I’ve found 7 plastic-free organic hand soaps for you that contain no toxic chemicals and come in paper packaging you can easily recycle. Why hand soaps? Because the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say washing our hands with soap and water works better than hand sanitizer for killing the germs that cause Coronavirus, the flu, and other illnesses, like diarrhea and the common cold.

Why plastic-free? Because plastic trash is out of control!

And why organic? Because as good as soap is for fighting germs, too many soaps contain harmful toxic chemicals or come packaged in throwaway plastic.  The soaps listed below contain healthy ingredients that work – and don’t come in plastic!

7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps

Dr. Bronner’s

Zum

Tom’s of Maine

O Naturals

Makes 3 Organics

Ma’na Organix

Patchouli Soap

Here Are 7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps That Fight Coronavirus and the Flu

Dr. Bronner’s – Made with vegan ingredients and castile soap, but no synthetic preservatives or foaming agents. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Available unscented, or in peppermint, lavender, almond, eucalyptus, hemp rose, hemp tea tree, and hemp citrus. Fair Trade certified and Non GMO verified, too!

Zum – Made with goat’s milk, essential oils, and fresh citrus herbs. Minimal paper packaging that can be recycled. Available in variety sampler pack as well as individually. Look for it online but in Whole Foods, natural foods stores, and food co-ops, too.

Tom’s of Maine – 5 oz. bars, available in 6-packs; available in lavender, orange blossom, coconut oil, and other plant-based compounds (NOTE: May also be available in store in CVS, various supermarkets, Whole Foods, Target, etc.)

O Naturals – 100% natural organic ingredients, vegan, and infused with essential oils. Available in oatmeal & coffee, agave nectar & soy milk, coconut & shea butter, jojoba & tea tree, and rosemary & peppermint. PETA certified.

Makes 3 Organics – Made in Santa Barbara, CA with USDA certified organic ingredients, including coconut oil and shea butter. Packaged plastic-free in a recyclable paper box. Also available in orange blossom.

Ma’na Organix – This hemp oil based soap is infused with eucalyptus that both cleans and leaves your hands smelling fresh. Ma’na is also sulfate- and paraben-free, cruelty-free and vegan. It’s packaged in a minimal recyclable cardboard wrap. Available in lavender, peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon vanilla cappuccino.

Patchouli Soap – In case you’re wondering, patchouli is a fast-growing shrub related to mint and lavender with an “earthy, sensuous” scent. Additional ingredients in this soap include olive, coconut, avocado and castor oil, cocoa butter and cocoa powder, water, and sodium hydroxide.

When Should You Wash Your Hands During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may have been touched by other people, like door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping cars, or electronic cashier registers and screens

Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, because that’s how germs enter our bodies

Before, during and after preparing food, and before eating food

After going to the bathroom

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After shopping and packing and unpacking groceries

After opening mail

Remember to lather and scrub for 20 seconds. The CDC recommends people no longer shake hands with each other. If you somehow do shake hands with someone, wash your hands afterwards and before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

NOTE: We may earn a small commission if you purchase a product through our link. It’s teeny tiny, so not enough to affect how we think, but helpful enough to keep us going. Thanks!

The post 7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps That Fight Coronavirus and the Flu appeared first on Big Green Purse.

What are the best non-toxic hand sanitizers that kill Coronavirus?

We’ve done the research,* consulted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and reviewed data from non-profit science-based groups, and used that knowledge to find six of the best non-toxic hand sanitizers you can buy that will get the job done. They are:

6 BEST NON-TOXIC HAND SANITIZERS

(available as sprays or gels and in large sizes to reduce plastic trash)

Hot Shot’s Secret Hand Sanitizer Gel  Buy one large gallon jug then decant into smaller reusable bottles to reduce plastic trash

Forward Science Hand Sanitizer  – A 6-pack of 16oz. bottles to reduce plastic trash is still better than a whole bunch of throwaway 2 or 3 oz bottles.

Pipette Hand Sanitizer  – 32oz jug can still be used to re-fill reusable bottles and reduce plastic trash.

Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray  – If you need small spray bottles for your purse, briefcase or backpack, these work and are non-toxic.

The Naked Bee Gel – This non-toxic hand sanitizer also contains aloe vera gel and witch hazel. The 8 oz. size might be perfect for your workplace or a car trip.

