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:
Jay says
I love Dr. Bronners. To me peppermint=clean, ya know?
I like to water it down and put it in a “foaming” dispenser. It makes it more “soapy, sudsy”, not a watery. I just reused a foaming soap dispenser that method (mickey mouse :)) came in! It last a REALLY long time.
Love the simplified life!
Chrissie says
That is such a clever idea! I need foaming cleanser for my combination skin, nothing else works as well, so that’s limited my choices. I’ve tried it before with cleanser and it was too thick, but watering it down could be perfect!
Olivia says
This is such an inspiring post! And it couldn’t have come at a better time. My husband and I are currently moving from our 2400 sq ft. house to an RV (temporarily, for a few months). We will need to pare down and just bring the essentials. I have been going through all our stuff and throwing a lot away since I’ve wanted to simplify for a while now, this is a good time to do it. I am embarrassed to admit how large our stash of bathroom/hygiene/cleaning products is. I am an impulse buyer when it comes to that stuff! I am seriously thinking about throwing it all away and starting over. It’s all been adding up over the past year or two…big time. I noticed we use a lot of the same products! I think I’m just going to go with my gut and throw it all away/give away and start fresh & just with the basics :). One thing I can say is my make-up bag is small just like yours…that is one thing I seem to be able to keep under control!
Sandra says
My fella is not the most organized nor does he like to throw things away. I, on the other hand, am a minimalist – but we’re both busy in PhD programs so I had given up a bit. Not this week though!
Your posts inspired me so I started yesterday. In addition to recycling a giant container full of stuff and making a huge craigslist pile, I also found 2 starbucks gift cards (w/ $15 on each) and a $30 Lowes card. Yay!
I’m not typically one to follow blogs regularly and NEVER post, but YoHoLo is so endearing. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! First of all, you’re the first person ever to call us YoHoLo and I am cracking up. It’s awesome. Second of all- finding gift cards = amazing! Yay!
xo,
s
ali says
OMG, YoHoLo is my new go-to for you guys – love, love, love! (or Lo, Lo, Lo)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahhhaha.
xo,
s
Kelley says
The four of us (me, hubby, 8 yr old son & 5 yr old daughter) all use Suave for kids 2 in 1 shampoo & conditioner. One bottle is all we need! We all share the same bar of soap for washing (some may think that’s gross, but we all eat at the same dinner table so…. I don’t see a big deal). I quit using fabric softener. I tried making my own laundry soap. Loved it for about 6 months, but then switched back. It wasn’t a money thing, or an allergy thing, I just wanted to try it. I use vinegar to clean almost everything! Hydrogen peroxide works well too for the bathroom cleaning.
YoungHouseLove says
Such great tips!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
I am super jealous that you don’t use any product in your hair other than shampoo/conditioner. I have super curly hair and I’ve discovered that it takes a few very specific products to keep it soft and lovely. And it seems the things that work best on MY hair are expensive to boot.
I haven’t specifically chosen to use natural products myself but I’ve noticed myself migrating towards more natural products without realizing it because they WORK and don’t damage my dry hair and sensitive skin. :)
Alex says
This was a really helpful post! My boyfriend and I have been talking a lot lately how to declutter and refocus away from the THINGS in our lives. I had to forward to him the resource you linked to for checking toxicity of products. Yuck.
Anyway, thanks!
I’m just one of your many daily readers, and I really appreciate how you two keep it real. Keep it up!
Marissa C. says
FYI, if you’re ever short on toothpaste, you can use Dr. Bronners with a pinch of baking soda to brush your teeth. It tastes pretty gross, but it gets the job done and leaves teeth feeling shiny. My husband and I used this method exclusively when we were poor college kids–though now that I’m older I can splurge on toothpaste again. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, who knew?!
o,
s
Jen says
oops- as I sent this I saw these anwsers- sorry! :)
YoungHouseLove says
No worries!
xo
s
Veronica says
Ok I have a question- I have an 18 month old. And she makes quite a mess at dinner (she says and signs all done and if we don’t remove it fast enough she “helps” by sweeping her arm across the tray and knocking it all in the floor.)
