eco friendly Archives - Natural Collection Blog

Six tips for a greener spring clean

With Eco-Max’s helpful advice, now is the perfect opportunity to refresh your cleaning routine with eco-friendly practices.

As the weather starts to warm up, our thoughts often turn to cleaning, tidying and organising our spaces. The good news is that you don’t have to use harsh chemicals to keep your space clean. Green cleaning is a great alternative that’s practical, effective, and easy to adopt.

Our friends at Eco-Max have provided a helpful guide to greener cleaning this spring.

Line-dry your laundry on dry spring days

The fresh outdoor smell of line-dried laundry is impossible to imitate. Using plant-based laundry detergents like Eco-Max Laundry Liquids can help you capture that fresh outdoor smell by removing harsh-smelling and residue causing ingredients from your laundry day.

Eco-Max fragrance free laundry liquid bottle

Choose the fragrance-free variety for the shortest ingredient list. If you like a light scent, Eco-Max’s Laundry Liquids are naturally scented with the purest essential oil extracts of lavender and orange so washed clothes don’t smell like synthetic perfumes.

Invest in wool dryer balls

If wet weather means that line drying is difficult, then a quick boost in the tumble dryer may be impossible to avoid. Replace disposable dryer sheets with reusable wool dryer balls to naturally soften fabrics and reduce drying time. These eco-friendly alternatives help to prevent static cling, minimise wrinkles, and fluff up your laundry without the need for synthetic chemicals.

Versatile vinegar for glass and mirrors

Are you struggling to keep your mirrors clean? Instead of using harsh cleaning products, why not try a gentle and natural solution?

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water to make a cleaning solution that will leave your mirrors sparkling. To wipe off the solution, you can use newspaper or a dry cloth. It’s an easy and effective way to achieve a perfect reflection.

Eco-max bottle of bathroom and shower cleaner

Eco-max bulk bottle of bathroom and shower cleaner

If you do not want to make your own glass cleaner, then try Eco-Max Bathroom, Shower and Glass Cleaner – this versatile product for glass windows, mirrors and shower cubicles is available in a generous 800ml spray bottle and 5 litre refill size.

Lemon leftovers are great for green cleaning

The fresh citrus smell of lemons is often used in natural cleaning products. Rinsing a dirty container with lemon juice can help remove stains and smells. You can also use a combination of lemon juice and salt to clean your chopping board.

If you prefer to use a natural cleaning product, then Eco-Max Washing-Up Liquid in orange, lavender or fragrance free is perfect for the job.

Eco-max washing up liquid bottles lined up on a table top

Lemons are also a perfect natural cleaning agent when mixed with baking soda. This solution can be used to deep clean all metal surfaces, including taps, showers, sinks, cutlery, and hob surfaces.

Declutter and donate

Spring is a great time to declutter in your home. Why not take this opportunity to get rid of any items that you no longer need or use? By donating your clothing, furniture, and household items to local charities, you’ll not only reduce waste but also give back to the community, so everyone benefits!

Goodbye tea and coffee stains

Do you have a favourite cup that you use for your daily tea or coffee? Over time, it may accumulate some stains, but there’s an easy and natural way to remove them.

First, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste. Next, apply the paste to the stained areas of the cup and gently scrub using a washing-up pad or kitchen cloth. Finally, rinse the cup thoroughly with water and Eco-Max Lavender Washing-Up Liquid for a stainless shine.

Eco-Max special offer

While it is great to make your own natural cleaners with store cupboard ingredients like vinegar, lemons, and baking soda, if you’re short on time, or find the idea too complicated, then simply switch to eco-friendly plant-based products such as those made by Eco-Max.

For a limited time, save 15% on the Eco-Max range* and embrace the feel-good factor of reducing energy and using cleaning products and accessories that prioritise your health and the planet, for a more environmentally friendly spring clean.

*Offer ends 23:59 Sunday 28th April.

How can I be sure that my beauty product is natural or organic?

Our friends at Salt of the Earth explain what to look out for.

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your entire body and that what you put on it is likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream?