North Star Organics Advanced Organic Hand Sanitizer Gel – 8 oz. – This product  can be used for babies and children as long as you rub it into their skin until it is completely dry.

What Makes These Hand Sanitizers Better Than Others? Safe Ingredients That Work!

The key ingredient to look for in a hand sanitizer is ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol.

What Ingredients Should You AVOID in Hand Sanitizer? Methanol, and These Others

What if you’re in a store or elsewhere online and see a hand sanitizer that looks appealing or cheap but is not listed above? Before you buy, make sure the sanitizer you’re considering does NOT contain the following ingredients:

METHANOL, also known as Methyl Alcohol or Wood Alcohol:  Methanol is toxic; it is completely different from the ethanol listed above. It is made primarily from natural gas or coal. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned people against using as many as 130 brands of hand sanitizer because they contain methanol.

Methanol is dangerous for several reasons. It is highly flammable. It is extremely toxic to humans if it is ingested or if vapors are inhaled Ingestion of as little as one to four ounces can cause irreversible injury to the nervous system, blindness, or even death. Symptoms of acute methanol exposure may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, difficult breathing, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.**

In addition to methanol, avoid the following ingredients:

Triclosan (an antibacterial agent that may lead to antibiotic resistance, and is toxic to fish and frogs when it washes into our lakes, rivers and streams)

Synthetic Fragrance (causes allergic reactions like sneezing, headaches, and other flu-like symptoms)

Parabens and Phthalates (linked to hormone disruption)

Most dyes and synthetic colors

You can get more Information on Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers That Kill Coronavirus from the National Institutes of Health, linked below. ***

Here are more details on the sanitizers we recommend.

Hot Shot’s Secret Hand Sanitizer Gel – Hot Shot’s gel contains four simple and safe ingredients:

80% alcohol, which kills germs and viruses; glycerin (a hand softener); hydrogen peroxide (an additional germ killer); and purified water. Another benefit of this product is that it reduces plastic trash. Buy a one gallon dispenser with a pump, then easily fill up smaller reusable 2oz bottles for backpacks and purses.

Forward Science Hand Sanitizer Spray – Though not quite as low-waste as a one-gallon jug,

Forward Science is sold as a 6-pack of 16oz. spray bottles that still reduce plastic trash. Does not contain dye, triclosan, parabens, or phthalates; made in the USA.

Pipette Hand Sanitizer Gel – Ethyl alcohol, plus moisturizing glycerin and sugarcane-derived squalane, and water. Fragrance-free. Comes in 32oz jug to reduce plastic waste; EWG verified. Buy the large jug and refill smaller reusable containers to limit plastic waste.

Everyone Hand Sanitizer – In addition to meeting the CDC recommendations for hand sanitizing, Everyone Hand Sanitizer also contains vegetable glycerin to keep hands soft, and is available in a variety of plant-based scents (my favorite is lavender).

North Star Organics – This formulation includes aloe, Vitamin E and 65% alcohol; free of dyes, silicones, parabens, SLS, and synthetic fragrances. The 8 oz pump dispenser could be the right size for your workplace, classroom, or reception area or bathroom.

The Naked Bee –  Ingredients include natural honey, aloe vera gel, witch hazel, sea weed extract, green ea extracts and essential oils. No parabens, dyes, phthalates or other nasty ingredients.

In Addition to Avoiding Toxic Ingredients, Beware The Following Misleading Claims and Packaging When Buying Hand Sanitizers

“FDA-approved” – No hand sanitizers have been approved by the FDA. If you see a product being marketed as FDA-Approved, skip it.

“Chemical-Free” – Nothing on Earth is chemical-free. Everything is made up of chemical compounds. Some of those chemicals are safe; others can make us sick. Either way, you and every product you buy consist of chemicals. Don’t let the words “chemical-free” affect your choice.

Products Packaged to Appear as Drinks, Candy, Liquor Bottles, or Cocktails – Hand sanitizer should never be consumed. Keep all sanitizers out of the reach of children.

DON’T DRINK HAND SANITIZER!

You can’t prevent Coronavirus by drinking anything, especially hand sanitizer.

DO USE SOAP AND WATER

Hand sanitizer is very handy to have when you’re not at home. But when you are home, use soap and water primarily. Suds up your hands for 20 seconds then rinse with warm water. Easy peasy.