What do you do about keeping a clean/crumb free floor. Do you still use your dirt devil Kurv you mentioned FOREVER ago? Or have you found something else that works. I am so sick of sweeping and mopping her area EVERY NIGHT after dinner. HELP :)
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s our secret: Burger! He’s like a roomba! When we’re at other houses without a dog we don’t know how they do it! Maybe try wet paper towel or microfiber cloth to grab most stuff or a little hand vac?
xo,
s
Veronica says
Hahaha! That makes me laugh because 90% of it is cleaned up by the dogs (we have two), but they have been boarded for a few days while we get a new fence and I noticed how much WORSE it is without them.
Lisa says
First suggestion – give her less food! I don’t mean starver her…just give her a little at a time. You can always add more to her plate if she wants more. If there is no food to wipe off the tray, then no mess to clean up!
Second suggestion – put something under her chair to catch the crumbs….like newspaper or even a towel. I have used a towel and then just fold it on itself and take it to the trash can to empty.
Third suggestion…put her in a booster at the regular table and give her a plastic placemat (that you can even tape down if you want to)…then start teaching her to keep food on the placemat. I did stickers, etc. to help mine learn that food stays there, not all over the place.
Also – have her help pick up the bigger pieces, then use a handheld vac to grab the other stuff.
Good luck!
Karen says
I had to laugh, Sherry, when you described youself as a teen. My teen daughters do the same things-one in paticular, whom I refer to as the “Product Queen”. I think your instinct to simplify comes from having a child and knowing how easily things can get out of hand if you don’t keep your life manageable.
I use nearly all the same products you do and have for years. I never knew that you can buy stuff like Cal Baby at Target, which I love but almost never buy because it’s very expensive. So that’s good to know. And I love lip balm and nail polish too!
Pam M says
Vitacost has great prices on a lot of these products, they have lot’s of organic brands. They also carry an all natural deodorant that I LOVE, it is called Alvera All Natural Deodorant. I use the unscented but just read the reviews, people love them all. (Cheap too!) Won’t use anything else. If anyone is new to Vitacost, they have a reward program and if you are kind enough to use my link and sign up through it, you will get $10 off your first order. I’ve always had great service from them and use them a lot. (Easier than going out to a store.)
http://tinyurl.com/ceayvcm
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip!
xo,
s
Kathi says
Loved the comment about the lip balm, but then I saw the pic of what you use to cure it and had an “Aha!” moment (I am now singing bad 80’s pop in my head). Anything that has mint or camphor in it will actually dry out your lips, forcing you to keep using the product. I keep a very teeny-tiny tub of Vaseline in every room of the house and that’s what we use. I realize it’s not a green product, but so far it’s the only thing I’ve found that doesn’t have my lips doing the “I fell asleep in the sun for 6 hours” look.
Lauren says
I don’t think anyone else asked this question, I apologize if they did, but what do you use for the dishes that you can’t put in the dishwaser (pots and pans, good knives)
Also, we make our own laundry detergent, if you ever make your own, let us know how it works with the diapers! I’m curious, as we do plan on cloth diapering when we have babies down the line.
We use the most simple recipe, and one little batch lasts us 4 months and costs us around $5
1 bar Dr. Bronner’s castille soap
1 cup wasking soda
1 cup borax
That’s it! :)
YoungHouseLove says
We just use Dr Bronners. It’s in the soap pump and totally plant-based so it’s non-toxic!
xo,
s
Annette says
I’ve heard homemade soap is no good for diapers. :(
Adrien says
This post is inspiring and also a little terrifying. I really need to pare down my beauty stash but oh, I love my crap. This post of yours might inspire a blog post for me. CANT SHE DO IT? CAN SHE THROW AWAY THAT LIPSTICK SHE BOUGHT SIX YEARS AGO? Heh.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you can do it!
xo,
s
Tina Bland says
Love this post!! I definitely need to go through my make-up/beauty supply stuff – I probably have tons of stuff from years ago that I never use. I’m trying not to be the, “Oh I’ll use this someday” kinda girl anymore. Reading the Happiness Project last year really helped me with that, and my closet is a lot cleaner and easier to navigate because of that, but I have to apply to it other junk in my life!
