Accidentally Green

Making Healthy Decisions That Honor God and Happen to Help the Environment

Forget Fabric Softener. Make Your Own Dryer Balls!

Is it possible to reduce wrinkles, make laundry softer AND save electricity by cutting down on clothes drying time … without using a liquid fabric softener or dryer sheet? Yes. And it all comes down to simple handmade balls made of felted wool. Instead of plastic dryer balls that leave a residue and odor, wool dyer balls are all natural. And they are very easy to make. As a woman’s who is pretty devoid of crafting talent, even I could make them in about a half an hour. All you need is ... Read more

How Fabric Softeners Fail Your Family

I can’t remember the last time I used fabric softener, but it’s safe to say it happened more than a decade ago. I also can’t remember why I stopped. It might have been because the overpowering fragrances of my laundry detergent and fabric softener seemed to clash. It might have been because my washing machine didn’t have a fabric softener receptacle and I never cared for dryer sheets. Or, I just might have been trying to save a little money on my grocery bills. Whatever the reason, I never ... Read more

The Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Laundry Challenge

I shocked myself this week when I discovered that my homemade laundry detergent I had thought was oh so safe wasn’t safe at all. I also was pretty surprised to find that eighty percent of laundry products are considered dangerous. That’s ridiculous. But just like my laundry detergent contains hazardous ingredients, yours probably has too. It’s time to find out. This week’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to check how your laundry detergent stacks up, ... Read more

My Huge Homemade Detergent Mistake

I owe you an apology. I’m sorry. Two years ago, I shared a recipe for my favorite homemade laundry detergent including Borax, Washing Soda, and Fels-Naptha Soap. I had used it for several years with my own family, and I thought it was cheap, effective, and safe. I was wrong. The trouble is, I didn’t know I was wrong until last week. As I checked out the Environmental Working Group’s rankings for laundry products, I was completely shocked to discover that Borax received an F ranking in ... Read more

Finding Safe Laundry Products

Do I have good news for you! At the end of last year, the Environmental Working Group released a Guide to Healthy Cleaning – including a database to check the safety of cleaning products. If you’ve been following my safer personal care products series over the past six weeks, you know how much I rely on the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database. You can only imagine how happy a cleaning product guide has made me. I’ll explore this cleaning guide often with you over the next ... Read more

The Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Fragrance Challenge

This week I’ve explained a lot about the mysterious ingredient “fragrance” that is on the labels of a multitude of products. I shared how it’s in so many products – and I explained how chemicals that are used to create fragrances can affect allergies and hormones. Are you ready to find out what can consumers do? This week’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to address fragrances in your own home. First, look at the ingredient labels on your products – ... Read more

What’s the Big Deal About Fragrance? (Part 2)

Yesterday I shared how so many people develop sensitivities to fragrance – and that the mysterious ingredient “fragrance” is found in most commercial products. What is “fragrance”? Technically speaking, “fragrance” is the combination of chemicals that give a product its unique scent. One huge problem is that companies that manufacture cosmetics, personal care products, and cleaning products aren’t required to share what ingredients are used in their fragrances. Because of the Federal ... Read more

What’s the Big Deal About Fragrance? (Part 1)

Years ago, I remember wondering how in the world people could have an allergy to fragrances. (Foolish perspective, right?) At the time, I enjoyed being heavily scented – with perfumes, scented lotions, hairsprays, and odors from fabric softeners and laundry detergents. Then I learned about dangers in fragrances and stopped using perfumes and scented lotions. I even switched to unscented laundry detergents – and then I started noticing scents in a major way. If your nose and respiratory system ... Read more

The Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Deodorant Challenge

Now that you know the difference between deodorants and anti-perspirants, as well as ingredients you should avoid in underarm products, it’s time for an Accidentally Green Deodorant Challenge. This week’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to grab your deodorant. First, check the label. If you notice Parabens, Triclosan, or Retinyl Palmitate as part of the ingredient list, seriously consider buying a new product. (Please pitch what you have and buy ... Read more

What’s In Your Favorite Underarm Product?

Yesterday I explained the simple differences between deodorants and anti-perspirants. Today we’ll explore the safety of commercial deodorants and anti-perspirants. To put your mind at ease, the products are a lot like shampoos and toothpastes: There are some hazardous ingredients to avoid, but many safe and affordable products to choose from. I checked the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database, and like past searches I’ve been fairly surprised by their rankings. For starters, ... Read more

What’s the Difference Between Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants?

In health circles, there’s typically an awful lot of talk about the safety of deodorants and anti-perspirants. Since I love to research intriguing topics, I thought I’d delve into exactly what deodorants and anti-perspirants are and if they have any actual risks. For starters, the marketing push for personal products that mask body odor began in the 1950s. Before that time, people weren’t convinced that they needed to hide something so natural. Today, both deodorants and antiperspirants are ... Read more

How Are Babies Affected By a Toxic Takeover?

Some parents want to know all the details about dangers their children are exposed too. (I admit it … guilty as charged.) Other prefer just the highlights. Healthy Child Healthy World is catering to all new parents with their “Healthy Nursery Toolkit.” A brochure is available for parents who want the basic facts. A 40-page eBook explores common problems and solutions found in nurseries and baby products. (You can check out my review in yesterday’s post.) And then, there’s Healthy Child’s ... Read more

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