Keep it Simple: In the Bathroom
Making the transition to healthy living can sometimes seem overwhelming – there is so much information out there as to what is “safe” and what is “toxic,” what products are just using clever marketing to appear “natural” and what companies are genuinely interested in people over profit. Where should we begin if we are new to the idea of living an eco-friendly lifestyle? What are our options if we are working with a limited budget and cannot afford some of the bigger swaps? How can we skill-up in our habits without compromising on our sanity?
A few years ago, I came across this phrase on a piece of home decor from my sister…
Keep it simple.
These three words have been something like a lifeline when I have felt as though I am swimming in a sea of information and products. These three words encourage me to take a step back and to look at things pragmatically.
You may be asking, “But what exactly does it mean to ‘keep it simple’ when it comes to healthy living and stewardship?” That is where this new series come into play! My goal is to distill what I have learned over the past ten years and narrow it down to my top five habits, products, and/or tips for each of the main rooms/parts of your home. Now, of course, my top five may not be the best fit for your home, your lifestyle, or your needs, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt. And feel free to build your own top five from scratch, using mine as a springboard!
Let’s dive into this second post in our “Keep it Simple” series, which is how to keep it simple in the bathroom!
- Keep it simple with hand soap – Branch Basics concentrate in a foaming hand soap bottle.
If you have followed along for very long, chances are you have heard me brag about my favorite cleaning concentrate, made by a wonderful company called Branch Basics. Their cleaning concentrate is a bit pricey upfront, but I promise you will not regret making the switch to this non-toxic cleaner!
We have been using their concentrate for our hand soap (1 part Branch Basics Concentrate to 4 parts water, or you can buy their refillable bottles with fill lines for easy mixing with water) for years now. Keeping a bottle of concentrate on hand means I never run out of hand soap. Plus, this stuff works wonderfully, without all the side-effects from using conventional hand soap (ex: eczema, fragrance-induced headaches, hormone disruption, etc.). In case you are curious, I also use this concentrate to clean my home, remove eye makeup, wash the dog, shampoo my son’s hair, and more. It is so gentle, yet incredible effective! Non-toxic living at its finest! (New customers can use this link for $10 off!)
*Here’s a little tip: If you like scented hand soaps, simply add a few drops (3-5) of your favorite essential oil to the bottle and give it a shake. You can customize scent to each sink, or pick a universal scent for all the hand soaps in your home. Some of our favorite scents include: peppermint; lemon; rosemary; and Thieves. Like Branch Basics, I recommend using only wildcrafted or high-quality, organic essential oils processed without solvents.
- Keep it simple with tooth care products – OraWellness.
OraWellness is an oral care company that specializes in providing holistic solutions for your oral health. They place a large emphasis on educating their customers, so even if you do not plan to buy any of their products, I highly recommend reading the many articles they have on oral health so that you can make educated decisions in that category of life for you and your family.
I began using their hydroxyapatite remineralizing tooth whitening powder (called “Shine”) and HealThy mouth oil blend years ago after feeling frustrated with the results I was getting from other natural toothpastes. I specifically dealt with sensitive teeth, as well as sensitive gums (due to gum recession). I wanted to find products that would help me to heal my teeth, not just put a bandaid on my symptoms. And I did not want to have to give up effectiveness just to stick with non-toxic options. OraWellness was a huge answer to prayer. I have learned so much from their articles, and I feel much more empowered to take my oral health into my own hands!
Note: If you are curious about my oral care routine, this post gives more detail.
Because they have toothpaste alternatives, toothbrushes, floss, and even tongue scrapers, I am able to use them for a one-stop shop for all my oral care needs. I typically order once a year and ask if my extended family wants to add on to my order to maximize the savings. If you are new to the idea of non-toxic oral care, OraWellness is a great place to start. Yes, it may require a transition period for you to adjust to using something other than traditional toothpaste, but I promise your teeth will feel and be healthier than ever before!
- Keep it simple with bath and shower products – Carina Organics.
