I'd love to use a more eco friendly/ sustainable sunscreen, but that's one of those things I don't want to take a chance on and I don't know what to trust!
I’m allergic to UV light, so I have to wear sunscreen head-to-toe if I want to leave the house or go near a window. I was horrified the first time I saw DIY sunscreen. There is no way I would risk wearing that.
I'm now moving towards all unscented products. Even essential oils can be harmful to sensitive skin. My scalp used to always break out even those I was using "clean" shampoo and conditioner. Now that I've switched to unscented, I have no scalp irritations anymore.
People telling us we’re “gross” for doing normal things like washing our faces with a CLOTH are a prime example of how companies scare us into buying a new product for everything.
I love this comment. Seriously...why can't I feel like I can solve my own problem with a reusable option without feeling like I'm cutting corners or being odd. Like....people used to always have to solve their own issues like this so it's more normal!
I hate when people shame others for having different preferences. Especially sustainable period products - some people will get seriously arsey about the fact you don't like menstrual cups
I absolutely agree. That's personally what made me buy a menstrual cup before reusable pads... which I could only use once in the end, so the shame makes you waste money and feel guilty, which is the opposite of what we want.
@@vpetmad I feel like people just like to shame the period products choices in general, tampons users shame pads users for being childish, pads users shame tampon users for stuffing tampons up there, reusable products users shame disposable products users for not being eco-friendly, disposable product users shame reusable product users for being gross... and it's literally not helping anyone, just making a whole lot of people feel crappy and might even scare them from using more sustainable options at all
Also some of us like myself can’t use tampons or a cup or anything that will cause clotting because of the pain that comes with it having ovarian cysts . Keep your shitty comments to yourself. I know what’s good for me. Thanks lol
Some people really love the diva cups and they were presented as the only sustainable option, problem is they hurt my cervix (like really badly). This channel is what got me to to try menstrual underwear, and that's what works for me.
As a person who’s been suffering from dental fluorosis since adolescence I’m very grateful to some companies for not putting fluoride in their toothpaste
i will never forgo my toothpaste for home made. The amount of medical waste caused by NOT looking after your teeth is honestly a lot more than a few tubes of toothpaste, or toothbrush heads tbh
People who attack other people for not doing diy need to understand that we need to move to a circular economy system. Supporting brand who made sustainable products and are involved in a circular system is the way to achieve sustainable productions! Which also means more jobs.
Agreed!! Pulling yourself smugly out of the economy just starves independent, responsible businesses of revenue, meaning that they have no way to face up to huge irresponsible corporations. If you have the means, it's much better to participate in helping these companies flourish and grow and make ethical business models profitable!
My problem with shaming people for not doing DIY is that not everyone can do DIY. You see reasons from not having skills required, material availability, economics, or even the time to make a DIY. There's no reason to make someone feel bad for buying a product that you feel that they should make on their own. You don't walk in their shoes.
Another DIY I would highly advise people against is sunscreen!!! That includes buying someone else's DIY from Etsy. My field is radiation oncology so I've seen skin cancer on every shade of human so sunscreen is not something you should take chances on. If it's not lab tested/certified, don't do it. Also, please tell us where your necklace is from. I sooo want one.
Yes! Agreed there. I always say I’ll advocate for reef safe but I don’t care about packaging when it comes to sunscreen. Also, my mom got me this necklace for my birthday! So many people have asked that I asked her where it’s from and it’s linked in my description box permanently now!
I haven't watched the whole video yet, but if you made your own sunscreen but actually made it with zinc oxide, would that work similar to commerical mineral sunscreens or would it not be good enough?
@@elina1843 No it wouldn't, because even though it is the same active ingredient basically everything in a formulation will change how a sunscreen behaves. things like how fine the zinc oxide powder is, what other ingredients you're using, and even how you mix it will affect the SPF on the final product, and there's no real way to predict how it will come out which is why the only way to test the actual SPF of a product is by testing it on human volunteers. this is the same reason why you shouldn't use zinc oxide diaper cream as a sunscreen either. will it absorb some UV? probably. will it protect your skin? likely not
@@elina1843 when it comes to sunscreen efficacy, “good enough” can only be determined by lab testing. No bones about it. Sorry to seem so harsh but again my field is radiation oncology. What people don’t understand is that while there are treatment options (assuming you luck out and don’t develop a cancer that metastasizes) things get very ugly before they get better and some people have permanent changes that will show for life. Surgery isn’t just a cut it out and it heals with minimal scarring. Some people need grafts and even after healing it’s super evident that their skin isn’t quite “normal” in those regions anymore. With radiation, the area gets waaaay uglier until weeks after you complete treatment (sometimes longer). Trust me, stay away from DIY types. Even reputable brands that sell SPF powders that you can mix into your sunscreen or foundation are sketchy (in terms of having been tested/being certified) bc while they might have clear instructions on how much to use, there’s just no way they could have tested for the various formulas of various mediums one could mix them with.
We need to leave the mindset where natural = sustainable. Some diy-s will not work at all causing every single thing you used to end up in trash. If something works for you and you see it as the best option, continue doing it.
Usually the „more sustainable option” is just not doing something. Not drinking coffee, not doing skincare, not using deodorant, not washing your teeth... XD but that’s impossible
Yep! I get annoyed by the zero-wasters/ecominimalists who think the long-term solution to waste/climate change is to go off the grid and entirely isolate yourself from mainstream economy, never travel anywhere, etc. If you can do that then good for you, but that is not possible or even desirable by most people. Better to put pressure on the corporations and government to change.
God yes girl! I too fecking hate gatekeepers. 👏 This whole “I’m better than you, because I use this” movement drives me mad, especially when there is no consideration for other people’s circumstances.
I had someone get upset because I was using a hard plastic straw. She said plastic is the problem, so needed to buy metal straws. I’ve owned these straws for 20 years! Why would I buy something else? I told her I could guarantee my straws were not in some turtles nose as long as I had them in my mouth. She still didn’t like it.
Girl so true!! The worst thing about gate keepers is they give the movement a bad name and drive people away 😕 and that’s not the point of this movement especially. It’s just so silly! Let’s all just help each other out ❤️ lots of small changes are better than none!
When I was new to wanting to make some changes I stumnled upon the "zero waste jar, 1 years waste in a smaaaaall jar"-kind of content and I was so overwhelmed by that.. it was to extreme.
I think everyone starts there and gets intimidated....only to come to find out that person that started that movement is considered a bit of fraud in the sustainability community lol....I found Shelby earlier this year and she's the only person in this lifestyle that doesn't seem like her advocacy is like a gun to your head of having to live this way all the way a certain way. I don't feel bad that I only do what I can and try to just make better choices going forward.
@@novabelladonna5886 Hair can be scattered outside for birds and it is common for “zero wasters” to use a broom and put it outside. But yeah, the jar is an intense lifestyle.
@@rebeccaanne3083 hair is actually not a good idea for birds! The thin strands can get wrapped around little legs and toes and restrict bloodflow, potentially causing the loss of limbs, infection, etc.
I love how the Native plastic free deodorant tube was so successful that other brands are now offering plastic free tubes. I saw a Hey Humans display in my local Target and was wondering if their products were any good
I am hopping more information comes out about "Hey Humans" as a brand. I tried their deoderant thinking that it was a cheaper version of Native's, but, as I used it, I found what appears (to me) to be a thin plastic liner on the inside of the cap (Its a clear stretchy film that doesn't dissolve in water🤷♀️....suspicious). I haven't been able to see anything online about it, so I have been hesitant to try their other products.😓 However, I liked the deoderant itself and will have no problem using it up. Hope that helps.😊
Secret offers the plastic free and another one that you can just refill. I decided to buy the hey humans deoderant. I will be checking mine to see if it also has a film on it. The toothpaste is closer to regular toothpaste. Plus if you are not against fluoride this one actually has it. Out of all the eco friendly toothpaste hey human is the mintiest. Which I've been looking forever. My issue with deodorants that are plastic free is that they are not frangance free. I wish they had more options for us with sensitive skin. Another big issue is that they think all people trying to do zero waste/ minimalism want natural and natural is not always better. I still want ingridients that work well and are backed up by science.
@@yenfr5306 also I completely agree with natural not always being better, and the clean beauty industry doesn't make it any easier. It can be very overwhelming at times.
I think we need to remember that "sustainable" means "being able to continue in a healthy way long-term", so the sustainable choice is something positive that you'll actually stick to. It has to work for you AND the environment. For example, going completely trashless for a year isn't sustainable if you go back to a hyper-consumer lifestyle afterwards. Purchasing ethical organic clothing you can't afford because it's "good for the environment" isn't sustainable. Buying food items that come in plastic because the closest bulk store is an hour away is sustainable (and then you may have extra time and energy to put towards other things, like writing to the companies to ask for less packaging, which you wouldn't have had if you drove to the bulk store).
And we have to consider resource footprint if we choose to go with sustainable marketed things. I’ve thought of switching to soap nuts because I’m sensitive to laundry soaps and was gifted some that I felt felt good - but they’re sourced from the Himalayas which is far far away. So I’m sticking to some locally made tear sheets for now and will do my research to see if the harvesting and transport process for soap nuts are ethical by my standards or could come from somewhere closer.
I have a sensory processing disorder (hypersensitive) and my perception of things is always on high-alert. I hate loud noises, bright light is awful and direct sunlight feels like it's burning through to my soul. Finding a good toothpaste is the WORST! Mint is too 'spicy' for me and there are literally no other options for flavour where I live! I have to order my toothpaste online from an international distributor because I don't want to use children's toothpaste my whole life. I feel bad because I can't find an alternative in sustainable packaging, but I NEED it. I really appreciate your messaging about listening to yourself about the things you need, and doing your best to change in parts of your life where it can make a bigger difference without effecting your quality of life. LOVE your channel- wishing you and Madison all the good vibes in the world!
Children's toothpaste is the superior one for taste though haha. If kids toothpaste is what you like, then go for it I reckon 👍 (says random internet person).
