Use This, Not This: Part deux

It's the return of "Use this, Not this"! In hindsight I probably should've made my sign say, "Use this, Not that," but oh well. For now, I'll let it be. Anyway, let's review. During these posts, I will give sustainable, more affordable, and overall more healthy product alternatives to every day items we use. So, let's get started!

Deodorant. We all need it. No, seriously, we all do. For years I searched for a viable non-aluminum-containing alternative. They all were sticky and/or not very effective. Until now. This year, I discovered the Deodorant Stone. It is made of Potassium Alum (natural mineral salts) and it is so very effective.

I purchased this deo stone on Amazon for a bargain price after reading rave reviews. The label reads: "24-hour deodorant protection made with natural mineral salts that eliminate odor-causing bacteria: *Non-staining, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic *No parabens, no propylene glycol * No animal testing *Gluten Free"
Yes, it really is a rock! You simply dampen one end and very lightly rub it into your armpit, re-dampening for the next armpit. It will last a very long time, because you are just taking a tiny portion with each use. My fiance was skeptical and laughed at me. He tried it one day and has been amazed and hooked ever since. Not even regular deodorant completely eliminated slight odors, but this stone does!
Household Cleaners: We all have to clean. Again, yes we do! I have used homemade products for years, so I have no alternative "Not this" to show you. On the left with the blue cap is my glass cleaner: 1C rubbing alcohol, 1C water, 1Tbsp vinegar. Works like a charm! On the right is my all-purpose cleaner: 50% vinegar, 50% water, splash of lemon juice (something new I tried this batch). To learn more about the anti-bacterial effects of vinegar here is a PubMed study and a little Wiki history. Buy the large jug of distilled white vinegar, nothing fancy. These will save you loads of money and will reduce the plastic containers you consume as well.

Paper towels: Now that we've got our cleaners in order, what do we wipe our mess up with? Cloth napkins reduced my paper towel consumption, but use of these kitchen cloths has completely eliminated my consumption of them. Seriously, this pack has been sitting unopened in my cupboard for months. I purchased my cloths from Trader Joe's, but you can find kitchen cloths nearly everywhere these days. They are highly absorbent and dry quickly. Literally the same material my dad and his colleagues used to wash and dry the fire engines when I was a kid, called a shammy! Or you can use washcloths or rags. It really doesn't matter, so long as what you use is reusable.