I have an antique teacup with some baking soda & lime essential oil as my bathroom air freshener. Works quite well. I add a few drops if needed. When it’s time to change it, the scented baking soda is used to scour my sinks😊
I know im randomly asking but does anyone know a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot my account password. I would love any assistance you can give me.
The period cup is life changing! As women we are raise to despise our menstrual cycle, when in fact it is totally natural and a part of us. The cup and reusable pads helped me to "reconnect" to this side of me and listen to my body needs. Love your videos! 😊
For people who don't like smelly bathrooms, here is a tip from my grandma: use perfume you don't wear (anymore). Over the years I have bought quite a few cheap perfumes that I liked at the time, but don't want to wear anymore. So instead of throwing them away, I use them for smelly toilets :)
I grew loofa’s last summer here in New Zealand. They were a such a success and so easy to grow and process. Everyone got one as a present. Was such a success.
TMI but I have a disability affecting my insides so I like to have a scented thing in the bathroom.... i hang a little bag of lavender on the loo roll holder :)
That is completely fair as well, this was just my preference and not meant to shame anyone who uses these things, especially not if you have a disability. Perhpas I use some thinges in other situations where you don't, so no worries 💚
if you have a particularly pungent smell to cover I recommend lighting a match! it helps to cover the more ... interesting... smells :P and the matches can be composted!
I made a room spray ...DIY...reusing a shop bought room spray container. I keep it on top of the cistern. If there is a particularly bad odour, it may be sprayed directly in the toilet basin. It lasts for ages and when empty I just remake a batch.
I love your content. I recently renewed my commitment to reducing my plastic consumption. I listen to your videos instead of music while cleaning nowadays in order to keep myself on track with this mentally. When you mentioned the comfort and convenience of reusable menstrual products, it reminded me of the beginning of the pandemic. I was out of pads, my period hit, and I was out of options when the lockdown happened. I drew inspiration from women who are part of the zero waste movement and sewed some crude looking reusable pads out of old cotton socks. It was the most comfortable period I ever had. I didn't think I could associate a luxury item with a bodily function but here we are lol. I got away from that as time progressed, but I am redoing my sewing area so I can get back to that and make more reausable things. Thank you for helping me stay on track.
I have always been a big body scrub person and let me tell you, discovering that coffee can be used as a scrub changed the game! Whenever I make a big batch of coffee such as with a French press, I just put the grounds in an oven safe dish, bake it on low until it dries out, stir it, and throw it in a jar- boom! Completely free body and face scrub! All you do is put some in your hands, add a tiny bit of water, and then gently massage it over your skin. It really is crazy to me that I ever purchased body scrub.
yeah. I do the same. I never understand how a brand coffee scrub in a shop can be so expensive (in my country it costs 10 euros or even more for 1 package). I use a coffee grounds from my breakfast coffee and vuala my coffee scrub is for free. :-D :-)
For me the biggest appeal of many “sustainable” alternatives to disposables we commonly use is that in the long run it is both cheaper and exposes you to fewer potentially harmful chemicals. I also hate tossing so much plastic when I know that it isn’t biodegradable and will eventually breakdown into micro plastics which will cause unknown harm in the future. My goal is to slowly transition to low waste alternatives as I use up what I have. I grew up in California so some things like using washcloths in place of disposable ones or having a reusable water bottle are natural, I just made my first real change by buying a safety razor which was super easy to use. I think reusable period products and cotton pads will be my next switch
My motto has always been to buy the best and most sustainable or eco friendly product i can , even if it SEEMS expensive you do tend to get what you pay for in terms of quality ( a generalisation to be sure but its always worked well for me ) im still using a 12 year old klean kanteen stainless steel water bottle . Saves me from purchasing water & i have a water purifier at home its become 2nd nature to just fill it before i leave the house . But when i initially bought th kk bottle i thought it ws ridiculously expensive eek !
I light a match to camouflage the smells :) I love the smell of burning matches. Always been using solid soaps for ages, lots of shower gels smell like strawberry cakes and I don't wanna smell like a cake, lol. Toilet paper isn't a thing in my home, I use Happy Po which is a portable bottle bidet and so awesome. And then I just use a cloth to pad dry :) I only use tp when I'm out somewhere but would travel with my bidet
Lol. We used to always do that growing up. Kind of forgot all about lighting a match. I also have a peri bottle I was given when I gave birth and I use that like the portable happy po you mentioned.
I went through all of my things recently, as I went home for the holidays and brought back anything that would be useless sitting at home. I have like 1,000 single-use cotton rounds that were in small collections here and there between my parent's house and my apartment it'll be a while before I get to move to reusable cotton rounds but I compiled them and am working through them one by one.
I have just discovered your channel and I am obsessed! You are so inspiring and its incredible to see your passion. Which bidet attachment do you use or does anyone else have any recommendations?
I made the switch to toothpaste tablets months ago and I love them so far, I also bought a bamboo toothbrush but I'm waiting for my current plastic one to wear down before I start using it. Switching to a safety razor was also a really easy change and gives good results. And I've just bought a shampoo bar and conditioner bar that I'm excited to try out :) Edit: oh, and I switched from pads to a period cup. Bit strange at first but I quickly got used to it and have been using it for 11 months
Yes! You're doing it! Seeing people make sustainable swaps brings me joy and reminds me to do the same. Thank you for the motivation and I wish you the best of luck on your reduced waste journey. 😊
I regularly let my pit hair grow out just to see how long it gets :D especially in summer when they are out in the world! I haven't shaved my legs in about 6 years apart from for a wedding and a very fancy event.
An actual loofah is a natural grown plant. I buy whole organic ones and cut them to size for cleaning, washing dishes and for the shower 🚿. I love a natural loofah. I also make a mouthwash with water and baking soda, add some mint extract and I make tooth powder from bentonite, baking soda and mint extract. I love all of these swaps that I use daily!