@@mollyb8136 Note of caution from another random internet person: Check our fluoride concentrations on kid’s toothpaste if you do plan to use them. The whole reason why there’s such a thing a toothpaste specially for kids is because recommended fluoride levels are lower.
The bit about furniture being resource intensive, I wish this was talked about more in interior design/home decor YT channels. So many things they buy, replace, and “refresh for fall/spring”, just sends alarm bells to me. I would love to decorate my home in a sustainable way!
It may be cool to look into obtaining a great couch and then just change the pillows, blankets, or maybe use a couch cover and switch it depending on when you want to change it. I personally dont decorate much, but I just thrift when i need to decorate or change it up.
My mom sews furniture covers, curtains, and duvets that we change out seasonally! Helps keep things fresh, and we use them for years or repurpose the fabric if they get too worn out.
Totally! And having kids means so much pressure to have more garbage in your life. I made a bunting banner that says “happy everything” and we use it for all events haha
I always thought of furniture as something you normally keep for years if not decades before changing out, and then mainly because its really worn out perhaps broken. For that reason I didn't think furniture would have a huge impact on the environment, but of course everything counts
Support small business that make zero waste products!! I know I don't have the time or the skills to make DIYs, so I try to support small business. The first zero waste shop opened in my city last year and now they have 4 new shops.
It's fine if you feel that way, but I just wanted to let you know that I've been using fluoride-free for over 6 years, and I've never had a cavity in my life.
@@AutumnHarvest1 That may suggest you have strong teeth to begin with... if you also never got cavities when you did use fluoride toothpaste. My husband is the same way, he's never had a cavity.
@@whitneyallan8920 What I'm saying is, you're scared not to use fluoride when you don't need to be. I have excellent brushing habits. I brush my teeth for several minutes twice a day and floss daily. If you normally do those things, then not having fluoride will make no difference. Fluoride isn't as important as you've been led to believe your whole life.
Maybe I'm just insane but one of my biggest pet peeves is when people try to push fluoride free toothpaste even though literally every single legitimate dentist says that it's essential for oral health. Sorry but my parents spent too much money on braces for all of my teeth to fall out because someone in the TH-cam comments named Violet Rain said you don't need fluoride.
I think for me, diys work for using up things you already own. I grew up sewing, so when people tell me about where to buy reusable pads, I'm always just like, "But I needed to use up the scrap fabric anyway." If you don't already own stuff (like things for beauty products) I'd never tell someone to diy it unless they wanted to. I find it slightly ridiculous however that you can find more information about sustainable things to buy, than ways to repair.
exactly, also it depends on skills that person has... sometimes it's better to give away stuff you have to someone who will make something useful out of it and buy the product you need instead of making something crappy and barely functional that you'll hate and end up throwing out anyway
@@adelest9500 haha yeah. I have this box of random bits of old clothes and scraps that I raid when I need to make something. I try to only make things when I need them, as opposed to making something in case I need it.
Fellow seamstress here. I also have my little box of scraps. I made some reusable face wipes out of some absolutely stunning cotton quilting fabric and some beautiful thick flannel I already had. Added decorative topstitching in a contrasting thread and everything. Now I get to enjoy my favorite fabrics every day. It is such a treat. If I had made them differently or had to hand sew them, I probably would have hated using them too. I love that there are different ways to go about the sustainable lifestyle with what works for you.
Great point! I think she meant diy is not recommended when it comes to things that need to be formulated like skincare or cleaning products. Playing around with chemical products can be dangerous or at least ineffective a lot of the time. More people need to remember that clothes are easily fixable, if not made from scratch. I recently got a puppy and he’s snagged a few holes (less than a cm in diameter) in my sweatpants. Everyone keeps telling me to buy new ones...instead of patching a couple of holes on pants I only wear in my house I should just buy new sweatpants for my puppy to snag on? Forget sustainable, how could I even afford that??
I feel like essential oils get a ton of buzz, but everyone is sleeping on extracts. Vinegar + citrus rinds + water makes a great orange scented cleaner. You can use alcohol instead if you need an alcohol based cleaner. I've seen folks use lavender or mint leaves instead of citrus peels. Way less is needed that what goes into essential oils and you can grow the herbs yourself or use food waste.
Hell yeah! You could also make essential oil from like orange peels if you have them yourself. Not super difficult process, but you do have to build a distillation set up.
I’m only halfway through but I love this video so much 😭 the honesty and promotion of evidence based research surrounding skincare ingredients is so appreciated!! Thank you for bringing attention to why DIY’s aren’t always ideal
Omg THANK YOU for talking about diy laundry detergent ruining washing machines- i feel like i have never heard anyone else in this space mention it before!!!!
I've been using diy laundry detergent for at least a decade now with the same washer, I have never noticed any problems with using it... I'm allergic to most detergents and I use kirks, I make one quart at a time, it lasts and it works great. Maybe it's the newer washers? there is no wax in Castile soap ,only olive oil. I also use vinegar in my wash.
I feel like the zero waste community is super abliest and very classist, like not everyone can afford a ten dollar bar of soap, and when a person who's not nurotypical uses stuff like paper plates and plastic forks bc it's easier and it helps keep their place good looking they get attacked for "killing the environment"
I try my best to use reusable things, but I also know that using paper/plastic disposables once in a while when I'm having a bad week is perfectly fine. Try our best, but don't tear yourself down when you can't (:
Hefty made an affordable biodegradable plate and bowl line. Found it at target and used it while we were moving and keep it around for bad weeks. I haven’t found affordable eco friendly disposable cutlery yet though :/
In regards to the elitism… I was VERY involved in environmentalism when I was young and still dependent on my parents (middle class). When I moved out I became lower class and even more now that I can’t work an hourly job because of health issues. I do wish that environmental TH-camrs would end their videos with a note that it is ultimately more important for us to hold companies and the government accountable than it is to make environmental swaps. I did a lot of DIY’s to accommodate because it was cheaper than buying from eco brands. And it sucks that I let the guilt get to me so much I compromised my needs.
Just a heads-up for pet parents -- essential oils could be very very toxic to your fur babies! Please do your research and be extra cautious when bringing any essential oil to your household.
Love my menstrual cup. The saalt cup is a certified b Corp and comes in all paper packaging and is committed to helping girls and women. And it's literally the best cup I've ever use. Love this video 🥰🥰 sustainability isn't one size fits all
Yeeeessss! I got a saalt cup like a year ago as my first menstrual cup and thought it would be a lot more of an ordeal to get used to but it's been super great, and I have literally not used a single other period product since. Worth the $$$
I'm sorry I swear I was paying attention lol, but there is this squeaky noise in the audio and it's driving me crazy. I doubt you can fix it now. But I thought I'd let you know.
I just picked up the Hey Human's toothpaste and love it! I also really loved David's but it's REALLY expensive in my area and the Hey Human's brand is a lot more affordable. I definitely think the affordability of things is something that needs to be talked out in terms of gatekeeping in the wider community also. Loved the video! :)
A year ago when I was first getting into sustainability I started using a coffee ground and coconut oil face scrub, and I triggered the worst acne of my life 😭. Then I started really getting into skincare and learning about dermatology. I learned that A) physical scrubs are extremely damaging and irritating for your face and B) coconut oil is a level 4 comedogenic in a scale of 5! Meaning it is extremely likely to clog your pores if you’re already acne prone. Anyways, yay to informed decisions and nay to mindlessly following trends friends.
Physical scrubs really aren't that bad though and won't do anything like "extreme damage" unless you're using sandpaper lol. Where do you study dermatology?
I've had trouble with my period underwear and reusable pads and I personally cannot wear a menstrual cup, so I found an ecological plastic-free and natural company that makes regular single-use pads. For now, this is what works for me as I cannot afford to test out all the different period underwear to see which works best for me
Omg thank you! I wanted a sustainable toothpaste but with fluoride!!! David’s expensive and lacks that scientifically proven ingredient! You have a subscriber for life now!!!
Really enjoyed this video, it’s nice to hear someone address that not all solutions are universal across the low waste movement. We all just have to take what works for us and do our best. Happy Easter!
Thank you for your recommendations and for your honest opinions about things that did not work. If people enjoy using cosmetics from a company, then project pan can help (project pan: try to use up all of the product before buying a new one). Project pan can help people slow down, make intentional choices, and limit the amount of wasted money, product, and packaging generated while still enjoying high quality cosmetics. Thanks for everything that you do!
I'm so happy you talk about period underwear because i already tried twho menstrual cups and they just don't fit. Tampons work but the menstrual cup is so thic and more complicated to hold
@@siprianagarcia235 i already had multiple cups but the thing is the tampon is just 1 tampon wide but if i want to put in a menstrual cup it is 1 folded menstrual cup wide + 2 fingers to hold it.
@@antibuergerlich3283 yea, this is my point exactly! I literally cannot insert a cup without experiencing pain. And all my friends don't understand this, because their anatomy allows it. I've had friends literally send me links to studies about how, during menstration, the vaginal canal is supposed to be relaxed enough for this sort of thing. Okay COOL, but like... Mine ISNT. I wouldn't be able to out two fingers there, much less two fingers AND the folded up cup. For me, tampons don't even work well, really, because even that applicator isn't comfortable to insert unless it's the smallest available or I use a lubricant (which is jsut SILLY!) and my flow is so low that they stay dry for so long that they are uncomfortable. Reusable pads and period undies are where it's at for me!
This is why you're the number one sustainability influencer I watch. I love your message on living as sustiainable as a person can and finding what fits your lifestyle. I like how you share your challenges and are honest how to process isn't perfect. Also how you take into consideration that not everyone has access to certain resources or finances to live the ideal sustainable lifestyle. And you do all this while educating your viewers. Your work is just amazing!
For toothpaste, I go to my local zero-waste/refill shop that carries a paste in three flavors, and I just fill up a little jar with that. It's nice. And I use Native for my deodorant now. I really enjoy their scents, but I have to use their sensitive line, for which there is no plastic-free option.