One thing I do swear by is making our laundry detergent! I LOVE IT!!! I use this recipe (the first one listed):
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
and we all enjoy it! It looks goopey and weird, but it smells amazing and really does a great job, better than regular laundry detergent in our opinion. I use the Fels-Naptha soap because I heart the lemon-y scent. You could really use any soap I guess, but I like that one because it’s actually laundry soap. Once you try it, you’ll never go back. I made my last batch of it in early March and we are about halfway through it – it lasts foreeeever and it’s amazing how much we save by NOT buying the regular stuff. Oh and we do at least 2 loads EACH a week (there are 3 of us) so that will give you an idea of how long it sticks around!
Plus, there’s something to say about being all domestic and retro by making my own detergent. I feel very…little house on the prairie or something;)
YoungHouseLove says
Love the recipe! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Kristine says
Great post on simplifying! But my first thought after reading it was: hey you forgot a member of the family… What about Burger? As an owner and two dogs, I’d like to know your short list of products for him as well.
YoungHouseLove says
He just uses Dr Bronners soap! So when I mean that we all use it as hand soap, I am including Burger who uses it all over for sink baths! Haha.
xo,
s
Carrie says
I’m a total bath stuff junkie. I get bored easily. But in the past couple of years- I don’t know if it’s age or my medication- my skin is dry, dry, dry. Like desert dry. So I’ve had to cut back on my pretty smelly stuffs and start using hydrating stuff. Now I’m looking at making my own because everything is so chemical laden and I’m just absorbing all those chemicals and I have enough health issues to last me the rest of forever.
I’m impressed with your arsenal. And ragingly jealous of your amazing complexion. No powder is enough to cover this hot mess of ruddiness that my skin is.
In a few years you may have to add eye cream to the mix. I swear the day I turned 33 the bags under my eyes grew like the Grinch’s heart. Granted I had a most stressful year but turned out my grandmother was right when she told me to use hand lotion every morning and night and to moisturize my face and chest and use eye cream every morning and night. I should have listened to her, she had an amazing complexion. Wish I would have inherited her Italian olive complexion! My brother got it instead. Gene hog.
Karen says
Random: my hubby uses the same Got2Be and I just bought him a new one last week- its not discontinued, but they did totally change all their packaging (I had to open up the tubs to see which was the right stuff)
YoungHouseLove says
No way- thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Skooks says
Ok – – this is a bit unrelated, but I noticed your soap pump. I got that same one a few years ago and loved it so much I got another one for our kitchen. Except not longer after I got the 2nd one – of course – the silver part of it where the soap comes out just started corroding and got all nasty icky. On both of them. I was so bummed because I loved the look as well as the ease of the pump. Wondering how long you’ve had yours and whether I just got some lemons in the bunch?
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s the deal- we have heard about that a lot! I believe it’s the soap you use. Since Dr Bronners gets watered down (we do one part water and one part soap) it never gets gummed up! I think that’s the key!
xo,
s
Skooks says
We used dishwashing soap (the organic Meijer brand) in our kitchen pump so that we didn’t have to have hand soap AND dish soap on the counter (whatever – – it’s all soap!), but obviously that’s not diluted down. Makes sense. Still a bummer though.
Laura says
I bought two of those soap dispensers for my bathroom. I loved them so much I bought three more for the kitchen and second bathroom. The silver top on the last three corroded and I threw the tops away and kept the glass jars to reuse for a vase/decor. The two in my bathroom are still ok.
YoungHouseLove says
I have heard that from folks who haven’t used Dr Bronners and people who have (and water it down) don’t seem to have that issue (us included) so I have decided it must matter what soap you use, and thinner soap that’s watered down must do better in them for some reason. Isn’t that weird?!
xo,
s
-alex says
Great post. You may have answered this, but I couldn’t find it. What do you use for washing pots and pans? Dr. Bronner’s or something else?
