Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Getting the dirt on cleanliness

I haven't asked these personal hygiene questions in two years and I'm always curious to see the answers. I do this because there is such a huge focus in our culture on bathing and bath products and sterilizing everything that I wonder how much that advertising infects our consciousness. And our pocketbooks.

One thing that always sticks in my mind is the commercials from the late 1970s for Mitchum antiperspirant. The ad's tagline was "so effective, you can even skip a day." Back then, the concept of not showering everyday wasn't such a big deal.

Well, there's no way in hell you'd see the same sort of ad campaign today. What has changed in the last 30 years that people are so averse to appearing not up to bathing "standards"? That is: showering, shaving, shampooing and getting all gussied up every single day?

So, with that in mind...

What are your personal cleaning habits?
1. How often do you shower/bathe?
2. How often do you wash your hair?
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
4. How often do you floss?
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
9. Where do you live?

Photo credits: Chad Miller

126 comments:

Jenni said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day / every other day

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Homemade deodorant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Twice a week

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes, I've completely switched out all my products and try to use less of them.

9. Where do you live?
West Coast

Tracy said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Currently, every other day (unless there is a special occasion or i am particularly smelly). It's less frequent sometimes, but I commute a fair distance by bike so am often sweaty/dirty.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Lately, every time I shower. for a while I was going for a week or more without it, which i plan on working up to again.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every morning. Not every night. I've never had a cavity, so I've always been a little lax when it comes to dental health (oops).
4. How often do you floss?
Once a week? It varies depending on how "good" I am trying to be/how many foods I am eating that are prone to getting caught in my teeth.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
As "natural" as possible.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I use Tom's deodorant.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
This varies considerably. I've gone years without doing it, and I've chosen to shave parts of my body and not others. I just tried sugaring with Moom and it was okay, but I'm not sure if I'll keep it up.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I showered, shaved, and used antiperspirant a lot more before I was thinking about the environment/my health. Also when the people around me cared more about how clean and shiny I was (hooray for coworkers who don't mind that your hair is unbrushed!)
9. Where do you live?
Portland, Oregon.

Surviving and thriving on pennies said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
I take a bath every other day. Sometimes more, just depends on if I work out at the gym or not.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Each time I take a bath I wash my hair. Only time I dont is if I took a shower at the gym and just need a good hot soaking.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Every day

4. How often do you floss? Rarely...im horrible. I wish I could remember to do it more.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
All natural ones. Vegetable based soaps only. No shaving cream or shower gels. Just good old bar of natural soap.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I use Toms of Maine and another all natural roll on soap. I find it works for me best. Tried making my own but not a big fan of it. Liquid is better for me.


7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Only when its noticeable or when I get some hubby time:)

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I have been pretty green my whole life. My mother always called me her flower child for good reason. But it wasnt until recently that I changed all my hair/body products to all natural. Im so glad I did.

9. Where do you live?
Portland Oregon the greenest place ever! Close to the beach, close to the country, close to the desert, and close to the wilderness. What more could you want?

http://www.adesiretogetcreative.com said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
About twice a week, sometimes three times. In the summer when it's really hot in our apartment and we don't want to pay the electricity to run the air conditioner I'll hop in and out of a shower as cold as I can stand, literally in the water less than a minute, to cool down. I do that once or twice a day.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Same.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Once a day.

4. How often do you floss?
Not as often as the dentist recommends, lol. Honestly? About once a month.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Very recently changed to natural. As in, within the past couple weeks.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Very rarely. If I know I'll be sweating I will (like if I'm going to be outside all day in 90 degrees), but I don't usually sweat much so I don't see a need.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Rarely. My legs, maybe once a year. I don't have a lot of hair there. I shave my armpits about twice a month.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
As I mentioned, I very recently switched to natural products. I dumped an embarrassing amount of personal care products and did a photodiary of it on my blog (http://adesiretogetcreative.blogspot.com/2010/04/different-kind-of-toxic-shock.html), and I'm starting to find and review alternatives.

9. Where do you live?
Westchester County, New York State.

Suze said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
This depends on the weather. Generally once a day but this will increase in the heat and humidity of our summer when I am busy.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day. If I do leave it my head is an oily mess that looks like it has not been washed forever. This is a combination of oily hair and a dirty mouse hair colour. Psyhchologically I feel so bad when my hair is like that.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
At least twice a day. I have horrible teeth.

4. How often do you floss?
My whole mouth daily and one problem area can be more often.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
They must be low allergy first.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Deodorant in the morning.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Minimally.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I have learned to shower and wash my hair in four minutes flat during our drought. If I shower more frequently it is very fast indeed. I use the minimum of any product. I try to reuse items such as towels too. After all laundry is part of the problem too. My hair is left to air dry.

However I know this is probably be as far as I go. This last year I have had two cancer surgeries with slow recoveries and by doctor's orders I could only shower twice a week. I felt so badly about myself.

9. Where do you live?
Queensland, Australia

Ashley said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
I can go once or twice a week for most of the year. Three times if it's one of those weeks in the summer when you've been out in the yard all day and remembered you're supposed to go somewhere nice that night.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Once... twice a week at the most.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Daily.

4. How often do you floss?
Better question: How often do I remember to floss (and can actually find where I last laid it down)

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
It's not baking soda and vinegar, but it's one step away. I can't use 99% of box-store products without breaking out in a rash or feeling really itchy.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Deoderant. This is that 1% I can (and pretty much have to) use that is bought from a store. Seems like anything less than a 5 (4 at most) on the Skin deep site burns my pits.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Um... only when I have to. If I could get away with wearing yoga pants all year, I would. On those occasions I have to wear a skirt, I'll shave.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes. All have changed. I learned I'm fine without taking a daily shower and slathering on products that make me itch and require another shower to feel clean again.

9. Where do you live?
In a house (lol... sorry)
Supposedly I live in my own world, but it exists in center of California.

Megami said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

Every day that I run, so five days a week most weeks
2. How often do you wash your hair?

Again, every day that I run.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

Every night, some mornings, though usually I am drinking coffee all morning so I don't get around to it.

4. How often do you floss?

I don't. When I asked my dentist about it, he says he doesn't floss either, it's not that essential for most people.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

I use vegan products, many of which are natural as well.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

Deodorant.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?

N/A

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

My choice of products. Also, my son only has a bath or shower (every second day if he is not dirty/sweaty) when he needs it, rather than every day as a habit.