Girl, I made my own toothpaste ONCE and I gagged every time I used it. I don't even know if I finished it or if I ended up throwing it the mixture, which would have been more wasteful. Either way it definitely made me half-ass brushing my teeth so it would be over faster, which is... not okay! Thanks for sharing all these options that work for different people with different lifestyles.
currently wearing my cup... i have a love hate relationship with it, but i know what whenever I get annoyed with it I’ll just used an old pair of underwear as a makeshift "period underwear". It’s kinda gross but I just free bleed because I don’t care and also my flow is light to medium anyways.
@@Keebzoo Saaaaame. And my OBGYN kinda shamed me about that, acting like it was super gross. My dude, it does not even go through to my jeans and that pair of undies has holes anyway. Who freaking cares if it gets a little stain once in a while?
Girl! I love your channel and everything you just mentioned! Can we please talk about the amount of consumerism in the sustainable community. I feel like a lot of times there is shaming being done to get people to buy sustainable stuff but forget that the most sustainable option is to use up what we already have rather than tossing it to go more “sustainable”
I love Native so much, I bought a bundle from their website a few times and then once recently I saw they were on clearance at Target so I bought sooo many, I'm good a for a while. I had never successfully used tampons either but I bought a cup because it was on sale and it took me a few tries but when I got it right it was AMAZING. It took me like 3 days of trying to get it completely right but after I got it right, I ended up getting it right every time after that, doesn't leak at all, can't feel it at all, never going back to pads after that.
For menstrual cups: do your research and look into different brands. There are SO many other options besides the diva cup, which was too tall and too firm for me. There are plenty of comparison videos and reviews out there. (My favorite is the lena cup, sensitive version!)
Many people haven't got £20+ to waste on another cup they won't be able to use (that will then become waste) but this is excellent advice for people that are wanting to try them for the first time.
@@JoMarieHartup So true. That’s why I did a ton of research before picking my first one. I saved up some extra money to try two and decided which one I liked.
@@lemonarizonatea that's what I did too! I had heard the diva cup was firm, so I tried getting a different one that was reviewed as being on the softer side. Turned out that was the right one for me. I've kept the diva cup as a "backup".
The makeup eraser is so popular that no one is going to hate on your makeup rag, lol. My makeup eraser sits on the counter until it’s fully covered. I toss it in the wash and move on to another one.
Yes I love my makeup cloths. I was making my cloth SO dirty so fast that I purchased a makeup cloth by Makeup a Murder. She has been helpful for my minimal packaging, has started to look into using less packaging in general, is a small business, and is women owned. I justified buying a second one because of just how fast I dirty mine in a week. I've had my original one for literally 2 years now lol
I just loved your nerdy breakdown about types of bags and sustainability depending on which part of the life cycle you are looking at. @13:27 I think that was a really helpful reminder about how to think critically about sustainability.
I made the switch to native based on your recommendation and never going back. They had multiple scents for sensitive skin too!!! Which was shocking. They had a sensitive skin product and it came in multiple scents at my local target?! I was shocked! And now my local target has plastic free. I’ve noticed the skin under my arms are so smooth and irritant free unlike DIYs, other aluminum free brands, and even just regular deodorant. So happy I made the switch. And seriously not going back. ❤️❤️
Also essential oils can be quite irritating, you shouldn't ingest them, inhaling isn't great either and skin contact only strongly diluted, it can cause chemical burns and bad reactions. Also pets don't deal with them well. So be careful with your essential oils if you have them!
I only have three little bottles for making bath bombs how should I store them? Are usually just have them in a cupboard out of direct sunlight because I don’t make bath bombs extremely regularly
@@satnamsattykaur Sorry I'm no expert on essential oils, just very interested in quack science and conspiracy stuff. But keeping them somewhere away from light and like extreme temperatures seems very sensible to me.
@Satnam Gill when you’re done with them, consider not using them in bath bombs anymore. They can’t be filtered by water filtration systems (for example the municipality wastewater plant) and that can cause harm to biodiversity (organisms and fishies in rivers, trees/grass/animals if it’s used to water municipal land etc.) An alternative is using dried or fresh produce or herbs for anything scented. It’s has a little more life force to it to it too, which is nice and can feel healing.
As for the cotton bags, I have some I've been using for 20 years now and they are still fine. All my polyester bags broke after about 6-7 years of usage. And they cant be fixed,because they tend to break just next to where you fix them. So for me personally cotton bags seem the most sustainable. But I absolutely agree that one has to go with what they really will use.
One of my biggest zero waste triumphs was getting my boyfriend to switch from smelly “men’s” deodorant to the cardboard Native deodorant tubes ☺️ which I heard about from you!! Thanks for always having the best ✨accessible✨ recommendations!
I can’t stress enough how comforting this was to see and even read the comments section. This isn’t meant to be something used to scare people or as an elitist agenda although sometimes it can feel that way. Taking steps to determine why you buy products and evaluating if there is an alternative you would like to try when seeking out replacements for when products run out is a great step in the direction of being more sustainable. As consumers it is our job more than ever to tell companies what we want and value in products and our money speaks for that. If money is an issue and these products don’t seem attainable for you, please don’t be discouraged! Everyone is trying their best and using what you already have is better than nothing at all! You are doing great!
I'm so glad you brought up the hypocritical(?) treatment of essential oils when we all most likely buy a lot of things that are also wasteful. Just watched another youtuber talking about how we can often be caught up in visible wastes like packaging and forget about (arguably the more important) invisible waste like production of a product. We can be so quick to grab on to one thing like "essential oils are bad"/"only homemade toothpaste is zero waste" and not think about the bigger picture or what's best for us AND the planet both. I think this was one of the biggest issues in the movement a few years ago along with gatekeeping that lead people to think sustainability was a.) keeping all your trash in a jar and b.) an impossible lifestyle. I love that you always promote and remind people that this is about balance, longevity and doing the best YOU can do where you can and not driving yourself insane with impossible standards set by other people.
The wellness community supporting them (they’ve almost exclusively in every upper class organic grocery store and yoga studio I’ve ever gone into) also makes no sense to me. If you like yoga and shop at the organic, wellness oriented grocery stores, why oh why would you use essential oils? Earth health is our health, and they’re nervous system and endocrine system disruptors. Why yogis why (I like yoga, but it’’s just one of the many deeply confused states of being I experience when going into spaces with white people who do yoga).
10:15 OH MY GOD THANK YOU, just use a washcloth! Also the only essential oils I actively keep on hand are teatree (my feet smell really bad and I find that 2 drops into a basin full of warm water 2-4 times a week helps a lot) and peppermint oil as a deturrant on my garbage pail to keep gnats out of my house (my grandma taught me to do it as a child and I do not have animals large enough to interact with the lid of my stand up garbage pail that is kept under my sink)
I will have more spoons to make more swabs in my life if I allow myself to buy sustainable products instead of doing DIYs. Plus I love supporting small sustainable businesses! Thank you for making me feel validated!
I use my "food huggers" pretty often - they came with 4-5 different sizes and fit over bowls and cans which I find much better than using plastic wrap (which I don't even own). One of them did tear but I think I might have caught it with a knife...but honestly it still does the job for the most part except for keeping liquid in so it's fine.
Love the not shaming mentality. We don't know everyone's business so we shouldn't pass judgment. I have Interstitial Cystitis and can't use a cup or tampons. As long as we are trying, that's what is important!
I like the reusable cotton pads for toners that are better applied with a pad rather than with hands (usually stuff that contain some pore treatment or peeling acids), or with some micellar water to spot-remove makeup if I mess up and need to correct something. For makeup removal I prefer oil/balm cleansers massaged in with my hands, and then removed with a small muslin cloth, dampened with warm water. Once I am done with it, I instantly rub the cloth with a bar soap that lies next to my sink, then rub it against itself for a few seconds and rinse with warm water. I hang it back on a small hanger next to the sink and let it air dry still the next evening. Every now and then I wash it in the washing machine with other towels.
Still just watching the intro but I needed to voice how much I AGREE!!! When I first attempted to lessen my waste I would scroll to the comment section and honestly The comments made everyone and everything seem so judgy. It felt like if you weren’t going to be completely perfect there was no point in even trying. I actually gave up for a while because of this. (The vegan community was good at scaring people off too!)
I love this, it's okay to be different, having a one size fits all attitude deters people from this lifestyle so I don't know why people do it! Love you ❤
I was watching this video after I got out of the shower and used my plastic free Native deodorant. Heard that pop. Then you opened it. So satisfying haha
Also! Nelson Naturals is the best toothpaste! It has colloidal silver in it with is antibacterial and it also helps remineralize your teeth. I actually healed three little cavities in my teeth after using it for a year. (That's a bit of a story) but it's so good. Also made in British Colombia. There are great environmental companies out there. :) I love my Nelson Naturals peppermint. I like the charcoal mint flavor one as well. They also have citrus, cinnamon, fennel and others too.
I hear you on the food huggers -- I had the same thought -- but omg, I use mine ALLL THE TIMEEE. I don't have the specific ones for avocados or whatever, but I use them for open cans, citrus, veggies, fruits, all kinds of stuff, and I swear they work better than just Stasher bags or glass containers. But I think, like many swaps, this one's super personal to your own taste/preferences!
I have some silicone food huggers from IKEA, a set of 3 in different sizes, and they're very versatile. I had a revelation when I realized I could use them as lids for half-finished cans.
Thanks for calling this out....it’s about being better than you were before. Stop comparing behaviors across people; you don’t know their life and everyone is different
I love how you are throwing open the doors on this lifecycle. I have tried multiple times during my life to have a sustainable lifestyle, and I have failed each time because of how exhausting it is to constantly track what is most sustainable and to DIY everything, and dealing with gatekeeping, and on and on and on. Watching your videos, getting the sense of accepting what works for me and what doesn't, just having that permission to not be perfect makes all the difference in the world. I swear I want to get your quote hung on my wall. "You cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good that you can do." Thank you so much Shelbi. You rock.
