Non-Toxic Nail Art Ideas

Go Green in 2014: Week 48

Most nail paints and enamels contain harsh chemicals that aren't exactly "green". But that doesn't mean you can't have fun with your finger- and toenails. There are a few different non-toxic ways you can decorate your nails; here are some that I have discovered.

Chemical-free nail wraps

I recently ordered nail wraps from Jamberry Nails (jamberrynails.net) and tried them out. For the most part, they're great: easy to apply (once you get the hang of it), easy to remove, and best of all...they are green. They are basically stickers with a non-toxic adhesive that is heat-activated. Once you apply the wrap, you can trim it down to the length and shape of your nail.

They are somewhat expensive at $15 per sheet, but you can get 2 manicures, 2 pedicures, and a few accent nails out of each sheet. They can last up to two weeks on fingers and much longer on toes. They come in tons of different designs (see picture for an example). They can be removed with heat, or with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, all of which are non-toxic.

The only real problem I had with the wraps was upon removing them: They left my nails pretty dry and cracked (which is probably largely due to the dry winter air) so I had to cut them short and give them time to breathe for a few weeks.

Non-toxic nail polish

I'll have to be honest: I've never tried a "green" nail polish or lacquer, but here's what I found out with a little research.

There are various brands of non-toxic nail polish: Piggy Paint, Acquarella, Honeybee Gardens, and several others. They are free of toxic chemicals, such as toluene and formaldehyde. They don't tend to last long, but on the plus side, they are easy to remove with non-toxic removal methods.

Non-toxic nail lacquers

When researching, I came across the Scotch Naturals website (scotchnaturals.com), where you can learn more about their non-toxic nail lacquers. They are similar to nail polish, but seem to be more durable. This particular brand carries products that are vegan, fragrance free, paraben free, biodegradable, and free of the previously-mentioned chemicals.

What are your thoughts? Have you tried any non-toxic nail art methods? Please share your experience below.

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Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, consider swapping out your regular nail polish for a new non-toxic nail art method.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

How to Safely Off-Gas New Furniture

Go Green in 2014: Week 44

Did you know that particle board and plywood furniture is a source of off-gassing? First of all, what in the world is off-gassing?

Off-gassing is the release of chemicals from items, such as new furniture, that we bring into our home (I'll list a few more offenders in just a bit). Formaldehyde is part of the glue that binds particle board together, and its gases are released into the air for a period of time. This can be unhealthy when new particleboard or plywood furniture is brought into a small, closed-off room.

What are some ways we can avoid inhaling these toxic fumes?

How to safely off-gas new furniture

Besides buying solid wood furniture rather than particle board, here are a few ideas to avoid the buildup of harmful chemicals in your home.

• Buy gently used furniture that has already had time to off-gas.
• Weather permitting, leave the furniture outside for a few days (or at least a day) to off-gas.
• Leave the furniture in an unused room for a few days and open the window, at least as long as the weather permits.
• If you must bring it inside, open up windows for as long as you're able, as a way to circulate air.

What are some ways you have safely off-gassed new furniture?

More surprising sources of off-gassing

Furniture is not the only source of chemical off-gassing, though. Here are a few others to look out for.

• Dryer sheets
• Air fresheners
• Commercial cleaning products
• Nail polish remover
• Electronics
• Non-stick pans
• Laser printers/photocopiers

The best way to avoid breathing in unhealthy fumes is to avoid these products where you can. For example, switch out dryer sheets for wool dryer balls and store-bought air fresheners for homemade alternatives. Make your own cleaning products. Use cast iron or stainless steel pans.

What are some ways you avoid chemical off-gassing in your everyday life?

Photo courtesy of Flickr / bfi

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Your challenge: This week, consider the ways you can avoid off-gassing, whether from new furniture or other sources.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Ideas for Non-Toxic Body Wash

Go Green in 2014: Week 43

I know we've gone over this already, but it's important enough to say again: Everything we put on our bodies is absorbed through the skin - our largest organ - through the pores. And when we take a warm, steamy shower, our pores open to soak up even more of the products we use to clean our bodies.

Although soaps and shower gels are meant for cleaning the skin, they often contain chemicals that pollute our bodies, potentially causing health issues in the long run. So you might feel clean on the outside, but inside is another story.... This doesn't mean you need to completely skip washing up in the shower, though. Don't worry. We're not doomed to a lifetime of body odor in exchange for "going green".

Gentle, non-toxic body wash ideas

There are various green body wash options. Here are just a few of the ideas I have come up with. If you think of others, please share!

