Apr

2

What’s Up on SafeMama

Filed Under Suggestion Box, Website News | 1 Comment

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    Hey everyone! I just wanted to point out a few things and to also keep you updated on what’s going on here at SafeMama.com.  We spin many plates at once here and I wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to check out the cool stuff we have going on.

    MommyLikes.com

    I announced our new review blog last month and it’s been going great… many prizes being handed out over there.  Right now a GREAT giveaway is happening for a fabulous Bebe Au Lait Double Reversible Bib.  These are great, I use one all the time and keep it with me in my diaper bag so I always have a clean bib when I’m out and about with the kids. Go on over and enter to win one for yourself.  Ends April 6th! I also just posted two more giveaways: One is for a great long sleeved bib called the Learner’s Bib made by Baggino.  I loved it and you will too.  That ends on April 23rd.  Also there’s a great giveaway for an Essential Baby Box by b.box which is a great diaper changing/bag item.  That ends April 23rd too so get on over there to enter both these great giveaways.

    Also if you are a business owner and would like to be featured on MommyLikes.com, please email us asap! Lining up giveaways for spring as we speak.

    LovelyMama

    LM has been slow going only because SafeMama and Mommy Likes have been so time consuming.  But I have several reviews of product lines coming up and yes, Cheat Sheets.  If you have a brand you’d like us to check out please submit it to us as soon as you can. We’ll be happy to look into your favorite natural brands and give you the good or bad news about the ingredients.

    SafeMama.com

    As you can see we’ve been busy here… many new cheat sheets (new skin care sheet, formula review, etc)  have popped up and we have now put them all in one place (you can find a link to all the cheat sheets in the top navigation now).  We have a new Sunscreen and Bug Repellent list coming out very soon too with several new brands to choose from.

    We Love You

    As always we are always open to hearing your comments and suggestions. Thank you for being continued readers and supporters of SafeMama.com!  Have a great weekend everyone :)

    Jan

    28

    SafeMama Cheat Sheet: Dishwashing Detergents

    Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, cleaning products, Suggestion Box | 16 Comments

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      Well hello there!  I know I’ve kind of slacked off on writing anything.   And like Kathy so kindly pointed out, we’ve been kind of going through a learning curve being new moms of two.  I’ll tell you, I don’t know how people have more than two children.  You all are saints! That said, I’m really trying to be like Stella and get my groove back.  I think I’m getting there.  I am passionate about helping people achieve a cleaner, healthier lifestyle.  And now that it’s the new year, I feel ready to tackle on the world (or maybe just a cupcake and a much needed nap).

      With that said.  One of the things someone had requested, was a dish-washing detergent cheat sheet.   We get a lot of questions on dish-washing detergents, so I figured I’d put together a quick list of some of the green(er) detergents out there. Now, I have a confession.  I have not tried a single detergent out there that has worked on my dishes the way I’d like (ok, no, there is ONE, read on below).  Having kids means having food that is the equivalent of cement when it dries and even if I rinse, I still end up with dirty dishes.  So, shamefully, I keep going back to conventional, which I HATE.  Not only from the chemical aspect, but because it leaves a detergent taste on my dishes, especially silicone, which I can’t stand.   But I’m kind of at a loss.

      Ingredients to avoid:

      Phosphates: Phosphates are all sorts of bad and are completely unnecessary in your detergents.  Phosphates act as a water softener, in order to make your detergent “work better.”  They leak into the ground and water system, and wreak havoc on our eco-system.  Once in the water system, it causes algae blooms, which rob water of oxygen.  This is just a smidge important for our aquatic life.  (fish need oxygen too!)

      Chlorine: Chlorine is one of those cleaners that people swear by.  Your house is just not “clean” unless you douse it with a healthy dose of bleach.  Need your baby’s toys or bottles sanitized?  Just add a little bleach to the water.   Again, entirely unnecessary.  Bleach is caustic.  The fumes alone are enough to make you sick.

      Artifical perfumes (phthalates): By now, it’s known that phthalates are just plain bad for you.   Those fresh morning daisies you’re smelling in your dishwashing detergent, most likely contain phthalates.   And are most likely leaving that residue on your glasses.  Ew.

      Good Alternatives:

      Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list. This is just what I could find, or what I know of offhand.

      Without further adieu:

      EcoStore Auto Dish Powder: I’ve heard of this around the Internet and our buddy Sommer from Green and Clean Mom raves about EcoStore’s products.  Lo and behold, they carry a powder dish detergent for a relatively affordable price considering how much you get (Huge container for $12).