9. Where do you live?

In the UK. But I am not a native, so no jokes about English people who never bathe please :)

Kristijoy said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
pretty much daily, I commute by bike 12 mi round trip. woudl be less but for couple harmony.(partner is a bit of a germophobe)

2. How often do you wash your hair?
twice a week or less

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
shoot for daily, but it's not

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
local natural soap and shampoo soap.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
usually nothing in the winter, crystal rock in the summer

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
not frequently at all, just the pits. haphazardly in the summer.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
ALL of them.
to less and all natural. (except the bathing that went to more. and teeth care because I want to keep them.)
I used to read cosmo and glamor ok? I have a stash of makeup...all natural but a stash none the less.

9. Where do you live?
Portland OR

Hippy Goodwife said...

What are your personal cleaning habits?
1. How often do you shower/bathe?
every tow or three days.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
twice a week, unless someting icky happens.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
2-3 times a day.
4. How often do you floss?
um....will you tell my dentist? Not often enough.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Mostly "natural"
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Rarely, sometimes in the summer.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
my legs? when the hair starts to obscure the lines in my tattoos.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Not really.
9. Where do you live?
Seattle.

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Usually every other day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day. My hair is very fine and prone to oilyness. I don't wash it if I am just going to be gardening or whatever, but if I'm doing more than the school run (with hat on) I wash it with the shower head over the bath.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Once or twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Not as often as I should...

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural, trying to increase the amount of simple homemade products I use.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? Deodorant. Got some natural stuff I'm using up, then I'll make my own.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Varies, more in summer when my legs are out.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Trying to use less product, shorter showers, reuse towels for longer, more showers and less baths.

9. Where do you live?
Oxfordshire, UK

Hazel

Brittany Thomas said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Every 3 days. Although I take baths if I can't sleep...
2. How often do you wash your hair? Every 3 days (I no 'poo)
3. How often do you brush your teeth? Twice a day
4. How often do you floss? Pretty much never..
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? Natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? Currently deodorant but once it's gone I'm switching to homemade deodorant or ACV.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Every 3 days.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? The only thing that has changed is the products I use now!
9. Where do you live? Seattle-ish, WA

Lauren said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every 2-3 days during the work week; once a day when I'm at home on the farm, getting dirty. Any day that I work out, except yoga.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
When it gets gross. Twice a week? Or any day that I work out with lots of sweating, or wear a hat (farm work).

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
1-2 times a day.

4. How often do you floss?
Not as often as I should :( less than once a week.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Ballard Organics soap (similar to Dr Bronner's liquid); face soap made by a friend w/natural ingredients; conventional shampoo and some natural herbal-y conditioner.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Tom's of Maine unscented roll-on deodorant, when I remember.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Basically never in winter; before wearing a skirt in summer (1-2 times a week).

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Products, definitely. I used Dr. Bronner's before but I am transitioning to organic/as-un-chemical-as-possible shampoos and such as I run out of the old stuff. Takes a while with the infrequent hair washing though!

9. Where do you live?
Seattle-ish.

Tel said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Shower every day if I have to go somewhere. Lazy weekends & holidays I can go a few days
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every second day. Have scalp problems and leaving it any more than that makes my scalp unbearable

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Once a day, twice if I'm going out somewhere

4. How often do you floss?
About every six months - coincides with visits to the dentist

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural soap bars from Tasmania

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
crystal stick in winter and antiperspirant in summer

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
when I have to, arms when my arm pits will show, legs if I have to wear a skirt somewhere

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I have less baths and have switched to natural soaps and moisturisers and toothpaste and shampoo bars

9. Where do you live?
Perth, Australia

LatigoLiz said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Daily or every other day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Same as showering

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Infrequently

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and bar soap for the most part.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Depends. Tried The Rock, but it got dropped and now has a broken plastic dispenser. Still have some Secret. Don't always use it. Mostly when I think I might pit out.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Underarms usually when showering. Legs, infrequently unless I think I might need to bare legs with shorts or a skirt/dress.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Mostly on product choices.

9. Where do you live?
WA state

koolchicken said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Nearly everyday, about 6 days a week.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Now that it's longer about 5 days a week but I wish it was less.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
2 or more times a day. I also need to use a seprate calcium paste and Act rinse twice a day.

4. How often do you floss?
No less than once a day, sometimes more.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I like Dr. Bronner's and Epsom salts. But I also use conventional products half the time.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I use antiperspirant or the rock deodorant about 4 days a week. I don't really need either, but I would feel weird not wearing any.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
I shave my legs about 5 days a week, sometimes less.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I know I won't stop showering/bathing as often as I do so I've tried to use more natural cleansers to help offset that. I also like to use the Dr. B's to clean the tub instead of commercial cleansers. I also switched out bubble bath for the epsom salts and saw far fewer ingrown hairs (they used to be a big problem for me). I'm limited on what I use for dental hygiene. Celiac disease ruined my teeth, so I need to use additional products to keep them strong until I get ALL of them crowned. Then I'll only have to worry about toothpase and floss consumption.

9. Where do you live?
Kauai, Hawaii

mudnessa said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Twice a week. Rarely more often if I have somewhere to go or get overly dirty at work or if I work outside more than normal and have to wear sunscreen all over.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Twice a week, if I shower more than twice a week I don't even get my hair wet.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Usually twice a day, sometimes only once, but I have been known to skip it altogether.
4. How often do you floss?
On average I'd guess once a week or so.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I use as natural as I can find that work for me. Use to be no poo but recently switch to a natural shampoo and conditioner.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I usually go without deodorant. Sometimes in the summer I will use the crystal and if I am going somewhere and feel the need for more odor control I use a pat or two of baking soda.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Recently it's been once a week. Use to go monthly or longer and will probably fall back on that during the cooler months.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I choose my products more carefully and think about the way I do things to conserve water but frequency hasn't changed much since my mom stopped forcing me to shower everyday.
9. Where do you live? Southern California.

chicu said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Largely every day, but I dont get all twisted up if i miss a day. and 'missing a day' happens a little frequently in winter.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
twice-thrice a week
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
twice-thrice a day
4. How often do you floss?
mumblemumble..not as often as i should
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
both, actually
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
The Crystal!
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
when i am feeling marilyn-ish
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
type of deo..amount of hot water
9. Where do you live?
uttarakhand, India

Heather said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
three times per week
2. How often do you wash your hair?
once per week, conditioning every other time
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
once per day
4. How often do you floss?
never
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
conventional shampoo, everything else 'natural'
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
baking soda deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
never
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
changed a lot of products to homemade or natural, reduced water use in showering
9. Where do you live?
Auckland, New Zealand

knutty knitter said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
twice a week

