Kitchen Cleaning

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This set of natural brushes works well with solid dish soaps such, as Meliora, or with liquid soap. It includes a loofah sponge and three plant-based brushes. The handles are beechwood and the bristles are made from palmyra and sisal plants. Meliora dish soap is sold by Mighty Nest, which has a great line of eco-friendly kitchen products.

This all-natural bamboo scrub brush from Eartheasy is great for tough scrubbing on dishes and soft gentle scrubbing of vegetables as there are two types of bristles, one soft and one harder. It's made using all plant-based materials -- bamboo, tampico and palmyra. And there are no plastics, glues, or chemicals of any kind. 

These all-natural scouring pads are  tough but gentle on dishes and pots and pans. They are made from the outer husk of coconut shells. They are non-toxic and biodegradable and there are no plastics, glues, or chemicals of any kind. 

There are so many affordable and widely-available natural plant-based sponges on the market now, there is no need to buy synthetic sponges. Zen Living is a great choice as they have a scrubby surface on one size for touch stuck-on food and are biodegradable. They're made from wood cellulose and coconut fiber.  

The Earthly Co. says a 10-pack of these cotton paper towel alternatives replaces 80 rolls of regular paper towels. These towels are biodegradable and compostable. They are versatile and attractive and can be used as paper towels, napkins, guest towels or anything else. They are non-toxic and free of chemicals. 

This non-toxic dish soap from Zero Waste Store is vegan, cruelty-free and made with a variety of plant oils like jojoba and coconut, essential oils and aloe vera. It's in a glass bottle with a metal cap. You can order a plastic pump top for it but I think its easier and more efficient to just pour some in a decorative glass bottle to keep by the kitchen sink and store the rest underneath the sink . These vintage style glass bottles are nice and this variety is a little smaller. 

Earth-friendly Meliora dish soap is made with natural plant-based non-toxic ingredients and comes in plastic-free packaging. No plastic anywhere. It's also free of preservatives, dyes, fragrance, phthalates and parabens. It's vegan and cruelty-free. The bar (it's more like a short cylinder than a bar) can be purchased with a small square cedarwood tray that helps drain off water after you've washed the dishes so it doesn't pool up on the counter. The solid soap is concentrated so you just have to rub your sponge or dish scrubber over it to get enough soap. 

It's great to find paper towels packaged in paper. Reel paper towels are made from recycled paper and promise zero plastic packaging. The eco-friendly paper towels are FSC-certified and free of chlorine, dyes and fragrances and are made in the U. S.

I'm seeing more and more tree-free paper towels. These paper towels from Public Goods are made from sustainable grasses like bamboo and sugarcane. They are non-GMO and processed with elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching. This method is safer and less toxic than using chlorine because it does not create dioxins. (It uses chlorine dioxide which is not the same as chlorine.) Cloud Paper's eco-friendly paper towels are made from FSC-certified bamboo. They are free of chlorine and dyes and they're also wrapped in paper. 

How I love vintage dish towels! There are so many out there. Here are a few of my favorites. 

Aunt Martha's are my go-to towels. I love the old-fashioned look. I like the blue striped ones the best and next I like the multi-colored striped option. But there are lots of great colors from which to choose. Just as you want your clothes and linens to be organic and natural, aprons and other accessories can help you keep a non-toxic home and wardrobe (in addition to protecting the environment, farmers and wildlife from pesticides). 

This apron from Eartheasy is made of certified organic cotton is cut from striped cotton fabric known as Hickory cloth. It has adjustable straps, generous pockets and is perfect for the kitchen, garden or workshop. It's one size and suitable for all adults. 

Organic cotton aprons from Amour Infini are made in India and printed with eco-friendly dyes. The large line features botanical and floral designs, vintage motifs and classic stripes and solids.

Marley's Monsters are reusable cotton flannel paper towel alternatives or “unpaper towels” as they call them. These eco-friendly wipes are made in Oregon. They also make make-up pads, nursing pads and reusable toilet unpaper. The business was started several years ago by a soon-to-be new mom on maternity leave to help reduce paper waste and create a sustainable alternative to common paper products. Marley’s Monsters says if every household replaced just one roll of paper towels with their unpaper towels, it would save about 544,000 trees each year.   