      Seventh Generation: This is probably one of the more popular eco-friendly dishwashing detergents on the market.  It’s available at most grocery stores, as well as Target.   Truthfully, I was not a fan of it, BUT, I only used the powder, so the gel may be a different story entirely. Kathy has used the gel version with much success – she’s a fan! Please note that some Seventh Generation products use SLS and this might be one of them. If you avoid it, skip this one.

      Biokleen Automatic Dish Powder: I haven’t tried biokleen’s dishwashing detergent, but I have used some of their other stuff and am a big fan.  Their bac-out works wonders. So this might be worth checking out.  I’ve always found their stuff to be affordable too.

      Citradish: I have to admit, I’ve been curious about Citradish for awhile now.  I haven’t tried it yet, but I love the smell and the cleaning power of orange.   This one is next to try on my list, as I feel better about it being a gel, versus a powder.

      Dapple: We’ve actually done a review of the Dapple dish soap, and it worked pretty well.   This detergent was made specifically for baby bottles and dishes.  I haven’t had a chance to try the detergent, but given that my daughter gets bottles, and given how much I hate washing them by hand (which I still do, anyway, because they just don’t seem as clean otherwise, see above re: caked on food), it makes me feel better that there are moms out there who get the same icky thoughts about putting their baby’s bottles in the dishwasher with a harsh chemical detergent.

      Ecover: I have to say, out of all of the eco-friendly dishwashing detergents out there, this one worked the best.  Especially being a powder.   If you couldn’t tell, I tend to not be a powder fan.  I hate the powder residue.  But these handy little tablets actually worked rather well, and didn’t leave much in the way of residue.  The downside?  Is the cost.   I also had a hard time finding them, and that whole new baby thing has left me a tad bit forgetful in remembering to order some.   Given the amount of dishes we go through on a regular basis, running out of detergent is just not an option.   But this has no bearing on the performance.  I love Ecover products!

      Method Smarty Dish: If there’s one thing that Method has down, it’s a knack for packaging.  They try to make their packaging appealing and cute.  And I’ll admit that it gets me.   Those sleek curved edges.   But I have not tried their smarty dish.  I’ve heard good things, but I just have a hard time justifying the cost of only 20 tablets.  That’s like a week in my house.  Also the fact that it’s a powder makes me leery.   I’d like to say you can teach an old dog new tricks, but not for a mere 20 tablets.

      Nellie’s Dishwasher Nuggets: Again.  I haven’t tried these, but they popped up in my quest for a safer detergent.  I passed on them, because of the powder/ small amount they give you combo.   If you only do a few loads a week, maybe this is the detergent for you.

      Mrs. Meyers: Mrs. Meyers is another popular “eco-friendly” brand out there.   I’ve always loved their products, and the majority of them have worked well.  I have not tried this, however, so I make no claims.  I will say that if you’re familiar with the brand, you know their a bit on the pungent side.  So if you’re olfactory can’t handle strong smells, you’re probably best to steer clear of Mrs. Meyers. (Note: This is the only Mrs Meyers product we recommend. The other products they carry do not pass our requirements)

      Allen’s Naturally: Allen’s has a pretty popular following of their laundry detergent in the cloth diaper world.   I know it works rather well.  I would be surprised if the dishwasher detergent did not do the same.  I have not tried this…  In fact, I didn’t even know they made dishwasher detergent.  I may have to check this out.

      SafeMama Reader Mention: Someone had made mention of Trader Joe’s making a dishwasher detergent, however, I went searching for this at my local store and all I saw was dish soap.  So I’m not sure if I maybe misunderstood, or maybe my local TJ’s didn’t carry it?   If it’s out there, I’d love to try it out.

      Alternatively, I did find a recipe for making your own, online, and the recipe is as follows:

      • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
      • 1/4 cup water
      • 1/4 cup liquid castile soap (scented is fine)
      • 1 lemon

      I’m ALL about the vinegar and baking soda.  We use TONS of it in our house, and I did try my hand at a couple of methods (not this one) in my dishwasher, and was unsuccessful.  I would love to hear if anyone has used this recipe or something similar with success, because I would switch in a heartbeat if I knew it would work.

      Now it’s your turn SafeMama readers.   Is there anything here that we haven’t mentioned that has worked for you?

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