I really love my Saalt menstrual cup that I’ve been using for about 1.5yrs now, but really can’t fault anyone for being hesitant or fully put off by using a cup. I researched for nearly a year (not daily, but randomly here n there when reminded) before deciding on a cup, because I was determined to get it right the first time. There are so many options in brands and sizes which is great, but overwhelming to newbies. It’s definitely an easier transition for those already accustomed to tampons. I really appreciate having one less product to replenish on a regular basis thus saving money. Added bonus, the hygiene products that were in my cabinet when I got the cup were donated to a local charity that helps women in need of housing.
I basically never used tampons before I got a menstrual cup. I tried them a couple times and thought they were super uncomfortable but I went for a menstrual cup anyway because of *tmi* really heavy periods, and it has worked great for me.
Trans guy here and I just got myself some Thinx yesterday and I’m so excited to try em out! Changing out all the menstrual products has always been pretty dysphoric for me, not to mention terrible for the environment as we know, and I was so glad to I find your routine vid and find an alternative✨
Shelbi, I appreciate you talking about sensory processing things like the toothpaste and the bags. A lot of people have it that have a hard time changing their routines as a result. I have the same thing with sweaters that have wool/other animal hairs. I also can’t sleep with any other blanket texture touching me so I have to have a sheet underneath, even to take a nap. Also, I cannot touch dirty dishes/dirty dish water because of the texture. I have to wear dish gloves, which I try to be careful about what brand I’m getting since I can’t avoid buying them all-together. Edit: no I haven’t had a dishwasher in years so I have to hand wash my dishes.
a big frustration I have with getting a mental cup is the process of finding a good one. I bought and tried the diva cup for a little while and HATED it. It was too firm and too big and caused me some pain. So I felt like I spend $40 for nothing... But I bought the Organicup (thankfully with a buy one get one free deal) and have had a great experience. All cups are different so it's frustrating for someone new trying to figure out which is right for them but not wanting to spend a lot of money on multiple just to find one they like..... Long story short, I love the cup and do recommend it, but I understand the hesitation to make the purchase.
Hi Shelbi, watching your channel makes sustainable living feel so accessible. Some swaps I’ve made in my life because of your influence is to reuse the little bag that a new sheet set comes in for produce. I also use the little cotton bags that tamales from the Texas Tamale Co for produce as well. I’m currently getting into visible mending, so instead of throwing something away just because it has a hole in it, I’m patching it up so I can keep using it. Your channel has also made me think a lot about my purchases and their lifecycle, which isn’t something I would have ever thought about before. Thanks for all the inspiration and I love your videos!
Okay wow, I love that you keep your Thinx in your bathroom.. like why have I never thought of that..?😂 I hate having to go to my room when I just started my cycle, and just start digging around for my reusable pads. Thanks Shelbi!❣️
I've never used a tampon either!!! Period underwear was a GAME CHANGER for me. Maybe one day I'll try a cup but I think it's probably the most unlikely swap I'll ever go to haha
I use resubale pads. Using a tampon for the first time was a really bad experience for me. I wore them about 4 times in my life. Everytime it hurt me. Most people i know dont have that though. Maybe im just weird😂
Ooooh quick tip if you like gardening! I use my plastic containers that I can’t use anymore for planters. It def isn’t aesthetically pleasing but it saves you money
I use the food huggers on a lot of things. It looks like it’s supposed to be for one particular food item but they fit different produce! Not only do I put it on fruit/veggies that I don’t finish, but I also have put them on cans and small dishes! Also using a wash cloth/hand towel for washing your face is all I ever used, even growing up in a non sustainable house! If it only you using that particular towel, I don’t see why it would be bad.
Yes! I have a stack of mismatched washcloths from over the years that are used for washing my face/cleaning makeup tools/clean up spills in the bathroom among other tasks. I also have a few ratty t-shirts from when I was a little kid that I use as hair towels, and I don't care if they get bleached or stained. Remember to look in your own house first before going out and buying reusable items everyone!
Fun Tip! Instead of using your rag day after day to clean your face, just cut it into small individual pieces so you can be sure you're using a clean spot every day! I took old ugly hand towels and cut them into cute little pieces for face washing.
It's amazing to me that so many people just have to bash on other people to try and make themselves feel superior. If those gatekeepers really cared about improving the environment they would simply be happy that someone is trying to make changes. About 15yrs ago one of my friends decided she wanted to try and be more ecofriendly so she wanted to find ways to use vinegar in swaps for her usual toxic cleaning supplies. She wanted to start small and easy and work her way up. I was really happy and proud of her for even wanting to try. She was happy because she got positive feedback instead of someone telling her that was too small of a start and that she should change everything in that one moment. She started with using vinegar instead of fabric softner and then got excited and moved on to more stuff. Shaming someone just makes them want to not even try.
toothpaste tablets with fluoride are SO HARD to find so thank you!! Also the ones I've found had sucked so badly and led me feeling like my teeth aren't clean
Collapsing bags are such space savers! I have a few different bags, as a family having bags to collect food or quick grab everything to go somewhere is good!
Native is great! I started using them a year and a half ago (having them shipped) then noticed them popping up in my local stores. Haven’t tried the plastic free tubes though. I use EOs but usually on my person or in a defuser not in diys
Hi Shelbi! I have some questions that I would to if you’d answer in a upcoming video! - Can you explain the impact of plastic and metal on the environment? I know that plastic is horrible but I also know that metal takes a lot of energy to creat. Looking at the whole chain, which one is the better? - What is silicone and what’s it’s impact on the environment? - What do you think of Fairphone? Lots of hugs from Sweden, and thank you for all the work you do 💕💕
I’ve been using the Native zero plastic deodorant since you first mentioned them. The cucumber mint is my favourite. Living in Florida , I can attest they work.
Essential oils can have antibacterial benefits and prevent pests. They’re an important part of my cleaning routine. 3 drops of tree tea oil in my laundry. Peppermint in the kitchen keeps bugs away. Lavender and rose added to my baths for relaxation.
I could never get the cup to work for me. I always got anxiety thinking there was no way to keep it clean enough to keep putting it back up in there & I've read articles that test it for the bacteria that causes tss & it can definitely breed on them. It freaked me out. I use reusable pads cause I haven't been able to afford period underwear. I love my pads, theyre so soft, but they can definitely be a pain in the ass & not work for everyone.
I’ve enjoyed this video so much!! We should applause when someone makes a small decision, even if it’s just refusing a plastic bag when shopping, people do what they can, (money, where they live, access to zero waste stores, etc.) instead of criticise that they’re not doing enough, let’s be happy that they’re doing something.
As someone who works in dermatology, no one should be making their own sunscreen! It takes years for a sunscreen to get formulated and approved.
I'm in radonc and just dropped the same comment.
Ooh yeah, that one grinds my gears, they may as well call it DIY skin cancer
I'd love to use a more eco friendly/ sustainable sunscreen, but that's one of those things I don't want to take a chance on and I don't know what to trust!
I’m allergic to UV light, so I have to wear sunscreen head-to-toe if I want to leave the house or go near a window. I was horrified the first time I saw DIY sunscreen. There is no way I would risk wearing that.
If Purito can’t get it right, why should we think we can DIY it??
Also worth mentioning: Essential oils can be toxic to pets.
And kids!
And some make the skin more prone to sun damage.
you have to protect the kitties the pups and the ferrets!
I'm now moving towards all unscented products. Even essential oils can be harmful to sensitive skin. My scalp used to always break out even those I was using "clean" shampoo and conditioner. Now that I've switched to unscented, I have no scalp irritations anymore.
THIS 👆
People telling us we’re “gross” for doing normal things like washing our faces with a CLOTH are a prime example of how companies scare us into buying a new product for everything.
I love this comment. Seriously...why can't I feel like I can solve my own problem with a reusable option without feeling like I'm cutting corners or being odd. Like....people used to always have to solve their own issues like this so it's more normal!
Yes! I just saw a commercial that had a little girl washing her hands and deciding to use paper towel instead of the "gross, germy" hand towel :-| UGH
TheCaitling a paper towel commercial I assume?? This is why I hate marketing 🙄
I use a textured wash rag and a bar of soap, I wash the rag like once a week, and people say it’s gross. I always hated disposable plastic loofahs.
Oxygen?? That comes from TREES? But they’re so dirty and drop leaves! I’ll stick to my bottled air thank you.
I hate when people shame others for having different preferences. Especially sustainable period products - some people will get seriously arsey about the fact you don't like menstrual cups
I absolutely agree. That's personally what made me buy a menstrual cup before reusable pads... which I could only use once in the end, so the shame makes you waste money and feel guilty, which is the opposite of what we want.
@@lils6407 100%. It's like, you're seriously going to shame me because I don't find it comfortable to stick anything up my hooha? People are weird
@@vpetmad I feel like people just like to shame the period products choices in general, tampons users shame pads users for being childish, pads users shame tampon users for stuffing tampons up there, reusable products users shame disposable products users for not being eco-friendly, disposable product users shame reusable product users for being gross... and it's literally not helping anyone, just making a whole lot of people feel crappy and might even scare them from using more sustainable options at all
Also some of us like myself can’t use tampons or a cup or anything that will cause clotting because of the pain that comes with it having ovarian cysts . Keep your shitty comments to yourself. I know what’s good for me. Thanks lol
Some people really love the diva cups and they were presented as the only sustainable option, problem is they hurt my cervix (like really badly). This channel is what got me to to try menstrual underwear, and that's what works for me.
its so frustrating when pseudo science gets mixed in with sustainability. please companies, please put fluoride in your toothpaste!!!
As a person who’s been suffering from dental fluorosis since adolescence I’m very grateful to some companies for not putting fluoride in their toothpaste
i will never forgo my toothpaste for home made. The amount of medical waste caused by NOT looking after your teeth is honestly a lot more than a few tubes of toothpaste, or toothbrush heads tbh
THANK YOU
Excellent point!