Some of how I have swapped these thing: - smells: bicarb in a cup works well for the loo, for room/ furniture sprays we mix essential oils with vodka and water. Instead of scented candles we use a diffuser and any candles we still use are made from local beeswax. - period: hannahpads and modibodi pants 🙌🙌 - hair: I have frizzy, wavy hair and recently stopped using shampoo at all. I just use a conditioner bar and it's great - lotion: I use local beeswax and olive oil to make balls that can be used as a general lotion or can be infused with dried herbs to make medicinal products. This one is GREAT for tattoos healing and sprucing up
Toothbrush and razor are also the first things I switched over. For toothpaste I use tooth tabs when I travel but at home I love David’s toothpaste. It comes in an aluminum tube. For body lotion, I get body oil from my local bulk shop as well as mouthwash tabs that dissolve in water. Shave cream I use a vegetable glycerin soap bar. There are so many easy switches that I didn’t know existed until I committed to switching to low waste. For periods I use a reusable menstral disc and I love it
Making my switch from shampoo bottles to bars have changed my life! I absolutely love it. I also just use coconut oil as my lotion, it has saved me so much money and the planet so much plastic! I love your videos they are so informative and encouraging
I get a lot of my bathroom stuff from a local woman on etsy who makes them! She sells her products at a lot of local stores around here too. She makes soaps, shampoo bars, conditioner bars, lotion bars, scrubs, chapsticks - it's amazing. For toothpaste, once I'm out of what I have, I'm going to be giving Bite a try - they also have mouthwash tabs too!
You can make sugar scrubs super cheap at home if you love your body scrubs! There’s a lot of Pinterest recipes, It’s mostly a ratio of sugar to coconut oil, and essential oils for fragrance! Not sure how sustainable it is because sugar can be an intensive things to produce, however I straight up just use my nails to exfoliate (obviously gently) but just dragging your nails along your skin usually picks up all the dead skin and sebum and dirt and you just clean under your nails when done. I really love reusing coffee grounds if it want and intense exfoliation, but it is VERY VERY MESSY just a forewarning. Also sugar waxing can be done at home (kind of tricky and there is a learning curb), but it also uses sugar but for all the ladies who like their waxing; sugar waxing.
seriously the menstrual cup is worth every penny. i think the last time i bought tampons was 3 years ago? and i got my cup off amazon for $18!! it makes you forget you have your period
Ugh, shaving creams are so utterly pointless. Someone needs to ban them already. Also, thank you Gittemary for the Denttabs recommendation. I used to make my toothpaste with baking soda only to later find out that it can be abrasive for our teeth enamel and so had to stop doing that. I'm super psyched to try dental tablets now! :)
I love all of these swaps so much, it kinda puts into perspective what we actually need and what we can perfectly live without! Just a question: how well does your konjac sponge work? Because I had two, and contrary to what it said on the packaging ("lasts up to 12 weeks) mine lasted max. 2 weeks and broke apart, even though I was super gentle with it. It was super nice for my face, helped cleanse it nicely, but it didn't last at all :(
maybe try a different brand? Ive tried some brands that I like and some I hate. My favorites are the andalou naturals ones and they last 3-4 months each (they continue to last but get rid of them for a cleanliness/bacteria standpoint).
I use SALT cup and it was a game changer. I bought it in a set of 2 sizes. I tried the first size and it worked for my routine and body shape/size so I passed the unused size on to someone else- dropped it off in a little free pantry with other toiletries and I think sometimes I hope whoever picked it up is enjoying their cup as much as I am 🤗
I love these videos! I bought a RubyCup menstrual cup a few years back and it really changed the period game! I also have never used mouthwash, but I’ve recently acquired a stainless steel tongue scraper which has been wildly fantastic and goes a long way in helping my mouth feel clean and fresh!
When I need to scrub my body skin.. I just use my natural body scrub glove. I have it for several years now and it does the trick well! Love your serie of videos for the thing you don't buy anymore.
How do you like your Last Swabs ... I think that’s their name? I only use cotton swabs to dry out my ears when water gets in them. So, mostly my showers which I take 3-4x/week based on the season. I cannot stand the feeling of water in my ears and have tried using towels and cloth to get in there, but it never works and I’m left with an ear ache. Do the Last Swabs absorb water pretty well? Do you think I could swap for those and be ok? Thanks for your awesome videos! I’ve been watching for a while and your evolution as a UA-camr and as a person has been beautiful and inspiring! Love to you!
We use both the LastSwab and disposable swab, because the LS cannot absorb water. The disposable ones are for drying our ears and the LS for cleaning. My boyfriend uses them more, I only need it once every few weeks, when I wash my hair. But one pack of cotton swabs has lasted the two of us more than a year, I cannot even remember when we bought that pack. There is still twentysomething left...
I've got a little earwax problem going on and my left ear got extra crusty after blowing my ear drum during a nasty cold, using swaps just wasn't an option because it was too painful, so I used my netipod (nose shower) to squeeze warm salt water into my ears while bend over the tub and oml they're so clean and healthy now, my ear drum on the left and infection on the right healed in no time.
For cotton rounds for skin care; The original makeup eraser company makes reusable toner puffs! I’ve used their mini makeup pads for “makeup remover” and the toner puffs! I really like them. I am uncertain about the material (I think they may be a polyester dangit). There may be other options too, I just know this is what I use that’s a little better than purely disposable items. Alternatively, I think you could probably make these toner puffs using a soft 100% velour or Terri cloth fabric, and for makeup wipes, using a velour fabric would work perfect. (Both terricloth and velour can be 100% cotton, I only know because I have some vintage velour juicy couture track suits and they are 100% cotton!!)
