It's hard to keep track of everything

Since the kids are older and Daddy-O is home with us, I have been trying to use some of this "new found time" trying to learn more about the products we use to clean laundry, do dishes, shampoo hair, and just be more environmentally conscious.  However, I have found it hard to remember why I decided on some of these products.  Better to chronical them rather than do the same research twice (in the order we tried them with current favorite at the top).

Laundry Detergent:

1.  Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner

http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/496-DrBronnersSalSudsLiquidCleaner

This product was chosen based upon all of the Dr. Bronner's product ratings and that the Sal Suds is very versatile.  Pros: product is very versatile and can be used to replace more than one household cleaning product.  http://lisa.drbronner.com/?p=815. Cons: Haven't found one.

2.  Method Laundry Detergent, Free + Clear

http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/5676-methodLaundryDetergentFreeClear

The reason I chose this was because it was the "unscented" version of the prior product.  Didn't know about the EGW's cleaning product database yet.

3.  Method Laundry Detergent, Fresh Air

http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/643-methodLaundryDetergentFreshAir

The reason I chose this was because it is made by Method and assumed it was environmentally safer.  Pros: This works pretty well.  Has a pump to help reduce thinking when measuring soap.  Cons: the "scent" made all of the food in our snack bags taste like the "scent".

Laundry Stain Remover:

1.  Oxiclean Laundry Baby Stain Remover

http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/190-OxiCleanLaundryBabyStainSoaker

Chose this stain releaser because it was the top product on the EWG's laundry list.  Pros: Oxiclean generally rocks.  Cons:  Haven't found it to work any different than its sister product.  Must go to the store to buy rather than ordering on Amazon and not available at the Commissary.

2.  Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover, Free

http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/195-OxiCleanVersatileStainRemoverFree

Chose this because the Baby version was tops of the EWG's laundry list and couldn't find the baby version at the store I was at.  Pros: It works.  Big Sister is the queen of always spilling something on her clothes, every single time she eats.  It gets almost everything out without requiring a soak.  Cons: It's not as environmentally friendly as it's sister product, Baby.

Dryer Sheets:

1.  Woolzies Dryer Balls

http://woolzies.com/product/woolzies-wool-dryer-ball-set-of-6-natural-fabric-softener/

This is one of the first products we changed in our household.  Someone had mentioned this that people used to do that take about 10% more time and effort maximum that are done by a disposable, overpriced, advanced version of its predacessor.  Pros: We love them.  We never forget to use them because they are already in the dryer because that's where we leave them.  Our clothes are no longer overwhelmingly smelly, but could easily add essential oils to the balls to add any fragrance.  Cons: This item is very costly up front as compared to many of the other items listed here.   Often get lost in the dry laundry and balls need to be returned to the dryer after folding laundry and thus occasionally get lost.

Toothpaste:

1. Jack 'n Jill natural toothpaste

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/473390/Jack_%27n_Jill_Natural_Toothpaste%2C_Blackcurrant/

The kids hate all the minty toothpastes.  I'm hoping they will come around, but for now, we are no longer fighting about brushing teeth.  These were the lowest rated (0) toothpastes on the EWG skin deep dental health that seemed that the flacks would appeal to the kids.  Pros: We DO NOT fight about tooth brushing any longer.  The toothpaste is clear so we no longer have to endure the nasty appearance wherever the toothpaste is dropped.  Who knew you could get organic toothpaste?!  Cons: Cost prohibitive and difficult to get out of the end of the tube (more so than unusual).

Hair Shampoo:

1.  Hugo Naturals balancing shampoo tea tree and lavender

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/462438/Hugo_Naturals_Balancing_Shampoo_Tea_Tree_%26_Lavender/

The took the most work to find- a shampoo for Momma's thick hard that usually requires dandruff shampoo and Big Sister's fine locks to possibly help prevent the regular occurrences of lice at school.  Pros: Works well and thus far no flakes and Big Sister has skirted all exposures to lice!!!  Scent accepted by Big Sister makes it a double WIN!  Cons:  Requires more shampoo than traditional shampoos (expected by Momma).  

Hair Conditioner:

1.  Hugo Naturals balancing conditioner tea tree and lavender

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/471877/Hugo_Naturals_Balancing_Conditioner%2C_Tea_Tree_%26_Lavender/

Chosen solely to match scent of aforementioned shampoo.  Pros: works and needs less than traditional conditioner products.  For the first time, we will probably run out of shampoo twice as fast as conditioner (based partly on increased need for shampoo).  Easy assist with conditioning.  Cons:  Too much conditioner can make Momma's hair greasy and blah quickly requiring more frequent washing.

2.  California Baby super sensitive hair conditioner

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/462152/California_Baby_Super_Sensitive_Hair_Conditioner/

Chose this product based on ewg rating.  Pros:  Good ewg rating.  Cons:  Barely touched our hair for softness.  Aware that this is not a de tangled, but most conditioners do aid at least mildly to this end, but NOTHING.  Had to change product prior to finishing the bottle.  That's almost unheard of.  Cost prohibitive for amount used and suggested for use.

Deodorant:

Dry Idea Advanced Dry Invisible Solid, Unscented.

Pros: Only item on EWG site titled as an antiperspirant and received a 0 rating.

Cons: not yet tried.

Sunscreen:

1.  Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, Chamomile & Calendula, SPF 30

http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/566245/Badger_Baby_Sunscreen_Cream%2C_Chamomile_%26_Calendula%2C_SPF_30/

The reasoning behind choosing this product was I tried to find several of the "better" ranked items from 2013, but found they were either difficult to find or cost prohibitive.  Although used in this link, the 2014 guide wasn't available yet when making the purchase.  Pros: This seems to work well. Cons: kids find it frustrating to have us apply it (as with any sunscreen that doesn't spray out of a can), makes the skin a little white even after rubbed in, requires reapplication every 60-80minutes.

Feminine Product-Tampons:

1. The Diva Cup

http://divacup.com/products/the-divacup/

This is one of the first household items replaced.  I knew there had to be a predacessor to the tampon that wasn't disponsible since women have used rags probably since cloth was invented.  Pros: Once I understood exactly how to use it, I will never buy a disponsible tampon again.  I hardly notice that I'm using it and don't have to worry about leaks mid day.  I have even been swimming with this without a problem.  Cons: it is definitely not for everyone.  You have to remove the cup and empty the blood into the toilet or sink yourself.  You definitely need to stay close to home or the bathroom when you first try this out, just to keep checking.

Bug Repellent (Personal):

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/2013_EWGs_Guide_to_Bug_Repellents1_428337_7.pdf

Bug Repellent (Environmental):