People who attack other people for not doing diy need to understand that we need to move to a circular economy system. Supporting brand who made sustainable products and are involved in a circular system is the way to achieve sustainable productions! Which also means more jobs.
Agreed!! Pulling yourself smugly out of the economy just starves independent, responsible businesses of revenue, meaning that they have no way to face up to huge irresponsible corporations. If you have the means, it's much better to participate in helping these companies flourish and grow and make ethical business models profitable!
@@backtothebooks9201 yes yes yes! Exactly what I think
This
My problem with shaming people for not doing DIY is that not everyone can do DIY. You see reasons from not having skills required, material availability, economics, or even the time to make a DIY. There's no reason to make someone feel bad for buying a product that you feel that they should make on their own. You don't walk in their shoes.
@@melissa7233 absolutely!
Another DIY I would highly advise people against is sunscreen!!! That includes buying someone else's DIY from Etsy. My field is radiation oncology so I've seen skin cancer on every shade of human so sunscreen is not something you should take chances on. If it's not lab tested/certified, don't do it.
Also, please tell us where your necklace is from. I sooo want one.
Yes! Agreed there. I always say I’ll advocate for reef safe but I don’t care about packaging when it comes to sunscreen.
Also, my mom got me this necklace for my birthday! So many people have asked that I asked her where it’s from and it’s linked in my description box permanently now!
I haven't watched the whole video yet, but if you made your own sunscreen but actually made it with zinc oxide, would that work similar to commerical mineral sunscreens or would it not be good enough?
@@elina1843 No it wouldn't, because even though it is the same active ingredient basically everything in a formulation will change how a sunscreen behaves. things like how fine the zinc oxide powder is, what other ingredients you're using, and even how you mix it will affect the SPF on the final product, and there's no real way to predict how it will come out which is why the only way to test the actual SPF of a product is by testing it on human volunteers. this is the same reason why you shouldn't use zinc oxide diaper cream as a sunscreen either. will it absorb some UV? probably. will it protect your skin? likely not
@@elina1843 when it comes to sunscreen efficacy, “good enough” can only be determined by lab testing. No bones about it. Sorry to seem so harsh but again my field is radiation oncology. What people don’t understand is that while there are treatment options (assuming you luck out and don’t develop a cancer that metastasizes) things get very ugly before they get better and some people have permanent changes that will show for life. Surgery isn’t just a cut it out and it heals with minimal scarring. Some people need grafts and even after healing it’s super evident that their skin isn’t quite “normal” in those regions anymore. With radiation, the area gets waaaay uglier until weeks after you complete treatment (sometimes longer). Trust me, stay away from DIY types. Even reputable brands that sell SPF powders that you can mix into your sunscreen or foundation are sketchy (in terms of having been tested/being certified) bc while they might have clear instructions on how much to use, there’s just no way they could have tested for the various formulas of various mediums one could mix them with.
@@heta7887 thank you so much for your reply!!! That makes a lot of sense! You just saved my skin lol
We need to leave the mindset where natural = sustainable. Some diy-s will not work at all causing every single thing you used to end up in trash. If something works for you and you see it as the best option, continue doing it.
Usually the „more sustainable option” is just not doing something. Not drinking coffee, not doing skincare, not using deodorant, not washing your teeth... XD but that’s impossible
Most sustainable thing you can do is not exist 😂
men: if you want to be sustainable then just don't have a period
Yeah that's when we realize that we have to live...we just need to find the best way to do it...it's a struggle haha
Yep! I get annoyed by the zero-wasters/ecominimalists who think the long-term solution to waste/climate change is to go off the grid and entirely isolate yourself from mainstream economy, never travel anywhere, etc. If you can do that then good for you, but that is not possible or even desirable by most people. Better to put pressure on the corporations and government to change.
@@XXSQUIDGLEYXX That's not sustainable. If it doesn't care for people AND planet, it doesn't count as sustainable.
God yes girl! I too fecking hate gatekeepers. 👏 This whole “I’m better than you, because I use this” movement drives me mad, especially when there is no consideration for other people’s circumstances.
I had someone get upset because I was using a hard plastic straw. She said plastic is the problem, so needed to buy metal straws. I’ve owned these straws for 20 years! Why would I buy something else? I told her I could guarantee my straws were not in some turtles nose as long as I had them in my mouth. She still didn’t like it.
Girl so true!! The worst thing about gate keepers is they give the movement a bad name and drive people away 😕 and that’s not the point of this movement especially. It’s just so silly! Let’s all just help each other out ❤️ lots of small changes are better than none!
When I was new to wanting to make some changes I stumnled upon the "zero waste jar, 1 years waste in a smaaaaall jar"-kind of content and I was so overwhelmed by that.. it was to extreme.
Saame omg, it is such an intimidating approach that makes people just give up altogether.
I think everyone starts there and gets intimidated....only to come to find out that person that started that movement is considered a bit of fraud in the sustainability community lol....I found Shelby earlier this year and she's the only person in this lifestyle that doesn't seem like her advocacy is like a gun to your head of having to live this way all the way a certain way. I don't feel bad that I only do what I can and try to just make better choices going forward.
I lose more than a jar's worth of hair in a year! :s Do they not use a vacuum cleaner? I feel like there's some cheating going on!
@@novabelladonna5886 Hair can be scattered outside for birds and it is common for “zero wasters” to use a broom and put it outside. But yeah, the jar is an intense lifestyle.
@@rebeccaanne3083 hair is actually not a good idea for birds! The thin strands can get wrapped around little legs and toes and restrict bloodflow, potentially causing the loss of limbs, infection, etc.
I love how the Native plastic free deodorant tube was so successful that other brands are now offering plastic free tubes. I saw a Hey Humans display in my local Target and was wondering if their products were any good
I am hopping more information comes out about "Hey Humans" as a brand. I tried their deoderant thinking that it was a cheaper version of Native's, but, as I used it, I found what appears (to me) to be a thin plastic liner on the inside of the cap (Its a clear stretchy film that doesn't dissolve in water🤷♀️....suspicious). I haven't been able to see anything online about it, so I have been hesitant to try their other products.😓 However, I liked the deoderant itself and will have no problem using it up. Hope that helps.😊
I tried to find out more about the company but there's just not much out there.
Secret offers the plastic free and another one that you can just refill. I decided to buy the hey humans deoderant. I will be checking mine to see if it also has a film on it. The toothpaste is closer to regular toothpaste. Plus if you are not against fluoride this one actually has it. Out of all the eco friendly toothpaste hey human is the mintiest. Which I've been looking forever. My issue with deodorants that are plastic free is that they are not frangance free. I wish they had more options for us with sensitive skin. Another big issue is that they think all people trying to do zero waste/ minimalism want natural and natural is not always better. I still want ingridients that work well and are backed up by science.
@@yenfr5306 also I completely agree with natural not always being better, and the clean beauty industry doesn't make it any easier. It can be very overwhelming at times.
I bought Hey Humans lotion and it's really nice
I think we need to remember that "sustainable" means "being able to continue in a healthy way long-term", so the sustainable choice is something positive that you'll actually stick to. It has to work for you AND the environment.
For example, going completely trashless for a year isn't sustainable if you go back to a hyper-consumer lifestyle afterwards. Purchasing ethical organic clothing you can't afford because it's "good for the environment" isn't sustainable. Buying food items that come in plastic because the closest bulk store is an hour away is sustainable (and then you may have extra time and energy to put towards other things, like writing to the companies to ask for less packaging, which you wouldn't have had if you drove to the bulk store).
And we have to consider resource footprint if we choose to go with sustainable marketed things. I’ve thought of switching to soap nuts because I’m sensitive to laundry soaps and was gifted some that I felt felt good - but they’re sourced from the Himalayas which is far far away. So I’m sticking to some locally made tear sheets for now and will do my research to see if the harvesting and transport process for soap nuts are ethical by my standards or could come from somewhere closer.
I have a sensory processing disorder (hypersensitive) and my perception of things is always on high-alert. I hate loud noises, bright light is awful and direct sunlight feels like it's burning through to my soul. Finding a good toothpaste is the WORST! Mint is too 'spicy' for me and there are literally no other options for flavour where I live! I have to order my toothpaste online from an international distributor because I don't want to use children's toothpaste my whole life. I feel bad because I can't find an alternative in sustainable packaging, but I NEED it. I really appreciate your messaging about listening to yourself about the things you need, and doing your best to change in parts of your life where it can make a bigger difference without effecting your quality of life. LOVE your channel- wishing you and Madison all the good vibes in the world!
Children's toothpaste is the superior one for taste though haha. If kids toothpaste is what you like, then go for it I reckon 👍 (says random internet person).
The humble co make different flavoured toothpaste and are easily available in Europe if that us where you’re from :)
@@mollyb8136 Note of caution from another random internet person:
Check our fluoride concentrations on kid’s toothpaste if you do plan to use them.
The whole reason why there’s such a thing a toothpaste specially for kids is because recommended fluoride levels are lower.
@@katrijndekeersmaecker1904 oooh good thought 👍👍👍
I feeeeel this! I’m autistic, I use kid’s teethpaste, unashamed. Mint hurts, damnit! Strawberriness is godliness 😌
The bit about furniture being resource intensive, I wish this was talked about more in interior design/home decor YT channels. So many things they buy, replace, and “refresh for fall/spring”, just sends alarm bells to me. I would love to decorate my home in a sustainable way!
I really like XO Macennas channel she mostly thrifts and DIYs her decor and furniture
It may be cool to look into obtaining a great couch and then just change the pillows, blankets, or maybe use a couch cover and switch it depending on when you want to change it. I personally dont decorate much, but I just thrift when i need to decorate or change it up.
My mom sews furniture covers, curtains, and duvets that we change out seasonally! Helps keep things fresh, and we use them for years or repurpose the fabric if they get too worn out.