1. BomaSense Face & Body Wash. This is what I currently use; it is $15 a bottle, and can be ordered from www.bomasense.com. It may not lather as much as your usual shower gel, but it contains safe and gentle ingredients such as green tea extract, aloe vera gel, and various other nourishing components.
2. Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap. This versatile soap comes in a liquid or a bar. I personally use the liquid for washing my face and washing dishes, and the bar for handwashing in one of my bathrooms, but it can be used as a body wash, as well. You can order it here (affiliate link).
3. Various kitchen ingredients. Yes, you can combine items found in the kitchen and around the house to make your own body wash. I don't have my own recipe, but here's one I found online to share with you: Nourishing Homemade Body Wash from Live Simply.

I'm guessing most of you use a loofah or washcloth to apply your body wash. Personally, I got sick of buying new scrubbies all the time and started using my hands to rub it into my skin. However, after a while I began to miss the skin sloughing effect...so I decided to give dry skin brushing a try.

What is dry skin brushing?

The idea is to use a natural fiber body brush to slough dry skin prior to showering. I purchased an Earth Therapeutics brush from Amazon.com for around $7. Simply use long strokes to brush your skin toward the heart.

Dry brushing has many benefits, including softer, smoother skin. It can help to get your circulation moving, and some even say it can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. But let's not get into too much detail right now - that's a post for another time!

If you don't have a skin brush, you can always go back to Week 15, when I shared a homemade body scrub recipe for naturally smooth skin.

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Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, try out a green, non-toxic body wash in the shower.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Ideas to Green Your Bath Time

Go Green in 2014: Week 35

In this post: 

*harmful effects of chemicals in bath products
*green bubble bath alternatives
*removing the chlorine from your bath water

Who doesn't enjoy a nice, relaxing bubble bath?

During my first year in college, Wednesday night was my "bath night". Why Wednesdays, I don't really remember. But I would draw myself a tub full of warm water and pour in the Avon bubbles (either Chocolate Covered Strawberry or Cinnamon Twist if I remember correctly).

Now... I rarely take baths anymore, but when I do, I never use bubbles. The chemicals that make bubble bath "bubbly" are not very nice, and considering that our skin - the largest organ in the human body - soaks up large quantities of these ingredients, I don't think it's a good idea.

What could possibly be so bad about bubble bath?

Let's take one of the ingredients, sodium lauryl sulfate, as an example. This is the compound that makes your bubble bath, shampoo, hand soap, and laundry detergent, among other household products, lather. This is not necessary to get you or your laundry, or anything else, clean. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a known human irritant to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Other concerns may be organ system toxicity and ecotoxicology (source).

Is there such thing as green bubble bath?

Sure, you can purchase bath products that claim to be green and chemical-free, but you should always read the ingredients list before purchasing.

Also, these products will likely cost more than you want to spend. Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive options. They may not produce bubbles, but they can actually be quite beneficial to your health.

1. Epsom salts. Take a relaxing, green bath with epsom salts, which can get rid of toxins in the body and relax muscles due to the magnesium content in the salts. Magnesium is an essential mineral that our bodies readily absorb through the skin.
2. Magnesium flakes. Or, you could just add magnesium bath flakes (affiliate link) to the water. Not only will they help restore your magnesium levels, but you might notice a relief in aches and pains, improved mood, and healthier skin, among many other benefits.
3. Tea bags. Tea isn't just for drinking! Rather than steeping it in a mug, fill your bathtub with warm water and allow several tea bags to soak before getting in. Try green tea to help your body detox or chamomile for a soothing experience. And in case you missed it a few weeks ago, here are some simple ways you can "green" your tea (and/or coffee) habit.
4. Essential oils. If you miss your scented bubble baths, you can always add a few drops of essential oils for a relaxing, green soak. If your goal is to clear your mind and relax your body, which is usually the case when we take a bath, choose soothing scents, such as lavender, mandarin, and sandalwood.
5. Kitchen ingredients. Did you know that some of the ingredients in your kitchen are great, natural bubble bath replacements? Oatmeal is very soothing and can help calm sunburn, while milk and honey soften and exfoliate the skin.

What are your green bath time favorites?

Removing the chlorine from your bath water

While you are soaking up magnesium, tea, or whatever green bath ingredients you've chosen, your skin is also absorbing the chlorine that is in the water. Just a few weeks ago, I went over how and why you should be filtering your tap water; follow the link for a refresher on the harmful effects of chlorine and ideas for removing it.

If you want to take a bath and haven't had a chance to pick up a water filter yet, add a half cup of baking soda to help neutralize some of the chemicals in your water. As an added benefit, baking soda can promote healing. It can be added to your bath water along with any of the above green bath ingredients.

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and those who have diabetes or high blood pressure should consult a doctor before taking a detox bath. Keep the water at a safe temperature; if you begin to feel dizzy, the water may be too hot. Add a little cold water to cool it down.