2. How often do you wash your hair?
twice a week

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
several times a week

4. How often do you floss?
none unless dentist is imminent

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
plain unscented soap

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
coconut powder or solid rub on from Lush

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
upper lip only (it gets embarrassing) in shower.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
went no poo but the rest is the same (I have allergies to most scented stuff)

9. Where do you live?
Dunedin, New Zealand.

viv in nz

Jen said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Daily
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Once a week with shampoo, once with conditioner only.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Daily
4. How often do you floss?
Hardly ever
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
A mix. I mostly just use water in the shower or a natural bar soap. Toothpaste I use both bakingsoda and conventional.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Usually nothing or a baking soda mix if I'm in a stinky phase and need to go out.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
A couple times a week, it depends on the season and my mood.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I shampoo a lot less often. I'm a less likely to pick up things which will lead to a lot of packaging waste. I also pay much more attention to the ingredients. I've always been bothered by heavily scented things so not using a lot of products wasn't a huge change.
9. Where do you live?
Oslo, Norway (But I'm an expat American so my habits aren't particularly European).

Jenn said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
At least once a day, twice if I did yard work (I have severe allergies and need to wash off the grass, leaves etc) or worked out in the evening.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Everyday. My hair is extremely oily after 24 hours. I tried less but it never worked for me.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? 2-3 times a day as I have braces.

4. How often do you floss?
never since I got braces, I would take an hour

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? I'm moving toward it

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
antiperspirant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
As little as possible. Winter every few weeks, summer twice a week

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Still working on adjusting things

9. Where do you live?
Michigan

KristaR said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Usually every day - at least once a week I skip a day because I haven't gotten up early enough to do it.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Everyday (unless I skip a shower- see above)

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
3 times a day

4. How often do you floss?
Every day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural body products, still using conventional shampoo and conditioner

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Antiperspirant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Underarms - twice a week; legs only when it's noticeable.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes - replacing conventional products with natural ones and just using less product in general.

9. Where do you live?
Ottawa, Canada

Kim said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Usually 2x a week
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Same as when I shower
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
2x a day
4. How often do you floss?
when I remember
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? Natural! All of them as natural as possible!
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Antiperspirant. I just can't give up the feeling of dry pits....
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Whenever I need to wear a dress or shorts. So rarely in the winter, and fairly often in the summer.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes, I used to shower daily but I got a SLS free shampoo and now shower less.
9. Where do you live?
New England

Manda said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every other day, tried every three days but my hair started falling out (strange I know) so now I'm back to every other day.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Daily

4. How often do you floss?
Once every few days

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Conventional

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Deodorant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
When I'm fuzzy

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I will when I am the one purchasing, and as I run out of my stores of ungreen stuff, as it is I'd rather not waste.

9. Where do you live?
New Zealand

Bullwinkle said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? a)after every sweaty workout - and
b)once a day - usually due to gardening mud

(My showering habits do bother me - but I haven't figured out how to manage the day so that I'm not disgusting for a good portion of it. I blame the day job.)

2. How often do you wash your hair?
once a day

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
not often enough (weekly?)

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
natural

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
natural deodorant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Whenever I'm around people who make me uncomfortable. Which is as rare as I can make it. Or maybe I'm getting less self-conscious.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Not that I know of - but I've been at this quite a while.
9. Where do you live?

Lori-Grace said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
about three times a week, possiby four. Mostly baths are for soothing my back instead of actual cleaning over winter. In summer, I'll hop in quick to cool off before bed and in the morning. Usually the kids and I will share the water for the hop-in's.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Two or three times a week. It stays nicer that way.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
At least twice a day, sometimes three. I hate the feel of grungy teeth.

4. How often do you floss?
yeah, I'm lazy with this one. Once a week.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I use a certified natural body wash (Watkins.)

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I hate the stuff. If I'm going out, I have a natural deoderant I use (it's pretty much essential oil and alcohol to wick away moisture.) I just ordered a natural stick one, to see if it works better.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
In Winter, Maybe twice a month? In summer, every dang day. Light skin, dark hair that pokes through at 5pm. Usually these are dry shaves.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

Everything changed when I got a bit older and started living a greener lifestyle, except for the teethbrushing thing.

9. Where do you live?
Canada!

owlfan said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? pretty much daily

2. How often do you wash your hair? basically every time I shower - I have tried less often, but my hair looks awful and my scalp feels itchy

3. How often do you brush your teeth? every night, some mornings

4. How often do you floss? every night, a few more mornings than I brush (my dentist told me that for my teeth, flossing was MORE important than brushing)

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
conventional, mostly due to cost

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
antiperspirant - I think I'm just so used to it

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
about twice a week, from late spring to mid-fall, then it goes to about weekly underarms and not at all for my legs. I gave up shaving my bikini zone about 5 years ago and have never shaved my thighs.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? not really, although I do save and reuse our bath/shower water for flushing now.

9. Where do you live? outside Atlanta, GA

Rachel B. said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Once a day at night
2. How often do you wash your hair? Every day
3. How often do you brush your teeth? Everyday twice a day
4. How often do you floss? At least once a day at night
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? For now, I use natural toothpaste and deodorant
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? Deorderant, Tom of Maine
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? I'm a little hairy right now, but when I have a steak of shaving it's every three days I wear jeans all the time so it doesn't really matter
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? Showering takes me about 10 minutes sometimes less. For a while I used baking soda and salt as toothpowder but tom of main in my go to toothpaste, and I switched deodorants
9. Where do you live? Rural eastern PA

knittingwoman said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
quick wash most days,take a bath a few times a week.
2. How often do you wash your hair? Once every couple of weeks.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
once a day
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
nothing
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
never/very rarely
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
taking baths less often and trying to fill the tub less full.
9. Where do you live?
east coast of canada.

Unknown said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

Depends how dirty I am, right away if I'm sweaty or actually dirt covered, less so if I've been hanging around doing nothing. And sometimes I just do a spot wash of the stinky parts but don't mind the legs and arms.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
When it's either visibly dirty or very itchy (I have issues sloughing off dead skin - I put olive oil on for a couple hours and then comb out all the dead skin, then I have to wash out the oil.)

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
2-3 times per day as needed

4. How often do you floss?
Umm...probably not often enough

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Whatever

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Antiperspirant.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? As necessary in the warm months, Not at all from Oct-April.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? not really.