I've never been a fan of the dental tabs. Maybe I never used them properly. But I have been able to find sustainably made toothpaste in a little jar! Everything else in this video I'm 100% on board with.
Quick question, I use an oil based eye makeup remover. Can I wash reusable cotton rounds with my clothes or will it leave oil spots all over my laundry? Thanks
Hey Gittemary, what is the red razor that looks more like the common plastic ones? Is it mor gentle? I am looking for one because the silver rasor you showed cuts me aaaall the time:( I have tried every angle but I can't shave without cuts on my legs.. maybe this could be an alternative while still being low waste😍 thx so much in advance for an answer!
When I was learning how to shave by my mom,I never heard about shaving cream. Thiccc layer of soap and trust me,its far more better than the cream(because I ended up trying it)
I find really wanting to go out any buy more of what I already have. I had the same face bar for like 3 years. I was still using it until I realized it got all mushy and wasn't doing much for my skin anymore. I went to a different local sustainable store and got one I've never tried before. But there were so many times where I told myself not to buy face wash because I already had a bar at home.
Hi there!☺️ Loved this video☀️ One question: What do you do with the top part of the toothbrush that contains plastic? Do you just throw the whole thing in the compost or do you somehow separate the „head“ from the rest of the toothbrush? Best wishes from Germany☀️
I love my Muslim cloths and flannels that I use to wash my face with and to take off make up if I wear any. I can’t use air fresheners anywhere in my home as they affect my sinuses so I use candles where possible. I do have one body and face scrub left to use up but once I do use them up I will not use them as I’m lazy with my skincare anyways and prefer a face mask over face scrub x we are renovating our bathroom and am currently doing a bathroom audit of products I use. Looking into a uk soap company to change some of my other products I use. But slowly getting there x
Please I need a video about how you switched / when to replace plastic items with the better options. My heads going round in circles thinking I want a bamboo toothbrush and loofah but my plastic ones are still here and fine. I find it easy to do swops with products that finish eg it was easy to swop my disposable razors for a safety razor and pads for a menstrual cup, but what about things that don't really wear out? Thank you for your videos x
Hey, I wanted to know how long you use your toothbrushes as many people say you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Is that the same for bamboo toothbrushes? Also, something you can do is just reuse the old toothbrushes to clean hard to reach areas
If someone is having issues with needing shaving cream, Package Free Shop sells a shaving bar that has worked really well for me in the past. Either that or I will just lather my legs with conditioner 😊
I use a little drop of my conditioner as shaving cream :) works super well, 2 uses in 1 and my one bottle of conditioner lasts me a year so not too bad! want to look into conditioner bars next though
Almost the same list here!!! I still use disposable razers,but I use like 5 or 4 a year, so it is not such an absurd..leaf ismy dream, but just a bit too expensive
I bought One Drop Only which is a German brand of mouthwash sold in a glass container. It was expensive for me since I live in the US and had to order it on Amazon. I’m not sure why I haven’t heard more Zero waste people talk about it. I haven’t used it yet but I’m looking forward to it
Oh Yes! 🍃we all started with the bamboo toothbrush 🤗 the best low waste product ever 😁 ...is it gross when I tell you that I've been using the same disposable razor for almost 2 years now? 😅🤣😋 A friend of mine bought a whole package of them and gave me one...once in a while I put it in disinfectant and obviously I rinse it after using - but tbh it's still sharp enough for me...I can shave as usual, no problems, works completely fine - I don't have much to shave though 😉 ..but eventually - in an other year or so 😎 I might finally invest in a safety razor 🦊
I've made reusable menstrual pads and they are way more comfortable and have never had a problem with leakage. I have very sensitive skin and I used to buy more expensive all cotton pads but the reusable ones are a million times better! I also use the diva cup, mostly for beach days. I also made a bunch of reusable cotton rounds out of facecloths and flannel. They also work better than the disposable ones and I love that it's another thing I don't have to buy!
Yes 👍 love your list. I use a bidet and eco toilet paper, I have in the past used old rags (family cloth) to dry but it means you have to wash them a lot so it's quite time consuming.
Honestly I don't know about anyone else, but now that I have made so many zero waste swaps I cannot imagine going back. I tried using my sisters makeup wipes and I found them incredibly irritating!
Great video, Gittemary! :) You've given me some things to think about. I did try a bamboo toothbrush once, but I couldn't stand using it. The wood was so dry inside my mouth, even when wet. I didn't like it at all! I wish there was another alternative to plastic toothbrushes. :( Also, two things about the lotion that you make yourself - do you use it on your face as well as your body? And doesn't the coconut oil clog your pores, since it solidifies at room temperature. Or...does the warmth of your skin keep it from doing that?
Hi if you can stand it try again with the bamboo toothbrushes. Every time I change mine it's dry for the first couple uses and then its totally fine. I've also had brands that don't do that at all so perhaps try a different brand too...
@@moss5690 thanks for the suggestion. I have to confess that I only used the bamboo toothbrush once, so I guess I didn't give it much of a chance. The other thing is that they are more expensive than plastic ones, which makes it difficult for those of us on a fixed income.
The reason I use cotton swabs is to clean piercings with the liquid cleaner for them and I've heard it's hard to do something like that with the Last Swabs as they're silicone and don't absorb liquid and cotton does absorbs the liquid. Would there be another thing to swap for the purpose of cleaning piercings?
You can make your own liquid soap by "melting" a bar of soap. The ratio varies depending on the brand, but about 8 cups of water to one bar seems safe. Chop up the bar, heat it in a pot with the water, stir, let cool, put in containers of your choice. Sometimes called soap jelly.
Does the soap separate from the water when being stored? I was looking into making my own liquid soap but couldn't find a way to do it without using lye (apparently that binds the soap & water) which is a chemical I'd rather not use.