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, take some time to yourself with a relaxing, green bath.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Top 10 Reasons to Go Green with Home Cleaning Today

Why go green with home cleaning? I have found that there are a number of ways my family and I can benefit from cutting out the commercial cleaners and going green today. I feel much better about using alternative cleaning products in my home; these are just ten reasons to go green with home cleaning. 

1. You can save money. I haven't purchased cleaning products from the store since I started making my own at home. By using items I find in my own kitchen, which costs just pennies (or less) per use, I have saved a substantial amount of money. Many stores sell green cleaning products, but if you learn how to make your own, you can save a lot of money. 

(c) Tonya Mickelson 2014

2. Your health will benefit. Most commercial cleaning products, including laundry detergent, glass cleaner and bathroom cleaners, contain harmful ingredients that, when inhaled, can be toxic to your health. You might not even realize their impact until you stop using these products and go green with home cleaning. 

3. Your family will be healthier. Everyone in the house benefits from green cleaning: your spouse, the kids and even the family pets. The toxic chemicals have a much stronger impact on animals and small children than healthy adults. 

4. You can preserve the environment. Toxins from these cleaning products may directly or indirectly impact the environment. For example, when they are washed down the drain, these chemicals remain in the water that reaches local aquatic life, potentially killing them. 

5. Cleaning is much simpler. You won't need to buy a different product for each task; many household items can be used for cleaning multiple areas of the house. Vinegar, for example, is the main ingredient in almost all of my homemade products, from glass cleaner to floor cleaner. 

Click to learn more about green all-purpose sprays

6. You will save a trip to the store. When you run out of your homemade all-purpose spray, there is no need to make a trip to the store. Instead, simply whip up a new batch using ingredients that can be found in the kitchen for mere pennies. 

7. Your immune system will benefit. By avoiding harsh cleaning agents, your body will be able to build up a natural defense system and, therefore, will be able to fight off the flu and common colds much more effectively. 

8. Indoor air quality will be improved. Every time they are used, chemicals from commercial cleaning products seep into the indoor air you breathe. By removing these products from the home and going green with home cleaning, you can breathe easier knowing that your home has cleaner air. 

9. They are just as effective. Too many people associate the strong chemical odor with a "clean" smell. Because green cleaners don't smell so strong, does that mean your house isn't getting clean? I've haven't yet had a problem with my homemade products getting the house clean. 

10. You will be a role model. When others, particularly the younger generation, see that you are cleaning your house with healthier products, they will be inclined to do the same. Today, you can teach them the benefits of using green products to clean the home.

Three Toxic Chemicals That Could Be in Your Child's Toys

Beware of toxic chemicals in toys

A child's exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to many adverse effects, including bone softening, kidney problems, liver toxicity, estrogenic effects and more, depending on the exposed chemical. The frequent hand-to-mouth movement we often see in young children creates a pathway for toxic chemicals in toys and other items to enter their bodies. The same is true of chew toys that are made for our beloved pets, who ingest the chemicals in those toys during play. 

followtheseinstructions / https://www.flickr.com/photos/followtheseinstructions/

 Although there are laws and regulations regarding toys for children and pets, some companies still allow some of these harmful chemicals into their product. 

Lead

 

Children, infants and fetuses are most vulnerable to lead (Pb). Lead is a neurotoxicant that is harmful to the organs and most systems in the body. It can be found in painted toys and jewelry that has leaded metal clasps, chains or charms. It is used as a stabilizer in some toys that are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, but can leach out when kids handle them -- particularly when they come into mouth contact. Although the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) regulates lead in children's products, you can avoid problems by giving your children unpainted toys, like wooden blocks. 

Phthalates

 

Phthalates have been found to be reproductive and developmental toxicants. They can damage the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Rubber ducks and teething rings could potentially contain phthalates. Phthalates are used as softeners in PVC plastics, but they are not bound to the plastic substrate, so they can leach out when children are playing with toys that contain this toxic chemical. The CPSIA regulates six phthalates in products for children but, to be safe, avoid giving your child toys that are made of PVC plastics. Look for items labeled "PVC free." 

Bisphenol A (BPA)

 

BPA is used in manufacturing polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. We recently learned that baby bottles (as well as some canned food and dental sealants) contained BPA, and some companies might still be using it. This chemical has estrogenic effects and can have developmental, neural and reproductive toxicants. It has also been linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Exposure to pregnant women may even have an effect on the developing fetus. Look for toys labeled "BPA free."

Although the toys we played with as children may have contained harmful chemicals, it is somewhat reassuring to know that there are safer toys on the market today. Still, it is always a good idea to research and read labels before giving new toys to your children or pets, since not all toxic chemicals are regulated around the world yet. 

References:
Environmental Science & Technology Feature