My go-to cleaning products tend to be generic non-toxic items like baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is all the same so no reason to buy one over another -- except I recommend buying it in the familiar cardboard boxes rather than plastic bottles that will end up in the ocean or get hauled to an incinerator where it releases toxic fumes. Baking soda can be purchased in any supermarket but you can also find plenty on Amazon such as Arm and Hammer. There is also a lot of baking soda on Amazon packaged in plastic. 

Another good gentle eco-friendly abrasive that comes in plastic-free packaging is Meliora Home Cleaning Scrub. It's baking soda with organic plant oils like coconut and tea tree oil, peppermint oil for natural scent, glycerin, and sodium cocoate, a non-toxic surfactant commonly found in soaps. It comes in a paper and steel canister with no plastic of any kind. Meliora is a woman-owned business. They  donate 2% of revenue to environmental causes and all their products are certified non-toxic, cruelty-free and vegan.

If you need an abrasive cleaning slightly stronger than baking soda for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom I like Bon Ami powder cleanser because it comes in a cardboard and metal container. (And 65 percent of the cardboard is post-consumer recycled material.) Made in the U.S. and contains only mild minerals and biodegradable cleaning agents. There's no chlorine or phosphorus or other toxic chemicals. Bon Ami has been around since 1886! I hope they don't ditch their environmentally-friendly packaging for plastic. There are other gentle abrasive cleaners out there but most are in plastic containers. 

I love Dr. Bronner's organic castile all-purpose soap (I also use it on my face and body and as a shampoo). It's a wonderful soap though I don't like that the liquid soap comes in plastic. To get around that, I recommend instead buying Dr. Bronner's bar soap, which is wrapped in paper. To use it for cleaning your house just lather a bar up and rub it on a sponge. No need for sprays. Tip: If you ever know you're going to get stuck on a deserted island and you can only bring one soap, bring this one. 

Ditch the plastic bottles of detergent and get packs of laundry sheets instead such as those made by EarthBreeze. They come in a paper envelope and are so easy to use. Throw half a sheet in the washer -- or a full sheet for larger loads -- and you're done. The eco-friendly sheets are vegan and cruelty-free and also free of phthalates, phosphate, bleach and dyes. EarthBreeze gives generously to environmental organizations such as We Are Neutral and One Percent for the Planet. They also donate laundry detergent to a variety of charities around the world.

Tru Earth laundry sheets are also an excellent choice. Made in Canada, they are vegan and cruelty-free and also free of parabens, phosphate and other toxins. The eco-strips, as Tru Earth calls them, also come in heavy paper envelopes. No plastic! Tru Earth donates 2 percent of its profits to charity (including in-kind donations of their products) and has made reducing plastic waste around the world a mission. They estimate that purchases of their laundry strips have eliminated more than 100 million plastic detergent jugs and other plastic containers from the waste stream and from potentially ending up in the ocean or elsewhere in the environment.  

Another laundry detergent winner is Meliora laundry powder which is made in Chicago and comes in a retro cardboard and steel trim canister. It's cruelty-free, vegan, free of preservatives, dyes and synthetic fragrances and it's biodegradable. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin and for babies' clothes and bedding. Meliora is a Certified B Corp., Made Safe-certified and has an A rating from the Environmental Working Group. Their ingredients are listed on the front of the canister: Baking soda, washing soda and vegetable soap. The three scented varieties use only organic essential oils for fragrance. 

Ethique's shampoo bars are cruelty-free, vegan and not tested not animals. Their natural ingredients are plant-based and fair trade and they are packaged in biodegradable and compostable cardboard. No plastic in sight. Among Ethique's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint is its partnership with the environmental organization, Ecologi, which plants one tree for every purchase from Ethique. 

One of my favorite natural products is Dr. Bronner's pure-castile soaps -- I like the peppermint best. I use them for cleaning the house, washing my face, shampooing my hair, washing my clothes and more. It's made with organic oils, is vegan and cruelty-free. I do not love that a lot of it comes in plastic bottles so I increasingly use the paper-wrapped bar soap for everything. Don't let its multi talents fool you into thinking it's not a pro at each. It's an excellent shampoo. 

The Earthling Co.’s natural shampoo bars are vegan and plant-based, free of sodium lauryl sulfate, silicone, parabens, artificial fragrance, preservatives and other harmful chemicals. Ingredients include coconut oil for moisture, apricot seed oil, hemp seed oil, panthenol (Vitamin B5) and glycerin. They are cruelty-free, made in the U.S. and come in cardboard boxes. No plastic! 

