Home Detox Challenge Week 1: Hand Soap

I’d like to propose a challenge for you. I’m calling it the Home Detox Challenge and it involves switching one product a week in your home for six weeks to achieve a less toxic home environment.

It’s making the switch of a few of your most-used household products to a more natural/non-toxic version of the same product. Doing this will result in less toxic/harmful chemicals being present in your home to be used regularly by you and your family. Sounds good, right?

So first up, I want you to think about tackling your hand soap. What hand soap do you currently use in your home? In the kitchen, in your bathrooms and at any other washing up areas you may have? Do you know what’s in it? Is it paraben- and phthalate-free?

Following on from my recent post on a more natural shampoo and conditioner that’s a good paraben- and phthalate-free switch from The Handmade Soap Company, I wanted to extend this “find and replace” mission for paraben- and phthalate-free products to the other most-used products in my house.

Hand soap was the first product to come under scrutiny. I had this Jason hand soap in my kitchen but was using a generic hand soap in my downstairs loo and then a Willow Cottage soap bar in my bathroom.

This week I’ve finally switched all of the hand soap in my house to pump soaps from the Jason Natural Care range. I love that they so very clearly state that their products are all paraben- and phthalate-free. All the hard work is done and no research is necessary!

I now have the Tea Tree version in the kitchen, the Aloe Vera version (pictured above) in the bathroom and the Rosewater version in my downstairs loo. Success.

Here’s what they say on their website about the Aloe Vera version:

This botanical wash gently cleanses and safely nourishes your skin with Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5. The natural blend of soothing Aloe Vera, Sunflower Seed and Wheat Germ Oils provides lipid relief to smooth and hydrate your skin. 

Benefits: Hydrated with Natural Aloe Vera. Nourishes with Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5. 
No: Parabens, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates or Phthalates 

Directions:
Pump soap into hands. Wash hands as usual. Rinse thoroughly.

Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Glycerin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Allantoin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Stearyl Citrate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Fragrance (Parfum) *Certified Organic Ingredient.

Cautions:
For external use only. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid direct contact with eyes. If rash or irritation occurs, stop use and consult physician.

Vegetarian, Vegan

I bought them all in the Health and Wellness aisle of my local SuperValu store and they’re priced at €7.50 each for a large 473ml bottle (which lasts ages!). I’ve also seen them for sale in a few Avoca stores and also in The Health Store. You can also buy them online from evergreen.ie here.

Next week, I’ll tackle another product. I hope you’ll join me on this detox challenge!

This is not a sponsored post.