Many people wash their hands, their face and their floors without a second thought about it. But what many don't realize is that the ingredients in cleaners, once they are washed down the drain, eventually infiltrate the watershed and inevitably affect the wildlife. Added sulfates, artificial ingredients and other chemicals that are common in cleansers can cause sterilization and disease in fish and water contamination once in the watershed. Water filtration sites filter out dirt, bacteria and other particles but many types of chemicals and even medicines can not be removed from the water. But by switching to natural based cleaners, harm to the environment can be totally avoided.
1. Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleaner
Neutrogena naturals is a 90 percent naturally derived face and pore cleaners that you can use without the guilt of washing chemicals down the drain, let alone on your face. The cleanser is water-soluble, gentle on the skin and removes ALL traces of makeup. It uses naturally occurring salicylic acid and does not contain the repeat offenders of chemical sulfates, paraben, petrolatum, dyes and phthalates, which all cause irritation and dryness. Also, it's pretty affordable at about $6-7 from Target, CVS or Walmart.
2. The Honest Company Shampoo + Body Wash
Don’t let the body wash part deter you because this shampoo (and company) is the bomb. The shampoo + body wash comes in three flavors: lavender, vanilla and apricot and boasts the ability to “cleanse the entire body from head to toe”. Aloe, chamomile and calendula are combined to soothe and nourish while coconut oil, jojoba protein and quinoa extract moisturize and soften. Harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients are thrown out the window along with other sulfates, parabens formaldehyde carriers and more. And the best part, they don't test on animals! At $9.95 you can order it online along with the conditioner!
3. Powersmile All Natural Whitening Toothpaste By Jason Natural Products
The most reviewed natural toothpaste on Google, this toothpaste is gluten free and cruelty free. There are no sulfates, fluoride or preservatives and artificial flavors. A main problem with a lot of natural toothpastes is that they tend to not leave a clean minty taste in your mouth, but Jason Natural Products guarantee a minty fresh smile. Powersmile all natural toothpaste is only $5 here.
4. Honest Multi-Surface Cleaner
Also by The Honest Company, the Multi-Surface Cleaner cleans all the grime without all the chemicals. It's biodegradable, pH balanced and doesn’t contain the harsh fumes as other all-purpose cleaners. Skeptical at first, this stuff really works and I use it on my floor and counter tops all the time. The citrus oils repel dust and leave a crisp grapefruit smell around the house. Super affordable, the multi-purpose cleaner is only $5.95 here.