Eartheasy's biodegradable shampoo bars are made from plant oils like olive, castor, coconut and hemp, shea butter and a variety of essential oils for fragrance. They are non-toxic and free of petrochemicals, preservative and other synthetic chemicals. They are made in the U.S. and are packaged in paper. No plastic in sight! 

I don't know if J.R. LIggett's shampoo bars were the first but I know they were making them long before it became popular and recognized as an eco-responsible way to wash your hair. Their vegan bars are made in New Hampshire from plant oils like coconut and almond, mango butter and aloe vera. They are free of synthetic chemicals, sulfates, fragrances and detergents. Packaged, as always, in paper.  It's the best deal in town.

Shampoo bars from the Zero Waste Store are made from plant oils like coconut, hemp and jojoba, cocoa butter, lemon juice and sodium coco sulfate (different from sodium lauryl sulfate). They contain no preservatives or silicones and no synthetic coloring or fragrances. They are vegan, cruelty-free and handmade in the U.S. Packaged in a cardboard box with water-based ink. No plastic at all. 

 Eartheasy's conditioner bars are vegan, cruelty-free and plant-based.  They are made in the U.S. and have no plastic packaging of any kind. Just a paper wrapper. The dense concentrated bars use natural ingredients such as cedarwood, hemp, argan, jojoba and rose hip oils and have no water filler. 

Natural conditioner bars from Zero Waste Store are all handmade in the U.S. and are free of silicones, parabens, and palm oil. Their packaging is plastic-free, just a good old cardboard box, with water-based ink. These bars are vegan and cruelty-free. Their all-natural ingredients include plant oils like argan, rapeseed, olive, jojoba, kukui nut and hemp. Zero Waste Store also  has equally eco-friendly and natural shampoo bars. This great business is women-owned and a member of 1% for the Planet, which means it donates at least one percent of profits to environmental causes. 

Like their shampoo bars, the Earthling Co.'s conditioner bars are non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals, including those that can strip hair of its natural oils. They are also cruelty-free and come in cardboard packaging. 

David's toothpaste is great among other reasons because it comes in a metal tube. No need to put something so temporary as toothpaste in plastic. (I only wish they'd use caps made of metal or wood, not plastic.) The toothpaste includes the mineral nano-hydroxyapatite which has been shown to help strengthen and remineralize teeth. It cannot restore lost enamel but can help protect existing enamel. David’s toothpaste is fluoride-free and flavored with natural peppermint oil. The tubes are made of aluminum but there is a non-BPA liner in-between the aluminum and toothpaste so the toothpaste never touches the metal. One note, Like some other toothpastes, David's uses xylitol, which though safe for people is toxic to dogs. 

Made in California, Bite toothpaste is little mini tablets that come in a glass jar like mints. You pop one in your mouth, gently break it up and voila, you’re ready to brush. They’re a great alternative to toothpaste that comes in a plastic tube. Not only is the jar glass, the top is metal. The tablets contain no sulfates, parabens and can be ordered with or without fluoride. They do contain a mineral called nano-hydroxyapatite that has been shown to help protect teeth and enamel. Bite also has tablets with activated charcoal. I do not recommend that as it can be too abrasive on enamel. Bite contains Xylitol which is safe for people but toxic to dogs so if you have dogs use caution.

These plant-based toothbrushes are entirely biodegradable. Even the bristles. The handle is bamboo and the bristles are  made from castor beans. The name -- Sea Turtle -- reflects the business’s mission to help protect and clean up the marine environment. Sea Turtle donates two percent of profits to organizations that help remove plastic waste from the ocean. They estimate that in the last three years alone, they’ve removed over 6,000 lbs. of plastic from the ocean through direct clean-up and the prevention of new plastic being thrown away. Their packaging is 100 percent biodegradable cardboard or kraft paper

These cotton swabs have cotton tips and bamboo stick. They contain no harmful chemicals, plastic or dyes and are biodegradable. They come in a cardboard box. Isshah also has similar cotton swabs for babies, the difference being that they have a large rim around the cotton tip.

Cloud Paper toilet paper is also 100 percent FSC-certified bamboo, unbleached, free of plastic, dyes, chlorine and other harsh chemicals. It’s made in the U.S. and has the Climate Friendly Pledge. Rolls in the packs of 24 and 80 count come individually wrapped in paper. The 12-pack rolls are sent together in paper wrapping overall but they're not individually wrapped. Cloud Paper also makes eco-friendly paper-wrapped bamboo paper towels. 

