As the family member in our household who cleans the inside of our home, I’m the one who decides what cleaning products we use. As a mom, I’m hyper-aware of what I’m surrounding myself with as I scrub the floors and toilets and what my toddler is also being exposed to with every spray and wipe. Thankfully, it’s widely known now that many cleaning products contain harmful ingredients and release dangerous toxic chemicals. Even products that are labeled as “green” or “natural” may contain ingredients that can cause future health problems.
So, how do you know who you can trust? Other than reading every label and googling what each ingredient means? Find a company that believes in full transparency, that uses only plant-based ingredients, and whose products work. I’ve done this for our family, and we’re now using Puracy, a company that creates natural and organic, non-toxic, plant-based, hypoallergenic, and effective home essentials that are safe for the entire family. Here’s what I learned while testing Puracy and why we are using them in our home.
Choosing Household and Cleaning Products: What To Consider
First things first. We need to learn what to look for and think about when choosing our cleaning and household products:
1. What Ingredients Do They Use?
Call me crazy, but I think that cleaning products should be naturally clean. This is why we need to familiarize ourselves with ingredient labels and know what to look for. But did you know that manufacturers are not obligated by United States law to list all ingredients in consumer products?1 So even products that are marketed as “green” or “natural” do not necessarily mean they are safer. This is why we, as consumers, must do our due diligence and research the products we purchase for our families ourselves.
I feel safe knowing that our family is using Puracy products because they don’t use any harsh chemicals, sulfates, triclosan, formaldehyde, parabens, phosphates, MEA, DEA, TEA, chlorine, bleach, petrochemicals, animal-by products, allergens, perfumes, dyes, or acoustics. Essentially, everything they make is safe for your family, your pets, and the environment. They believe in full transparency when it comes to their product labels and marketing, so each of their labels clearly outlines every ingredient — no exaggerations, no omissions. For a list of all the ingredients Puracy uses, click here.
2. Are There Any Risks or Negative Effects Using the Listed Ingredients?
As we now know, most cleaners are full of bad stuff. And those cleaning supplies or household products can irritate the eyes or throat, or cause headaches and other health problems, including cancer.2 Scary stuff! Even if you are using cleaning gloves to avoid skin contact, you are still inhaling the cleaning products, and any residue on surfaces can be absorbed into the skin afterward. For families with little ones, this can be a major concern because everything our kids touch goes into their skin and eventually into their mouths.
If you’re the one doing the family laundry, laundry detergents and fabric softeners can be just as bad and put you and your family at risk. Commonly used toxic chemicals can cause skin irritations, eczema, and allergies since they are worn directly on our skin for long periods. Many conventional laundry products contain ingredients that are considered stage 1 carcinogens. Yikes!
This is why we’ve done our research and feel good about using Puracy’s laundry detergent and stain remover. They have worked with chemists to define and refine their products. As a consumer, I appreciate that every ingredient they use is scrutinized, then carefully sourced, and made in the USA. They are certified cruelty-free, vegetarian and vegan-safe, and biodegradable.
3. Do the Products Really Work?
Once you have found a product that is truly clean and safe for the whole family, it’s time to test it out to see how well it works. I’ve used some other natural cleaning products before and have found some to not really get the stain out or it didn’t complete the job the way I was hoping. That can be such a letdown!
Now, this is the part where I get extra excited about the Puracy products because, y’all, they get the job done! Stains, spills, and more have been taken care of by their product line. Not only are their products clean, and they smell good and fresh, but I have also been happily surprised at how well they work. It’s obvious to me that their formulas are engineered to do more with less — they work better, they last longer, and I love that they use less packaging and are made from the purest natural ingredients available. No more choosing between safety and efficacy. You get both with this brand!
Puracy: Natural Products That Actually Work
Here are the products that I got to test out and use:
Cleaning Products
Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate
This concentrate is a non-toxic, effective, and versatile cleanser made from plants, water, and a hint of real green tea and lime. It is so much nicer than always smelling vinegar when I use DIY cleaners in my house. This 16-ounce concentrate bottle will make 1 gallon of ready-to-use cleaner—a real bang for your buck!
I received the concentrate and was easily able to create my own bottle. When I tried it out, I loved that it didn’t leave any streaks anywhere. It’s like magic and cleans everything in my house — the kitchen, the bathroom, doors, the highchair, you name it! This is a true all-purpose, every-surface cleaner, and with the grade of A on the EWG site, I appreciate that it is safe to use around my family. I will definitely be purchasing this again!
Natural Dish Soap
Puracy’s Natural Dish Soap suds nicely with a small amount in hot water, cuts grease, and smells good. It’s a high-foam, fast-rinsing, family-safe alternative to dish soaps on the market made with petroleum-based chemicals or harsh sulfates. I like that this concentrated gel requires just a teaspoon to do a sink full of dishes. A little bit goes a long way.
I also like that there isn’t any residue left after rinsing with this dish soap. I’ve been able to wash dishes, silverware, pots, pans, and cutting boards with no problem. And it gives me peace of mind when I’m cleaning my son’s plates and cups with Puracy’s dish soap. I know that I’m not accidentally putting harmful chemicals into his food or his stomach whenever I wash his things. We’ll be using this whenever we have another baby to clean baby bottles, too!
Dishwasher Detergent Packs
If you’re like me and rely heavily on your dishwasher to wash the dishes, then definitely consider Puracy’s dishwasher detergent packs. The ingredients are safe, and the detergent didn’t leave any residue, spots, or film, and cleaned my dishes well. These pods work great!
I also like that they are not sticky to the touch when placed in the dishwasher and that they smell sweet. After looking at the reviews, everyone agrees. No matter your water type or dishwasher model, these pods will safely do the work for you.
