Over the past year or so, I’ve been really trying to become a product minimalist and focusing on fewer, quality items in all areas of my home- from laundry, to cleaning products to beauty products and beyond.
So today I wanted to breakdown the household cleaners and makeup products I’m using these days. I aim to keep my collection of products pretty simple and streamlined because less stuff = more money, more time, and more space. So if you’re looking for a few ideas on what you might be able to cut out or simplify, hopefully this post helps!
HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS
These are the household cleaners I pretty much use to clean the entire house. I have been ordering my cleaning supplies from Grove Collaborative and like the prices, variety of products and great freebies/deals they have. (You can try it out using my link for $10 off your first order). This Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap sits on the counter by the sink for pots and pans along with this Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap (which we use in our bathroom too). I like this kind of soap over foaming hand pumps because it encourages me (and Bryce) to take the time to work up a lather and properly clean our hands by taking our time to get those germs off! When it comes to doing dishes, I love using Dobie pads and this scrub brush set– between the two, they can clean just about anything.
We use Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Cleaner for nearly everything else like counters, walls, wood butcher block kitchen island, etc. The We typically use a moist microfiber cloth to rub down whatever it is that needs scrubbing (floors, counters, tabletops, windowsills, etc). The Method + Surface cleaner is particularly great on windows, mirrors and stainless steel appliances with microfiber cloths like these. I’ll never go back to paper towels! They clean SO much better and no streaks or paper towel dust/residue.
The vinegar and water in the spray bottle is also a really great all purpose cleaner, but I use it mostly for mopping our floors with this mop so I can wash/reuse the pads. I also use the solution along with the baseboards and our white kitchen cabinets (so many grooves…and with a dog and toddler, they need some TLC every so often). Vinegar is so versatile for cleaning…and a big jug is cheap and goes a long way!
A while ago, I bought a Dr. Bronner’s travel sized castille soap after seeing how incredibly versatile it is and have been hooked ever since. My most recent use was combining it with baking soda for a DIY sink scrub and have never seen my sink sparkle so much! After I used my travel size bottle on all kinds of things, I ordered this larger citrus version and can’t wait to find even more uses for it, and perhaps minimize my cleaning supply arsenal even more. Regardless, my cleaning product cabinet is so much more streamlined with these products– no more buying products with a single use or made with harmful chemicals and semi-decent cleaning capability. Clean and natural is the way to go in my opinion!
MAKEUP
Let’s talk beauty products, specifically makeup. I recently read that your skin is your largest organ, and the personal care products and makeup you put on your body is absorbed by your skin and taken into the body through the blood stream. What you put on your body doesn’t just stay on your body, it goes into it, too. Crazy right?That said, I discovered Beautycounter products, a line of safe and effective skincare and makeup and am hooked. They ban over 1,500 ingredients in their products and tests every batch to be sure it’s safe.I started out with makeup and ordered Flawless in Five. It consists of Tint Skin + Concealer + Blush + Mascara + Lip Gloss + Eyebrow Pencil. (I also use this eyeliner that I swear by.) I got rid of the multitude of items cluttering my bathroom counter and am so glad I did. Not only do I have confidence that what I am putting on each day is safe, but now it takes literally less than 5 minutes to look refreshed…and it doesn’t feel heavy like my old makeup where I felt I was painting on my face. It’s light, airy and breathable, and evidently as a result, my skin has seen less breakouts. Yay! My beauty routine has been seriously streamlined, which is huge with a toddler. I’m officially hooked and can’t wait to try more of their products for myself and for Bryce…definitely worth the investment.In fact, in a few weeks, I’ll be hosting a holiday online social with one of my favorite bloggers/Beautycounter consultant Madison from Espresso and Cream. You’ll be able to join the social and learn more about the products and take advantage of some special offers. Click here to shop the amazing Beautycounter products and holiday specials >>>What are your favorite household cleaners?
Any uses for Dr. Bronner’s that you’ve tried?
And what’s your favorite Beautycounter item?
Loved seeing your minimalist group of products that you use. It really is inspiring! I love minimalism and strive for it but struggle in some areas. Sharing today on twitter!
Thanks for sharing! I love reading about other people’s minimalism pursuits– it really encourages me to adopt it in more areas of my life!
I use my microfiber cloths for everything! Each color has a different designation (I also keep one in my car). The one I use for dusting has to be replaced occasionally but I love just only using water to clean. I have a steamer that I use for cleaning the floors and love it! I’m curious about the Mrs Meyer brand soaps, may have to add that to the list.
I try to limit the chemicals in our house. I make my own shower scrub (use it for sinks too), it works well and I don’t have to go crazy deep cleaning the bathroom all the time. I do use the Clorox wands for cleaning the toilets, so easy and quick.
That is so smart! (I’ve seen a set that are different weaved microfibers- some evidently better for screens versus wood, etc. but I just use all the same kind at this point.) I need to keep one in my car though– paper towels are the WORST for leaving dust on the console!
I used to have a steamer too but once we put down our vinyl plank flooring we read that steam was bad for it– I feel like steam really sanitizes, but hoping our vinegar/water solution is just as effective (at least that’s what I tell myself!)
I need to hear about this shower scrub! And I am trying to use up the what seems like 50 bottles of toilet bowl cleaner, then I hope to do something with my Dr. Bronner’s or even disposable like those new wands– hate that chore! :-)