Bambooloo toilet paper is 100 percent bamboo and each roll is wrapped in paper. Founded in 2019, earth-friendly Bambooloo offers only bamboo toilet paper, and points out bamboo uses 90 percent less water than regular wood-based toilet paper to make and its carbon footprint is 70 percent smaller. It's hypoallergenic and free of chemicals and toxins. Their cardboard rolls and shipping boxes are made from recycled paper. 

Bamboo tissues from Cloud Paper are made with 100 percent FSC-certified bamboo and bleached with elemental bleach process, which is chlorine-free. As Cloud Paper points out, bamboo is a fast-growing grass, not a tree, and regrows from the same roots each time after it's cut, making it especially sustainable and renewable. It's hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and the boxes are recycled cardboard. 

This eco-friendly bamboo brush from the Zero Waste Store is just bamboo and rubber. That's it. The handle and frame is 100 percent bamboo. So are the pins. And the base is natural rubber. No plastic at all. Nothing synthetic. It’s polished with a carnauba wax for a finished look. Packed in biodegradable and compostable paper packaging.  

Avocado' Green Mattress' natural wood bathmat is made in their Los Angeles factory from 100 percent solid American Beechwood, a sustainable hardwood. Greenguard Gold certified, it contains no VOCs or formaldehyde and is made with non-toxic glues and a waterproof hydro varnish. 

These  cotton-covered hair elastics from Zero Waste Store have no plastic or synthetic materials in them. Just natural rubber and organic cotton. They are biodegradable and won't harm the environment when eventually thrown out. They're even compostable. Zero Waste Store also has all cotton and rubber scrunchies. They are hand-dyed with organic dyes. The rubber is harvested from FSC-certified rubber trees and they are Fair Trade certified.

If You Care paper baggies can hold almost anything plastic baggies can and they are much better for the environment and for you. Plastic is made with toxic chemicals and, depending on the use and the type of plastic, many plastic bags can leach chemicals into food inside. They are also not biodegradable. If You Care paper baggies are made in Sweden from unbleached pulp of Scandinavian spruce trees – a natural, renewable resource. They are greaseproof and provide a natural barrier, making them ideal for nuts, potato chips, cookies, and sandwiches that use mayonnaise or oil. They are uncoated and not treated with any kind of wax. They are also chlorine-free, which means your food isn’t exposed to chlorine and nor is the environment after the bags are composted or thrown away. If you’re holding liquid or other foods not suitable for paper baggies, use glass or another natural material, if possible. Not plastic. If You Care also makes tons of other natural paper eco-friendly kitchen supplies like coffee filters, waxed paper and baking dishes. (I wish the boxes that hold the baking dishes didn’t have plastic windows on them.)

I have also used and like Lunchskins bags and they have cute fish and apple motifs on them. 

I am really excited to have found these vegan plant-based food wraps. Don't let the name fool you. No bees were harmed or exploited or used in any way to make these eco-friendly cruelty-free wraps. Bee's Wrap does make another line of wraps that uses beeswax -- as do many makers of wax wraps -- but these do not. They are made in the U. S. from organic cotton, plant oils and waxes and tree resin. I love the prints too. I have long used another brand of wax wraps that uses bee's wax and while they are excellent and non-toxic, since going vegan and  learning more and more about the exploitation of animals -- even for products like wax and honey that seem harmless at first glance -- I have stopped buying them. I just placed an order for a set of seven of these vegan wraps. Eager to try them. 

Storing leftovers and other food in plastic isn't a good idea because first of all, it's plastic so it created pollutants when manufactured and will do so when it's eventually discarded. Secondly, a lot of plastics leach toxins into food. It also sheds microshreds into food, the air and into the environment. I use regular dishes mostly and cover them with vegan food wraps or wax paper. I also use glass containers with lids. Be sure to choose BPA-free lids. And even better, look for lids made of silicone, which is better for you and the environment. This one from Ikea is a good choice as the size is versatile and the lid is silicone. The storage boxes pictured here are from Joy Jolt, which has a large line of eco-friendly glass jars. I especially like these jars with bamboo tops. 

Anchor Hocking has a lot of good choices for glass food storage containers and they are all made in the U.S. These jars for cookies, nuts, dog biscuits or anything else have only glass and metal tops. 