@@niknikkuta4241 not usually, but it wont quite be the same consistency as commercial. I have had the best luck using doctor bronner's for hand and kitchen soap. I actually get two gallons out of one bar and store it in empty gallon containers. For laundry soap, i use zote soap, borax, and washing soda. Have fun! 😊
I just got a plastic toothbrush where you just replace the part of the head with the bristles! I was finding my bamboo toothbrushes got mouldy so this solution works for us.
You shouldn't stick any hard items in your ears, be it cotton swabs or bamboo. That irritates your skin (so ears produce even more wax) and can be harmful. You can use clear oil or just your bare fingers to clean ears (I usually do it in shower after I washed my hair, a lot of water has already found its way into ears by that time so earwax is softened)
Hi Gittemary, just wondering how you get your teeth so white? Do you use anything else other than the tooth tabs? Also what's your thoughts on period undies vs reusable pads in terms of absorbing? I've recently tried Love Luna period undies (suppose to hold up to 3-4 tampons worth) but find a lot of blood sits on the top layer vs my reusable bamboo pads which barely have any blood on the top layer. I use the pads when I'm at home but because they're night use size, I don't feel comfortable wearing in public or to work so I still use tampons in those instances (tried using a cup but got the wrong size & it was too big). Curious if I'm the only one with this issue 🤷♀️ Love your videos 💜 Nicola (from Australia)
I use the reusable cotton rounds for my skin care. But they get ruined and not reusable when I try to use for nail polish removal. Any tips for this?! I thought about natural sponge in a pot soaked in remover but thought thats not going to be easy for toes... 🤔 any tips please help a girl out! Thanks!
I don't think that removing nail polish zero waste is possible because the polish can't be rinsed out afterwards. What I do is keeping old socks with holes or too old cleaning rags and any other unusable cloth things, cut these in small pieces to remove the nail polish and then throw them away. Doesn't take it all off as easily as cotton pads used to, but works pretty well too. Definitely not the most eco friendly way, but I found no alternative so far. I am using Eco friendly nail polish remover if there can be anything like that and also, as a former nail polish and nail design addict found myself going nude - nailwise - way more than painted since zero waste became a huge thing to me. So I feel Like it's ok from time to time and still better than throwing out amounts of cotton pads. Maybe that works for you as well?
Serious question:does anyone have any tips on stopping reusable panty liners from slipping round? Mine fold round the gusset with a popper fastening,but they dont stay put.
I have an electric toothbrush cos I had it before I cared about low waste living, it works, and I have some mild OCD/Autistic tendencies which just makes me feel better using an electric brush. Even if I could use a manual bamboo brush comfortably I wouldn't buy one while my current toothbrush is still working. also I've realised that I can use a single bar of goat milk soap on my body, face, and hair. this suits my quick shower routine and means I have to think less about bathroom products, but I also recognise that some hair just needs more effort or a different kind of routine. Every day is a bit of a journey of discovery and we just have to complete our own personal quests.
while it's not zero waste, I like to use scented candles or oil burners instead of aersol sprays for freshening up a room. But opening up windows also works great when i'm home alone
I have an antique teacup with some baking soda & lime essential oil as my bathroom air freshener. Works quite well. I add a few drops if needed. When it’s time to change it, the scented baking soda is used to scour my sinks😊
That’s brilliant!! Thank you for the lovely idea!
@@SimplyBeautiful516 You’re very welcome! ❤️
I know im randomly asking but does anyone know a trick to get back into an Instagram account?
I stupidly forgot my account password. I would love any assistance you can give me.
@Julien Riley instablaster :)
@Esteban Boden it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my account!
The period cup is life changing! As women we are raise to despise our menstrual cycle, when in fact it is totally natural and a part of us. The cup and reusable pads helped me to "reconnect" to this side of me and listen to my body needs. Love your videos! 😊
Amen sister!!
❤️❤️
Unless you're an unlucky person who has had screaming periods that make you pass out for 26 years. You can all have my Auntie Flo coz she's an arse.
Yes thissss
For people who don't like smelly bathrooms, here is a tip from my grandma: use perfume you don't wear (anymore). Over the years I have bought quite a few cheap perfumes that I liked at the time, but don't want to wear anymore. So instead of throwing them away, I use them for smelly toilets :)
I do that, too, but spray my bed after I make it.
I have lots of perfumes which I don't use anymore because of pregnancy and delivery, but now I will use them for bathroom. Thanks for the tip!
Or just light a matchstick.
Mix water, rubbing alcohol and essential oil in spray bottle and it works! Natural and mild fragance 👍
@@anittahaaman5532 That is a great idea! Once I run out of old perfume, I will definitely start doing this
I grew loofa’s last summer here in New Zealand. They were a such a success and so easy to grow and process. Everyone got one as a present. Was such a success.
aw that’s so cool!
I love using bamboo toothbrushes (with bristles removed) as sticks for plants that need a bit of support. Looks great and serves a purpose! 🌱
Wow, good idea!
How do you remove the bristles and what do you do with them?
I love your acceptance of people on their journey towards zero waste! Your videos are way more encouraging than people who are more judgemental
" depending on where Im shaving "
I thought you were shaving in Denmark !!! Lol
😂😂😂
I made my own cotton rounds from an old T shirt. Yeeet! 💚
Me too!!!
Sameee
A swap for shaving cream is a conditioner bar that is meant for hair. Zero waste, already have it in the shower, and works well.
Coconut oil works just as well too!
TMI but I have a disability affecting my insides so I like to have a scented thing in the bathroom.... i hang a little bag of lavender on the loo roll holder :)
That is completely fair as well, this was just my preference and not meant to shame anyone who uses these things, especially not if you have a disability. Perhpas I use some thinges in other situations where you don't, so no worries 💚
if you have a particularly pungent smell to cover I recommend lighting a match! it helps to cover the more ... interesting... smells :P and the matches can be composted!