I made the mistake recently of switching laundry detergent from Trader Joe’s brand to Tide with Febreze because our work-out clothes smelled even after washing. Bad mistake. I should know better than to buy heavily scented scary blue color detergent. Sigh… I will be washing bath mats and non-important items with it until I can use it up.
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, Dr Bronner’s! It’s right there in the pump and it’s plant-based and non-toxic!
xo,
s
Sarah K says
Add some white vinegar to your workout clothes loads (or any washing really). Takes the smell right out of my husband’s stinky stinky soccer clothes!
Wendy says
Instead of fabric softener, you can use vinegar (put it in the Downy ball) or baking soda (put it in the wash at the same time as the detergent, or a little before/after).
My hub and I spend a great deal of time running, swimming, and he has a steady stream of tris. The vinegar works wonders to defunk stinky endurance athlete gear, plus leaves it much softer! :-)
128 oz bottle of Heinz white vinegar is under $4 at Costco, so we keep that on stock for most everything: cleaning the toilets, the mirrors, all counters, floors, etc..
Agree with the previous poster about using baking soda on most everything to clean, too.
Another option for good quality local products= farmers markets.
There is a bee farmer in our area who uses his left over bees wax to make a skin product that I LOVE. It’s the only thing that works for my sometimes-super dry hands, and it repels water! This means that I use it under tights in the winter to run, and it acts as an insulating agent…and hub has used it instead of Body Glide or Tri Slide! :-) (Product has 4 ingredients only!)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!!
xo
s
Annette says
I’m the same way about my Burt’s Bees chap stick! Once, I flew home from Mexico (shortly after 9/11) and they took away my chap stick from my carry on. :( I had to go 8 hours without my beloved Burt’s Bees. I was sure my lips would fall off.
We’ve been gradually trying to pare down AND switch to more natural products, so this post is very inspirational. The only thing we’d need to add is detangler for our daughter and hair cream for my crazy hair. Thanks!
Shaina says
Love that you guys share so much, but just word of caution, you may want to look into a facial moisturizer with spf. I love the Josie Maran brand b/c it’s all natural and spf 40. Unfortunately as we women age, our faces tend to tell the tales.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Shaina!
xo,
s
Amanda says
I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but have you tried Dr. Bronner’s Sal’s Suds for the house instead of their castile soap? I use the Peppermint Dr. Bronner’s for all things on my person (except for Tom’s toothpaste and Tom’s Deoderant), and Sal’s Suds for all things house related. I did used to use Mrs. Meyers all-purpose, but I like Sal’s Suds better for everything from glass to dusting to dishes. You can use it on anything, it’s still from the good Dr., but is designed for the house. I get huge jugs on Amazon and LOVE it. http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/SAL.htm
YoungHouseLove says
Never tried it, thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Dina says
OMG, I agree… Sal Suds is my one and only cleaning product. It is the BEST THING EVER. It’s super concentrated, so I’ve had the same 32 oz bottle for 2 years, and I still have 1/3 left! I just put a few drops in a sprayer bottle and fill it with warm water, and I use it for everything (except my floors, where I use white vinegar)… my whole kitchen and bathroom, dusting, windows, dishes, etc. For something really stubborn (like hardened grease on the stovetop), I just put a drop of Sal Suds directly on the spot, let it sit for a couple minutes, and then it wipes right off! I worship the stuff.
By the way, have you guys tried the basil-scented Mrs. Meyers? Between my orange Dr. Bronner’s which I use on my face and body, and Sal Suds which I use on my house, I don’t really need another soap/cleaning product, but the basil scent is soooo yummy smelling, I can’t resist buying the hand soap!
YoungHouseLove says
Love the Sal Suds tip Dina! We have never tried the basil scent but it sounds amazing! Now I want to grab it next time we need to refill!
xo,
s
Kristin says
Thanks for the tips! Here are some of my favorites:
– Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo and Conditioner
– Kinesys sunscreen — the best!! http://kinesys.com/
– LuSa Organics – booty balm, sugar scrub, earth child soap (for face breakouts), and they are currently working on deodorant — coming soon! http://www.lusaorganics.com/
YoungHouseLove says
Love the list!
xo,
s
Wendy says
PS On an unrelated-ish note… that might be of help to someone…
Chobani greek yogurt containers fit PERFECTLY in most car cup holders and they hold a TON. This results in the best snack holder for long drives or hungry people at any time!
