and can’t wait for more!
jess says
HAHA! Glad to see someone still wears Acuvue 2 like me and hasn’t made the switch to the expensive Oasys or Advance or whatever they’re called! Go Sherry! And I’m pro-simplify your life too (less products/cleaners= happy me… less sorting)
Katy says
Loved this post! I’m a freak about bleaching my kitchen sink and counters after I’ve been messing with raw meats, which I’m sure is terrible for me to be inhaling, but the thought of raw chicken juice lingering on my counters grosses me out. How do y’all take care of that? Do you use Mrs. Meyers?
YoungHouseLove says
Anything with tea tree oil is antibacterial, so I think Mrs Meyers has one with that in it for natural anitbacterial qualities. We honestly just cut raw meat on a certain plastic cutting board that we then place in the dishwasher (the heat of that cleans it well). And we wipe down our counters with regular old Mrs. Meyers without any issues (that’s been our MO for the last 3+ years). But I definitely know some folks love using stronger stuff for their counters.
xo,
s
maggie says
I would love to be like that! I have been in a cleaning mood so maybe ill clean out a lot of my makeup and bath stuff.
What did you think of Mockingjay?! I love the series. I just finished it on Monday and thought it was my least favorite of the 3. There was to much going on and to many new characters with strange names to keep track of. I had to look back through the book many times to figure out who a character was.
YoungHouseLove says
Haven’t finished it yet!!! John has though. Check back with me next week. Haha.
xo,
s
christy says
We decided a long time ago that we’re okay sharing stuff, too. It really cuts way down on the bathroom clutter.
As for the laundry detergent, we’ve been making our own for a couple of years now and I can honestly say that we’ll never go back. Not only is it much greener, it’s also a heck of a lot cheaper. I make the powder instead of liquid because it takes less room to store and I spend, no lie about $20 year on detergent!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo
s
Carol N. says
Great post! We are trying to use up our existing cleaning supplies and then I will be switching to an all-in-one for the household items. As for makeup, I only use a tinted moisturizer, powdered blush, mascara and lip balm so my makeup bag is small too. I used to buy tons of products at the department store (can you say $$$) and my skin was horrid. Simplifying it has made it so much better and saved a ton of money. I have 4 nail polishes and if I want something different, I go to the nail place and either treat myself to a pedicure or more likely, a polish change. That keeps me from amassing too many polishes. We do not share shampoo as our hair is TOTALLY different in the needs. I love having a more simple lifestyle.
cappy says
oh one last thought, We use the Castile soap (peppermint and almond one) as body wash too. I was told you could clean your shower and self all in one. Have you tried this as a body wash?
We also use the California baby hair conditioner since our daughter’s hair is getting a little longer-works great and I am going to try Thais menthod that she mentioned above-what a great idea!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, someone recommended trying Dr Bronners as a body wash too and I love that idea! Even fewer bottles!
xo,
s
Bri says
I’m right there with you on the simplification bandwagon! We have one shampoo/conditioner/body wash in the shower too. I guess I just get twitchy if there are too many things around. :) I’ll have to check out your two in one eyeshadow, the shades look like what I’m already using and I’d LOVE to have them both in one container.
One thing I do differently is that I have one backup of our products stashed away in one of the many extra cabinets in our bathroom (seriously, who has enough stuff to fill up 4 cabinets and 10 drawers!?!?). We just grab the replacement when we run out and put it on the list for next time it’s convenient to go to the store. That way we’re not making a bunch of random trips to Target, thereby reducing the chances that I’ll come home with a random pillow or picture frame.
Allison says
Do you clean your windows and bathroom mirrors with Mrs. Meyers too? If so, do they come out streaky? (Have I been brainwashed by the Windex commercials??)