AND REMEMBER: BUY THE LARGEST DISPENSER OF HAND SANITIZER YOU CAN FIND TO MEET YOUR NEEDS

Empty plastic bottles of hand sanitizer are starting to litter streets and end up in lakes, rivers and streams. You can minimize how much plastic you use and throwaway by buying the largest dispenser of hand sanitizer you can and refill smaller bottles for your purse or your kids’ backpack.

Don’t Miss: Why I Ditched Plastic Water Bottles And You Should, Too! 

Last by not least, here’s a hand graphic from North Star Organics that shows the best way to apply sanitizer so it gets to every part of your hand.

*We base our recommendations on the scientific analyses done by the non-profit research group Environmental Working Group and the green and non-toxic standards set by Made Safe, as well as our own long-standing experience reviewing scientific data on various chemical ingredients.  We also reviewed the:

National Institutes of Health analysis of alcohol-based products being used in hand sanitizers.

Here are the toxic hand sanitizers containing methanol that the FDA wants you to avoid.

** Get more information about methanol from the Methanol Institute.

NOTE: We may earn a teeny tiny commission if you purchase products using our link. It is not enough to sway our opinion, but over time, the commissions help support our effort to continue to bring you the expert help you need to lead the greener life you want. (I knew you’d understand!)

The post 6 Best Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers That Kill Coronavirus appeared first on Big Green Purse.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS POST ABOUT REUSABLE COTTON FACE MASKS!

√ Links to 5 reusable cotton face masks you’ll love that will last a long time.

√ Short reminder about why it’s important to wear a mask.

√ Update on how much plastic pollution throwaway masks create.

The coronavirus pandemic isn’t going away any time soon. That probably means you’ll need more and better face masks that won’t create plastic trash and can last you through the end of 2020 and potentially way into 2021. Of the many brands and varieties available, we knew you’d most be on the look-out for reusable cotton face masks that you could wear comfortably and securely and that are plastic-free.

Here are five of the best options we’ve found, plus filters you can get for them.  (NOTE: Some products are linked to sites we have affiliate relationships with, so we might earn a few pennies if you make a purchase. Thanks!)

USA Reusable Cotton Face Masks – 100% Cotton with Filter Pocket, Ear Loops and Nose Wire Bridge for closer fit. Made in the USA. (I haven’t tried this one, but it got lots of 5 star ratings on Amazon!)

Avocado Organic Cotton Face Masks – These 100% organic certified face masks are made with two layers of organic cotton canvas, a pocket so you can insert a filter (not included), and simple tie straps.

Triple Layered 100% Cotton Face Mask with Filter Pocket – This made-in-the-USA mask comes with a flexible nose clip for a better fit and adjustable ear loops. Does not come with filters, but you can buy some separately and insert them in the mask pocket.

 Cotton Face Mask with Replaceable Filters – This mask uses activated carbon PM 2.5 filters for extra-effective particle capture. Adjustable ear loops make for a closer fit.

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Cotton Reusable Face Masks With Filters – Here’s another option for a face mask that comes with adjustable straps, a nose bridge, and activated carbon filters for extra protections.

Activated Carbon Filter Inserts for Reusable Face Masks – If you only wear your mask a little while each day (which is what I do), these filters will last a long time. If you wear your mask a lot, the manufacturer recommends changing the filter every three days.

By the way, if you don’t have a “professional” filter, you can make one out of a coffee filter.

Here’s a short refresher course from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on why face masks are essential.

Centers for Disease Control: Wear a Mask!

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Studies and evidence on infection control report that these droplets usually travel around 6 feet (about two arms lengths). So, stay 6 feet away from anyone who you are not certain is not infected. (If you’ve quarantined with someone for two weeks and neither of you has gotten sick, you’re probably fine. If you’re getting together with friends or family to hang out, you should all wear masks and still stay 6 feet apart.)

Also, wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.

This is another important point: Cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus by people who may have it but not know it. If you have it but don’t have any symptoms, you could still spread it just by talking, coughing, sneezing, and even singing. Wear a face mask to keep your viral germs to yourself!

NOTE: The CDC says that children younger than 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing or is incapacitated should not wear a mask.

I personally expect to wear a face mask for years to come. In addition to protecting against COVID-19, my mask could also help protect me from the flu and the common cold. I never wore a mask before, but from here on out, I’m going to wear it all the time when I’m out shopping, on the subway or bus, or at a public event.

