5 Simple Ways to Clean Up Your Daily Hygiene Routine

It’s surprising how many toxic chemicals are lurking in your bathroom but there are some simple ways to start cleaning up your daily hygiene routine. I don’t know…all I know is that I feel a lot better knowing what I am putting in and on my body each morning and I am saving a ton of money doing it. I mean how much do you spend each month at the drug store? How many different kinds of deodorant, tubes of toothpaste, disposable razors, pads/tampons, and shaving creams do you have lurking under your sink or in your shower? No really – go and look! We tend to buy a lot of different kinds – the options at the drug store are endless. So how can you hop off this never ending train of options? With these simple ‘green’ swaps!

5 Simple Ways to Clean Up Your Daily Hygiene Routine

1. Shaving

About 2 years ago I switched to a metal razor. I was pretty much fed up with the cost of razors and razor blades from the drug store. I knew there had to be a better way! And there really is! I bought this metal razor 2 years ago along with these razor blades and I still am using the same one and still have the same package of blades to this very day and I think it is half full. I have saved so much money and I also avoid those ‘moisturizing strips’ on the drug store razors which likely have something in them I don’t want on my arm pits and legs! I make my own homemade shaving cream for occasional indulgence but mostly I just use my own homemade shower gel which is always in my shower – it is moisturizing enough for me. If you end up buying this kind of razor for your husband for his needs, then you will definitely want to make this homemade shave soap and aftershave for him!

2. Oral Care

My dentist is obsessed with Thieves for oral care. It’s all over her office! She even puts a few drops in the water tank for the water they swish you with after they power clean your teeth! I know – I was surprised too. But Thieves essential oil is pretty awesome in its cleaning power so why not for your mouth too? A few years ago I used to make my own homemade toothpaste and this is nice to do because you can customize your flavors for each person in the house (my husband likes fennel for example). But now I have priorities and making toothpaste isn’t high on my list so I just Thieves toothpaste. What about mouthwash? I love this recipe from Elizabeth over at the Nourished Life for a remineralizing mouthwash. You know what else I use? This Thieves floss. I don’t know what kind of ‘peppermint-y’ chemical flavor is in the floss from the drug store and I don’t prefer the totally plain ones so I opt for the Thieves one!

3. Controlling Odors

Everyone has their own ‘stink’ factor… I have experimented with countless deodorant recipes and have found this one works best for me and anyone with sensitive skin. But when I tell you it works and lasts a year after making only one batch?! You can jump for joy! This recipe is so easy to make – here is my video tutorial on making deodorant. If there is one thing in this entire post you do this should be it. One other thing to note that is if you are super stinky it could be a magnesium deficiency. Amazing how taking a little magnesium each day can help control body odor!

4. Your Monthly Visitor (aka Ladies only)

This is a MAJOR one. I can’t believe how many pads and tampons I used to add to the landfill each year. When you think about it – why do we do this?! It is insanity. We buy them and we use them and we throw them away. We have so many excellent options now that there is no reason to do this. I have been using a Moon Cup for the past few years and LOVE it. Seriously – how is this little miracle such a well kept secret? Why is it better? I mean what is in those tampons that are up in your hoohah? Bleach…and who knows what?! All I know is that a little silicon cup allows me to flow in the way nature intended. The end.

As for the pads – as many of you know I had a trying week – so I really know pads at the moment because I cannot use my Moon Cup this time around. You can get cloth pads of all sizes and wash them. Aside from these being more green for our environment, they actually feel much better against your skin than the disposable ones which basically feel like diapers. I don’t know about you, but I would rather have cotton or bamboo against my skin than plastic pads!

The added benefits of all of this? Not only is my monthly visitor less painful and shorter in duration, I don’t have to pack a bunch of packages of tampons and pads when I travel – I just bring along my moon cup and a few cloth liners and I am ready to go!

5. Nail Care

How many nail files have you purchased over your lifetime? So many right? I happened upon another well kept secret a few years ago and I haven’t bought a new nail file since. It is a glass nail file! It lasts pretty much forever and never gets dull. Why didn’t I know about this before? Well I am telling you so get on this! I also love this cuticle oil recipe:

Cuticle Oil Recipe

• 1 Tbsp jojoba oil
• 5 drops Carrot Seed essential oil
• 2 drops Peppermint essential oil

As long as I keep that on my cuticles I don’t need to constantly be cutting my cuticles which falls under the category of WASTING time! Oh and sorry I don’t have a nail polish to recommend, I don’t paint my nails anymore – seems like a waste of time and money and I do not know of any out there that do not make my asthma flair up!

So there you have it!

5 simple ways to clean up your daily hygiene routine. These simple swaps will make you and your bathroom more ‘green’ and healthy! Which one of these do you already do? Which do you need to do?