chic check: liquid hand soap

HI THERE!

SORRY IF YOU’VE NOTICED THAT I HAVEN’T BEEN POSTING FOR A WHILE.

I’VE MOVED MY BLOG TO http://sahnaturalchic.blogspot.com,
SO COME AND CHECK IT OUT FOR MORE GREAT POSTINGS ABOUT ENVIRO-FRIENDLY HOME DECORATING, DESIGN AND DAY-TO-DAY LIVING!

SEE YOU THERE!

LAURIE

This post premieres CHIC CHECK, in which I’ll test products on occasion and let you know what I think about them. I’ll also pick my fave from each batch, so if you’ve tried any out yourself, be sure to comment and let me know what you think!

1 ORGANIC KITCHEN LAVENDER BERGAMOT ANTIBACTERIAL HAND WASH
Green Cred No SLSs or parabens, synthetic fragrances, petroleum products, colourants and animal ingredients, biodegradable.
Scent Great lavender smell with a hint of bergamot (think Earl Grey tea) – pleasant, not overpowering.
Special Bonus Also available as a gift set with a matching lotion and a bamboo tray that’s perfect to use afterward as a key tray on a console table in your entryway or to hold jewelry or coins in your bedroom; $28.
Available at gift shops and department stores across Canada.
Price $12.

2 BURT’S BEES MILK & SHEA BUTTER HAND SOAP
Green Cred No SLSs or animal testing, paraben- and phthalate-free, bottle contains 80% post-consumer recycled material.
Something of a Surprise This soap doesn’t lather the way most do but feels more like a lotion. Not a problem for me, but some might find that off-putting.
Scent A subtle, sweet honey-like, beeswaxy scent, which I find intoxicating.
Available at stores across Canada.
Price $6.

3 ORGANIC SURGE LAVENDER & GERANIUM HAND WASH
Green Cred 99% naturally derived ingredients, no animal testing or animal-derived ingredients.
Scent Lavender, a known relaxant, perfect for those stressful days!
Charitable Work Part of the proceeds from the sales of Organic Surge products funds aid work in Africa.
Available at stores across Canada.
Price $4.99.

4 METHOD WATER FLOW FOAMING HAND WASH
Green Cred Paraben-, EDTA- and triclosan-free, biodegradable, no animal testing
Scent Very light and subtle; I think my tween nieces will love it!
Fun Factor Wee ones will love the way the soap magically foams up when it comes out of the pump.
Available at stores across Canada.
Price $5.

♥ CHIC CHECK FAVE: BURT’S BEES!!
I absolutely love everything about this soap, from the way it smells to how it makes my hands feel to the fact that the bottle is made from recycled material. This will be the soap of choice in my apartment from now on!

P.S. Be sure to visit us at the Style at Home Show, Oct. 17 to 19, at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Go to styleathomeshow.com for more information and to order tickets!

biodegradable dishwasher detergent

Method keeps impressing me with their clever products and this fall, they continue to improve with their newest addition, Smarty Dish Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergent.

Boasting zero phosphates and zero bleach, these tablets are sized to fit the average dishwasher dispenser and come in 20-tablet packages in either Pink Grapefruit or fragrance- and dye-free Go Naked.

STYLE AT HOME magazine editor, Gail Johnston Habs, tested one out for me (I don’t have a dishwasher – sigh!) and thought it did a great job – even though it was slightly large for her Miele dishwasher dispenser.

And, if you’re feeling guilty about doing the dishes using a machine, don’t: a study by the University of Bonn in Germany proved that a dishwasher is by far the most environmentally friendly way to do the dishes. Click here to check out the facts.

Available at: stores across Canada

Price: $6.50

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email Laurie at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

biodegradable towelettes

Many wipes used in households today, whether they be baby wipes or other wipes, contain polyester, a petroleum product, and chemical-based liquids.

Go totally green with these handy towelette rolls. Made of vegetable fibres and packaged in easy-to-carry rolls, each has 10 tabs or wannabe towelettes; just add 2 tsp of liquid (water, lemon water, rosewater – your choice!) and you end up with a wipe that measures 8 1/2 by 12 inches.

No worries about leaking, dripping or drying out!

Available at: www.ashtongreen.com

Price: $2.95 for 10 tabs to $24.95 for 100 tabs

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email Laurie at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

dishwashing liquid dynamo

I’ve been using Ecover’s Lemon and Aloe Vera Dish Liquid for months now and just love it.

Ever since I started using environmentally friendly cleaning products, I’ve realized just how strongly scented most chemical cleaners really are. This subtly scented dishwashing liquid gets rid of the most stubborn cooked-on food and leaves all of my dishes sparkling clean – all thanks to plant-based ingredients that are fully biodegradable and suitable for septic tanks.

To top it all off, there are no phosphates and both the bottle and cap are recyclable!

Available at: Ashton Green, www.ashtongreen.com; Whole Foods Market, www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Price: from $3.99 to $5.95