This set of glass food storage containers with silicone lids is from Public Goods. They're made of borosilicate glass (oven safe) and tempered soda lime glass and free of  lead and cadmium. Public Goods offers so many eco-friendly products. These elegant serving utensils are made in India of sustainably-grown acacia wood. 

These nifty stainless steel lunchboxes are great because they are not plastic. Nor are they aluminum, which  is a known neurotoxicant and may contribute to neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. These non-toxic lunchboxes are from PlanetBox and contain no lead, PVC, phthalates or BPA. PlanetBox likes to say they are "going plastic-free one lunch at a time." They use food-grade stainless steel to ensure safety. It's durable and long-lasting so you only have to buy a lunchbox once, not every year.  These are great for both kids and adults and they have several sizes available.

These 3-section stainless Greenlunch Bento lunchboxes are also an excellent choice. They are made from food-grade stainless steel and are free of BPA, phthalates, PVC and lead. 

I love that so many shoppers are bringing their own bags to the supermarket, instead of using the provided plastic bags. But unfortunately, most of them are made of plastic. They eventually get thrown away and are then harmful to the environment and wildlife. These canvas shopping bags are made of organic cotton. They have different sizes, including a large one the size of paper supermarket bags, and pockets. Another good option is organic cotton string bags from Zero Waste Store, which can crunch up small and stow away easily in your purse or a pocket in your car. Plastic produce bags are an Earth-killer you can avoid using by bringing your own. And cotton is best. (Three cheers for Whole Foods though, providing paper bags.) These natural produce bags from the Zero Waste Store are made of organic cotton. They are Fair Trade, GOTS-certified and biodegradable. Not only better for the environment but they’ll keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer than plastic bags. These lightweight organic cotton muslin bags from Zero Waste Store are also a great choice for produce. 

Ecobags has a dreamy line of Earth-friendly tote bags: Organic and recycled cotton, drawstring cotton mesh bags, cotton string bags and more. Their mission is to save the Earth "one bag at a time.” Another material they use is birla cellulose, a biodegradable fiber from wood pulp. Ecobags started back in the 1980s when then-new mom Sharon Rowe realized the environmental harm that single-use plastic was doing. She started making reusable cloth bags and Ecobags is now stronger than ever. While still leading her pioneering business, Sharon also speaks at universities and other forums and is an outspoken activist, supporting efforts locally and globally to ban plastic bags. 

Avocado Green Mattress's gender-neutral French style terry robe is made from 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton from India. It is free of toxic chemicals and produced through an ethical supply chain that uses less energy and water than non-organic cotton. It has a shawl style collar, pockets and removable waste tie.

This plush organic bathrobe is free of toxic chemicals, preservatives, plastics or dyes. The cotton is grown in India and produced through an ethical supply chain that uses less energy and water than non-organic cotton. The robe is gender-neutral and has pockets and a removal waist tie. 

This loose-fitting robe from Avocado Green Mattress is made of 90 percent Lenzing-certified modal from Austria and 10 percent elastane. Modal is a biodegradable and compostable cellulose-based textile produced through a closed-loop process that recycles expended water as well as 99% of the non-toxic solvent used during manufacturing.    

This classic style organic Turkish cotton robe from Public Goods is made in Turkey and contains no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, heavy metals  or chemical dyes. In addition to being organic, the cotton is also non-GMO.

Boll and Branch’s organic cotton cable knit throw is made free of toxins at every step, starting with the seeds, and the cotton is traceable from farm to finished product. Not using pesticides is only the beginning. Boll and Branch doesn’t use any harmful chemicals at any point in the production of their products.. The non-GMO long-staple cotton is grown organically on family farms in India and their bedding and towels are made with sustainable practices in Fair Trade factories in India, Turkey and Pakistan. (Their flannel is made in Portugal). The lightweight 50 x 70 inch throw comes in either a pewter gray or light blue. Boll and Branch is GOTS, Fair Trade and Okeo-Tex certified, all of which ensure their fabrics are non-toxic and ethically-produced. .

Savvy Rest’s organic cotton blankets are free of any dyes so they keep the natural and varied off-white color of the cotton. While the colors are entirely natural, they are available in two shades, cream or light brown. GOTS-certified and U.S. made, they are toxin-free and made without pesticides, bleach, dyes or synthetic materials. This throw is the same gorgeous blanket that also comes in bed sizes. 