YoungHouseLove says
Awesome tip!
xo,
s
Michele says
you guys! i am so inspired. i use organic products in the house as well (cancer “runs in the family” and after i read a study by Vassar College about 6 years ago about environmental carcinogens in cleaning products i ditched it all.)
but i just realized yesterday that hubby and i could share a shampoo (Suave’s Rosemary and Mint – yum) and I’m TOTALLY inspired by your use of just two housecleaning products. I have too many bottles under the sink, and I can’t WAIT to use them up and try the two you like.
One question: those products are safe and cool for granite/corian countertops?
YoungHouseLove says
We used Mrs Meyers on granite and corian (both light in color) without any issues!
xo,
s
lindsey says
The whole time I was reading this post I was thinking about ewg.org. I recently discovered that Burt’s Bee’s products were bought out (I think by Johnson & Johnson) and are now not so natural. I am loving everything from Elemental Herbs–have you used them at all? Thanks for sharing your simplify-simplify-simplify mantra! It is nice to be reminded to find the few things that work for you and stick with them.
YoungHouseLove says
Never heard of them! Will have to check into them!
xo,
s
Lisa says
Someone else may have pointed this out but please PLEASE do not store your sunblock in the car. Sunblock becomes unstable at high temperatures (like a car in the summer) and will no longer protect you from uv rays. It’s even recommended to pop it in your cooler when at the beach.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip! I had no idea!
xo,
s
Robyn says
I did not realize any of Tom’s were fluoride free? Now I am worried about which one I am using :0 Do you need to use the “whole care” to get the fluoride?
YoungHouseLove says
It usually says “with fluoride” on many of them and only one or two are fluoride free, so I bet you’re ok!
xo,
s
Suzanne says
Love the simplifying tips (especially the household cleaners – though I have a particular devotion to the squeaky clean of Windex). In your personal grooming products you didn’t mention facial mositurizer. Sacre bleu! Please tell me you wear eye cream?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I actually don’t! It used to make my sensitive skin break out but now that I use milder makeup and Dr Bronner’s soap (which is moisturizing) I don’t feel all tight and dry so I don’t need it! And no more breakouts!
xo,
s
Kim says
Oh yes…Burt’s Bees lip balm. That is our favorite! And unfortunately for us it’s our Malamute’s favorite, too. She snags any tube my husband leaves at nose level and eats it leaving an empty tube. She’s talented. So we stock up if we can. Great post! Thanks for the inspiration.
Kim S. says
I envy your restraint. Nail polish calls to me!
You have inspired me to cut down my ridiculous product count. Thanks for the push :)
Kim W Rily says
Do you guys have hard water or a water softener? We have a lot of buildup in our house. I can usually use vinegar, but I know my mom likes to use CLR, which is very chemical. I wonder if that’s a difference as to why you don’t need a fabric softener?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t have a water softener but we don’t seem to have very hard water in our area (in our last house or this one). Totally could make sense of us not needing fabric softener!
xo,
s
Theresa says
I discoverd Zoya nail polish a few months ago, and oh my goodness I’m hooked! I think I’ve passed your 10 bottle limit though hehe, that might be something I need to implement too. So many pretty colors to choose from…anyways, love this post and reading about great natural/organic products, thanks for sharing!
KC says
silly questions…but for the california baby body wash, does it lather well and last long? do you buy a baby pouf to apply it, or will just a wash cloth work?
YoungHouseLove says
We just use a wash cloth! Seems to lather and work well!
xo,
s
Kelsey says
Great post! I would love to pair down like y’all! But, maybe an odd question, what do y’all use to clean toilets and bathtubs? Also how do you clean the wood floors? I need a cleaner that doesnt leave streaks but is safe for wood floors and safe for a little one. Do you still use the Kurv for dust bunnys and food crumbs? Thanks so much!!