Totally! And having kids means so much pressure to have more garbage in your life. I made a bunting banner that says “happy everything” and we use it for all events haha
I always thought of furniture as something you normally keep for years if not decades before changing out, and then mainly because its really worn out perhaps broken. For that reason I didn't think furniture would have a huge impact on the environment, but of course everything counts
Support small business that make zero waste products!! I know I don't have the time or the skills to make DIYs, so I try to support small business. The first zero waste shop opened in my city last year and now they have 4 new shops.
Thanks for mentioning fluoride toothpaste!! I can't go without it.
It's fine if you feel that way, but I just wanted to let you know that I've been using fluoride-free for over 6 years, and I've never had a cavity in my life.
@@AutumnHarvest1 That may suggest you have strong teeth to begin with... if you also never got cavities when you did use fluoride toothpaste. My husband is the same way, he's never had a cavity.
@@whitneyallan8920 What I'm saying is, you're scared not to use fluoride when you don't need to be. I have excellent brushing habits. I brush my teeth for several minutes twice a day and floss daily. If you normally do those things, then not having fluoride will make no difference. Fluoride isn't as important as you've been led to believe your whole life.
Maybe I'm just insane but one of my biggest pet peeves is when people try to push fluoride free toothpaste even though literally every single legitimate dentist says that it's essential for oral health. Sorry but my parents spent too much money on braces for all of my teeth to fall out because someone in the TH-cam comments named Violet Rain said you don't need fluoride.
@@AutumnHarvest1 are you a dentist and can you give me the studies that have proven that fluoride is not important in dental hygiene?
I think for me, diys work for using up things you already own. I grew up sewing, so when people tell me about where to buy reusable pads, I'm always just like, "But I needed to use up the scrap fabric anyway." If you don't already own stuff (like things for beauty products) I'd never tell someone to diy it unless they wanted to. I find it slightly ridiculous however that you can find more information about sustainable things to buy, than ways to repair.
exactly, also it depends on skills that person has... sometimes it's better to give away stuff you have to someone who will make something useful out of it and buy the product you need instead of making something crappy and barely functional that you'll hate and end up throwing out anyway
@@adelest9500 haha yeah. I have this box of random bits of old clothes and scraps that I raid when I need to make something. I try to only make things when I need them, as opposed to making something in case I need it.
Fellow seamstress here. I also have my little box of scraps. I made some reusable face wipes out of some absolutely stunning cotton quilting fabric and some beautiful thick flannel I already had. Added decorative topstitching in a contrasting thread and everything. Now I get to enjoy my favorite fabrics every day. It is such a treat. If I had made them differently or had to hand sew them, I probably would have hated using them too. I love that there are different ways to go about the sustainable lifestyle with what works for you.
Great point! I think she meant diy is not recommended when it comes to things that need to be formulated like skincare or cleaning products. Playing around with chemical products can be dangerous or at least ineffective a lot of the time. More people need to remember that clothes are easily fixable, if not made from scratch. I recently got a puppy and he’s snagged a few holes (less than a cm in diameter) in my sweatpants. Everyone keeps telling me to buy new ones...instead of patching a couple of holes on pants I only wear in my house I should just buy new sweatpants for my puppy to snag on? Forget sustainable, how could I even afford that??
@@Ineverusemychannel DIY skincare is literally completely fine. Just not DIY sunscreen.
I feel like essential oils get a ton of buzz, but everyone is sleeping on extracts. Vinegar + citrus rinds + water makes a great orange scented cleaner. You can use alcohol instead if you need an alcohol based cleaner. I've seen folks use lavender or mint leaves instead of citrus peels. Way less is needed that what goes into essential oils and you can grow the herbs yourself or use food waste.
Hell yeah!
You could also make essential oil from like orange peels if you have them yourself.
Not super difficult process, but you do have to build a distillation set up.
I’m only halfway through but I love this video so much 😭 the honesty and promotion of evidence based research surrounding skincare ingredients is so appreciated!! Thank you for bringing attention to why DIY’s aren’t always ideal
Omg THANK YOU for talking about diy laundry detergent ruining washing machines- i feel like i have never heard anyone else in this space mention it before!!!!
I can't use regular soap on my skin, so the fact that they often recommend putting a bar soap in it is already a no-go for me. I have to use cleanser.
I've been using diy laundry detergent for at least a decade now with the same washer, I have never noticed any problems with using it... I'm allergic to most detergents and I use kirks, I make one quart at a time, it lasts and it works great. Maybe it's the newer washers? there is no wax in Castile soap ,only olive oil. I also use vinegar in my wash.
I feel like the zero waste community is super abliest and very classist, like not everyone can afford a ten dollar bar of soap, and when a person who's not nurotypical uses stuff like paper plates and plastic forks bc it's easier and it helps keep their place good looking they get attacked for "killing the environment"
I try my best to use reusable things, but I also know that using paper/plastic disposables once in a while when I'm having a bad week is perfectly fine. Try our best, but don't tear yourself down when you can't (:
They make biodegradable ones now!
@@karo9630 where?
Hefty made an affordable biodegradable plate and bowl line. Found it at target and used it while we were moving and keep it around for bad weeks. I haven’t found affordable eco friendly disposable cutlery yet though :/
In regards to the elitism… I was VERY involved in environmentalism when I was young and still dependent on my parents (middle class). When I moved out I became lower class and even more now that I can’t work an hourly job because of health issues. I do wish that environmental TH-camrs would end their videos with a note that it is ultimately more important for us to hold companies and the government accountable than it is to make environmental swaps. I did a lot of DIY’s to accommodate because it was cheaper than buying from eco brands. And it sucks that I let the guilt get to me so much I compromised my needs.
Just a heads-up for pet parents -- essential oils could be very very toxic to your fur babies! Please do your research and be extra cautious when bringing any essential oil to your household.
How do people not mention that essential oils are also toxic to kids.
Love my menstrual cup. The saalt cup is a certified b Corp and comes in all paper packaging and is committed to helping girls and women. And it's literally the best cup I've ever use. Love this video 🥰🥰 sustainability isn't one size fits all
Yeeeessss! I got a saalt cup like a year ago as my first menstrual cup and thought it would be a lot more of an ordeal to get used to but it's been super great, and I have literally not used a single other period product since. Worth the $$$
Using it now. Love it, and you can use your HSA money to buy them. I also get they're not for everyone.
Thanks for commenting, trying this now!
Yes! I have my “soft” Saalt brand cup! It’s the only one I can use that doesn’t cause pain with my ovarian cysts and cramps!
Yes to fluoride in your toothpaste! So many new brands leave out the fluoride when its so important in preventing tooth decay. Thanks for sharing!
I'm sorry I swear I was paying attention lol, but there is this squeaky noise in the audio and it's driving me crazy. I doubt you can fix it now. But I thought I'd let you know.
I thought that was my speakers giving out 😭😭 I'm glad you hear it too
I hear this sound in all of Shelbi's videos! It drives me crazy but I love her content so much so I just deal
Omg same! That noise is driving me nuts! I think it's her camera lens focusing.
I hear it, too. I assumed it was her chair.
My menstrual cup is life! But I also really love my period undies. So awesome.
I just picked up the Hey Human's toothpaste and love it! I also really loved David's but it's REALLY expensive in my area and the Hey Human's brand is a lot more affordable. I definitely think the affordability of things is something that needs to be talked out in terms of gatekeeping in the wider community also. Loved the video! :)
ZB
A year ago when I was first getting into sustainability I started using a coffee ground and coconut oil face scrub, and I triggered the worst acne of my life 😭. Then I started really getting into skincare and learning about dermatology. I learned that A) physical scrubs are extremely damaging and irritating for your face and B) coconut oil is a level 4 comedogenic in a scale of 5! Meaning it is extremely likely to clog your pores if you’re already acne prone. Anyways, yay to informed decisions and nay to mindlessly following trends friends.
Physical scrubs really aren't that bad though and won't do anything like "extreme damage" unless you're using sandpaper lol. Where do you study dermatology?
True. Tho I use a silicone scrub with soap is that fine?
Shelby, I feel like you and your channel have really matured so much in the last couple of years, and I'm loving it!
Thank you so much! 🥺❤️
I've had trouble with my period underwear and reusable pads and I personally cannot wear a menstrual cup, so I found an ecological plastic-free and natural company that makes regular single-use pads. For now, this is what works for me as I cannot afford to test out all the different period underwear to see which works best for me
There's also menstrual discs too! Disposable and reusable. I have one from Saalt that I recommend, but there are a ton out there!
Omg thank you! I wanted a sustainable toothpaste but with fluoride!!! David’s expensive and lacks that scientifically proven ingredient! You have a subscriber for life now!!!
Really enjoyed this video, it’s nice to hear someone address that not all solutions are universal across the low waste movement. We all just have to take what works for us and do our best. Happy Easter!
Happy Easter
Thank you for your recommendations and for your honest opinions about things that did not work. If people enjoy using cosmetics from a company, then project pan can help (project pan: try to use up all of the product before buying a new one). Project pan can help people slow down, make intentional choices, and limit the amount of wasted money, product, and packaging generated while still enjoying high quality cosmetics. Thanks for everything that you do!
7:53 Brave enough to say it out loud! Yes Queen, we are here for the truth
I'm so happy you talk about period underwear because i already tried twho menstrual cups and they just don't fit. Tampons work but the menstrual cup is so thic and more complicated to hold
you should try the lily cup its made for younger people so its softer and when its folded its as small as a tampon.
@@siprianagarcia235 i already had multiple cups but the thing is the tampon is just 1 tampon wide but if i want to put in a menstrual cup it is 1 folded menstrual cup wide + 2 fingers to hold it.
@@antibuergerlich3283 yea, this is my point exactly! I literally cannot insert a cup without experiencing pain. And all my friends don't understand this, because their anatomy allows it. I've had friends literally send me links to studies about how, during menstration, the vaginal canal is supposed to be relaxed enough for this sort of thing. Okay COOL, but like... Mine ISNT. I wouldn't be able to out two fingers there, much less two fingers AND the folded up cup. For me, tampons don't even work well, really, because even that applicator isn't comfortable to insert unless it's the smallest available or I use a lubricant (which is jsut SILLY!) and my flow is so low that they stay dry for so long that they are uncomfortable. Reusable pads and period undies are where it's at for me!