This cozy throw blanket from Simply Organic bamboo is made from 100 percent organic bamboo viscose. Ii is certified free of harmful chemicals by OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which tests products for the presence of up to 350 toxic chemicals. Viscose is an eco-friendly fabric made form the pulp of various trees, including bamboo and eucalyptus. 

Organic cotton Turkish towels from Public Goods are indeed made in Turkey from 100 percent organic cotton grown in the Aegean region. They are made without toxic chemicals, synthetic pesticides or fertilizers or harmful dyes. The fabric is non-GMO and there are no plastic fibers. The hand towel is a 20" by 30". The large bath towel is a roomy 30" by 56". And the extra-large bath towel is a whopping swath of luxury weighing in at 40" by 70". This set include a large bath towel, a hand towel and a washcloth.

Avocado Green Mattress's organic ribbed cotton towels and washcloths are 100 percent GOTS-certified and even Made Safe-certified, which is a rigorous scientific screening process that only allows the use of ingredients that are not known or suspected to harm human health, animals, aquatic life, or ecosystems. 

Organic bath towels from the Turkish Towel Company are 100 percent GOTS-certified organic long fiber Turkish cotton grown in the Aegean region. They are dyed with Earth-friendly dyes, are pesticide-free and non-GMO. 

Coyuchi plush organic towels are made from long-staple organic cotton grown and woven in India. and are non-toxic and free of chemicals, including harmful dyes and pesticides. Long a leader in organic cotton fabrics, Coyuchi boasts that it was the first to bring organic cotton to the marketplace when the business was started more than 32 years ago. They support not only organic farming practices but also regenerative farming.

These towels from Anact are a blend of hemp (55 percent) and organic cotton (45 percent). Anact was founded by an environmental activist and textile industry veteran who wanted to use hemp to create eco-friendly towels and other products. Hemp biostatic (naturally anti-microbial), fast-drying, ultra absorbent, sustainable.

This fast-drying hemp washcloth from Anact is a blend of hemp (55 percent) and organic cotton (45 percent). Anact is short for An Act or "the simple act of taking action and creating positive impact." It was founded by a young woman who helped legalize hemp in Florida and has traveled around the world working in the textile industry and advocating for the environment. 

Like their towels, this bathmat from the Turkish Towel company is made of -GOTS-certified long fiber organic cotton grown and woven in Turkey. Non-GMO and free of pesticides. 

These open knit gentle exfoliating washcloths are made from hemp and organic cotton. They are biodegradable and free of chlorine and other harmful chemicals. Made in Illinois by Bean Products. 

I love the Ayate Washcloth from Public Goods. It's a great exfoliant. It's made from the fibers of the agave plant and is biodegradable. There are no synthetic fibers, dyes or toxic chemicals. It comes in a cardboard box. The Ayate Bath Strip (photo above) is the same except it's long and narrow and has handles, so perfect for washing your back. 

Terra Thread's handy canvas cosmetic bag is made from 100 percent organic cotton -- great for your student, for manufacturers and farmers and for the environment. Purchases support the Feeding America campaign to end hunger. Comes in a variety of color schemes.

I was surprised to find my push mower is actually easier to use than the power mower. It's so much lighter. Back-ups, turns, tight spots, straight-aways. All easier. And no pollution!  I recommend this American Lawn Mowing Co. mower. It's similar to mine and is compatible with this sharpening kit. I don't have a bag attached to mine and find it not necessary. (I think you'll need a different model if you want that.) Plus the bags are probably synthetic (plastic). The grass clippings have moisture and nutrients and will nourish the lawn before biodegrading naturally. The downside to the reel mower is the cut is not as close or as even as with a power mower. I'm ok with that. If you want more of a golf course look, this may not be the best choice.

Garden Helper has made gardening tools in Japan since 1960. Using mostly traditional uncomplicated materials like steel and birch wood, the tools are made in Sanjo City, a hub for Japanese cutlery and hardware. All the hand tools have a hole at the end of the handle for easy hanging. You might be asking, why these particular garden tools? Aren't they all more or less the same on the eco-friendly front? No. I found what I thought was a nice set of tools made from stainless steel with wood handles. Nice that is until I saw the leather loops at the end of each handle to hang them from. Definitely not cruelty-free tools. Other tools have plastic handles and other eco-unfriendly materials. 