I made a room spray ...DIY...reusing a shop bought room spray container. I keep it on top of the cistern. If there is a particularly bad odour, it may be sprayed directly in the toilet basin. It lasts for ages and when empty I just remake a batch.
@@CaitlinWeich Yes, my grandparents taught me that. Works like a charm :-)
I love your content. I recently renewed my commitment to reducing my plastic consumption. I listen to your videos instead of music while cleaning nowadays in order to keep myself on track with this mentally.
When you mentioned the comfort and convenience of reusable menstrual products, it reminded me of the beginning of the pandemic. I was out of pads, my period hit, and I was out of options when the lockdown happened. I drew inspiration from women who are part of the zero waste movement and sewed some crude looking reusable pads out of old cotton socks. It was the most comfortable period I ever had. I didn't think I could associate a luxury item with a bodily function but here we are lol. I got away from that as time progressed, but I am redoing my sewing area so I can get back to that and make more reausable things. Thank you for helping me stay on track.
I love how every second item was "one of her first zero waste swaps" 😁😀
Haha okay true 😂
Switching to reusable period products has been life-changing for me. This year I started using reusable undies and pads, and I LOVe it!
I have always been a big body scrub person and let me tell you, discovering that coffee can be used as a scrub changed the game! Whenever I make a big batch of coffee such as with a French press, I just put the grounds in an oven safe dish, bake it on low until it dries out, stir it, and throw it in a jar- boom! Completely free body and face scrub! All you do is put some in your hands, add a tiny bit of water, and then gently massage it over your skin. It really is crazy to me that I ever purchased body scrub.
Same. It is also thin and do gentle on the skin :)
yeah. I do the same. I never understand how a brand coffee scrub in a shop can be so expensive (in my country it costs 10 euros or even more for 1 package). I use a coffee grounds from my breakfast coffee and vuala my coffee scrub is for free. :-D :-)
You can even just sun dry, or air dry the grounds to save you using the oven
For me the biggest appeal of many “sustainable” alternatives to disposables we commonly use is that in the long run it is both cheaper and exposes you to fewer potentially harmful chemicals. I also hate tossing so much plastic when I know that it isn’t biodegradable and will eventually breakdown into micro plastics which will cause unknown harm in the future. My goal is to slowly transition to low waste alternatives as I use up what I have. I grew up in California so some things like using washcloths in place of disposable ones or having a reusable water bottle are natural, I just made my first real change by buying a safety razor which was super easy to use. I think reusable period products and cotton pads will be my next switch
Hello, Could you make a video about how sustainability has changed your spending and saving patterns in life?
100 💪
YES! going low waste has saved me SO much money and showed me how to spend more money on quality.
My motto has always been to buy the best and most sustainable or eco friendly product i can , even if it SEEMS expensive you do tend to get what you pay for in terms of quality ( a generalisation to be sure but its always worked well for me ) im still using a 12 year old klean kanteen stainless steel water bottle . Saves me from purchasing water & i have a water purifier at home its become 2nd nature to just fill it before i leave the house . But when i initially bought th kk bottle i thought it ws ridiculously expensive eek !
I'm not sustainable
I light a match to camouflage the smells :) I love the smell of burning matches. Always been using solid soaps for ages, lots of shower gels smell like strawberry cakes and I don't wanna smell like a cake, lol. Toilet paper isn't a thing in my home, I use Happy Po which is a portable bottle bidet and so awesome. And then I just use a cloth to pad dry :) I only use tp when I'm out somewhere but would travel with my bidet
Lol. We used to always do that growing up. Kind of forgot all about lighting a match. I also have a peri bottle I was given when I gave birth and I use that like the portable happy po you mentioned.
I open a window. ☆
I went through all of my things recently, as I went home for the holidays and brought back anything that would be useless sitting at home. I have like 1,000 single-use cotton rounds that were in small collections here and there between my parent's house and my apartment it'll be a while before I get to move to reusable cotton rounds but I compiled them and am working through them one by one.
I have just discovered your channel and I am obsessed! You are so inspiring and its incredible to see your passion. Which bidet attachment do you use or does anyone else have any recommendations?
Thank you for the feature ❤️ We're so happy to see our reusables given love over and over again!
Your plant family is beautiful. :)
I made the switch to toothpaste tablets months ago and I love them so far, I also bought a bamboo toothbrush but I'm waiting for my current plastic one to wear down before I start using it. Switching to a safety razor was also a really easy change and gives good results. And I've just bought a shampoo bar and conditioner bar that I'm excited to try out :)
Edit: oh, and I switched from pads to a period cup. Bit strange at first but I quickly got used to it and have been using it for 11 months
Yes! You're doing it! Seeing people make sustainable swaps brings me joy and reminds me to do the same. Thank you for the motivation and I wish you the best of luck on your reduced waste journey. 😊
I regularly let my pit hair grow out just to see how long it gets :D especially in summer when they are out in the world! I haven't shaved my legs in about 6 years apart from for a wedding and a very fancy event.
An actual loofah is a natural grown plant. I buy whole organic ones and cut them to size for cleaning, washing dishes and for the shower 🚿. I love a natural loofah. I also make a mouthwash with water and baking soda, add some mint extract and I make tooth powder from bentonite, baking soda and mint extract. I love all of these swaps that I use daily!
Some of how I have swapped these thing:
- smells: bicarb in a cup works well for the loo, for room/ furniture sprays we mix essential oils with vodka and water. Instead of scented candles we use a diffuser and any candles we still use are made from local beeswax.