Carina Organics is another one-stop shop I found years ago that supplies truly non-toxic personal care products. Their shampoo, conditioner, and body wash options are just as effective as their conventional counterparts, and you can order in bulk to save money. Like with OraWellness, I often combine my order with my extended family’s orders, and I typically do this twice a year. We really enjoy their peppermint shampoo and body wash, and I like their sweet pea and lavender options for conditioner. You can also find other hair and body care products on their website, all of which get the Barlows in the Bluegrass seal of approval.
One reason we like Carina Organics is because you can understand their ingredient lists. If you have never thought to turn over your bath and shower bottles, I encourage you do so. It is appalling what is allowed in personal care products, from sulfates to silicones, fragrance to synthetic dyes…so much has been added really has no place in products applied to our bodies. And the truth is that you do not need all of that to have clean, healthy hair and skin! Carina Organics has proven this, and they go above and beyond by using organic ingredients that are sustainably sourced. Keep it simple with your shower products by switching to Carina Organics!
(If you want to stick with in-store options instead of ordering online from Carina Organics, check out the Switch Natural app (one-time $20 fee for lifetime access to the app) to help you filter through marketing and choose truly non-toxic personal care products, like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.)
- Keep it simple by sticking with natural fabrics – Use cotton or linen for the fabric items in your bathroom.
Have you ever thought about the “ingredients” in your towels, shower curtain, washcloths, and bath mat? It might be time to consider switching to natural fabrics. In addition to the many concerns that come with the processing and manufacturing of synthetic fabrics, synthetic fabrics do not breathe like their natural counterparts, they are often treated with toxic chemicals to prevent mold growth and staining, and they can cause skin irritation or dermatitis.
100% organic cotton or linen fabrics, on the other hand, require less industrial interference, are breathable, and remain free from unnecessary chemical additives and treatments. If organic cotton or linen fabrics are not currently within your means, look for fabrics with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which ensures that they have been third party tested for numerous harmful chemicals and dyes. Some of our favorite brands for towels, shower curtains, washcloths, and bath mats are PACT (new customers can get 20% off their purchase with this link), Coyuchi, Holy Lamb Organics, and American Blossom Linens.
- Keep it simple with shaving – Ditch the disposables for a safety razor!
Safety razors have come a long way. The options available today are sleek, safe, and easy to maintain. But why would you choose to switch to one? For starters, after the initial investment (mine was around $36), you can save a significant amount of money in blade replacements. I purchased an Edwin Jagger safety razor in 2017 and have been working through my packs of razor blades that came with my purchase since then. Each blade ends up costing me less than $0.10. Compare that to the amount of money I would have spent buying new disposable razors or razor heads for conventional shaving products, and we are talking about a huge savings!
I also appreciate how close of a shave you get using a safety razor. I have found that using a simple bar soap (I really like the brand Earthy Browns) does the trick of providing a smooth shaving surface without the need of any toxic strips of lotions, like those that are found on many of the traditional disposable razors.
As far as maintenance goes, I take apart my safety razor and soak the three pieces in a solution of warm water and a few pumps of Branch Basics foaming wash overnight. The following morning, I give everything a light brush with a jewelry cleaning brush, let the pieces dry, and then put in a new blade. I use my safety razor daily and usually change the blade + clean the pieces once or twice a month.
If you are nervous about making the switch, I encourage you to still give it a go. It took me a few weeks to work up the bravery and finesse to switch to using a safety razor to meet all my shaving needs, but once I got the hang of it (especially getting used to the difference in weight compared to plastic razors), it has become second nature. I cannot picture myself ever going back to regular razors! And if you happen to break a part of your safety razor, at least with Edwin Jagger, you can buy a replacement part for a good price. Another great way to shop thoughtfully and reduce waste! Keep it simple with shaving by switching to a safety razor.
Note: To learn more about safety razors, check out this post.
There you have it – my top five habits, products, and/or tips for keeping it simple in the bathroom! To see more related recommendations, check out this page for bathroom and shower recommendations and this page for makeup and nail polish recommendations.
Have you tried any of these habits, products, or tips before? What are your favorite signature moves for elevating your non-toxic bathroom experience? Comment below to share with our community!
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Yours truly,
Erica Barlow
Fast Five – Edition No. 5 (Fall Edition)