Okay, so you've committed to using metal straws when you can, but one of your New Year's resolutions is to go further than that. Or you haven't even thought about reducing plastic waste and now you're reading this thinking "oh, maybe I should add that to my list of resolutions." Taking the steps to helping create a greener planet may seem futile or expensive, but every little thing you do can help reverse the harmful effects of climate change.
I know that when faced with a long aisle of cleaning or household products, it's tempting to grab the cheapest one you see. On the other hand, when you run out of something and need a replacement in a pinch, you end up with whatever dish soap the gas station has available. No matter which boat you're in, there's an easy solution: Grove Collaborative.
Grove is Amazon meets subsciption box meets clean living. As a VIP, you get free monthly shipments of whatever products you choose. A representative will give you suggestions on products they believe you will like, and you always get products at the best price or for free. Grove is a Certified B Corporation and partners with other companies like Method, Mrs. Meyer's, Seventh Generation, and Burt's Bees.
I want to make it clear right now: this is not a paid advertisement. I have been using Grove for over a year now, and I haven't stopped talking about it since I began my membership.
Why Choose Grove?
Supporting Grove means you're supporting a smaller business with a mission to support the planet. Grove is already 100% plastic neutral and plans to be plastic-free by 2025. They currently support reforestation and plan to plant one million trees by 2022. They've partnered with Native Energy and Natural Capital Partners to reduce their carbon footprint and are working with Point380 to keep track of their emissions. Right off the bat, you feel good about purchasing from the company.
Since it's highly unlikely Grove will be planting a tree in your backyard, let's talk about the benefits you directly get from shopping with Grove. Grove guarantees all of the products they sell:
- are non-toxic
- have a transparent list of ingredients
- use plant-based formulas
- are 100% cruelty free
- come from ethical supply chains
- are created with sustainable materials
Plus, there are so many options for each kind of product that you can easily find a fragrance you love.
The Grove Brand
Grove offers products in multiple categories such as household, personal care, babies/kids, pets, clean beauty, and more. They are constantly expanding their network of products, so if it isn't available on there now I guarantee it will be in a few months.
You probably already know about the products offered by Grove's partners, but I want to highlight some of the products that Grove creates themselves.
Concentrated Household Cleaners
Instead of full sized bottles of cleaners, Grove offers vials of cleaning concentrates that can be diluted with water when you're ready to use them. (Don't worry, they also sell the reusable spray bottles for the concentrates.) The line of concentrates currently includes formulas for all-purpose, tub and tile, glass, floor, and daily shower cleaning. Each formula comes in an orange & rosemary or lavender & thyme scent. I personally love the fresh citrus smell of the orange/rosemary combo. Here's the thing--they actually work. My roommates were skeptical when I first had them delivered, but the concentrates were able to cut grease and clean up just as well as typical Clorox products. And they smelled so much better. I've saved a considerable amount of money by investing in the nice spray bottles and refilling them with the concentrates when I need.
High-Performance Dish Soap & Walnut Scrubber Sponges
These two items are sold separately, but they're like peas in a pod. When I first began ordering products through Grove, I only purchased Method or Mrs. Meyer's dish soap. Then the pandemic hit and the scents I preferred were out of stock. I decided to buy a refill bag of Grove's dish soap to put in an old Method dispenser and I've been using Grove's brand since then. Since they're moving away from plastic, the soap can now be bought in an aluminum bottle and is poured into a reusable dispenser (whether it's one from Grove or somewhere else is up to you). Their dish soap comes in three scents: Free & Clear (unscented), lavender & thyme, and lemon, eucalyptus & mint (my go-to). When paired with the Walnut Scrubber Sponges, dirty dishes don't stand a chance. The sponges are made from recycled materials and are gentle enough for all cookware but tough enough to get rid of grime.
European Dish Cloths
You know when dishes come out of the dishwasher and still have droplets of water on them? The best alternative to using paper towel after paper towel to finish drying them off is Grove's European Dish Cloths. These little towels are tiny but mighty and are able to tackle small drops and big spills. It's like a ShamWow, but cuter and better for the planet. Grove rotates the patterns seasonally, so if you don't like the pattern(s) they have at any given time just wait a bit and they'll have something new for you. The best part of the cloths is that they can be thrown in the washing machine or dishwasher when they get dirty. Mine have lasted an average of four months.
I could gush about Grove for a long time, but trying the service yourself will tell you more than I can in a single article. If you're interested and want to learn more, click here to get started with a free gift set! And just to remind you, Grove isn't paying me to talk about them. I really believe in what the company stands for and the products they provide.
VIP Membership is $19.99 annually and gives you free shipping each month, exclusive access to products/discounts, and free gifts.
All images are pulled directly from the Grove website.