Spring is the perfect time for new habits to bloom and we’re here to help you grow with the seasons! We understand it can be daunting to uproot old practices and incorporate changes to your everyday lives– but you’re not alone in this. Small shifts have big impacts, so start small!! Consider this beginners guide to low-waste living as a blueprint for your spring cleaning! 

 

There’s so much to learn and discover (it can be both exciting and overwhelming) –let’s break it down. Room by room we’ll take a look at some of my personal favorite products that will help you kick out the old and ring in the new. Disclaimer: We cannot WAIT for you to try these products that we love so dearly, however, we encourage you to finish what you have at home first to limit waste :)

 

Kitchen

The kitchen is a great place to start because many of the alternatives we suggest look practically identical to what you’re already using. We’re talking paper towels, sponges, dish brushes, etcetera –just better options for both you and the planet! 

 

First up, our trusty Marely’s Monsters Unpaper Towels. We use these 100% cotton and organic cotton towels for all cleaning purposes in our shops and unanimously agree: these are a must have. Wipe it, dust it, scrub it and best of all reuse it! Unlike single use paper towels, toss your Marley’s Monsters in the washer and they’re good as new. Cherry on top? They wrap around a dowel for easy storage!

       

Cleaning dishes? Try replacing your plastic handled brush with this natural and compostable alternative. On the left is our soft bristle option for everyday grit and grime. The hard bristle on the right is for the relentless mess on your pan from last night's dinner. It doesn’t have to end there! Use these brushes to scrub your veggies and countertops as well. Best part, you can toss them in your home compost or bury them in your yard when they no longer get the job done. 

Sponge user? Easy! We’ve got you covered with this cellulose plant based pop-up sponge crafted from wood pulp. Each pack comes with three so you’ll be set for several months for just $7. Boom.

 

Dishes are loaded in the dishwasher, now what? We think it’s a good time to ditch those toxic chemicals and welcome in a dishwasher detergent with quite an impressive resume. Just take a look for yourself! 

• Biobased and biodegradable formula.
• Septic safe.
• Cruelty-free.
• Vegan.
• No SLS or SLES.
• No dyes, parabens and synthetic preservatives.
• No 1,4-dioxane.
• No CA Prop 65 chemicals.
• Packaging and formula are BPA-free.
• Proudly made in the USA.

Amazing, right? Something you can confidently and proudly introduce to your routine while ensuring safer solutions.

 

Laundry

We know, it can be tedious. Chores are chores. But let’s brighten it up!

 

Dryer balls like these add a little character to your laundry room while they’re hard at work. A great replacement for single use dryer sheets, you’ll find these 100% wool cuties reduce your dryer time and static. They help quicken the process by absorbing and redistributing moisture resulting in wrinkle and static free clothes. Pro tip: add your favorite essential oil to your dryer ball for a scented drying experience.

Had to sneak in this absolute hidden gem. A true lifesaver, the Meliora vegetable stain stick! I’ve removed new stains, old stains, fruit stains, mud stains - you name it - this miracle vegan stick has improved and simplified my laundry emergency kit. Only $4.99 and astonishingly long lasting. Revive last year's spring clothes with this must-have solution. 

 

Bathroom

Possibly the space with the most waste..dun dun dun. Not to fret! We’ve got your back. From shaving to teeth brushing to luxurious skin care, we’ve curated the perfect list of sustainable bathroom goodies. 

P.S. Interested in a razor that lasts a LIFETIME? Take a look at our Low Waste Shaving 101 blog to compare the options we offer and learn more about the benefits here.

 

A luffa that exfoliates and cleanses the skin made from a vegetable? Sign me up! Once I started using this product I just wished I found it sooner. I will never go back! It is so simple and so much better than what we’re using now. Use until the fibers start coming off and then toss (compost) it guilt free. I personally love this as a shower luffa but it also makes for a great dish sponge!

Oral hygiene is a staple to our routines and requires a constant flow of different products. We don’t want to disrupt your routine to achieve those pearly whites–but we have some great replacements we think you’ll find extremely effective and easy to adjust to.

 

Bamboo toothbrush: Plant base bristles and bamboo base! Available in adult and kids sizes. P.S. Stay tuned for Brin toothbrushes with a recycled base from ocean plastics and replaceable heads!

Davids toothpaste: Not ready for toothpaste tabs quite yet? No problem. We’ve got this fluoride free paste in an aluminium tube to help ease sustainable practices into your morning and night regime. 

 

I truly could go on and on and on about skin and hair care, so we’ll just scratch the surface here. The main lesson with these products is simple: our bodies don’t need thousands of chemicals and our packaging doesn’t need to outlive us. Consider these two products as the gateway to happy healthy self care. 

Meow Meow Tweet’s Facial Bar: Your soap shouldn’t contain ingredients you can’t read. That’s why this natural oil and clay bar is the perfect addition to your bathroom. Explore the differences between the Rose Clay and Tea Tree Charcoal here.

Notice Hair Co’s Shampoo Bar: You read right! Shampoo bars. Your new everyday (and travel) best friend. The lather from these bars is very impressive and the ingredients list is even moreso. One of these bars lasts up to 75 washes. This one may be more of an adjustment but we swear by these and can confidently recommend them. 

 

Final Thoughts

Change can be scary! We understand switching out products you’ve used for decades feels like fixing something that isn’t broken. But it is broken. Mass production and consumption is harming our planet and our bodies everyday. While this is a BIG problem we can start with small solutions in our lifestyles to minimize our carbon foot and maximize our positive impact. We got this, together. 

 

Love, 

Ethos

Author: Jessica Simms

Hi, I’m Jessica! I worked at Ethos Los Gatos as a shop associate for over a year and now I’m sharing my newfound knowledge with you in our Ethos blog! I’m a passionate artist with a love for sustainability and protecting our incredible planet.