YoungHouseLove says
Just some Mrs Meyers! It does wonders. Just put it on a moistened cloth and rub the floor or shower and put some in the toilet and fluff it around with a brush. We do still use our Kurv and Burger the Roomba. Both help! Haha.
xo,
s
Abby says
My mom’s been making her own laundry detergent for years and loves it. She also has three boys at home, and their clothes are always clean and she never has problems with stains, if that makes you feel better :)
My favorite green cleaning product is vinegar. We use it for fabric softener (just put in the regular slot in the washer) and I swear it works better than the chemical stuff! Plus, it disinfects our workout clothes AND the washer, so that’s nice. I also use it as an all purpose cleaner for almost everything around the house. I can’t seem to get rid of Pledge, though. I just like the pretty sheen it gives to our wood :)
YoungHouseLove says
So good to know about homemade detergent and boys! It must be good stuff!
xo,
s
Annette says
Quick question: What do you use to wipe Clara? Do you use cloth wipes? Does the diluted Dr. Bronner’s work as a wipe solution?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh for baby wipes we use Seventh Generation. We’ve used those since she was born and love them (so mild) – we’ve meant to use cloth wipes but just somehow never made the switch. Maybe with baby #2!
xo,
s
Dina says
For my third comment of the day (so sorry!)… it’s not too late Sherry! I use cloth wipes and the coupe times I’ve forgotten to do laundry quick enough and had to use disposable wipes, I found it so annoying (having to go to the trashcan to throw them away, etc.). I know some people soak their cloth wipes in some special homemade solution. Honestly, I just stick them in an old wipes tub, cover them with plain old tap water, and cover them up. They never sit more than 48 hours like that before they get used up and washed, so I don’t worry about bacteria having time to grow (you can also store them dry and spray them with water when you use them, which I sometimes do). When I change my daughter, the cloth wipe just gets folded into the dirty diaper and thrown in the wet bag. Then I dump out the entire contents of the wet bag right into the washing machine when it’s time to do laundry. So easy. And my daughter’s bum is very happy about the whole arrangement. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Dina! You made it sound so simple, I’d love to try it sometime!
xo,
s
Image South says
My wife bought me the Burt’s Bees shaving cream and I love it. I was pretty skeptical at first, but now wouldn’t use anything else.
Lindsey D says
Hey!
So, just curious? What do you use to clean the bathroom, especially the toilet? Does the all purpose stuff work there or is that one of the 1% of other products you use?
Lindsey
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we use Mrs Meyers in the toilet. Just add some to the water, swish it around with the brush, let it sit, and flush about five mins later. It works!
xo,
s
Jess @ Crunchy Hot Mama says
Great post! Thanks for sharing what your family uses and for new items/tips for us to try. We are like ya’ll in trying to use better products that don’t damage us or baby girl :) I use the Badger sunscreen, too, (though my hubby doesn’t like the texture or smell) and had a mom ask if I need to borrow hers, but said ‘you probably have your own, huh?’ Yup, you gotta cover all avenues especially the lil tike!
I was excited to see you discovered Zoya, too! It’s stil kinda smelly but way better than what I used to use. I recently did a post on it since I felt behind on the times in finding a better polish.
http://crunchyhotmama.com/2012/04/27/rumor-has-it/
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, love it!
xo,
s
Amy says
If Claire ever starts to have skin issues I suggest dropping the California Baby. My son’s dermatologist told me that was the worst stuff we could use for his eczema since it has so much perfume in it. He has us using Aveeno Baby wash for baths and Cetaphil for lotion on him twice a day.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip! Clara had a bit of dry skin/eczema but she outgrew it and we found that the Calendula cream by CB really helped (calendula is a natural ingredient that soothes dry or irritated skin). We did hear that they recently changed the formula though, so we’ll probably be switching to BabyGanics since we hear good things about it! Either that or Dr Bronners lotion since that stuff is so awesome and mild!
xo,
s
jackiebianchini says
Man, I wish I could get rid of all my shower clutter. I think it’s awesome that you guys use mostly eco-friendly products, and even some cruelty-free. That’s really important.