9. Where do you live? NH

Sue said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
As often as I can. Sometimes that means 2x/day, sometimes that means 2x/week. I have little kids.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every other dayish. Longer than that and my hair starts to hurt.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Several times/day

4. How often do you floss?
Several times/day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
A mix

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
baking soda

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
If I'm going somewhere special, so, every 6 weeks or so?

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Baking soda as deodorant was a wonderful addition. Still working on finding the right natural hair product. I hate hate hate any of the natural flosses, which is too bad, because I go through the stuff like mad. I think the bathing frequency is dictated more by having young kids and no office job than by any attempt to be green, esp because I'll wallow in a hot bath for an hour if given half the chance.

9. Where do you live?
East Coast

Laura Kaeding said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Usually everyday, only once on the weekend.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Once a week, baking soda, vinegar rinse. Every few days, coconut oil on the hair after the shower.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
I try to every day, but usually every few days.
4. How often do you floss?
Every time I brush :)
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Some natural (hair) some conventional (body - bar of dove soap of whatever is lying around)
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Right now I'm using up the Secret deodorant that I seem to have stockpiled, then natural homemade.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Shave every few days, just not my legs.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Washing my hair, not shaving my legs, not using face wash anymore, using bar soap instead of body wash.
9. Where do you live?
Ottawa, Canada

hippychick said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day. Would love to less, but my hair is fine and it looks oily quickly. Want to try no poo at some point.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
1-2 times a day

4. How often do you floss?
occasionally

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
both, switching to more natural. Currently use natural soap, toothpaste, homemade moisturizer

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Used homemade deodorant over the winter and loved it, but started having a reaction to it. Antiperspirant for now until I find a good natural one, but worry about perspiration in summer.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Legs rarely in winter, once a week in summer. Underarms twice a week or when they show - try to minimize since shaving causes more irritation with deodorants.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes, I read more labels and am switching to natural products as I used up conventional ones.

9. Where do you live?
central PA

Sonja said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
After working out, before church- about 4 times a week

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Maybe 3 out of my 4 showers

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every morning

4. How often do you floss?
Once a week if I remember

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural from Melaleuca

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Deodorant if I am going out, otherwise nothing

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Once a week at best, pits a bit more often

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Cut down on deodorant and changed products since moving into the country

9. Where do you live?
Central Wisconsin

Oldnovice said...

I usually shower sometime after I start to notice that I stink, but once/week whether I need it or not (as my dad used to say).

Hair gets done about once/week since I got rid of dandruff.

I'm a stickler on oral hygiene only because I've had to see a periodontist once already. Brush probably three times/day if I don't go out. Always brush before I go out and floss after EVERY meal THOROUGHLY. I use store-bought items and only use natural when I'm trying something new.

Use antiperspirant only after I've showered. Recently, I stopped shaving altogether. I started back on my legs when it got too hot to not wear shorts and I simply didn't like the way my legs looked. Won't shave under my arms until/unless I take my granddaughter to the pool this summer. I'm fond of cap sleeves, so they're short enough to be cool yet long enough to hide the underarm hair.

Live in North Texas, but don't work outside the home anymore. That makes a huge difference, IMO. I never would have felt comfortable going to work everyday without showering first. Also, born to immigrants who didn't bathe but once/week helped.

megan said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Pretty much every day, but it often used to be multiple times per day (I work outside with plants and dirt several days a week).

2. How often do you wash your hair?
3 or 4 times per week.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day if I don't fall asleep in the living room and get dragged to bed.

4. How often do you floss?
One week it will be every day, the next I'll forget and do it once for the week. It's definitely not consistent.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural mostly. I haven't found a natural shampoo or conditioner that can handle my long, oily at the top, dry at the bottom hair. And I still use semi-permanent dye. I know, I know...

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Homemade deodorant. Sometimes I'll resort to the lone last stick of antiperspirant if I'm doing particularly sweaty work around other people. I'm not sure what I'll do when that's used up.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Armpits everday, legs every or every other day, "other" once a week.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I stopped washing my hair every day, which has been very good for it in the long run. I stopped showering multiple times a day. I use mostly natural (often homemade) products. I switched from whole disposable razors to disposable blades.

9. Where do you live?
Oklahoma

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

I shower every morning and every Monday and Friday evenings after swimming, at the swimming pool. During the summer I shower twice or more daily...
But always quick showers and never baths.

2. How often do you ash your hair?
Every Monday and Friday evenings after swimming, at the swimming pool. During the summer, depending on whether I go to the beach, daily.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice or three times a day (I work from home!)

4. How often do you floss?
Never. Oops.

5.& 6. Grocery store brands, non-natural. I use deodorant daily.

7. I wax my legs every three/four weeks.

8. Ooops, no.

9. I live in Lisbon, Portugal

shabadeux said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Depends on a few factors. First, the season. In winter I shower twice a week with no problem. In summer, it's more like three times a week, more if I'm out biking a lot.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every time I shower.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Once or twice a day.

4. How often do you floss?
I've been bad about this, but I'm making it a daily habit. My dentist said it's the one thing I need to prevent my cavities, I'm doing everything else well!

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
A little of both. Some natural soaps, some completely unnatural body washes. Sometimes natural solid shampoo and conditioner, sometimes Suave.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Just switched back to deodorant. Tom's of Maine this time. I've tried deodorants in the past but they end up irritating my armpits. Not sure if this one is going to keep the funk away but I'm trying.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Once a week in summer when I'm showing my fabulous legs, rarely in other seasons. I'm not married, though, and I think that would make a difference.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
A bit. I'm more consistently using my solid shampoo and conditioner and they have been great for my hair. I'm trying the aluminum free deodorants and seeing how it goes.

9. Where do you live?
The good ol' Midwest, St. Louis, MO

Michelle said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
About twice a week, though I'll rinse off quickly if I need to.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
About twice a week.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every night before bed.
4. How often do you floss?
Floss? Oh - if I eat corn on the cob.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Conventional.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I use white vinegar as a deodorant. Have done for about 5 years, and it's great.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
I shave my pits about once a month, but I wax my legs and bikini.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
My infrequency of bathing has more to do with being in my mid-40s and not being as oily as I was when younger, plus having much less time for things like bathing.
9. Where do you live?
Massachusetts.

Nina DiCristina said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
2-3 times a week most of the year, 4-6 times during the Summer.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Twice a week usually and probably 4 times during the summer.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
twice daily

4. How often do you floss?
probably twice monthly

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
A mix of both.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
deodorant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
3-4 times a week? I don't actually know, I just kind of do it when I need to.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Not really. I'm not really naturally smelly and my hair is trained to last a long time.. it was more out of convenience when I was in AmeriCorps than 'trying to live a greener lifestyle' and it's just been something I've gotten used to.