Single-Use Throwaway Masks Pollute the Seas and Could Kill Wildlife. Plus, They Create Ugly Litter.

Throwaway plastic-based masks, along with single-use plastic gloves and wipes, are quickly becoming a significant source of pollution. Environmental group OceansAsia’s recent survey of the waters around HongKong found dozens of masks washed up on shore and floating in the water.*

Opération Mer Propre (clean seas), a French nonprofit, worries that there may soon be more masks than jellyfish in the Mediterranean.* Even in my neighborhood outside Washington, D.C., every day I find throwaway masks on the ground, where they can get washed into the storm drain and end up in the Chesapeake Bay and, eventually, the Atlantic Ocean.

Most single-use masks are made from polypropylene, a plastic that does not break down. It’s already estimated that over eight million tons of plastic enter our oceans. Some of that breaks down into micro plastic. Animals eat some of it, dying in the process.

Some people are adding to the problem by just tossing their mask out the window or to the ground, where it becomes ugly litter that no one wants to pick up.

Reusable face masks last many times over. And even if they’re thrown out as litter, cotton masks will biodegrade into harmless fibers.

What To Look For In a Reusable Cotton Face Mask

There are many masks on the market. CDC recommends we wear cloth masks like the ones featured in this post to help prevent all of us from spreading the disease.

CDC does NOT recommend an “N-95” mask regularly. N-95s are what doctors and first-line responders need to protect themselves when they help people who are sick with COVID-19. Some of us with compromised immune systems and respiratory diseases might need them, too. Or if you’re getting on an airplane or otherwise will be in an enclosed space in close proximity to other people, an N-95 could be your best option, because the N-95 prevents almost all particles from coming through your mask, where you might inhale them.

However, on the whole, the CDC says if we all wear tight-fitting, multi-layered cloth masks, we’ll go a long way to protecting ourselves and each other. Here’s me in one of my masks!

Reusable Cloth – You might be able to wear a paper mask a few times, but ultimately, it will end up in the trash. Get a cloth mask you can wash and reuse frequently.

Two Layers of Fabric – Choose (or make) a mask that has at least two separate layers of cloth. When you hold your mask up to  the light, the cloth needs to be woven so tightly that you can’t see through it.

Filter Pocket – In addition to two layers of fabric, you’ll get extra protection from having a filter between the layers. Before I had an actual mask, I rolled up a cotton bandana and put a folded coffee filter between the layers. That worked really well and provided extra protection! The mask I now use most often has a pocket in the middle that I can slip a filter into. I have bought some charcoal filters that will trap really very tiny particles.

NOTE: You may have heard about using a vacuum HEPA filter for your face mask. Make sure the filter is NOT made of fiberglass, as minuscule particles of glass may break off and be accidentally inhaled. A coffee filter folded in half adds more protection. This Merv 13 Material is not fiberglass and is designed to stop tiny airborne particles, increasing your masks’ effectiveness.

Proper Fit – The mask should cover both your nose and your mouth snugly without slipping down. It should either have ear loops to hold it on properly, or two sets of ties, one to tie the top sides of the mask around the back of your head, and one set to tie the bottom sides. It should extend an inch or so beyond your nose and mouth and fit snugly under your chin. I got one mask that looked pretty nice but kept slipping down off my nose. That forced me to keep adjusting it, which wasn’t particularly safe. I had to stop using it. I personally prefer the adjustable ear loops because I can tighten them around my face better.

Enough Masks – I have three masks I rotate among: one to wash, one to wear, and one as a back-up. Some moms had told me that they have gotten seven masks for their kids, one for every day of the week. You decide how much you need.

We are not recommending masks made from recycled plastic because plastic-based fabric can shed micro-plastic when it wears out or is washed. There are so many cotton masks to choose from, there’s no need to use recycled plastic fabric.

If you want to make your own mask, here are some sew and no-sew DIY instructions.

How to Wear Your Reusable Cotton Face Mask Correctly

• Wash your hands before putting on your mask
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face; use adjustable ear loops to pull the mask tight.
• Make sure you can breathe easily

And to reiterate, make sure your mask covers your nose as well as your mouth for the max protection the mask offers.

**SOURCES**

Coronavirus face masks ‘could have a devastating effect on the environment’

More masks than jellyfish in the sea!

The post 5 Plastic-Free Reusable Cotton Face Masks To Outlast Coronavirus appeared first on Big Green Purse.