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This year I have been focusing my zero waste efforts on our bathroom. I pretty proud of what I have achieved and we now no longer need a bin in our bathroom.
Here are some of the changes I have made so far to reduce our bathroom waste…
Switching to a Bamboo Toothbrush
Switching to Reusable Sanitary Pads
I have also switched to a shampoo bar but I haven’t created a post on that yet.
I have been playing around with homemade & natural deodorants but I’m yet to find anything that actually works! Some seem to work for a couple of weeks then it all seems to go downhill! I’ve been told that I should *try an alum stone next. If you’ve tried one then I’d love to know if it worked for you or not.
Related Post: Homemade Natural Deodorant: Tips from the Experts
One successful new switch I have made is my zero waste toothpaste.
Homemade Zero Waste Toothpaste
This toothpaste is really easy to make and only requires 3 ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons *Coconut Oil
- 1.5 Tablespoons *Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)
- 10-15 Drops of *Peppermint Essential oil
Simply mix all the ingredients together until creamy. Store in an airtight container, I use my little *Kilner preserving jars and that’s it.
I made this batch up on the 7th October and I have only just run out now (today is the 11th December). Just so you can get an idea of how long it will last.
Related Post: Making Homemade Beauty Products using Organic Essential Oils
Where To Buy Bicarbonate of Soda with Plastic Packaging
I’ve had a few people asking where they can get bicarbonate of soda that isn’t in plastic packaging so I thought I’d share a few places with you.
Ethical Superstore – *Clean & Natural Bicarbonate of Soda 500g
Boobalou – Bicarbonate of soda in kraft paper bag. (Not food grade so best for making homemade cleaning products only)
Amazon – *Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Please do check with the company, before you buy, that there definitely isn’t any plastic in their packaging. Only they would know that for sure.
It’s also worth checking out your local supermarket or health food store too.
A Few Points Worth Mentioning
This does not taste the same as shop bought toothpaste! It’s salty and a bit crunchy and it does take a while to get used to it. At first, I really didn’t like it but after about a week I was fine with it.
Interestingly the other day we were staying with friends and I forgot to pack my homemade toothpaste so I used the other half’s ‘normal’ shop bought one. It tasted horrible in comparison to my one. It had a really strong taste and I got a really strong aniseed taste in my mouth. I don’t think I’d switch back now.
This homemade toothpaste doesn’t contain fluoride which could be a problem if your local water supply doesn’t add fluoride to your water. I checked ours and they don’t add it in! This concerned me as I’ve always been told that fluoride is important for healthy teeth.
I have since found a floss that contains fluoride so I’m hoping that will suffice. I plan to check this with my dentist at my next appointment. The floss isn’t zero waste but the *silk alternatives that come in a glass jar are just too expensive for me. For now, this will have to do.
I did come across this *cheaper biodegradable silk floss but it is in a plastic container inside the cardboard box. So not zero waste.
As I said earlier I have been using this homemade toothpaste for over 2 months now and I’m very happy with it. I am interested to hear what my dentist has to say about it. I’ll keep you updated on that. Subscribe to our gypsy soul tribe below to be kept informed.
Would you consider switching to this zero waste toothpaste?
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About Gina Caro
Gina is a content creator and award-winning blogger. Her aim is to help you live a more sustainable & simple life. Her blog covers zero waste, minimalism, wellbeing & thrift. She currently lives in Cornwall with her partner, two kids and Charles the dog.
I love reading your posts. I’m not sure I’d be able to convince my brood to give up normal minty toothpaste though x
Yes, I haven’t managed to convince the others in our household yet. I’m working on it though 🙂
I like the idea of this toothpaste, but where do you buy your bicarb, as I’ve only ever seen it for sale in a plastic pot, so you still have to buy that?
Becci
Hi Becca, some supermarkets sell bicarbonate in a cardboard box. Lidl used to but recently have stopped which is annoying.
Plastic Free Pantry (an online zero Waste shop) sells it – https://plasticfreepantry.co.uk/shop/bicarbonate-of-soda-baking-soda
Bobbalou also sell it plastic free although it’s technical grade not food grade – http://www.boobalou.co.uk/bicarbonate-of-soda.html
Do you have a zero Waste shop near to you? Our nearest one in Totnes sells it package free.
Hi Becci,
I’ve done a bit more research and you can also get it from the Ethical Superstore which appears like it just comes in a cardboard box, although I would double check that before you buy it – *http://tidd.ly/8ee9afc2
Or here on Amazon – *https://amzn.to/2WeMACq