Last Updated on May 17, 2024
Most conventional cleaning products trigger major migraines for me, and I don’t think I’m alone.
Did you know there’s no federal law that requires companies to disclose the ingredients used in their cleaning products? This essentially means cleaning brands don’t have to have an ingredients label, which means there could be potential allergens inside the product and you wouldn’t even know.

This post was sponsored by ESNTL LVG. All thoughts and opinions are my own; for more information see my disclosure policy.
One ingredient conventional cleaning brands tend to use is artificial fragrance. According to EWG, “fragrance” or “parfum” on a product label represents an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients used as fragrance dispersants such as diethyl phthalate.
EWG further acknowledges fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.
Additionally, most cleaning products come in plastic packaging, designed to be used once. Only 5-6% of plastic actually gets recycled, and many plastic cleaning products cannot be recycled curbside due to the nature of the contents inside them.
Switching up my cleaning products was the first zero waste swap I made because it was effective, inexpensive, and it made me feel a lot better! I do this through simple swaps, like using lemons to clean my microwave, baking soda to polish my sink, and ESNTL LVG cleaning products.
ESNTL LVG uses non-toxic biotechnology to formulate three efficient cleaners: All-purpose cleaner, glass and surface cleaner, and bathroom cleaner. Their versatile and minimalist cleaners don’t take up much space in my cleaning caddy, and can be infinitely refilled.
If you’re thinking about switching to a more sustainable cleaning routine, here are three reasons to try ESNTL LVG for yourself.

plastic-free packaging
Many cleaners come in a big plastic bottle that’s made from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. Crude oil is extracted from the earth via fracking and takes a lot of energy, water and resources to transform into moldable plastic.
Additionally, plastic is hard to recycle due to its many numerous forms (there are seven main types of plastic). Not every recycling facility is equipped with the machinery to process all forms of plastic, which is why there are varying recycling rules from state to state, or even town to town.
While 30% of number 1 and 2 plastics are recycled, numbers 3 through 7 are much more difficult to be repurposed. In fact, numbers 6 and 7 are virtually impossible to recycle.
Even when plastic is recycled, it is typically downcycled into something of lesser quality: It can rarely be recycled into the same product twice. Recycled plastics are mixed with virgin material to make them usable, and even then they can only be recycled two to three times before their quality becomes too poor to use.
However, it is important to remember that any material being recycled, be it plastic or glass, takes energy. The most sustainable way to use glass is to reuse it as much as possible.
That’s why I love the fact ESNTL LVG packages their cleaners without single-use plastic. Their spray bottles are made from glass with a silicone sleeve to help protect it. The glass spray bottle can be reused indefinitely and the nozzle is durable and built to last.
It also ships to you plastic-free in a cardboard box. This reduces packaging waste and the cardboard can be easily recycled via curbside recycling.
ESNTL LVG have three color coded glass bottles:
- Green is all-purpose cleaner
- Purple is restroom cleaner and descaler
- Blue is glass and surface cleaner
Color coding the glass bottles helps you easily identify them and grab the right one for the job. It’s also aesthetically pleasing, which makes you more likely to enjoy cleaning with them.
Plus, ESNTL LVG’s cleaners are minimalist and less overwhelming. Instead of purchasing a cleaner for every area of your home (toilet, shower, sink, etc.), all you need are three.
ESNTL LVG’s three cleaners are multi-functional and can be used for various spaces around the home. This reduces clutter in your cleaning caddy, gives you peace of mind, saves money and lots of plastic waste all at once.
Their starter pack, which includes three glass bottles and their corresponding concentrate refills.

refill scheme
On top of being single-use plastic-free, ESNTL LVG also has a refill scheme set in place. This reduces a lot of packaging waste, since the refills are also plastic-free.
Refills promote a circular economy too. We currently live in a linear economy where items are designed for landfill. Raw materials are collected, transformed into products for consumers, then discarded as waste.
But with a circular economy, production leaves less of a footprint because everything gets reduced, reused and/or recycled. End of life is considered and taken into account upon design of a product.
By offering refills in mini glass jars, ESNTL LVG is ensuring there is less overall packaging waste. Their spray bottles are built to last and the empty refill bottles can be upcycled or easily recycled at the end of their life. Each refill comes in a 3 pack packaged in recyclable cardboard boxes.
Once you have the spray bottle, you’ll only have to purchase refills afterwards, which saves you money in the long run.
All you have to do is unscrew the spray nozzle of your glass spray bottle, pour the concentrate refill right in, and add some water. Then you’re ready to clean!
When you’ve emptied each refill glass, you can repurpose them into:
- Mini flower vases
- Propagation stations for your plants
- Travel-size shampoo, conditioner + body wash holders for trips
- Taper candle holder
- Storing dried goods
- DIY extracts, like vanilla extract
Just make sure to clean it out really well before using it to store any edible substances.

efficient & clean ingredients
ESNTL LVG products not only work great, but are also made using clean ingredients, instead of harsh chemicals. They’re completely cruelty-free and never test on animals.
They are transparent about what’s in their products and you can read the full ingredients label for each product on their site. This is important, considering many conventional cleaning brands do not disclose what’s in their products.
They’re made using biotechnology which combines nature, science, and innovation. It uses living organisms to clean, tackling dirt and odors with microorganisms and enzymes.
At ESNTL LVG, their scientists have spent decades perfecting exclusive bioactive ingredients for consistent results. Produced through fermentation, expertly stabilized and formulated, ESNTL LVG products consistently deliver effective cleaning.
I’ve used ESNTL LVG products to clean all areas of my home, from my kitchen counters to my bathroom.
I do still use my own DIY cleaners as well, like my all-purpose cleaner and DIY tub scrub. But ESNTL LVG products are GZW approved and super convenient when I don’t have time to DIY something.
The best part? Since it’s formulated without harmful chemicals, and no artificial fragrances, their cleaning products don’t give me migraines. Most conventional cleaners do!
To reduce waste even further, I avoid paper towels and will use color coded rags designated for specific areas in my home (yes, even the toilet). When I’m done, I just pop them into the wash and reuse them all over again.
Here’s where each ESNTL LVG cleaner can be used in the home, and on what surfaces.

Glass Cleaner:
- Windows
- Mirrors
- Granite
- Marble
- Wood
All Purpose Cleaner:
- Stove Tops
- Counter Tops
- All Floors
- Microwaves
- Desks
Restroom Cleaner and Descaler:
- Showers
- Tubs
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Stainless Steel
Pro tip: Once you’ve sprayed them onto the surface that needs cleaning, let them sit for a few minutes before wiping away. This will allow the solution to do its job and make wiping away grime a breeze.
Would you give ESNTL LVG products a try? What are your favorite sustainable cleaners? Let me know in the comments!
The post 3 Reasons to Try ESNTL LVG Sustainable Cleaning Products appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
Green Living
Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream
Thoreau wrote in Walden that “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in,” which reminds us that life is short and nature fills it beautifully. What are you looking for that can’t be found during an afternoon in nature?
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
The post Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-time-is-but-the-stream/
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.

The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Green Living
7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn

Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia

Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris

Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love

Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom

Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics

Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London

Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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