9. Where do you live?
Orlando, FL

jewishfarmer said...

1. Most days, but briefly. Longer on hair washing days. 5-6 times per week.

2. Every 3 days or the day before I have to be seen in public at some place where people might care.

3. 2-4 times per day, depending on what my mouth tastes like.

4. When I think about it. More than biennially, less than daily.

5. Natural soap only, natural conditioner, I alternate between a low tox conventional shampoo and a natural one because the natural one costs a buttload.

6. Occasional baking soda only. I don't usually wear anything.

7. I shave when it is bugging me or if someone is going to see something. But I'm lazy.

8. I bathe and wash hair much less often than I used to. My addiction was standing under a stream of hot water - I haven't fully broken the habit, but I'm doing it about 1/3 as much. I'm also using a lot more natural and homemade products.

Tree Huggin Momma said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? 2-3 times a week, I wash up daily.
2. How often do you wash your hair? 2x a week
3. How often do you brush your teeth? 2x a day
4. How often do you floss? not as often as I should
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? I used handmade soaps without addatives.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? baking soda cut with corn starch every other day.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? I only shave when I am going to wear shorts or a skirt (so pretty much in the summer only)
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
9. Where do you live?
Western, New York

simply_complicated said...

(questions snipped b/c you've read them more than once already)

1> shower 5-7 times a week, and never solo (our family of 2 munchkins plus 2 adults rotates through)

2> wash my hair twice a week (used to be every day, but i decided to SLOWLY wean myself off that... and you know, it's no more greasy by day 3 now, than it was by the end of day 1 then.)

3> brush my teeth once a day

4> floss a few times a week

5> my body products are currently conventional, but i'm trying to change over to more natural products over time

6> i use deodorant, and wish i could find a natural one that actually WORKED for me

7> i shave underarms every few days. elsewhere mostly on a whim or when going out in a skirt

8> because of your blog (hehehe) i have changed to TC instead of TP for all #1. now to convince my daughter!

9> i live in central Canada

Mama Mama Quite Contrary said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Usually, twice a week. This is mostly because I have three small children and it is hard to find the time! Even without children, I never showered everyday and I don't feel particularly dirty.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Once a week.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Nothing

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
I don't. (Mostly because I am not very hairy.)

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

Switching to only organic products and using a lot less at a time.

9. Where do you live?
Rhode Island

Farmer's Daughter said...

Shower/bathe- A lot less than I used to! I find myself handing the baby to anyone that comes to visit and dashing to the shower whenever I get a chance! I used to average about 5 days/week, and now it's probably 4 if I'm lucky!

I wash my hair every time I get a chance to shower. (Air dry... which takes a long time with my long hair)

I brush my teeth 2x/day, unless I fall asleep before I get to at night.

I floss when there's something stuck and annoying me.

I use natural and some homemade products.

I use antiperspirant... I just can't let go.

I shave um... before special occasions? I just had my 6 wk check up after the baby was born, so I shaved my legs for the OB/GYN :) In the winter I let the legs go but have to keep up with the pits.

I've changed these habits a lot more since getting married.... and then even more since having the baby. I'm pretty much letting myself go :)

I live in Connecticut.

Chile said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Shower twice a week, sponge bath other days.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Twice a week - it's why I shower twice a week.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
At least twice a day.
4. How often do you floss?
What, are you my dental hygienist? Trying to make me feel guilty?! I floss when it feels like something is caught in my teeth. Or when I feel guilty and remember. If we're gonna be honest, let's say once a week.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Both. Prefer the natural but my body prefers Ivory soap.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Nothing if I'm not going anywhere. Natural deodorant or "stone" if going out.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
You know I gave up shaving years ago. I'll convert you someday.
Come, Crunchy, come to the hairy side. You could become the Hairy Crunchy Chicken!
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Pretty much was already doing this except the reduction in showers. That's purely to save water.
9. Where do you live?
In the hot dry desert of the SW, which is why water conservation is critical!

Chile said...

PS: I'm not going to read through all 46 (so far) comments. Will you please summarize them for us in a few days, Crunchy dear?

Billie said...

I shower/bathe and wash my hair every day. I feel sticky the next day if I don't.

I brush my teeth twice a day. Flossing? Umm... way less than my dentist wishes. Once a month? I hate flossing

I use Natural body cleansing products. About 8 to 9 months of the year I use a natural deodorant. For the hot summer months.... conventional antiperspirant. I am sure my co-workers don't want to see that huge wet spot in my underarm and I don't want to feel it!

Shaving? Hmmm... I don't think I have shaved this year. What do I care? You don't see my legs or underarms in the winter. I will be shaving once maybe twice a week in the summer.

My habits have not changed except for switching out some of the products that I use.

I live in Virginia

Unknown said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every day that I workout or play sports.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Three times a day.
4. How often do you floss?
Once a day if I remember.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I don’t use soap, conventional hair products.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
No
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Once a week
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I take very short showers which is probably the reason I don’t shave very often.
9. Where do you live?
Durham NC

Adrienne said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Almost every day, I skip a day every now and then.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every time I shower.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day, and sometimes an extra time if I eat something sugary. Can't stand the sugary coated feeling on my teeth.

4. How often do you floss?
Every day. I end up with bleeding gums if I don't.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
"Natural"

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
The roll-on version of the crystal deodorant.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
When I can't stand it anymore, which tends to be about three weeks or so.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes... my first step to a greener lifestyle was getting rid of beauty products that are tested on animals, which basically means all conventional drugstore products are right out. I've tried lots of different products to see what's the least wasteful/ simplest thing I can use and not feel gross.

9. Where do you live?
Kansas.

MadameMim said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Depends on the weather. In the winter, usually 2-3 times a week...one of those is usually a bath. In the summer, 3-5, depending on the level of sweating.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
A few times a week...depends.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Every morning (or afternoon on certain weekend days...) and most nights. I sometimes forget to be totally honest. Sometime in the afternoon, if I've eaten something particularly stinky.

4. How often do you floss? Ummmm, when something's in my teeth. I forget to floss a lot. I have floss in my car, purse, and car, but for some reason, not in my bathroom. I need to put some in there today...

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? Natural for most. I make my own soap, shampoo, lotion, face junk, etc, and I buy natural make-up and chem. free sunscreen. I'm waiting to run out of my deo and toothpaste and then I'll make my own of those too.