- period: hannahpads and modibodi pants 🙌🙌
- hair: I have frizzy, wavy hair and recently stopped using shampoo at all. I just use a conditioner bar and it's great
- lotion: I use local beeswax and olive oil to make balls that can be used as a general lotion or can be infused with dried herbs to make medicinal products. This one is GREAT for tattoos healing and sprucing up
Amazing tips as usual! 💕 Thank you for making these videos. Love you and your channel so much 😍😍
Hey where does your bidet attachment come from/what brand is it ? Thanksssss 😁😁
Toothbrush and razor are also the first things I switched over. For toothpaste I use tooth tabs when I travel but at home I love David’s toothpaste. It comes in an aluminum tube. For body lotion, I get body oil from my local bulk shop as well as mouthwash tabs that dissolve in water. Shave cream I use a vegetable glycerin soap bar. There are so many easy switches that I didn’t know existed until I committed to switching to low waste. For periods I use a reusable menstral disc and I love it
Making my switch from shampoo bottles to bars have changed my life! I absolutely love it. I also just use coconut oil as my lotion, it has saved me so much money and the planet so much plastic! I love your videos they are so informative and encouraging
I get a lot of my bathroom stuff from a local woman on etsy who makes them! She sells her products at a lot of local stores around here too. She makes soaps, shampoo bars, conditioner bars, lotion bars, scrubs, chapsticks - it's amazing.
For toothpaste, once I'm out of what I have, I'm going to be giving Bite a try - they also have mouthwash tabs too!
Love videos like this one! Love to know your review on the last swab! Love from Cali!
You can make sugar scrubs super cheap at home if you love your body scrubs! There’s a lot of Pinterest recipes, It’s mostly a ratio of sugar to coconut oil, and essential oils for fragrance! Not sure how sustainable it is because sugar can be an intensive things to produce, however
I straight up just use my nails to exfoliate (obviously gently) but just dragging your nails along your skin usually picks up all the dead skin and sebum and dirt and you just clean under your nails when done. I really love reusing coffee grounds if it want and intense exfoliation, but it is VERY VERY MESSY just a forewarning. Also sugar waxing can be done at home (kind of tricky and there is a learning curb), but it also uses sugar but for all the ladies who like their waxing; sugar waxing.
seriously the menstrual cup is worth every penny. i think the last time i bought tampons was 3 years ago? and i got my cup off amazon for $18!! it makes you forget you have your period
"aka poops!" 😂 😂
Ugh, shaving creams are so utterly pointless. Someone needs to ban them already.
Also, thank you Gittemary for the Denttabs recommendation. I used to make my toothpaste with baking soda only to later find out that it can be abrasive for our teeth enamel and so had to stop doing that.
I'm super psyched to try dental tablets now! :)
I love all of these swaps so much, it kinda puts into perspective what we actually need and what we can perfectly live without! Just a question: how well does your konjac sponge work? Because I had two, and contrary to what it said on the packaging ("lasts up to 12 weeks) mine lasted max. 2 weeks and broke apart, even though I was super gentle with it. It was super nice for my face, helped cleanse it nicely, but it didn't last at all :(
maybe try a different brand? Ive tried some brands that I like and some I hate. My favorites are the andalou naturals ones and they last 3-4 months each (they continue to last but get rid of them for a cleanliness/bacteria standpoint).
I totally agree about reusable period products!! I have reusable period underwear and it's amazing!!
Thank you for your sustainable tips! 🥰
I love my washable period pads so much.
I use SALT cup and it was a game changer. I bought it in a set of 2 sizes. I tried the first size and it worked for my routine and body shape/size so I passed the unused size on to someone else- dropped it off in a little free pantry with other toiletries and I think sometimes I hope whoever picked it up is enjoying their cup as much as I am 🤗
I love these videos! I bought a RubyCup menstrual cup a few years back and it really changed the period game! I also have never used mouthwash, but I’ve recently acquired a stainless steel tongue scraper which has been wildly fantastic and goes a long way in helping my mouth feel clean and fresh!
Hi! Could you please link the bidet attachement? Thanks a lot!
When I need to scrub my body skin.. I just use my natural body scrub glove. I have it for several years now and it does the trick well! Love your serie of videos for the thing you don't buy anymore.
I relate so muchh with the body hair hahah its kinda fun
Yesss!! Same
I am slowly making switches and I can't wait to see my progress in 5 years on my youtube channel 😊
How do you like your Last Swabs ... I think that’s their name? I only use cotton swabs to dry out my ears when water gets in them. So, mostly my showers which I take 3-4x/week based on the season. I cannot stand the feeling of water in my ears and have tried using towels and cloth to get in there, but it never works and I’m left with an ear ache. Do the Last Swabs absorb water pretty well? Do you think I could swap for those and be ok? Thanks for your awesome videos! I’ve been watching for a while and your evolution as a UA-camr and as a person has been beautiful and inspiring! Love to you!
Great question I’d love to hear an answer to! I’ve been wanting to get one but don’t want to waste another product if it doesn’t work.
We use both the LastSwab and disposable swab, because the LS cannot absorb water. The disposable ones are for drying our ears and the LS for cleaning. My boyfriend uses them more, I only need it once every few weeks, when I wash my hair. But one pack of cotton swabs has lasted the two of us more than a year, I cannot even remember when we bought that pack. There is still twentysomething left...
Also you can make a body scrub with just sugar and olive oil mixed together! Super easy
I don't use mouthwash either but I've seen the toothpaste tablets come in mouthwash versions too.
I've got a little earwax problem going on and my left ear got extra crusty after blowing my ear drum during a nasty cold, using swaps just wasn't an option because it was too painful, so I used my netipod (nose shower) to squeeze warm salt water into my ears while bend over the tub and oml they're so clean and healthy now, my ear drum on the left and infection on the right healed in no time.
For cotton rounds for skin care;
The original makeup eraser company makes reusable toner puffs! I’ve used their mini makeup pads for “makeup remover” and the toner puffs! I really like them. I am uncertain about the material (I think they may be a polyester dangit). There may be other options too, I just know this is what I use that’s a little better than purely disposable items.