You might like menstrual discs
This is why you're the number one sustainability influencer I watch. I love your message on living as sustiainable as a person can and finding what fits your lifestyle. I like how you share your challenges and are honest how to process isn't perfect. Also how you take into consideration that not everyone has access to certain resources or finances to live the ideal sustainable lifestyle. And you do all this while educating your viewers. Your work is just amazing!
For toothpaste, I go to my local zero-waste/refill shop that carries a paste in three flavors, and I just fill up a little jar with that. It's nice. And I use Native for my deodorant now. I really enjoy their scents, but I have to use their sensitive line, for which there is no plastic-free option.
Girl, I made my own toothpaste ONCE and I gagged every time I used it. I don't even know if I finished it or if I ended up throwing it the mixture, which would have been more wasteful. Either way it definitely made me half-ass brushing my teeth so it would be over faster, which is... not okay! Thanks for sharing all these options that work for different people with different lifestyles.
currently wearing my cup... i have a love hate relationship with it, but i know what whenever I get annoyed with it I’ll just used an old pair of underwear as a makeshift "period underwear". It’s kinda gross but I just free bleed because I don’t care and also my flow is light to medium anyways.
Same. My iud made my period scant and unpredictable so I'm just chilling without a period product
Me too. I'm glad that menstrual cups and underwear exist. I wish they were more popular:)
You can just roll up a couple of clean rags and put it in your underwear like the old days
@@Keebzoo Saaaaame. And my OBGYN kinda shamed me about that, acting like it was super gross. My dude, it does not even go through to my jeans and that pair of undies has holes anyway. Who freaking cares if it gets a little stain once in a while?
@@mollya2929 it's nice to know we're not alone even though birth control science has kind of left us behind haha
Girl! I love your channel and everything you just mentioned! Can we please talk about the amount of consumerism in the sustainable community. I feel like a lot of times there is shaming being done to get people to buy sustainable stuff but forget that the most sustainable option is to use up what we already have rather than tossing it to go more “sustainable”
I love Native so much, I bought a bundle from their website a few times and then once recently I saw they were on clearance at Target so I bought sooo many, I'm good a for a while.
I had never successfully used tampons either but I bought a cup because it was on sale and it took me a few tries but when I got it right it was AMAZING. It took me like 3 days of trying to get it completely right but after I got it right, I ended up getting it right every time after that, doesn't leak at all, can't feel it at all, never going back to pads after that.
🥰🥰🥰
For menstrual cups: do your research and look into different brands. There are SO many other options besides the diva cup, which was too tall and too firm for me. There are plenty of comparison videos and reviews out there. (My favorite is the lena cup, sensitive version!)
Many people haven't got £20+ to waste on another cup they won't be able to use (that will then become waste) but this is excellent advice for people that are wanting to try them for the first time.
@@JoMarieHartup So true. That’s why I did a ton of research before picking my first one. I saved up some extra money to try two and decided which one I liked.
@@lemonarizonatea that's what I did too! I had heard the diva cup was firm, so I tried getting a different one that was reviewed as being on the softer side. Turned out that was the right one for me. I've kept the diva cup as a "backup".
Saalt soft is amazing!!
The makeup eraser is so popular that no one is going to hate on your makeup rag, lol. My makeup eraser sits on the counter until it’s fully covered. I toss it in the wash and move on to another one.
Yes I love my makeup cloths. I was making my cloth SO dirty so fast that I purchased a makeup cloth by Makeup a Murder. She has been helpful for my minimal packaging, has started to look into using less packaging in general, is a small business, and is women owned. I justified buying a second one because of just how fast I dirty mine in a week. I've had my original one for literally 2 years now lol
Same here, I love the make up eraser.
I love my makeup eraser. I just have one small one that I clean with my hand soap and hang up to dry every time I use it.
@@mariahhusted3274 now you might be on to something with this daily hand soap...🤔
I just loved your nerdy breakdown about types of bags and sustainability depending on which part of the life cycle you are looking at. @13:27 I think that was a really helpful reminder about how to think critically about sustainability.
I made the switch to native based on your recommendation and never going back. They had multiple scents for sensitive skin too!!! Which was shocking. They had a sensitive skin product and it came in multiple scents at my local target?! I was shocked! And now my local target has plastic free. I’ve noticed the skin under my arms are so smooth and irritant free unlike DIYs, other aluminum free brands, and even just regular deodorant. So happy I made the switch. And seriously not going back. ❤️❤️
Happy you found us at Target! 🙌
Also essential oils can be quite irritating, you shouldn't ingest them, inhaling isn't great either and skin contact only strongly diluted, it can cause chemical burns and bad reactions.
Also pets don't deal with them well.
So be careful with your essential oils if you have them!
I only have three little bottles for making bath bombs how should I store them? Are usually just have them in a cupboard out of direct sunlight because I don’t make bath bombs extremely regularly
@@satnamsattykaur Sorry I'm no expert on essential oils, just very interested in quack science and conspiracy stuff. But keeping them somewhere away from light and like extreme temperatures seems very sensible to me.
@Satnam Gill when you’re done with them, consider not using them in bath bombs anymore. They can’t be filtered by water filtration systems (for example the municipality wastewater plant) and that can cause harm to biodiversity (organisms and fishies in rivers, trees/grass/animals if it’s used to water municipal land etc.) An alternative is using dried or fresh produce or herbs for anything scented. It’s has a little more life force to it to it too, which is nice and can feel healing.
@@hellow0rld798 but aren't most Essential Oils natural ? and how would i go about finding out if it can be filtered? i live in the UK
As for the cotton bags, I have some I've been using for 20 years now and they are still fine. All my polyester bags broke after about 6-7 years of usage. And they cant be fixed,because they tend to break just next to where you fix them.
So for me personally cotton bags seem the most sustainable. But I absolutely agree that one has to go with what they really will use.
The "Imagine that!" at :44 gave me so much life for some reason. I completely agree!
I love how you promote that any changes are good big and small is good for the planet
One of my biggest zero waste triumphs was getting my boyfriend to switch from smelly “men’s” deodorant to the cardboard Native deodorant tubes ☺️ which I heard about from you!! Thanks for always having the best ✨accessible✨ recommendations!
Woo hoo! 🎉
I can’t stress enough how comforting this was to see and even read the comments section. This isn’t meant to be something used to scare people or as an elitist agenda although sometimes it can feel that way. Taking steps to determine why you buy products and evaluating if there is an alternative you would like to try when seeking out replacements for when products run out is a great step in the direction of being more sustainable. As consumers it is our job more than ever to tell companies what we want and value in products and our money speaks for that. If money is an issue and these products don’t seem attainable for you, please don’t be discouraged! Everyone is trying their best and using what you already have is better than nothing at all! You are doing great!
I'm so glad you brought up the hypocritical(?) treatment of essential oils when we all most likely buy a lot of things that are also wasteful. Just watched another youtuber talking about how we can often be caught up in visible wastes like packaging and forget about (arguably the more important) invisible waste like production of a product. We can be so quick to grab on to one thing like "essential oils are bad"/"only homemade toothpaste is zero waste" and not think about the bigger picture or what's best for us AND the planet both. I think this was one of the biggest issues in the movement a few years ago along with gatekeeping that lead people to think sustainability was a.) keeping all your trash in a jar and b.) an impossible lifestyle. I love that you always promote and remind people that this is about balance, longevity and doing the best YOU can do where you can and not driving yourself insane with impossible standards set by other people.
The wellness community supporting them (they’ve almost exclusively in every upper class organic grocery store and yoga studio I’ve ever gone into) also makes no sense to me. If you like yoga and shop at the organic, wellness oriented grocery stores, why oh why would you use essential oils? Earth health is our health, and they’re nervous system and endocrine system disruptors. Why yogis why (I like yoga, but it’’s just one of the many deeply confused states of being I experience when going into spaces with white people who do yoga).
10:15 OH MY GOD THANK YOU, just use a washcloth!
Also the only essential oils I actively keep on hand are teatree (my feet smell really bad and I find that 2 drops into a basin full of warm water 2-4 times a week helps a lot) and peppermint oil as a deturrant on my garbage pail to keep gnats out of my house (my grandma taught me to do it as a child and I do not have animals large enough to interact with the lid of my stand up garbage pail that is kept under my sink)
I will have more spoons to make more swabs in my life if I allow myself to buy sustainable products instead of doing DIYs. Plus I love supporting small sustainable businesses! Thank you for making me feel validated!
Trying to focus on what you're saying but keep getting distracted by your hair every 2 seconds. It looks so amazing!! 😍
I use my "food huggers" pretty often - they came with 4-5 different sizes and fit over bowls and cans which I find much better than using plastic wrap (which I don't even own). One of them did tear but I think I might have caught it with a knife...but honestly it still does the job for the most part except for keeping liquid in so it's fine.
Love the not shaming mentality. We don't know everyone's business so we shouldn't pass judgment. I have Interstitial Cystitis and can't use a cup or tampons. As long as we are trying, that's what is important!
Please do a plant tour and share what plants you have! Also if there's any soil or plant supplies you reccomend!
I like the reusable cotton pads for toners that are better applied with a pad rather than with hands (usually stuff that contain some pore treatment or peeling acids), or with some micellar water to spot-remove makeup if I mess up and need to correct something.
For makeup removal I prefer oil/balm cleansers massaged in with my hands, and then removed with a small muslin cloth, dampened with warm water. Once I am done with it, I instantly rub the cloth with a bar soap that lies next to my sink, then rub it against itself for a few seconds and rinse with warm water. I hang it back on a small hanger next to the sink and let it air dry still the next evening. Every now and then I wash it in the washing machine with other towels.
