we’re wrapping up Earth Month this week, but, honestly, we’ve got to make a commitment to going green that lasts the year round!
MADE SAFE founder, Amy Ziff, is changing the market in a major way and her expert knowledge on non-toxic alternatives has our attention…
Last month, I shared my top ten places and items where toxic chemicals can lurk in your home, because understanding where they are and how they impact us is the first step in detoxing to protect our health.
The second step is switching to safer alternatives. I know this can be a tricky step because I’ve been there: I’ve been that woman standing in a store aisle for far too long, bewildered about the choices of what to buy, wondering which marketing claim to trust. Is this product really ‘natural,’ ‘eco’ or ‘green’? And just what does it mean to go green anyway? I’ve read countless ingredient labels and searched apps on my phone trying to decide what score means a product is okay to use. In fact, that is exactly why I started MADE SAFE!
We believe it should be easy to find and buy products that are made from ingredients that aren’t known to cause harm to humans, animals or the environment. The MADE SAFE seal, in short, means that we did the hard work to sort out this conundrum for you. It means that we put your health first. It means that you can breathe a little bit easier now. So take a deep breath. You can do this…
6 Easy Non-Toxic Swaps for Your Home
Bottle Swap:
Problem: Plastic bottles can contain phthalates, a plastic softener linked to hormone disruption and reproductive harm, as well as the notorious hormone disruptor BPA. While many bottles now claim to be BPA-free, research is emerging that the replacements (BPS, PBE and BPF) may also be toxic.
Solution: Switch to glass and stainless steel where possible, and don’t reuse one-time-use plastic bottles.
MADE SAFE picks: Pura Stainless is the only plastic-free bottle in the world, and the only bottle to receive our gold standard nontoxic certified seal, which means all bottles were lab-tested to ensure they don’t leech harmful ingredients. Bottles convert from baby bottle to sippy cup to sport top to match your family’s needs.
Sexy Time:
Problem: Feminine washes, lube and other sexual-health products are applied to some of the most sensitive and absorptive skin on women’s bodies – and yet studies show that they contain undisclosed and unregulated toxic chemicals.
Solution: Avoid feminine products listed on Women’s Voices for the Earth’s Hall of Shame as these are some of the most toxic.
MADE SAFE picks: Certified MADE SAFE, Good Clean Love’s Almost Naked Personal Lubricant was included in an NIH-funded study that found it to be one of the safest lubricants on the market.
Suds Up:
Problem: Many soaps can contain hidden fragrance ingredients and harsh chemicals like triclosan and triclobarban (registered pesticides and hormone disruptors found in antibacterial soaps) that can be linked to long list of health problems.
Solution: Look for soaps scented with essential oils and avoid any soap with “antibacterial” claims on the label.
MADE SAFE picks: Soaps from Just So Natural Products are made with natural food-grade ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil and castor oil and come either fragrance-free or scented with essential oils.
Lotions + Potions:
Problem: Skin is your largest organ, and absorbs as much as 80% of what is put on it. So you are essentially eating your creams, lotions and salves. Unfortunately, 86% of personal care ingredients haven’t been tested for safety.
Solution: Use products with minimal ingredients, and ingredients you recognize, in order to start to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals.
MADE SAFE picks: True Botanicals blends luxury and safety beautifully with an aim to set a higher bar for nontoxic beauty. SW Basics makes all of their products with just five ingredients or fewer with an aim for simplicity.
Bed Down:
Problem: The polyurethane foam in conventional bedding is commonly coated in toxic flame retardants.
Solution: switch to 100% cotton/wool bedding or one made from natural fibers like cotton and wool.
MADE SAFE picks: Naturepedic is the first company to have certified all of their mattresses – including baby, children and adult – as MADE SAFE. You can also find MADE SAFE certified pillows, sheets, mattress covers, crib mattresses and pads from Naturepedic.
Pretty Green:
Problem: Cosmetics can contain a whole host of toxic chemicals, from parabens (linked to breast cancer) and DMDM hydantoin (which releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen) to lead and other heavy metals – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Solution: Less is more. Read labels and begin to cut back on what you use in the beauty department. A good starting list for ingredients to avoid is the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Red List.
MADE SAFE picks: Rejuva Minerals has certified all of their pressed powder and loose powder foundations and concealers as MADE SAFE.