6. Do you use deodorant,
antiperspirant or something else?
I think it's an antiperspirant/deodorant that I'm using up now. I'll be making my own after that. Been compiling recipes (including the hippie stick by crunchy) for a while now.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? I guess you could say I shave...on occasion. I do shave my underarms every few days (usually every shower, but sometimes I forget/am in a hurry). My legs, about every spring and every few weeks/months after that. I tried some years ago to wear soccer socks for an entire winter to get that hairless sock line old men get. It didn't work completely, but I do have bare spots... Right now, it's been about two weeks and there's not that much hair. I'm a single mom with dating of the waaay back burner, so other areas get shaved whenever I feel like it...usually before donning a bathing suit.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I haven't showered daily since high school, so that didn't really change, but the things I use to clean myself has. I'm still weeding through things to get rid of, but my awareness of what I'm putting on my skin and down the drain has skyrocketed and I'm pretty picky about that stuff. I've always been lazy about shaving, but being greener has made me feel better about it! :)

9. Where do you live? Georgia. So the summers are hell...resulting in more bathing...

Anonymous said...

1. Shower every 3-5 days depending upon level of physical exertion and activity.

2. Hair gets washed whenever shower happens. Actually, most often I shower because my hair gets greasy and scalp itchy.

3. One/day minimum. I used to be crazy and would brush my teeth after I ate anything. But then I still had dental issues so it wasn't helping any, just wearing away the enamel faster apparently.

4. Once/week, more often if I remember.

5. I try to, but the shampoo thing gets me. I haven't found a natural shampoo I like and I feel leaves my hair and scalp actually clean.

6. I was using Tom's of Maine roll-on, then switched to Kiss My Face liquid rock roll-on. I made some of the homemade stuff with corn starch, baking soda and tea tree oil and words cannot describe how much more I like it compared to the others.

7. Whenever I remember or feel compelled to do so. It's not unheard of for me to go 6-10 weeks between shavings, especially in the winter. Summer time is more often, maybe once a week or every other week and more often if I'm wearing leg revealing clothing.

8. Some have, yes. The deodorant/antipersperant use changes above happened over less than a year. I absolutely hate buying anything that is made of or packaged in plastic now. So I have to be pretty determined to shave before I will buy a new package of razors. I keep meaning to buy a nice metal one I can change blades on, but it hasn't been feasible yet due to both product availability and personal economics. I feel the same way about buying shampoo. I bought a bottle of Dr. Bronner's soap about 8 months ago and we've used about 1/2-2/3 of it. Recently my partner got "tired of smelling like lavender all the time" and bought a 3-pack of Irish Spring. I am deathly allergic to something in that brand (swelling, itching, burning, blisters, hives for up to a week afterward even with steroid treatment, yuck!) so I'll be sticking to smelling like lavender and, quite frankly, be very happy with it. I've also tried to switch up and use the oil cleansing method for my face and like it for the most part except with the heat we'll be having here come summer I'm not sure how I'll like it.

9. Kentucky

cj said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Probably 5-6 times a week. I'm inspired to cut down though by reading all these comments! Perhaps I will switch to just a "sink bath" as my mom would call it after a workout for example and just use a washcloth to hit the sweaty areas.

2. How often do you wash your hair? 5-6 times a week. It gets oily, but I recently learned that I'd been scrubbing my scalp too hard and stimulating the sebaceous glands that secrete oil. So I'm also working on cutting back if I can get the oil under control.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Daily.

4. How often do you floss? I go through spurts where I remember to floss every day and then phases where I completely forget.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? Yes, for the most part. So far the only thing I have that is a conventional drugstore brand is my conditioner. I want to use it up before I throw it out.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? I don't use it every day but I do use Tom's. It works for me.


7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Armpits-weekly or every other week; legs-never in the winter, probably once a month during the summer.


8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I definitely try not to use products with unnecessary packaging--I gave up the loofah and the body wash a long time ago. I use plain bar soap, some of which is homemade. I've also switched to using plain coconut oil as a lotion/moisturizer. My goal is to use as few products with as few ingredients as possible.

9. Where do you live? Midwest.

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Every 2-3 days
2. How often do you wash your hair? 2- 3 days
3. How often do you brush your teeth? 2/day
4. How often do you floss? 2/week
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? N
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? N
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? Not much, perhaps shorter showers
9. Where do you live? BC

cpcable said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Once a day. I've tried going every other day and that didn't bother me cleanliness-wise...but my end-of-day shower is my "relaxation" time and I missed that

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Once a day

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
All "natural" and far fewer of them than I used to

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Haven't used anything for over a year and that works just fine for me

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
It varies. I don't shave anything in the winter. In the summer...whenever I feel that I "need" to, maybe once a week

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Many of them have changed. I'm more conscious of the ingredients and the packaging of the products that I use. The number of products has also been cut way down. I cut out deodorant, most make-up, lotion, and body wash. I use bar soap for pretty much everything.

9. Where do you live?
Midwest

Ivy said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every other day, sometimes slightly more or less. It depends on where I need to be or what I've been doing.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
I only use shampoo once or twice a week, but I'll still use conditioner every time I shower.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
In the mornings.

4. How often do you floss?
Um. Let's not answer this or my dentist might hurt me.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Conventional ones right now; I'm working on finding a natural product that provides enough moisture. I have very dry skin and plain soap leaves me with such dryness that it is actually painful when I get out of the shower.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Yes, conventional deoderant. I sweat a lot and work in an office, so I'm very aware of that.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Not often right now. I'm single and..well...I shave my underarms fairly regularly because I prefer it for comfort but my legs can go a long time, unless I want to wear a short skirt or something.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Not really. Aside from a short stint in high school, I've never been one of those people who freaks out if they don't shower every day.

9. Where do you live?
Oakland, CA

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Twice a week mostly, sometimes less. I want to change this though to 3 times.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every time I shower - I shower when I feel my hair needs cleaning and it feels best a day later. I'm going to try to shower more but w/out the hair.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every morning - though I often forget on weekends if I'm not going anywhere. Need to do this more, too, because I can't afford dentist.

4. How often do you floss?
I don't. I have gappy teeth so brushing usually does it. I do scrape my tongue, though.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Dove has the "natural beauty" campaign but I doubt that's what you mean. ;) I used Bronner's for a while.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Dove deodorant. Often au natural though, if I'm feeling brave.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Shave armpits in shower. Let legs grow and love the smooth shave of the longer hair.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Honestly, I've wandered a bit off the green path now, but I do take shorter showers - tried navy for a while, but the on off is annoying - and I reduced the number of products I use.