Alarmingly, any beauty product can be labelled as organic or natural as there is no legal standards for the use of the term. Therefore, even if it only contains 1% of natural or organic ingredients or materials, it means that it can be called organic.

Water isn’t organic

This may come as a surprise but water cannot be organic. That means that a beauty product such as roll-on deodorant which may contain lots of water, would only have a low percentage of organic or natural materials.

As a result, products labelled as organic or natural could still have lots of synthetic ingredients and have a low amount of natural or organic ingredients.

Certified organic

The exception to this is the certified organic products. These are products that are natural and organic but also guarantee environmentally sustainable sourcing and production as well as only containing natural ethos ingredients.

cosmos natural certification infographic

Infographic explaining which products don't have natural certification

With natural cosmetics rising at a fast pace, many are forgetting what it means to be natural. This has led to lots of misuse and confusion of the word and amplifies greenwashing. It also presents an issue to customers who are purchasing these products with little ways to know if the product is natural or organic.

So, to be sure, only products with independent certifications to a recognised standard guarantee that the product is genuinely organic or natural. Make sure to look out for COSMOS Organic or COSMOS Natural next time you’re shopping.

Salt of the Earth

All Salt of the Earth UK manufactured deodorants and foaming hand washes are certified as COSMOS Natural through the Soil Association. This means you can be assured their products are truly natural and free from harmful chemicals.

Products with this COSMOS Natural certification:

have been assessed against a rigorous, third-party standard
don’t contain any harmful ingredients

Products with the Soil Association COSMOS logo guarantee:

NO animal testing
NO GM ingredients
NO controversial chemicals
NO parabens and phthalates
NO synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances
NO synthetic micro plastics
NO harmful effects to marine life nor the wider environment when washed down the drain

This certification evaluates the entire supply chain for its environmental footprint. It involves scrutinising packaging materials and mandating the use of exclusively non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products in manufacturing facilities. Licensees are required to implement an environmental management plan aimed at minimising waste through reduction, reuse, and recycling.

To uphold these standards, all licensees undergo a rigorous yearly inspection.

Don’t be greenwashed by organic and natural claims; look for a reputable certification logo – such as COSMOS, or alternatively, ECOCERT or NATRUE which have strict certification standards too. These certifications offer a consumer guarantee for buying genuine organic and natural cosmetic products.

Shop Salt of the Earth products.

Copper: An eco friendly cleaning material

When it comes to keeping your home neat and tidy without harming the planet, there are a few materials available like cellulose sponge, loofah and coconut fibre.

But have you considered copper? Copper was a traditional material found in Victorian kitchens before it fell out of fashion. Its unique properties make it a really great choice for lots of cleaning tasks and in this blog, our friends Seep will explore why.

Durability

Copper is very durable, especially when used in the form of copper cleaning scourers. These scourers can withstand heavy use and abrasive scrubbing. Whether you’re trying to shift ingrained residue or a greasy, crusty lasagne dish, copper scourers can handle the job efficiently and don’t lose their effectiveness over time.

Three Seep copper scourers stacked against each other with the packaging in the background.

Eco-friendly

Copper is a natural resource that can be endlessly recycled, reducing waste in the long run. Some councils will recycle copper as part of your normal collection, others will have a waste metal recycling centre. Alternatively, you can take them along to your local scrap metal merchant and they may even give you some cash for them.

Copper can also be used as a slug and snail deterrent, so when you’ve finished using the scourers in your kitchen, you can wind them around your precious garden plants to protect them.

Corrosion resistance

Copper’s natural resistance to corrosion sets it apart from many other metals. You can confidently use copper scourers with water and various cleaning solutions without worrying about rust or deterioration.

This corrosion-resistant property makes copper scourers suitable for a wide range of cleaning tasks, from stainless steel appliances to ceramic surfaces. If they do tarnish a little bit over time, you can brighten them up quickly in a bowl of warm water and a few spoons of citric acid.

Antibacterial properties

Copper has innate antibacterial properties that help you keep things hygienic. Bacteria and germs have a tough time surviving on copper surfaces, making it an excellent choice for cleaning areas where cleanliness is super important, such as kitchens and bathrooms. It’s the reason that copper was used for milk jugs many years ago.