Natural Foaming Hand Soap
I am washing my hands all the time. And so are my husband and son. Especially now with Covid-19 going on. We’ve used a lot of different hand soaps, and my husband has very sensitive skin on his hands. His hands will become dry and irritated with many hand soaps that we’ve used. This natural foaming hand soap is delicate on the skin yet tough enough to get grease off my hands when cooking in the kitchen. It also leaves our skin feeling smooth and doesn’t dry out our skin. Another plus is that you can refill the dispenser and it’s sustainable.
Natural Laundry Detergent and Natural Stain Remover
I absolutely am obsessed with this laundry detergent and stain remover. I think the pump on the detergent bottle is so handy and helpful. It helps me not to overuse the detergent because you only need a little bit to get your clothes clean. And the stain remover is magic in a bottle! I have been able to get stains out of my son’s clothes that I thought would never get out. There were no stains left behind, and with the detergent and stain remover, everything smelled and looked so fresh! I would recommend this for cloth diapering mamas or any mama who has to do laundry. It’s nice to know that these products are safe for our families and they get the job done!
Natural Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo
We have two dogs and a toddler in our home, so accidents definitely happen. We’ve owned some rugs that have seen some better days, so I decided to try out Puracy’s natural carpet and upholstery shampoo. I was really impressed by what it was able to do. It picked up a ton of dirt and other accidents that we’ve been unsuccessful in getting out in the past. Our rug now looks brighter and smells cleaner. It got rid of stains, eliminated odors, had zero residues, and left our rug clean, soft, and fresh.
You must follow the instructions before using it because they say to use just one ounce of shampoo with 100 ounces of water. If you add too much solution, you will have too many suds and will need to rinse quite a few times. Following the directions worked great for me! And it’s cool that you can use this cleaner with carpet cleaner machines or by hand.
Learn More HereNatural Foaming Hand Sanitizer
With the Coronavirus outbreak, we have taken extra precautions in our home. One of those precautions is keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer at our door to remind us to get a pump anytime we leave or enter our house. What I like about Puracy’s natural foaming hand sanitizer is that it is alcohol-free, that their non-toxic formula kills 99.9% of common household germs in 15 seconds, and it doesn’t leave my hands feeling dry or sticky. When looking up hand sanitizer alternatives, I learned that alcohol gel hand sanitizers can actually become less effective over time. The reason is it can remove protective natural skin oils and trap dead skin cells, leading to dirtier skin after use rather than cleaner, according to studies published in the AORN Journal.
Another thing that I like is that the scent is very mild and doesn’t leave me with that odor that I usually associate with hand sanitizers. What I’ve learned from using it is that you only need a small amount since it is water-based. Otherwise, your hands will get soaked.
Mom and Baby Products
Shampoo, Body Wash, Conditioner, and Lotion
I have thin, fine, slightly dry, and wavy hair. I’ve tried different natural/organic shampoos and conditioners over the years, but they usually weighed my hair down and made it look dull. Needless to say, I was skeptical about these products. After a week of using them, my hair looks healthy and shiny. The shampoo lathers well, and the conditioner is very moisturizing. I also like that they have pumps on the bottles, so they are easy to use while in the shower.
The body wash also doesn’t disappoint. It lathers great, smells nice, and does not leave my skin feeling dry when getting out of the shower or tub. And their hand and body lotion is an organic, lightweight, all-purpose daily moisturizer. I love how thick it is, but it goes on my skin smooth and doesn’t leave me greasy. It does have a bit of an odd smell, but that goes away after a minute of putting it on. It absorbs into my skin well and leaves my skin feeling hydrated all day long.
Natural Deodorant
Okay, I’ve tried many natural deodorants, so I was skeptical about this one. I immediately liked the way it smelled and how smoothly it glided on my skin when I put it on. I also liked that it didn’t build up and leave clumps of it in my underarms. It’s not sticky at all, either. It’s been great for an everyday type of deodorant but probably not something for an intense gym workout.
Natural Hand Soap
I also tried their natural hand soap, and I love it. Again, I wash my hands often because I change diapers, pick up messes, and prepare lots of food (read: snacks) throughout the day. This hand soap is gentle yet effective. It has a pleasant scent that fades away pretty quickly, and it moisturizes my skin because it contains aloe vera and vitamin E. I highly recommend it!
Natural Baby Bubble Bath
My son loves a good bubble bath! Many natural bubble bath products we’ve tried in the past haven’t created many bubbles unless I use a good amount of the bottle. I like how this natural and safe bubble bath makes the perfect amount of bubbles with just a few squirts. The scent is faint but still pleasing, and it doesn’t leave my son’s skin dry. We’ve been very pleased with this product. And for any parents who have little ones who like to drink the bathwater (because I know many do), you can feel a bit better knowing that there aren’t dangerous chemicals that they are ingesting.
Some Other Cool Things I Learned
When testing these products, I also learned about the company and fell in love with how they came to be. Two best friends from Austin, Texas (where my Alma Mater is) came together to start Puracy with a single goal — to make non-toxic, plant-based cleaning and personal care products that were safe enough to use around their newborn daughters. They believe in doing good for families and the environment. And over the years they’ve saved over 200 tons of plastic, donated over $500,000 to charity, and have over 70 “Best Of” Awards. So very cool.
I recommend trying out Puracy in your home if you are interested in safe and effective products for your house and family. My family has enjoyed them. It’s no wonder that Puracy products have become #1 best-sellers on Amazon. They are also now available on Amazon and other select sites. And if you just so happen to not like their products, they will give you your money back. No returns are necessary, there are never any hassles, and there are no questions asked. Now that’s a great company!