Alternatively, I think you could probably make these toner puffs using a soft 100% velour or Terri cloth fabric, and for makeup wipes, using a velour fabric would work perfect. (Both terricloth and velour can be 100% cotton, I only know because I have some vintage velour juicy couture track suits and they are 100% cotton!!)
I've never been a fan of the dental tabs. Maybe I never used them properly. But I have been able to find sustainably made toothpaste in a little jar! Everything else in this video I'm 100% on board with.
Quick question, I use an oil based eye makeup remover. Can I wash reusable cotton rounds with my clothes or will it leave oil spots all over my laundry? Thanks
What could we do with the plastic toothbrush bristles after they are worn down? Any ideas?
I was out shopping the other day at a zero waste store and saw mouthwash tabs. Not sure if a ton of places have them but figured I’d mention it.
Hey Gittemary, what is the red razor that looks more like the common plastic ones? Is it mor gentle? I am looking for one because the silver rasor you showed cuts me aaaall the time:( I have tried every angle but I can't shave without cuts on my legs.. maybe this could be an alternative while still being low waste😍 thx so much in advance for an answer!
The other one is from leafshave, I have a review/guide video about it here on my channel as well 😊✌️🌿
@@Gittemary oh great I will check it out😍 thank you and greetings from germany. Stay safe♥
When I was learning how to shave by my mom,I never heard about shaving cream. Thiccc layer of soap and trust me,its far more better than the cream(because I ended up trying it)
I find really wanting to go out any buy more of what I already have. I had the same face bar for like 3 years. I was still using it until I realized it got all mushy and wasn't doing much for my skin anymore. I went to a different local sustainable store and got one I've never tried before. But there were so many times where I told myself not to buy face wash because I already had a bar at home.
Hi there!☺️ Loved this video☀️ One question: What do you do with the top part of the toothbrush that contains plastic? Do you just throw the whole thing in the compost or do you somehow separate the „head“ from the rest of the toothbrush? Best wishes from Germany☀️
I take the bristles out because composting ✌️
@@Gittemary Thank you for answering☺️👍🏼
Loofah is a type of plant (gord specifically). Growing and using your own loofah is definitely the MOST sustainable body scrub/rag/thing.
Hey! I would love if you did a video about sustainability and owning pets!
I love you energy in all you videos. ❤️ From Texas.
I love my Muslim cloths and flannels that I use to wash my face with and to take off make up if I wear any.
I can’t use air fresheners anywhere in my home as they affect my sinuses so I use candles where possible. I do have one body and face scrub left to use up but once I do use them up I will not use them as I’m lazy with my skincare anyways and prefer a face mask over face scrub x we are renovating our bathroom and am currently doing a bathroom audit of products I use. Looking into a uk soap company to change some of my other products I use. But slowly getting there x
Please I need a video about how you switched / when to replace plastic items with the better options. My heads going round in circles thinking I want a bamboo toothbrush and loofah but my plastic ones are still here and fine. I find it easy to do swops with products that finish eg it was easy to swop my disposable razors for a safety razor and pads for a menstrual cup, but what about things that don't really wear out? Thank you for your videos x
Where can I find the lotion guide? With coconut oil and shea
Hey, I wanted to know how long you use your toothbrushes as many people say you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Is that the same for bamboo toothbrushes?
Also, something you can do is just reuse the old toothbrushes to clean hard to reach areas
Aleppp soap is a beautiful multi purpose soap. I use it instead of shampoo and body wash gel. Works perfectly well 👌
If someone is having issues with needing shaving cream, Package Free Shop sells a shaving bar that has worked really well for me in the past. Either that or I will just lather my legs with conditioner 😊
I use a little drop of my conditioner as shaving cream :) works super well, 2 uses in 1 and my one bottle of conditioner lasts me a year so not too bad! want to look into conditioner bars next though
What oils besides coconut oil do you put in your hair? My hair has been so dry lately so i feel like i can't quit conditioner
which bidet do you have?
How do you get your cotton rounds so clean??? 😱
Please could.you share the bidet attachment.
Does it attach to your sink and taps, or somehow to the toilet to access the water flow?
Almost the same list here!!! I still use disposable razers,but I use like 5 or 4 a year, so it is not such an absurd..leaf ismy dream, but just a bit too expensive
Do you buy the toilet paper online? Or have you found any places in Denmark where they sell these? I want to avoid shipping
What is your opinion on bamboo toothbrushes with plant based bristles.
You influenced me to try out some more sustainable options. So I just recieved my tooth tabs from boobalou. Excited to start using them 🤗
I bought One Drop Only which is a German brand of mouthwash sold in a glass container. It was expensive for me since I live in the US and had to order it on Amazon. I’m not sure why I haven’t heard more Zero waste people talk about it. I haven’t used it yet but I’m looking forward to it
Oh Yes! 🍃we all started with the bamboo toothbrush 🤗 the best low waste product ever 😁
...is it gross when I tell you that I've been using the same disposable razor for almost 2 years now? 😅🤣😋
A friend of mine bought a whole package of them and gave me one...once in a while I put it in disinfectant and obviously I rinse it after using - but tbh it's still sharp enough for me...I can shave as usual, no problems, works completely fine - I don't have much to shave though 😉
..but eventually - in an other year or so 😎 I might finally invest in a safety razor 🦊
I've made reusable menstrual pads and they are way more comfortable and have never had a problem with leakage. I have very sensitive skin and I used to buy more expensive all cotton pads but the reusable ones are a million times better! I also use the diva cup, mostly for beach days.
I also made a bunch of reusable cotton rounds out of facecloths and flannel. They also work better than the disposable ones and I love that it's another thing I don't have to buy!