Grampa’s Weeder makes it easy to pull weeds from the lawn while still standing up. This tool’s long 45-inch handle and nifty design avoids the need to get down on your hands and knees. No uncomfortable bending or pulling. It’s made of bamboo and a four-claw steel head design. This clever design was invented in 1913 in Seattle, Washington and was widely used until 1941 when production stopped so that the metal could be used instead for the war effort. But in 1999, the founder of Grampa’s Weeder happened upon the tool one day in his mother-in-law’s garage and inspiration struck. Impressed with the weeder, he and his wife started Grampa’s Gardenware Co. shortly thereafter and have been making this and other tools ever since.

Eartheasy’s stainless steel hose hanger is stronger than plastic and better for the environment. A lot more attractive too. It’s suitable for residential, commercial and marine uses and can be used inside or out. This one holds up to 200 lbs. and is best for lighter hoses and extension cords. The larger “saddle” model is better for heavier hoses. Check the specs on the two descriptions to be sure which is best. These hanger are made in the U.S. and will not rust. 

This garden shed from Eartheasy is made of western red cedar and an SPF (spruce-pine-fir) blend. Inside there are two storage shelves on one side and open space on the other for rakes and other larger tools. The cedar is rot-resistant and the shed even has a quaint cedar roof. The wood is not pressure-treated and there were no toxic preservatives used in the shed's construction. It will weather to a light gray color but Eartheasy recommends staining it once you have it home. Cedar is on the front and the roof and the back and sides are made from a spruce-pine-fir softwood that is lighter than cedar but said to be just as strong. It has double front doors for easy access and vintage black hardware gives it a nice barn look.  Here's more info about the SPF wood. 

Houseplants not only bring the outdoors in, many also help clean the air by producing fresh oxygen and absorbing toxins. They are nature's best air purifiers. Public Goods has a wide variety of houseplants that can be ordered from their site here. They also have stylish and simple stoneware vases and planters, many of which are designed to fit the houseplants they sell.  The greatest thing about the plants is they come not in plastic pots but in biodegradable pulp pots. Potted plants are also a perfect gift for anyone. For every order they receive Public Goods plants a tree through Eden Reforestation and have so far planted over 360,000 trees. They also donate all of their soon-to-be out of date food products to two community food banks in New Jersey. 

Avocado Green Mattress's wonderful organic cotton mattress protector is GOTS-certified and 100 percent organic cotton -- even the fill.  Soft, absorbent, and MADE SAFE, it’s a natural (absorbent, non-waterproof) alternative to traditional plastic-based waterproof mattress protectors. No polyurethane, spandex, thermoplastic polyurethanes, formaldehyde, PVCs, vinyls, laminates, adhesives, chemical finishes, or waterproof coatings. It is as pure and natural as possible. 

Naturepedic's Organic Luxury Sheet Set includes 100% certified organic cotton 400 thread count sateen fitted and flat sheets plus one or two pillowcases. The set comes in both natural and white colors. Their kids' sheet sets are also 100 percent chemical-free organic cotton. 

Avocado Green Mattress has lots of options for organic chemical-free sheets and pillowcases, including organic cotton, linen and hemp. They are GOTS-certified, Climate Neutral-certified and Made Safe-certified. Most are Vegan Certified and Peta-approved (not the silk pillowcases). That's a lot of wordy certifications but they are all important and all translate to an important message: These products have been tested and evaluated to ensure they are  safe and non-toxic both for us and for the environment. 

Plush Beds' lightweight sateen sheets are made of soft organic cotton and are GOTS-certified. They are free of harmful chemicals as well as dyes, retaining the natural off-white color of cotton. The sheets are finished with tailored French seams. Plush Beds also has natural bamboo rayon sheets.  

 Savvy Rest's soft organic cotton sheets are free of any dyes and go well with their cotton blanket as both have retained the cotton's natural cream color. The GOTS-certiified 300-thread count sateen sheets are made with long-staple cotton.

 Boll and Branch sheets are made from 100 percent long-staple organic cotton. They are free of toxins at every step, from seed to finished sheet and made in a fair-trade certified factory. They have generous hems and the fitted bottom sheets have deep fully elastic-trimmed corners for a snug hold. They offer a variety of sheet sets from a super soft weave to crisp cool percale.  

Savvy Rest’s organic cotton blankets are free of any dyes so they keep the natural and varied off-white color of the cotton. While the colors are entirely natural, they are available in two shades, cream or light brown. GOTS-certified, they’re made in the U.S., have a stylish herringbone weave and come in four sizes, from throw to king. They are toxin-free and made without pesticides, bleach, dyes or synthetic materials.

