My favorite green products (In honor of Earth Day)

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day; and it’s the perfect time to stop and think about how we can help protect our precious environment one small step at a time (because there are lots of little things we can do).

I have long been an advocate for green living, and over the years have found some products that are not only good for the environment, but end up saving me money, too.

So in honor of Earth Day, I thought I would share some of my favorite “green” products with you!

1. Reusable sandwich and snack bags

I go through baggies like nobody’s business – I know I can’t be the only one, right?! I don’t even have children who go to school daily and need lunches packed; that would be a whole other Oprah. But I do pack my daughter’s lunch once a week when she goes to her Papa’s house and I always try to use reusable snack bags or tupperware to save money AND plastic. I am certainly guilty of using baggies, but I try my best not to, and these reusable sandwich and snack bags are a great alternative. I love the big velcro ones for sandwiches and the smaller ones with zippers for things like goldfish.
 

2. Stainless steel water bottle

I always like to have water handy, because when I get thirsty it’s all I can think about and I think I’m going to dehydrate and dry up and I start to freak out… so it’s best if I just have some with me at all times. Stainless steel water bottles are the most eco-friendly and BPA-free way to go these days, and so many companies are making them that your options are endless. I haven’t bought bottled water in years and don’t really see the need. A stainless steel water bottle is cheaper, better for the environment and safer for me.
 

3. Rock-A-Bums cloth diapers

I recently received some Rock-A-Bums diapers to try out, and really love them. Prior to receiving them, I was on a hiatus from cloth diapering because my little man broke out in a terrible rash that refused to go away unless I used disposables (which, if you know how much I love cloth diapering, totally crushed me). Because of the environmental impact of disposables and my fear of what is actually in those things that my child wears on a very sensitive area of their body, I choose to use Seventh Generation chlorine-free diapers (not processing with chlorine helps reduce the overall amount of chlorinated toxins released into the environment), but they aren’t exactly cheap – which is another reason that I cloth diaper. So when I received the Rock-a-bums to try, I thought I’d give it another go and was super excited when he didn’t break out! What I love about this cloth diapering system is not the “rock-star” gimmick (surprising, I know), but the soft, quality fabrics used and the versatility of the diaper. I’m honestly thinking of ditching my old stash of really-old (a.k.a. really smelly) Flip inserts and buying some more of these.
(disclosure: I am not receiving any compensation from Rock-a-bums for this mention. Although I did receive diapers to try free of charge, opions are my own)
 

4. All-natural cleaning products

Over the last few years, I have slowly phased out all toxic cleaning products. I now use green or all natural house cleaners that I know are safe (especially when it comes to the tub since my kiddos bathe in there). My favorite green cleaning products are Simple Green (for an all-purpose spray and floor cleaner),  Bon Ami powder cleanser (which works so good that I’m totally baffled as to why there needs to be chemicals in any cleanser?), and Mrs. Meyer’s or Method hand soap, dish soap and countertop spray (awesome for cleaning up the kitchen table and high chair tray too – I’m seriously addicted to it).
 

5. Recycled paper goods

I hate buying paper plates and plastic cups and utensils. It seems like such a waste, and some poor innocent tree had to die just so I don’t have to wash my plate. I don’t buy them unless we are having a party. My local CVS actually carries some recycled paper goods, and I try to buy them when they are on sale or if I need them. But sometimes, I want something a little nicer-looking for an event. That’s why I love this line from Verterra that I just came across. They are made of fallen leaves & are 100% compostable and biodegradable, plus safe for foods & liquids and sturdier than paper goods. They look like real dishes, too.
 

6. Cloth wipes

I love my cloth wipes. I don’t just use them for diapering, but to wipe my kid’s noses (and especially for shooting out whatever ends up in the aspirator, because kleenex are too thin!), and to clean them up after meals when we are out at a restaurant. I’ve come to hate disposable wipes, they are way too thin and hard to work with, and I’ve always hated the scent they leave behind. I like being able to control what I am putting on my child’s skin (which is just baby soap and baby oil).

 

Do you have any green products you can’t live without?

*Disclosure: Affiliate links used, all opinions are my own