9. Where do you live?
New Mexico

Kim from Milwaukee said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? navy shower every day
2. How often do you wash your hair? every other day
3. How often do you brush your teeth? morning, sometimes evening
4. How often do you floss? once a week
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? homemade soap, shampoo bar, ACV rinse, homemade lotion
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? homemade deodorant (use every other day)
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? once a week, with safety razor/soap
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? yes! all of them have changed, reduced plastic purchasing and chemical products.
9. Where do you live? Milwaukee

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every 2-3 days
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every 2-3 days
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
Once a week is my goal, I often fall short of that.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I use hand soap on my hands many times a day, but almost never use anything in the shower unless I have visible dirt. I use genaric shampoo, whatever is cheap.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
None of the above. I have a funky gene that I got from my Dad's family, and my sweat doesn't smell. No, seriously.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
I've let my underarms go now for 2 years. Legs I shave once a month.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I've never used deodorant, but almost all my other habits have changed in the last 2 years. I used to shower every day, wash my hair every day, use expensive designer shampoos, shave daily (especially underarms). In my attempts to cut back on my dependance on manufactured products, I've freed up a ton of time in the morning!
9. Where do you live?
Portland Oregon

swiggett said...

I do think that Mitchum uses the same tag line - at least they did when I was in undergrad.

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Every other day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every other day

3. How often do you brush your teeth? twice a day

4. How often do you floss? 3 times a week - working on that
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? a mix. I am replacing conventional products with natural ones as they run out.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? deodorant. When it runs out, I plan on trying the baking soda/corn starch method. Antiperspirant is something I've been avoiding consciously for years, since my mom had breast cancer. Even if the link isn't scientifically proven, blocking the body's natural mechanism to rid itself of unneeded things seems like a bad idea.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? armpits - every shower. Legs - depends on the season - on average, probably once a week.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I stopped showering every day when I realized that it was bad for my hair, and that I didn't really need to wash all of me daily. I think my obsession with my hair helped lead me to an overall greener lifestyle attempt, as I try to take care of my hair.

9. Where do you live? Indiana

susan heggestad said...

Once a week, which is when I wash my hair (now that I use only baking soda as a shampoo, and a vinegar rinse, I find that my hair stays cleaner, longer).

Brush my teeth twice a day (can't stand it otherwise), but only floss once in a blue moon.

See shampoo/rinse above - never use conventional soap, and only occasionally a hand-made soap (too drying for my sking)

I do use Tom's of Maine deodorant most days.

Shave my legs like, four times a year.

Interestingly, most of the changes I've made in my hygiene habits over the years have had mostly to do with my own comfort, and finding confidence in myself to buck what is socially "acceptable" - of course, these things have also co-evolved with my social/eco-consciousness.

Live in South Dakota!

Robin said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Everyday if I have things to do - I'll skip a day if I'm lounging around the house.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every time I take a shower
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
Several times a week
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Conventional ones
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Natural deodorant (Tom's, or from Lush)
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
In the summer, every day. In the winter, I could go a week.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I'm trying to do more natural, and when I get married this summer and live in a new house, I'll be starting fresh with ALL natural stuff.
9. Where do you live?
Massachusetts

Marci said...

1. Shower/Bath: Every other day.
2. Wash hair: Every other day thous I just started the no 'poo treatment today, wish me luck.
3. Brush Teeth: Atleast once a day but I try for twice
4. Floss Teeth: Probably every couple weeks.
5. Mostly conventional but I'm trying to make the switch.
6.Deodorant/aniperspirant: not usually anything.
7. Shave: I wax my own legs with sugar every couple months
8. The only thing that has changes is me now trying the no 'poo and looking for more natural products.
9. Canada

Katy said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
I bathe every other day in winter, every day in the hot/humid summer.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
every other day

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
I don't floss.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? I use a shampoo bar, with not so natural condistioner and homemade soap.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? I use antiperspirant. I have tired everything, Toms, baking soda, baking soda/cornstarch, the rock... I have yet to find a "natural" doderante that doesn't give me a rash.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? once a week.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I have changed the soaps I use and how much I use at any one time.

9. Where do you live? Texas Gulf Coast

Elisabeth said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every other day
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every other day
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
I go through phases: never or every day
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Very natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Natural deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Pits: a couple times a week
Legs: once a month
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Some I suppose; I try to keep improving. I was raised in a mostly whole foods/natural products, co-op member, farmer's market type family, so I grew up with most of this. In high school, I "rebelled" from my mom's choices by using salon shampoo...haha...only to discover my fragrance allergy and go back to all natural. I've spent the last five years converting my husband.
9. Where do you live?
Lubbock, Texas

Stephanie said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Every other day, sometimes every third.
2. How often do you wash your hair? Whenever I shower
3. How often do you brush your teeth? Twice a day
4. How often do you floss? couple times a week
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? the rock, and occasionally degree
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? when I feel like it
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? Yes, I shower less, shower shorter, went to all natural products, no pooing
9. Where do you live? Arizona

Dea-chan said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
I strive for every other... but I'm really lazy.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Whenever I'm in the shower, or if it's gone 4 days.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Um... working on getting that one back up. I've been living out of my purse for a few weeks... (long story)

4. How often do you floss?
Only whenever the dentist asks me to demonstrate how I floss. :-P

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I use Dr. Bronner's castille soap and Lush hair products -- so 50/50?

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Arm and Hammer deodorant -- looking into making my own.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Whenever I wear a short skirt -- not often.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Planning on the deodorant, considering for hair products. But no changes yet.

9. Where do you live?
Boston

Julie said...

Pretty much the same answers as everyone else. I just wanted to add that I shave my legs every other day (I'm a swimmer, and this feels better), BUT I do not run the water in the shower while shaving. I get in the shower, wash and condition my hair, shut off the water. Shave. Then turn on the water, rinse hair and wash body. This probably saves a hell of a lot of water. It's also helpful because my hair needs extra conditioning because of the chlorine exposure in the pool.

Nic, SD said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every 2 to 3 days... really leaning toward 3 now that I remember how much happier my skin is that way.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Once a week. Yay no poo!

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Umm, yeah... got a little lax about that one and my gums became unhappy with me. So, lately? Daily.