It's important to have a meter to test the levels of radiation in different areas of your home or business. It's also  essential to have for going on vacation or testing levels at places like the library, playground or your child's school. This Trifield meter is highly-recommended for consumer use, is easy to understand and priced in the mid range. It's the one I use.

The DefenderPad laptop computer radiation shield blocks up to 99%  of the full spectrum of laptop EMF radiation from the bottom of your laptop, including 5th generation frequencies, while also greatly reducing heat exposure. It's slim, lightweight and portable. I have this pad and, holding my Trifield radiation meter (listed item here), under my desk beneath my laptop I can see a dramatic difference in radiation levels emanating from the bottom of the desk on to my legs with and without the shield. 

Defender Shield’s cell phone cases block 99 percent of radiation on the front side while still allowing you to use your phone. I love that the case doubles as a wallet and holds the phone on magnetically so it's easy to take off and put back on. The interior slots for credit cards have RFID (radio frequency identification) blocking layers, helping to prevent financial and identity data theft. 

Defender Shield’s cell phone EMF protection and anti-radiation pouch protects you from radiation while still letting you to use your phone. The EMF-blocking material is on the back side of the pouch, so you wear or carry it with that side facing your body. Calls, texts and data can still come in and go out. To talk on the phone while it’s still in the pouch you can use Defender Shield’s hollow tube headphones that, unlike regular headphones, prevent radiation from reaching your head. It has a strap, magnetic closure and a pocket for credit cards or other small items. 

Air tube headphones are a must for using cell phones and other devices because their hollow tube design blocks EMF radiation that you would otherwise be exposed to with traditional wired headphones or wireless products like Bluetooth. Regular wired headphones do not block radiation and in fact deliver a harmful signal directly to your head. Theses air tube headphones use copper to block Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) electrical signals. They eliminate RF wireless frequencies due to being wired to the device. The hollow air tubes then switch the electrical signal to an acoustic signal, preventing any ELF radiation from reaching your head. 

Defender Shield's orange blue light blocking glasses block 99 percent of blue light from gaming, phone, computer and other screens. They are lightweight and fit over regular glasses or can be worn on their own. Blue light can cause eye strain, headaches, early eye-aging, focusing difficulty and sleep disturbances. The orange lenses are ideal for nighttime use while the amber lenses are best for daytime use and driving. 

Defender Shield's amber blue light blocking glasses block 50 percent of blue light from gaming, phone, computer and other screens. They are lightweight and fit over regular glasses or be worn on their own. Blue light can cause eye strain, headaches, premature eye-aging, focusing difficulty and sleep disturbances. The amber lenses are ideal for daytime use while the orange lenses are best for nighttime. The amber lenses are also best for those who have electromagnetic  sensitivity. 

Defender Shield's  blue light blocking glasses block 99 percent (orange) and 50 percent (amber) of blue light from gaming, phone, computer and other screens. They are lightweight and fit over regular glasses or be worn on their own. Blue light can cause eye strain, headaches, focusing difficulty, premature eye-aging and sleep disturbances. The kids lenses are available in orange and amber. The amber lenses are also best for those who have electromagnetic  sensitivity. 

Radiation Nation is a great guide that  clearly and in layman's terms explains our increasing exposure to radiation from a variety of sources and how best to protect ourselves. It is written by the founders of Defender Shield, one of the leading retailers manufacturing and selling radiation protection accessories. However, I found the book straightforward and informative. It doesn't read like an ad for Defender Shield but does make the case that these products are valuable and increasingly important.   

Ecos EMR/EMF Shielding Paint uses a high-quality nickel flake to provide shielding to help reduce EMF & RF frequencies and EMR radiation, including Wi-Fi and 5G. Having a dark gray color, it is intended to be over-painted by ECOS non-toxic wall paint. The paint is recommended for use on primed walls, floors, and ceilings. An EMR/EMF Grounding Kit is required to achieve optimum performance, which can be purchased from Ecos here for about $17. 

Humble though it appears, this unassuming gray cap blocks 99 percent of ambient EMF and 5G radiation from reaching your head where it's covered. It's a light summer and fall weight and Defender Shield also makes a winter version. There are three sizes: adult, small child and baby. It's a cotton-nylon blend and lined with EMF-shielding silver fabric.