Heat conductivity

Copper has amazing heat conductivity which makes it a versatile choice for cleaning really tough messes with hot water. Don’t forget, if you want to protect your hands while using copper scourers with hot water, make sure you use some gloves.

In summary, copper’s durability, corrosion resistance, antibacterial properties, heat conductivity, and eco-friendliness make it an excellent choice for cleaning scourers.

We also think they’re really pretty when placed next to your sink!

Save during Veganuary

Throughout January we’re offering 3 for 2 across the Seep range. Purchase three (or more) items from the the range to take advantage of the discount. For every three items you purchase, the cheapest item will be free.

Offer ends 23:59 Wednesday 31st January 2024.

How to choose the perfect Naturtint shade

For many, the dawning of a new year sparks feelings of wanting a ‘new me’, bursting in to the new year with a fresh new look and hopefully, a fresh new confidence.

One of the ways we can boost our confidence is by making sure our hair is looking the best it can, and for many that means colouring away those pesky greys or enhancing our natural shade.

Naturtint box dye and hair colouring kit

If you’re colouring your hair for the first time or thinking of making the cost-saving switch from salon to home colouring, it can be a little daunting knowing where to start trying to choose the right product and importantly, the right shade.

Well fear not.

It is very easy to make the switch to a home hair colour and in this blog post we’ll share some of Naturtint’s top tips for happy home colouring.

What type of hair colour do I need?

That depends on what you need the colour to do. If you don’t have many greys and you want to enhance your natural colour a little, a semi-permanent might be best. It washes away in around 10-12 washes.

If you have more than the early signs of fine grey hair or you want to change your colour more dramatically, you’ll need a permanent hair colour. Like the Naturtint Permanent Hair Colour Gels.

How do I choose a shade?

Understanding the colour code on the box is the key to choosing the most suitable colour. The code is simple – almost all (there’s always an exception to a rule!) shades are given a code that consists of a number and then a letter.

The number tells you how light or dark the colour is, with 1 being the darkest and 10 the lightest. The letter after the number tells you what kind of tones you can expect.

Visual guide to the Naturtint colours and tones

So, for example 4M is on the darker side of the scale. Five is the mid-point, so think mid-brown. The M means mahogany, so it’s a dark, plummy red brown shade, or Mahogany Chestnut to give it its official title.

What if I want to lighten my hair?

As Naturtint is free from ammonia and designed for at home use, it cannot lighten hair by more than two shades.

To use the colour code to determine which shades you can effectively use, start by deciding which N shade is closest to your natural colour.

If, for example you think you are closest to the 5N Light Chestnut Brown, you will have a base 5 shade. So, if you want to go lighter you can use a 6 or a 7. If you want to go darker, you can go as dark as a 1 but most skin tones generally suit one or two shades darker than the natural colour.

If you decided you wanted to go lighter but also a little warmer, you could then look at colours like the 6G and 7G. These colours are lighter than a 5 but also rich in warm golden tones as they are from our ‘Gold’ family of tones.

The Naturtint codes follow industry standards. So, if you are already colouring your hair and want to make the switch to Naturtint, chances are the codes will be very similar.

How do I use Naturtint hair dye?

Read the instructions first. It may sound obvious but it’s important that you read the enclosed instruction leaflet carefully and completely before you apply the colour.

You should carry out a skin sensitivity test 48 hours before every application. Even if you have coloured your hair or used the same shade before. Hair colours are complex products and sensitivities can develop at any time so plan ahead and take the time to carry out your own skin sensitivity test.

What will the colour will look like on my hair?

We recommend that you carry out a colour strand test at the same time as your skin sensitivity test. Particularly if you are colouring your hair for the first time or trying a new shade.

A colour strand test will show you just how the shade you have chosen will develop on your own, unique base shade. The same colour will always look a little different from one person to the next. The final colour result will vary based on the colour, thickness and condition of your hair.

You can also use the colour strand test to determine how long you need to allow the colour to develop. If for example your grey is quite stubborn, you will need the full 40 minutes development time.

What’s in the box?