YoungHouseLove says
I just use vinegar and water (5 parts water to one part white vinegar) for mirrors and windows.
xo,
s
Meg says
I’m so glad to know that Tom’s has fluoride now. I’m also glad you guys don’t have any more tooth decay. :)
Kathy says
Ack! I wish I coule be that simple… I have the intentions but I lack in the execution. I did just pair down my makeup substantially. I really don’t wear a ton of makeup, either, but somehow I still have three bottles of foundation… but then I don’t want to be wasteful and throw it away, ya know? My husband and I do share shampoo & soap.. I think I will switch to his brand of razors though in order to save more space. I have at least ten different bottles of face wash though.. but since they are Clinique ($$) I’m keeping them until they are empty!
I have about twenty bottles of nailpolish.. that’s my addiction, but I do actually use them and I’m pretty good with getting rid of them if I don’t (or they get goopy).
Cleaning is probably where I have the million products. Although now that I know how great Mrs Myers & Dr Bronners are, I can make an effort to pair down the million bottles I have under the sink.
Andrea says
My hubby all gets mad at me for putting on “war paint” in the car and not at home. What can I say, no time?! A question about the cleaners(I just spent $40 at Freds on different household cleaners), is the Mrs. Meyer’s antibacterial? I am a germophobe and I have to have cleaners that kill germs! If so, I may be making a change very soon!
YoungHouseLove says
I think there’s a tea tree oil one (that’s antibacterial, so anything with it listed as an ingredient kills germs). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Cassie says
I love this post because I also use/love many of these products (Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, Mrs. Meyers hand soap, Burt’s Bees chap stick, and Seventh Generation detergent). I did recently buy the same Avalon Organics shampoo/conditioner but returned it after looking it up on EWG’s cosmetic database (it scored a 5, which isn’t horrible, but was high for an organic product, I thought). I bought Yes to Carrots shampoo and conditioner (scored a 2) instead and really like it.
Also, you guys have mentioned The Happiness Project so much that I put it on my hold list at the library and can’t wait to read it! Thanks so much for all the inspiring info! Off to clean out my medicine cabinet and makeup bag!
YoungHouseLove says
SO good to know about Avalon! We looked it up 3 years ago when we started using it and it was much lower. Might have to switch to Yes To Carrots! And you’ll love The Happiness Project – it’s so interesting!
xo,
s
Candice says
Such a great post! We’ve been simplifying things for the past year, but you’ve just inspired me to simplify a few more things. =) We do make our own laundry detergent and it works quite well. I spent $10 on ingredients a year ago, haven’t had to buy more yet, and still have a good amount for another couple batches. Hooray for simplicity!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s amazing!
xo,
s
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
A couple things I want to mention…we just switched to Tom’s and love it. We switched to an organic all natural ace cream and shampoo and I now have my husband using it as well – so here is hoping I can pare down those bottles in the shower. And a couple of questions: Do you ever have problems with the Dr Bronner’s leaving a residue or film? And do you use the California baby for diaper rashes with your cloth diapers? I need one that is easy to find and not crazy expensive. We actually have one bottle of shampoo/body wash for little one and have been using olive oil as a rash “cream” and it has worked well. I am pregnant with #2 and have no intentions of buy more stuff just for the sake of it. Less IS more!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
No issues with Dr Bronners leaving a residue at all! It’s mean to be watered down so we follow those directions. We have used California Baby cream with Clara’s cloth diapers for the past 20+ months and they have been fine! I think because it’s organic it breaks down easily in the wash and doesn’t deter absorbancy.
xo,
s
Laura says
What do you think of your Tom’s deoderant? I am looking for an aluminum-free brand but have heard that it doesn’t kill odor that well. How long have you used it?
YoungHouseLove says
We have used it for 3+ years. Works for us, but we have heard from others who hate it, haha. I think it’s one of those things where everyone’s different so different things work for different people.
xo,
s
Marlena says
Fun! We do our best to minimize and cross-use products. We also take our bottles to our food co-op and refill the containers to minimize waste even more – our Dr. Bronner’s bottle has held up for almost a year.
Have you ever checked out Zero Waste Home? http://zerowastehome.blogspot.com/ In one year the family can’t even produce enough garbage to fill one mason jar!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! Completely amazing.
xo,
s