Green Hygiene

Shaving

  • Razors: Choose a safety razor with replaceable blades. Blades can be saved for scrap metal recycling. Example Razor. Example Razor Blades.
  • Shaving cream: Use bar soap or coconut oil.
  • Aftershave alternative: Apply witch hazel instead of aftershave.

Toilet paper

Deodorant

Purchase in metal tins or make at home. A simple recipe to try is 1 part baking soda + 2 parts cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) + 2 parts soft coconut oil.

Toothbrush

Switch to bamboo! Bamboo toothbrush handles are compostable. Use Terracycle to dispose of packaging and plastic toothbrushes. Example Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Use Terracycle to dispose of packaging, or make at home using commonly-found ingredients (baking soda, xylitol, glycerin, coconut oil, peppermint oil, etc). Simple recipe to try is 4 parts baking soda + 3 parts glycerine (available over the counter at the pharmacy).

Floss

Use wooden toothpicks, silk floss, or compostable floss. Example Floss

Lotion

Try using coconut oil.

Tissues

Choose paper tissues without lotion so they may be composted, or repurpose old linens/T-shirts as hankerchiefs!

Cotton Swabs

Choose 100% cotton with paper sticks so they may be composted. Or remove these from your routine entirely: many people use cotton swabs to clean ears, but you shouldn’t! Ears are self-cleaning!

Shampoo/Conditioner

Consider bar shampoo or try “No ‘Poo!” No ‘Poo most commonly involves a baking soda paste “wash” followed by an apple cider vinegar “rinse” about once per week. The idea is that shampoo removes your hair’s natural oils, so it starts to feel dirty/oily, but if you leave it unwashed for a few days, it reaches a new balance were it does not need to be cleaned as often. The baking soda wash is balanced by the acid in the vinegar. Example Shampoo Bar. No ‘Poo Method.

Feminine Hygiene

Consider a menstrual cup and/or cotton pads. Easy to clean, and creates a closer connection to your body. Cloth pads come in many colors and patterns. Example Menstrual Cup. Example Cloth pads.

Makeup

Coconut oil can be used as mascara. Use make-up less often to lessen your impact.