I have successfully switched my kitchen to 90% zero waste, however I kept putting the bathroom off. I heard about shampoo bars, and I kept thinking how that crossed the line for me into the “hippie” territory. I knew I had to do something though. I had switched my dish soap, my dishwasher tabs to zero waste, my hand soap, and laundry soap to zero waste.
So I did it. It was in May 2020. I bought a shampoo bar, and a conditioner bar. I also bought a wood tray for each. I read up on how you have to create a lather and rub the bars in your hair. I didn’t get much of a lather, and the bars stuck to my hair when I rubbed them against my hair. I instead lathered up in my hands, and rubbed the lather on my head. I rinsed my hair, and I could feel how the soap had stripped my hair of its oils. That’s exactly what would happen. I let my hair dry a little and I sprayed in a leave in conditioner. I combed it through gently, and let my hair dry naturally.
Later as my hair had completely dried, I had the softest and fullest hair ever. After several days, my normally itchy and sensitive scalp was no longer itchy or sensitive. Now I only have to wash my hair every 3 or 4 days.
I was sold. I am sold.
I soon ran out of my standard body wash that came in a plastic bottle and switched to a gentle bar soap. I never felt so fresh and clean. My sensitive skin didn’t itch like it used to as I continued using it. I used to use Aveeno for sensitive skin, because I can break out in hives if the wind blows the wrong way. It’s September, and I am still using the same shampoo bar and conditioner bar I started with. That’s a lot of money saved. As for the bar soaps, they last about 2-3 weeks, depending on the brand. I like conditioning coconut soap bars.
I am using deodorant cream which actually works, and I order my paper towel and toilet paper from “Who Gives a Crap”. They recycle old books and office paper into toilet paper and paper towel and a portion of their profits goes into providing proper toilets to impoverished areas. They ship their goods with absolutely no plastic!
I have yet to switch toothpastes, or let go of my toothbrush, however I am developing my own beauty oils and moisturizers. I normally wear Neutrogena, and 30 SPF facial moisturizer. With fall coming, I can declutter, and purge.
My suggestion is to always use what you have, and then make the switch. Don't throw away product. If you must make the switch, and you have unopened product that hasn't expired, please donate it to your local shelters.
Angeline
Visionary
The Ardent Habitat™
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