This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
My children range between 27 yrs and 40 yrs and certainly the younger ones are always on at me that I should be more environmentally friendly. I do my best and taking a shopping bag with me whenever I go out has become part of my new normality. However, eco-friendly cleaning homewares for the house and for myself I have been slower to embrace as I never found that they were very good. But this new wave of carefully researched products has changed my mind and I am happy to ditch my heavily advertised products for these new eco-friendly ones as they do work.
DUVET HOG PILLOW OF DREAMS
Over the years I have tried many pillows to find the perfect one – ones filled with goose down, anti allergy ones, specially shaped ones, memory foam and a host of others. Physiotherapists have suggested ones that might be perfect for one’s body but they do nothing for my level of sleep. So when Duvet Hog asked me to try their new Pillow of Dreams I was not convinced that it would be any better than all the ones I have tried before.
The Pillow of Dreams is made out of recycled plastic waste so it is ethically 100% perfect. But would it give me a good night’s sleep? Husband and I settled down for the night, each with our own Pillow of Dreams and immediately noticed how soft and squidgy they are. We drifted off to sleep and when we awoke in the morning we both said what a fabulous pillow this is. My husband said, “Don’t let the kids steal these for their new homes, these pillows are for us.”
They may be soft and squidgy but they are also supportive so regardless of how those endless ads on Facebook and Instagram may entice one with a pillow that guarantees 8 hours of deep sleep I am not going to be conned anymore. Most of them are like sleeping on a stone block and I awake with a stiff neck. I want to sleep like a Princess and awake feeling refreshed. That is exactly how I felt after a nIght with my Duvet Hog Pillow of Dreams.
EARTH BREEZE – a cleaner way to do laundry
We are all aware that normal liquid or powder clothes washing detergent is not good for the environment. However, you may be slightly sceptical of all the eco washing alternatives. I felt the same but I was determined to find something that cleans as well as my regular detergent.
Earth Breeze Eco Sheets have so far solved my clothes washing problems. Pop one in the detergent drawer and they dissolve within seconds in hot or cold water. They work in all machines. You can even hand wash with Eco Sheets. Eco Sheets are concentrated, low-sudsing, and bio-degradable.
It may be shocking to know Eco Sheets deliver such a powerful clean. This is because liquid detergent can be up to 90% water. Thousands of people have already switched to Earth Breeze. Why? Because it’s super concentrated and will remove the toughest stains.
The creation of their Buy One – Give Ten Program which was launched in Nov 2020 was inspired by their common desire to make a difference. With this program, you choose where you want your contribution to go. Each purchase of Earth Breeze Eco-Sheets allows Earth Breeze to donate 10 loads of laundry detergent on your behalf.
It’s a win-win all round. My laundry is super-clean, I am doing my bit for the planet and I am contributing to helping others who need detergent.
FOUR STATE makes eco-lifestyle easy
We are so lucky to have a Four State shop in Henley-on-Thames.
When it comes to Planet First Living, FourState understand that convenience, information and trust are crucial to making your dream eco-lifestyle an everyday reality.
With over 500 products ranging from soap to lunchboxes, yoga clothing to cleaning products, with stores both physical and online they seem to have everything for your lifestyle plus many of their products make great gifts.
When you purchase from FourState you gain points and at the end of each month, you are given the opportunity to give back to the planet with free meals, plant trees, reclaim land and collect plastic.
So far I have bought bamboo yoga clothes by Boody and refillable washing up liquid and surface spray. The cleaning products come in glass bottles and because there is a local store I can pop in to refill them when needed.
REIA care for both people & the planet
Finally, I have subscribed to REIA for my hand and body wash. Reia products are scientifically formulated with care for both people and the planet in mind. Their forever bottles are made from glass. They are built to last but can be infinitely recycled at the end of their lifetime without any loss of quality.
The refill pouches use 60% less plastic than a standard plastic bottle. They are made from an aluminium and plastic blend, they are lightweight and compact so they take up less space when transported. This means that more pouches can move on fewer vehicles, lowering overall emissions. Best of all you can eliminate plastic waste by returning your refill pouches for recycling and repurposing for free. The REIA pouches are pre-printed with a Freepost return label, so they can be popped straight into your nearest postbox.
Once used, their recycling partner uses an innovative process known as pyrolysis to convert the pouches back into their basic elements; raw aluminium and plastic oil, which can then be repurposed into new products.
And now you are wondering what is the body wash and handwash like? It is not heavily scented – I have the Green Leaf and Long Grasses body wash which is very pleasant. It doesn’t lather much but it leaves my skin feeling soft and not dried out. The hand wash in Lime Leaf, Vetiver and Amber is really lovely. The glass bottles and pump are gifted with your first order. However, due to huge demand they have sold out but there is a new delivery on its way for shipment to you in early April.