In every box you’ll find a 60 ml bottle of colourant and a 60 ml bottle of developer. The developer bottle can be used as a mixing vessel and colour applicator, so it may look half empty This is so the colourant can be added and there is room for the two liquids to be blended by shaking the bottle.

You’ll also find a Quinoa Mask in every box of colour. This is designed to prolong your new shade and boost shine.

Lastly, attached to the instruction leaflet you’ll find some protective gloves – make sure you wear them throughout the colouring process to prevent staining.

Visual and text description of the contents of every naturtint box.

So now you know how to choose the perfect Naturtint shade for you, we look forward to welcoming you to the growing tribe of Naturtinters!

In celebration of Veganuary, get 20% off Naturtint hair dyes until the end of January.*

*Offer ends 23:59 31st January 2024.

Make your garden wildlife friendly

Do you want to make your garden more wildlife friendly? Now that it is Spring, it is the perfect time to get out in our gardens and make them a haven for wildlife. Below we have put some things you can do in your own garden!

Planting a Tree

By planting a tree in your garden you’re providing a range of benefits for wildlife. Trees can offer song perches, nesting sites, safe retreats, blossom, foliage and highways in the sky. They are a pivotal source of food and shelter for an array of wildlife. Additionally, trees also help to store carbon which in turn is helping to combat climate change.

Brand Story: Nkuku

Nkuku produce beautifully handmade home and lifestyle products. Every one of their products has a story to tell through the talented artisans that created them.

Nkuku was founded in 2003 by Ali and Alex Cooke. The brand was inspired after the pair set off on a year-long round the world trip. Through their travels, Ali and Alex were inspired and humbled by the talented craftspeople and their beautiful work. Upon returning from travelling they moved from their busy London home to rural Devon to start their next adventure.

Completely inspired and amazed by their travels, they then started to work with artisans from around the world. Ali and Alex were passionate about supporting and celebrating these artisan skills through bringing their products to a wider audience and sharing their talents with the world.

Brand Story: Milly & Sissy

Milly & Sissy produce a range of unique powdered beauty products where you simply need to add water to activate them.

Milly & Sissy was founded by good friends Milly and Sissy who both have a passion for animals and the environment. Milly has had a career working in the health and beauty industry and has lived abroad in Asia and Europe. Sissy lives in the Midlands with her family and growing number of animals which includes sheep, guinea pigs, dogs, cats and horses. Combining their passion and talents they were able to create the Milly & Sissy brand. They are always looking for ways to improve our way of living that will have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible. They believe that every single person can make a difference based on the small changes that we can make to our lifestyles.

Their aim is to try and reduce our negative impact on the environment.

Brand Story: Bambu

Bambu was founded by Jeff Delkin and Rachel Speth. For nearly 20 years Bambu’s mission has been to reduce the use and reliance on plastic by providing people with beautiful, non-toxic products made from nature. Bambu produce a range of affordable and earth-friendly products for the kitchen and home such as utensils, bowls, straws, trays, cutting boards and many more. All their products are both distinctive and contemporary and made from renewable materials.

Bambu’s products are made in China where all materials are sourced locally. They also work with local woodworkers, weavers and stitchers to hand make their products. Bambu’s products are handcrafted so that they are safe and durable that will last and can withstand even the toughest use.

How to Build an Organic Summer Night Skin Care Regime – Green People

Charlotte Vøhtz was a pioneer for the organic skin care industry when she launched her beauty brand Green People back in 1997, but it was on turning 50 that she started to formulate her signature Age Defy+ by Cha Vohtz range, to address the needs of mature skin.

Here she guides us through the most effective organic ingredients for building a natural, anti-ageing summer night skin care routine.

Brand Story: GoodWeave

GoodWeave’s vision is a world that is free of child labour. Established 25 years ago, GoodWeave consists of an award-winning team of business-minded experts and advocates for social change dedicated to ending child labour, forced labour and bonded labour in global supply chains.

GoodWeave primarily operate within the rug industry but have now expanded to home textiles, apparel and fashion jewellery.

They work to lead an overall reduction in child labour as well as the freedom and education of these children. The holistic approach that they have aims to heal and educate children who have been exploited, whilst also underlying the root causes.