Wrenaria says
Never heard of Bronner’s until reading this post/comments. I noticed they have quite an array of soaps when I popped by their website. Which kind is your favorite?
I tried using a variety of organic products on my face awhile back (last year I think?), and surprisingly all they did was make my skin problems worse, so I scurried back to Clinique. I miss the days of a basic cleanser and tinted moisturizer as my only beauty necessities (I had almost perfect skin until I turned 24 – adult onset acne has been traumatizing).
Also, I haven’t actually tried organic household cleaners (maybe I will when I run out out of what I have). My go-tos are scrubbing bubbles, windex, and clorox wipes.
YoungHouseLove says
I love the big bottles of the almond stuff (with the green label) best! They’re around $9-10 at Target but they’re meant to be watered down so it’s like getting two big bottles for that price since we water it down one to one (water/soap) and it lasts forever!
xo,
s
sarah says
we are quite as streamlined as you, but hubby and i do share razors (love the gilette) and toothpaste. and yes, my makeup sits on my sink in a fun old glass jar, and the whole thing pops into a carry bag when we go….no thinking or extra toting for me.
Teri says
A few years ago I received an ‘Ultimate Cloth’ free sample. I had a window that always had streaks regardless of what I used. I tried newspapers, paper towels, vinegar/water, windex non streak..you name it I tried it and when the sun came through just the right way, the streaks showed and the OCD in me went crazy. I tried my free sample on the window and to my delight, no more streaks and the windows stayed cleaner longer because all I have to use is water. I have not been without this cloth since. It’s held up for years. It works wonderful on my stainless and keeps it cleaner longer because all I use is water so no ‘cleaner residue’ and no fingerprints later. I no longer have to buy cleaning solutions of any kind. If I need something stronger for the floors, it’s vinegar and water. If I need a disinfectant I use the ultimate cloth with a little (and I mean little) bleach. I use it on my mop instead of a swiffer pad and use very little paper towels now. It’s been the best investment for me in scaling down.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Teri!
xo,
s
Lauren says
I’ve found that planning ahead and buying stuff online, including the essentials like soap, toothpaste and hair products, can save a lot. My hubs uses the Crew stuff on his hair too, and at the risk of sounding like a walking advertisement (but I have to share a good deal!), I bought it at drugstore.com, going through Ebates.com and I earned cash back from both sites, free shipping, and didn’t pay any sales tax. We also use Norwex products for cleaning, and because their products are antibacterial, they require nothing but water. No additional products to buy plus no funky chemicals lingering around your house!
YoungHouseLove says
Love the tips Lauren!
xo,
s
Kelsey says
Thanks! Another question, do you spray the Mrs. Meyers straight on the woods floors and the wipe it with a microfiber mop pad? Or you get down on hands and knees and spray on cloth the clean? Thanks again!
YoungHouseLove says
I just put a little on a damp cloth and wipe things down. It works on a mop too, just don’t get things too wet since it’s bad for wood floors!
xo,
s
Jen says
I really wanted to try Dr. Bronner’s, but it was way too pricy for me! So, while looking for an alternative I found Dr. Woods Shea Vision Pure Castile Soap with Organic Shea Butter and I love it! It’s about a third of the cost of Dr. Bronner’s. I use it for my face wash everyday and it is the best thing I have found! No more bothersome breakouts and when a few spots happen, they go away so much more quickly! We also have tried the peppermint for body wash/hand soap and right now we have the almond kind (liked both of them). I’ve only found it online, but it is great! You can even use it for laundry detergent or other cleaning.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip! One thing to realize about Dr Bronners is that its meant to be watered down (we do that 1/1), so spending $10 on a giant bottle is like getting two of them for that price- and they usually last us about a year or two! Not kidding. And we use it for hand soap, face soap, even for washing pots and pans and washing the dog! But we have heard good things about Dr Woods too!
xo,
s