Green Products You Need in Your Home
Eco-friendly, or green, products are not only safer for the environment but also safer for you and your family. These types of products lack harmful chemicals that have long-term negative health effects, and typically are packaged using as little waste as possible to lower their impact on the environment.
How Green Products Benefit the Planet
Traditional cleaning products may have hazardous chemicals, toxins, poisons, or dangerous ingredients. In addition, these products are generally packaged without regard for recycled or minimized materials. By choosing green cleaning products in place of traditional cleaning solutions, you are doing your part to reduce these hazards in the environment.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, green cleaning products are good for the air, water, and living spaces of humans. The ingredients in green cleaning products feature a low volatile organic compound (VOC) content with a low amount of toxicity. This means their use has a lower probability of affecting your long term health.
Eco-friendly cleaning and personal hygiene products are typically made from and stored in biodegradable materials. You can also expect the packaging to be minimized, to use biodegradable ink and be made from 100 percent recycled papers, whenever possible. The entire product will carry a low carbon footprint throughout the supply chain from producing and manufacturing to shipping and selling.
Reducing Impact and Saving Money
When typical cleaning, beauty, and dental hygiene products are left to leak in landfills, poured down drains, or inhaled in the air, it creates a health hazard. By choosing to purchase green products in place of conventional products, you help the environment, as well as your own health.
The EPA adds another benefit of going green with cleaning products. “Buying less hazardous cleaners may reduce costs when it comes time to properly dispose of any leftover cleaners”. For cost-conscious shoppers, saving money can often be the deciding factor when buying green products. As you consider green products for your home, here are some areas to acknowledge opportunity.
Reducing Impact and Saving Money
When typical cleaning, beauty, and dental hygiene products are left to leak in landfills, poured down drains, or inhaled in the air, it creates a health hazard. By choosing to purchase green products in place of conventional products, you help the environment, as well as your own health.
The EPA adds another benefit of going green with cleaning products. “Buying less hazardous cleaners may reduce costs when it comes time to properly dispose of any leftover cleaners”. For cost-conscious shoppers, saving money can often be the deciding factor when buying green products. As you consider green products for your home, here are some areas to acknowledge opportunity.
Green Dental Products
Your toothpaste can contain toxins and tiny microscopic beads that are harmful to the environment. Look for green dental health care brands like doTERRA that produces a natural toothpaste that is eco-friendly. Instead of tiny plastic beads, doTERRA On Guard toothpaste uses all-natural hydrated silica and essential oils to get rid of dental stains and plaque.
Another green product you should consider is eco-friendly floss. Traditional dental floss is made using a string that is coated in beeswax or synthetic wax and protected in a plastic container. For a greener solution, shop for dental floss that is made from biodegradable string with recyclable plastic packaging. These types of floss are typically found at health food shops or online at eco-conscious websites.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
Green cleaning products provide a way for you to clean your home and office without using toxic chemicals. Any residue or particles left behind after cleaning with green cleaners is safe for you and your pets. One way to find a cleaning solution that meets these standards is to make your own.
DIY cleaning solutions using common kitchen items can be easy to make, inexpensive, and safe for the environment. Real Simple lays out several green cleaning recipes that use a combination of salt, vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, and olive oil-based Castile soap.
Use these DIY cleaners for everything from polishing chrome to cleaning windows. Real Simple notes that most DIY cleaners do have a shorter shelf life since they do not contain preservatives. It is recommended to make just enough of these green cleaning products for a single use.
Sustainable Beauty Products
While you may want to start using eco-conscious beauty products, the reality is you don’t want to try something that might be harmful to sensitive skin or useless. A tried and true green beauty tip is to substitute a majority of your beauty care with coconut oil.
Coconut oil can be used as a luxurious deep conditioner for dry hair or itchy scalp, as well as a lotion for chapped lips, cracked elbows, and flaky skin. You can also use coconut oil as an effective makeup remover and face cleanser following the oil cleansing method.
Coconut oil is a great barrier for the skin when shaving both as a shaving lotion, as well as an aftershave cream to protect against ingrown hairs and irritated pores. According to Dr. Axe, you can even use coconut oil along with baking soda and essential oils to make an all-natural deodorant.
Choosing a Green Lifestyle
While introducing green products into your home is a great way to minimize the negative effects typical cleaning and beauty products have on your health and the environment, there are other ways to leave a positive impact. You can also show support for businesses, like grocery stores and dental practices, that follow eco-friendly practices within their establishments. This could include having low paper waste, using reusable bags and other products, and having energy efficient appliances. Supporting businesses that follow green practices expands your positive impact outside your home.
Serving the North Raleigh area for 18 years, VP Dental is dedicated to treating each patient as an individual and focuses on total body health. The team stays current using the very latest in dental technology, wellness practices, and concierge dental care practices. Our goal is to create relationships that make people look and feel their best.