Still just watching the intro but I needed to voice how much I AGREE!!! When I first attempted to lessen my waste I would scroll to the comment section and honestly The comments made everyone and everything seem so judgy. It felt like if you weren’t going to be completely perfect there was no point in even trying. I actually gave up for a while because of this. (The vegan community was good at scaring people off too!)
hey human's deoderant is fantastic!!!!! it comes in paper and works wonderfully for me and is cheap!
I love this, it's okay to be different, having a one size fits all attitude deters people from this lifestyle so I don't know why people do it! Love you ❤
I have made diy desodorant several times and it works great for me (coconut or olive oil, baking soda and cornstarch)
I was watching this video after I got out of the shower and used my plastic free Native deodorant. Heard that pop. Then you opened it. So satisfying haha
💙🌱🌎
Also! Nelson Naturals is the best toothpaste! It has colloidal silver in it with is antibacterial and it also helps remineralize your teeth. I actually healed three little cavities in my teeth after using it for a year. (That's a bit of a story) but it's so good. Also made in British Colombia. There are great environmental companies out there. :) I love my Nelson Naturals peppermint. I like the charcoal mint flavor one as well. They also have citrus, cinnamon, fennel and others too.
I hear you on the food huggers -- I had the same thought -- but omg, I use mine ALLL THE TIMEEE. I don't have the specific ones for avocados or whatever, but I use them for open cans, citrus, veggies, fruits, all kinds of stuff, and I swear they work better than just Stasher bags or glass containers. But I think, like many swaps, this one's super personal to your own taste/preferences!
I have some silicone food huggers from IKEA, a set of 3 in different sizes, and they're very versatile. I had a revelation when I realized I could use them as lids for half-finished cans.
Thanks for calling this out....it’s about being better than you were before. Stop comparing behaviors across people; you don’t know their life and everyone is different
I love how you are throwing open the doors on this lifecycle. I have tried multiple times during my life to have a sustainable lifestyle, and I have failed each time because of how exhausting it is to constantly track what is most sustainable and to DIY everything, and dealing with gatekeeping, and on and on and on. Watching your videos, getting the sense of accepting what works for me and what doesn't, just having that permission to not be perfect makes all the difference in the world. I swear I want to get your quote hung on my wall. "You cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good that you can do." Thank you so much Shelbi. You rock.
Cleansing balm is my preferred way of removing makeup and sunscreen.
I use corn oil.
I really love my Saalt menstrual cup that I’ve been using for about 1.5yrs now, but really can’t fault anyone for being hesitant or fully put off by using a cup. I researched for nearly a year (not daily, but randomly here n there when reminded) before deciding on a cup, because I was determined to get it right the first time. There are so many options in brands and sizes which is great, but overwhelming to newbies. It’s definitely an easier transition for those already accustomed to tampons. I really appreciate having one less product to replenish on a regular basis thus saving money. Added bonus, the hygiene products that were in my cabinet when I got the cup were donated to a local charity that helps women in need of housing.
I basically never used tampons before I got a menstrual cup. I tried them a couple times and thought they were super uncomfortable but I went for a menstrual cup anyway because of *tmi* really heavy periods, and it has worked great for me.
I love how approachable and non-judgemental you are!
Trans guy here and I just got myself some Thinx yesterday and I’m so excited to try em out! Changing out all the menstrual products has always been pretty dysphoric for me, not to mention terrible for the environment as we know, and I was so glad to I find your routine vid and find an alternative✨
Shelbi, I appreciate you talking about sensory processing things like the toothpaste and the bags. A lot of people have it that have a hard time changing their routines as a result. I have the same thing with sweaters that have wool/other animal hairs. I also can’t sleep with any other blanket texture touching me so I have to have a sheet underneath, even to take a nap. Also, I cannot touch dirty dishes/dirty dish water because of the texture. I have to wear dish gloves, which I try to be careful about what brand I’m getting since I can’t avoid buying them all-together. Edit: no I haven’t had a dishwasher in years so I have to hand wash my dishes.
a big frustration I have with getting a mental cup is the process of finding a good one. I bought and tried the diva cup for a little while and HATED it. It was too firm and too big and caused me some pain. So I felt like I spend $40 for nothing... But I bought the Organicup (thankfully with a buy one get one free deal) and have had a great experience. All cups are different so it's frustrating for someone new trying to figure out which is right for them but not wanting to spend a lot of money on multiple just to find one they like..... Long story short, I love the cup and do recommend it, but I understand the hesitation to make the purchase.
I was fortunate that the first cup I tried fit me, but if you check out Put A Cup In It's quiz, it can help narrow down options to try.
Hi Shelbi, watching your channel makes sustainable living feel so accessible. Some swaps I’ve made in my life because of your influence is to reuse the little bag that a new sheet set comes in for produce. I also use the little cotton bags that tamales from the Texas Tamale Co for produce as well. I’m currently getting into visible mending, so instead of throwing something away just because it has a hole in it, I’m patching it up so I can keep using it. Your channel has also made me think a lot about my purchases and their lifecycle, which isn’t something I would have ever thought about before. Thanks for all the inspiration and I love your videos!
Okay wow, I love that you keep your Thinx in your bathroom.. like why have I never thought of that..?😂 I hate having to go to my room when I just started my cycle, and just start digging around for my reusable pads. Thanks Shelbi!❣️
Where would you keep your non reusable period products?
I've never used a tampon either!!! Period underwear was a GAME CHANGER for me. Maybe one day I'll try a cup but I think it's probably the most unlikely swap I'll ever go to haha
I use resubale pads. Using a tampon for the first time was a really bad experience for me. I wore them about 4 times in my life. Everytime it hurt me. Most people i know dont have that though. Maybe im just weird😂
Love this video with the recommendations! I hear a bit of crackling/creaking in the audio, I don't know if it's maybe autofocus on the camera?
Last time this happened, it was rubbing against a button on her shirt. I’m guessing it’s something similar happening again haha
Ooooh quick tip if you like gardening! I use my plastic containers that I can’t use anymore for planters. It def isn’t aesthetically pleasing but it saves you money
I use the food huggers on a lot of things. It looks like it’s supposed to be for one particular food item but they fit different produce! Not only do I put it on fruit/veggies that I don’t finish, but I also have put them on cans and small dishes!
Also using a wash cloth/hand towel for washing your face is all I ever used, even growing up in a non sustainable house! If it only you using that particular towel, I don’t see why it would be bad.
Yes!
I have a stack of mismatched washcloths from over the years that are used for washing my face/cleaning makeup tools/clean up spills in the bathroom among other tasks. I also have a few ratty t-shirts from when I was a little kid that I use as hair towels, and I don't care if they get bleached or stained.
Remember to look in your own house first before going out and buying reusable items everyone!
For french people there's a brand of toothpast called cozie which come in glass tube and the tube is consigned. It tastes mint.
I love when people make these type of videos! And are honest, It’s super helpful. Thank you Shelbi! XO
Fun Tip! Instead of using your rag day after day to clean your face, just cut it into small individual pieces so you can be sure you're using a clean spot every day! I took old ugly hand towels and cut them into cute little pieces for face washing.
The toothpaste is owned by Jada Smith. So I think it will be around for awhile. She has a whole line of different products. I haven’t looked into.
It's amazing to me that so many people just have to bash on other people to try and make themselves feel superior. If those gatekeepers really cared about improving the environment they would simply be happy that someone is trying to make changes. About 15yrs ago one of my friends decided she wanted to try and be more ecofriendly so she wanted to find ways to use vinegar in swaps for her usual toxic cleaning supplies. She wanted to start small and easy and work her way up. I was really happy and proud of her for even wanting to try. She was happy because she got positive feedback instead of someone telling her that was too small of a start and that she should change everything in that one moment. She started with using vinegar instead of fabric softner and then got excited and moved on to more stuff. Shaming someone just makes them want to not even try.
toothpaste tablets with fluoride are SO HARD to find so thank you!! Also the ones I've found had sucked so badly and led me feeling like my teeth aren't clean
Collapsing bags are such space savers! I have a few different bags, as a family having bags to collect food or quick grab everything to go somewhere is good!
Even if a diy works and is cheaper most ingredients have plastic packaging. Sadly most diy’s fail in some way.☹️
Native is great! I started using them a year and a half ago (having them shipped) then noticed them popping up in my local stores. Haven’t tried the plastic free tubes though.
I use EOs but usually on my person or in a defuser not in diys
I love your intro. You are so down-to-earth and realistic when it comes to encouraging your average joe trying to take a step in the right direction.
Hi Shelbi! I have some questions that I would to if you’d answer in a upcoming video!
- Can you explain the impact of plastic and metal on the environment? I know that plastic is horrible but I also know that metal takes a lot of energy to creat. Looking at the whole chain, which one is the better?
- What is silicone and what’s it’s impact on the environment?
- What do you think of Fairphone?
Lots of hugs from Sweden, and thank you for all the work you do 💕💕
I’ve been using the Native zero plastic deodorant since you first mentioned them. The cucumber mint is my favourite. Living in Florida , I can attest they work.
💙🥒✨
Essential oils can have antibacterial benefits and prevent pests. They’re an important part of my cleaning routine. 3 drops of tree tea oil in my laundry. Peppermint in the kitchen keeps bugs away. Lavender and rose added to my baths for relaxation.
You inspired me with the Dropps laundry pods and I order my second one. Thank you for caring about the world and inspiring us to do what we can. 🌍❤️😊👍
I could never get the cup to work for me. I always got anxiety thinking there was no way to keep it clean enough to keep putting it back up in there & I've read articles that test it for the bacteria that causes tss & it can definitely breed on them. It freaked me out. I use reusable pads cause I haven't been able to afford period underwear. I love my pads, theyre so soft, but they can definitely be a pain in the ass & not work for everyone.
Great video-per usual✌🏼
Your channel makes me feel like the world can make more sense🤗
I’ve enjoyed this video so much!! We should applause when someone makes a small decision, even if it’s just refusing a plastic bag when shopping, people do what they can, (money, where they live, access to zero waste stores, etc.) instead of criticise that they’re not doing enough, let’s be happy that they’re doing something.