We’re going there! Most people find it taboo to talk about periods but it’s so necessary to bring to light. Periods are hard enough to deal with, and the products we use are so important. These pads, liners and tampons sit on, and inside us for hours at a time, and most mainstream brands are fill with toxins and chemicals! Think about it this way; the vagina is highly absorbent and because it has a mucus membrane it can absorb things at a much higher rate than even skin. If I already don’t want chemicals in my body products then I definitely don’t want them in my feminine care products! The scary thing is, SO MANY brands contain them.

Now picture all those toxic chemicals and how fast and acutely they’re entering your blood stream, with multiple doses a day for one week every month. Companies also aren’t regulated to list every chemical but almost all DO list fragrance as an ingredient which in itself is made up of a bunch of different chemicals. The cotton (if not rayon) used in these tampons are also grown with pesticides (again not listed) no thank you! Non-organic cotton affects not only us but the environment and others who are affected by the polluted water of their villages/towns in the surrounding areas of cotton fields. 

This ingredient list was taken from a top selling tampon brand: “Rayon and/or Cotton Fiber, Polyester or Cotton String, Polysorbate 20, Odor Absorber, Fragrance.” They list both odor absorber and fragrance, yet do you see what sub-ingredients of chemicals are in each? No! So who knows what you’re putting in your body when you use these?! I’m definitely not comfortable with that.

Pads and liners are also filled with absorbent fillers or gels with more toxins, chemicals and fragrances. The glue used to hold them together and used in the sticky under-side tells the same story. Packaging even warns to discontinue use if irritation occurs.

After learning all this I switched to organic cotton tampons with cardboard applicators as well as organic cotton liners. I don’t want my tampons sitting in plastic nor did I like the idea of all the waste created by using them. In the beginning I always thought I hated cardboard applicators so I was very hesitant to switch but I had only ever tried ones that were just a cut off tube. Now many have rounded tops replicating the easy plastic applicators. I also try to buy liners that aren’t individually wrapped to avoid plastic and excess waste.

There’s other more zero waste options such as reusable pads and menstrual cups. I think menstrual cups are the best option overall, however with my long work days with little breaks and only access to our bathroom shared with the public; changing a menstrual cup in the middle of my day is not an option. Perhaps in the future I’ll turn to them but for now organic cotton is my option of choice. I’ve also posted organic cotton tampons and liners on my Resources page!

I’ll make a future post on self care during your period including epsom salt bath and oil recipes, supplements and foods to make the week easier! 

In a world where everything from lotion to medicine is filled with chemicals, it’s no surprise that our cleaning products are as toxic as they come. Now-a-days we think we need heavy cleaners for every job and everything needs to be disinfected including the air (Lysol). Collaged with warning labels such as “Caution”, “Flammable”, “Keep Away from Children”, and “Do Not Inhale”, you start to think; “What are we trying to kill?!” Not only do these phlalates, ammonia and sodium hydroxide end up in our systems through our skin and nostrils but also into our ecosystem after being washed down the drain or tossed in the trash. These chemicals are so hazardous and so unnecessary. Gentler cleaners disinfect and remove stains just as well as leading cleaners especially when kept up with. Below I’ve explained simple swaps to replace your everyday products that are safer and money savers! These are also linked on my Resources page!

VINEGAR
Vinegar can be used on its own or diluted with water depending on the disinfecting level you need. I use it to clean burned of food from pots and pans as well as the stove. Another great use is as a multi surface cleaner for counters, glass, mirrors, tub and tiles!

BAKING SODA
I make a soft scrub with water and baking soda to scrub tough cleaning areas, then I spray with vinegar and wipe away. I also sprinkle the toilet bowl with baking soda along the top of the water line then spray with vinegar. As the baking soda fizzes I start scrubbing and rings disappear! Baking soda can also freshen up anything from the fridge to the carpets and can be used to lift stains from tiles to clothes!

CASTILE SOAP
This vegetable oil based soap has many cleaning purposes. It can be used as a dish soap straight from the bottle (which I prefer) or diluted with 1/3 water to 2/3 soap. It can also be used as a multi surface cleaner by combining equal parts water and soap. Another use is a floor cleaner by being mixed with water and vinegar. In a pinch it can be used with baking soda as a laundry detergent. I personally don’t use this method at the moment and you’ll read why next. There’s many variations of all of these recipes that you can find and personalize with your own essential oils!

SOAP BERRIES
Soap berries also known as soap nuts are dried berries from the Sapindus Mukorossi tree that have a natural soap within them. When mixed with water they create cleaning suds that can be used for a couple purposes. It can be mixed with water as well as vinegar to create a multi surface spray. My favorite use is as laundry detergent! My clothes often smell of food and it takes the smell right out! Although they don’t have a scent of their own you can always add essential oils to the dryer post wash. To use the soap berries, you place 5 of the berries into a canvas bag and toss it in the washer. They can be used in high efficiency washers and are good for up to 10 washes! For only $25 you can do 360 loads of laundry (thats a year or more)!

DRYER BALLS
Dryer sheets along with fabric softeners are one of the most toxic laundry products and they’re completely unnecessary. I see no difference in my clothes from no longer using a fabric softener and dryer sheets are easily swiped with dryer balls. I currently still have wool dryer balls (from before I was vegan) and when those ware down I’ll be replacing them with silicone dryer balls. These are great because they don’t trap bacteria and if you’d still like a scent on your clothing you can always spray the balls with some essential oils!

Using these products saves you money and trips to the store but even more importantly they’re better for your body, your family and our earth!