Natural loofah is my last low waste finding and Im in love ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yes 👍 love your list. I use a bidet and eco toilet paper, I have in the past used old rags (family cloth) to dry but it means you have to wash them a lot so it's quite time consuming.
Oh wow I didnt even think about making my own lotion! Thank you for the idea!
Honestly I don't know about anyone else, but now that I have made so many zero waste swaps I cannot imagine going back. I tried using my sisters makeup wipes and I found them incredibly irritating!
Im binge watching all your videos 🤩 (again)
Great video, Gittemary! :) You've given me some things to think about. I did try a bamboo toothbrush once, but I couldn't stand using it. The wood was so dry inside my mouth, even when wet. I didn't like it at all! I wish there was another alternative to plastic toothbrushes. :(
Also, two things about the lotion that you make yourself - do you use it on your face as well as your body? And doesn't the coconut oil clog your pores, since it solidifies at room temperature. Or...does the warmth of your skin keep it from doing that?
Hi if you can stand it try again with the bamboo toothbrushes. Every time I change mine it's dry for the first couple uses and then its totally fine. I've also had brands that don't do that at all so perhaps try a different brand too...
@@moss5690 thanks for the suggestion. I have to confess that I only used the bamboo toothbrush once, so I guess I didn't give it much of a chance. The other thing is that they are more expensive than plastic ones, which makes it difficult for those of us on a fixed income.
we in asia use miswak twig as an eco alternative. amazing as you don’t need any toothpaste when brushing.
Gittemary, you should do a video about laundry, skincare (because your skin looks great), and cleaning!
I literally have several videos about all of these topics 😎✨ just search for them 👌
Bite has a 100% plant based brush with bristles made out of bean oil!
Hvor køber du din toilet papir?
I’ve noticed how my first zero waste swaps were basically the same! It’s as if most people have the same starting point xx all the best xx
The reason I use cotton swabs is to clean piercings with the liquid cleaner for them and I've heard it's hard to do something like that with the Last Swabs as they're silicone and don't absorb liquid and cotton does absorbs the liquid. Would there be another thing to swap for the purpose of cleaning piercings?
You can make your own liquid soap by "melting" a bar of soap. The ratio varies depending on the brand, but about 8 cups of water to one bar seems safe. Chop up the bar, heat it in a pot with the water, stir, let cool, put in containers of your choice. Sometimes called soap jelly.
Does the soap separate from the water when being stored? I was looking into making my own liquid soap but couldn't find a way to do it without using lye (apparently that binds the soap & water) which is a chemical I'd rather not use.
@@niknikkuta4241 not usually, but it wont quite be the same consistency as commercial. I have had the best luck using doctor bronner's for hand and kitchen soap. I actually get two gallons out of one bar and store it in empty gallon containers. For laundry soap, i use zote soap, borax, and washing soda. Have fun! 😊
I just got a plastic toothbrush where you just replace the part of the head with the bristles! I was finding my bamboo toothbrushes got mouldy so this solution works for us.
You shouldn't stick any hard items in your ears, be it cotton swabs or bamboo. That irritates your skin (so ears produce even more wax) and can be harmful. You can use clear oil or just your bare fingers to clean ears (I usually do it in shower after I washed my hair, a lot of water has already found its way into ears by that time so earwax is softened)
Hi Gittemary, just wondering how you get your teeth so white? Do you use anything else other than the tooth tabs?
Also what's your thoughts on period undies vs reusable pads in terms of absorbing? I've recently tried Love Luna period undies (suppose to hold up to 3-4 tampons worth) but find a lot of blood sits on the top layer vs my reusable bamboo pads which barely have any blood on the top layer. I use the pads when I'm at home but because they're night use size, I don't feel comfortable wearing in public or to work so I still use tampons in those instances (tried using a cup but got the wrong size & it was too big). Curious if I'm the only one with this issue 🤷♀️
Love your videos 💜
Nicola (from Australia)
Argan oil is an amazing alternative to hair serum a tiny but goes along way
I use the reusable cotton rounds for my skin care. But they get ruined and not reusable when I try to use for nail polish removal. Any tips for this?! I thought about natural sponge in a pot soaked in remover but thought thats not going to be easy for toes... 🤔 any tips please help a girl out! Thanks!
I don't think that removing nail polish zero waste is possible because the polish can't be rinsed out afterwards. What I do is keeping old socks with holes or too old cleaning rags and any other unusable cloth things, cut these in small pieces to remove the nail polish and then throw them away. Doesn't take it all off as easily as cotton pads used to, but works pretty well too. Definitely not the most eco friendly way, but I found no alternative so far. I am using Eco friendly nail polish remover if there can be anything like that and also, as a former nail polish and nail design addict found myself going nude - nailwise - way more than painted since zero waste became a huge thing to me. So I feel Like it's ok from time to time and still better than throwing out amounts of cotton pads. Maybe that works for you as well?
Serious question:does anyone have any tips on stopping reusable panty liners from slipping round? Mine fold round the gusset with a popper fastening,but they dont stay put.
I have an electric toothbrush cos I had it before I cared about low waste living, it works, and I have some mild OCD/Autistic tendencies which just makes me feel better using an electric brush. Even if I could use a manual bamboo brush comfortably I wouldn't buy one while my current toothbrush is still working. also I've realised that I can use a single bar of goat milk soap on my body, face, and hair. this suits my quick shower routine and means I have to think less about bathroom products, but I also recognise that some hair just needs more effort or a different kind of routine. Every day is a bit of a journey of discovery and we just have to complete our own personal quests.
The Mimikaki is great, one of my latest swaps :D
Not ready to make the period cup one yet. But definitely already made the bamboo toothbrush swap, quit fast fashion, and using plastic free cleaners.
while it's not zero waste, I like to use scented candles or oil burners instead of aersol sprays for freshening up a room.
But opening up windows also works great when i'm home alone