Taking care of the earth has always been something I care about, and now several years on in my foraging and gardening life it has only grown in importance. If you have been following along with me for a while you might have read some of my cloth diapering posts. This time around I wanted to share some products that might be something you are interested in even if you don't have kids in diapers.

Personal Care and Accessories

Brave Soles Sandals

These are a product I have discovered recently and I absolutely love what this company does. The soles of the shoes are upcycled worn out tires, and one of the main reasons Brave Soles exists is to provide jobs and improve the situation of people in the Dominican Republic.

Brush with Bamboo Plant-based Bamboo Toothbrush - Adult Size (Pack of 4)

One small thing you can do to reduce the amount of single use plastic you consume is to switch to compostable toothbrushes. I have tried a few different brands, and this one is very good. I did find it took a little while to get used to the feeling and shape of the brush in your mouth as it is quite different from a conventional plastic

Pela Case Eco Friendly Phone Case

This phone case is one of my favourite products I discovered by following someone on Instagram. The case is made in Canada from the leftover byproducts that come with flax farming. I love that the chaff can become something useful instead of being burnt in the field after the harvest which is what usually happens. The "flaxtic" is a really great material for a phone case since it has some natural give that cushions in the event of a fall. If it ever becomes too damaged to use again (as is the case of an earlier model case I have where one edge ripped) just throw it in the compost bin!

Folk Potions All Purpose Salve

This product is an example of something much closer to a zero waste beauty product, with the benefit of knowing exactly what goes into it and who is making it. While there are more local options for me to purchase in this style (and I do make use of those), I wanted to highlight Folk Potions because I really love the quality of the product. Austin is a long way away so shipping something that far isn't exactly ideal in an eco friendly world, but Raina has a few products I haven't seen anyone else make. I especially loved her all purpose salve for my cracked and chapped hands this winter. I've tried quite a few different salves and this one is by far my favourite, so I wanted to give her a shout out here.

Household Items and Cleaning Products

Smartklean Laundry Ball - Ditch Toxic Laundry Detergents Forever! by SmartKlean

This is one of my absolute favourite things we decided to buy for our house. We have two of these we are rotating our use with at the moment, and have only owned three in all 7+ years Mr. Forager and I have been married. Since using one of these we have bought zero laundry detergent. Since there is no detergent there is no residue, and no added fragrance to irritate sensitive skin. We use ours to clean our cloth diapers and have been happy with how clean everything gets.

Now Designs Swedish Dishcloth, Set of Two, Hometown, 2 Piece

These dishcloths are made of cellulose and cotton, are completely biodegradable, and reusable. We've been using them for the past few months and I don't plan to switch back to the conventional cotton type dishcloth again. When they are gross we just wash them with our regular laundry, and when they are really worn out (see photo above) they go in the compost bin!

Bürstenhaus Redecker 13.6-inch Soft Horsehair Bottle Brush

I love this brush. It is amazing at doing the cleaning we need it to do, and at the end of its usefulness it goes into the compost bin! Can't beat that! The one issue that might arise is that this is not suitable for someone who is vegan since the bristles are made from horse hair.

Nuggles Designs Hanging Wet Bag

We originally purchased this bag to use with our cloth diapers, but somehow along the way wound up with two wet bags, and started using this one to collect kitchen and cleaning laundry. It work perfectly for this purpose since you just toss whatever is dirty in the bag, and then when it is time to wash grab the bag, dump the contents in the washer, toss the bag in as well, and wash it all as normal. Hang the bag back up and it will dry as it collects the laundry to be washed for next time.

Abeego, The Original Beeswax Food Storage Wrap - Set of Three, 7" 10" and 13" Natural Square Sheets

This stuff is amazing. We bought one huge roll of plastic wrap when we first got married 7 years ago, and because of items like this we don't plan to buy any more when it is gone (it is also because of solutions like this beeswax food wrap that the roll is still not finished!). The fabric is infused with beeswax and other oils, and becomes moldable with the warmth of your hands. Wash in warm (not hot) water wish dish soap and air dry. This one is not suitable for vegans because of the beeswax.

This page contains some affiliate links. While I may earn a commission should you choose to purchase something through clicking the link, these are all companies and products I have experience with and highly recommend from my own experience using them.