4. How often do you floss?
Twice daily. See above question.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
364 days a year, nothing. Never been much of a sweater. Regular old baking soda on the 365th day, if I think I'll need it.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Heh. Once a year? Maybe? If a short skirt was on the agenda. For underarms and (ahem) other places I trim from time to time.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Sure. The locally made, cold process soap instead of 50 ingredient body wash. The deoderant was a result of trying to cut down on plastic waste. Going no poo was more of a general curiosity than an attempt to go green.

9. Where do you live?
South Dakota.

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

Sometimes every day sometimes every other. Depends on if I'm working from home or not.

2. How often do you wash your hair?

Same as above.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

Once in the morning. I usually forget and hop into bed in the evening. Oops.

4. How often do you floss?

Um, what's that?

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

Natural. I usually buy soap from my friend's mom.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

Yes have to, sweating is in my genes. I tried a natural one and it gave me a nasty rash. Other conventional ones have failed on me. I have one conventional brand I stick to.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
When I'm wearing a skirt or short sleeves. More often in summer during the winter.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

Most of these are the same with the exception of shampoo. I'm trying to find one that won't make my scalp flake or break out and isn't laden with nasty chemicals.

9. Where do you live?
Ohio

Always Learning said...

1. I shower/bathe every three to four days. I do use a wash cloth every day except for shower days to wash my face, pits, breasts and personal areas.
2. I wash my hair when I shower.
3. I brush my teeth twice a day, morning and night.
4. I floss once a day.
5. I use my homemade soap to cleanse my body and natural product for my hair. Trying to move towards "no poo" soon.
6. I use a crystal I've had for over one year. Once gone I will move towards homemade deodorant.
7. I shave my pits and legs only below my knees once a week while I'm showering.
8. My habits that have changed are using homemade soap and moving to the "no poo" movement. Everything else the same for years.
9. I live in the Pacific NW.

Carissa said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Almost every day. I try to skip a day on the weekend, and occasionally throughout the week.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every time I shower, but I'm about to go no poo!

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a week

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural or homemade

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Tom's deodorant, but plan to try homemade when I run out.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Hardly ever in the winter, two or three times a week in summer.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes, I've changed all my products from conventional to natural or homemade. I take shorter showers with a low-flow head.

9. Where do you live?
Portland OR

Mamie said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Daily

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Daily

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Morning and night (2x daily)

4. How often do you floss?
Nightly

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Both - trying to move away from conventional and more to natural; got some stuff to use up!

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Both, depending on activity/location

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Winter - weekly; summer - daily

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Shorter showers, change in products/packaging

9. Where do you live?
Southern Utah

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Shower very very quickly every day.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
2-3x a week.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
3x day
4. How often do you floss?
1x day if I remember
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
A mix, swithcing to natural as much as I can
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Regularly (bu I use the epilator or wax)
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I try to use less water and use more natural products
9. Where do you live?
Milano, Italy

Anonymous said...

What are your personal cleaning habits?
1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Daily, although lately I've been able to skip a day once in a while

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Daily, but use baking soda and lemon juice instead of shampoo 1-2 days a week and it does wonders for my hair (especially when I use shampoo the day after the baking soda wash). I've been able to occasionally skip a day lately though.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
If there's a dental appt coming up, I'll try for daily for 3-4 weeks prior. Otherwise, not more than once a month

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

I read a blog about someone going no poo and using soap only on his hands with very positive results. No poo is not for me or my hair, but I learned that my hair is improved with occasional baking soda/lemon juice washes. However, for 4 months, I've used soap only on my hands and occasionally my face. I scrub with a washcloth, and unless I have an open wound do not use soap on my body at all. Although it is counterintuitive, this has resulted in a lesser need to use deodorant at all (I can easily skip days without a problem), and the natural deodorants work just fine. My face can go for weeks without a typical cleanser, just a gentle washing. I use witch hazel on it about one a week and soap maybe every 3 weeks. It's amazing how well plain water works.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I alternate between Tom's of Maine deodorant and plain rubbing alcohol. This has been a huge improvement since I stopped using soap to wash my armpits- just a scrub with a washcloth, and alcohol if any odor starts to develop. Baking soda worked great, but led to irritation. Amazingly, this regimen has been a huge improvement over deodorant soap and regular antiperspirant / deodorant. I can even skip days without a problem, which had been unthinkable for years.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Normally every week or 2. I hate shaving.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

The greener lifestyle has been going on for a while, but I've mostly gone to more natural products or eliminated them altogether.

9. Where do you live?
New England

Veronica said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every other day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Mostly every other day, sometimes longer if I keep wearing it up.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every morning, if I wake up in time... (I'm a college student)

4. How often do you floss?
Rarely, I'm lazy

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
All my products and make up are conventional, but I don't think I use that much.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I use the rock on cooler days, but it gets so hot here I need more protection, so I also use Dove deodorant.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Underarms= every 2 day (usually a quick dry shave), legs = 1/wk, pubic area= 1/wk

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I started using the rock because of your reviews of it. I tried a few other natural alternatives (ex. honey as face wash) and didn't stick with them because especially with the honey it didn't work as well. I'm in college, but I still get acne.

9. Where do you live?
College Station, TX

Round Belly said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
about 2x/week (whenever I feel the need... and always Sunday mornings_

2. How often do you wash your hair?
never... I brush it and rebraid it everyday... love these shiny tresses

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural and as few as possible

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
nope. I used to but find that when I eat naturally and don't apply skin toxins that I don't stink so much

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
don't

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yep, I have cut way back on "personal cleanling" on the outside and try to keep me cleaner on the inside. And then I wash diapers and garden and don't leave the house many days either... I am sure if I worked a normal job that I would have to worry about it more.

9. Where do you live? Minnesota

Jennifer said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

Everyday

2. How often do you wash your hair?

Everyday

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

Once a day

4. How often do you floss?

Once a day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

natural

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

Antiperspirant (the deodorants just don't seem to cut it unfortunately)

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?

Not as much as before I become a wife and mama, LOL! Though I shave my armpits every other day, the legs seem to get shaved only when it becomes irritating these days :)

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

Nope, pretty much the same routine as always though I am careful now about the ingredients in my cleaning products where as before it was all based on how they smelled :)

9. Where do you live?

British Columbia, Canada

ehmeelu said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
every 2 or 3 days

2. How often do you wash your hair?
when I shower, every 2 or 3 days

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
at least twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
um - never, sorry dentists

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
natural - Dr. Bronner bar soap for hair and body, baking soda for teeth, occasional vinegar rinse for hair, homemade flax hair gel/lotion

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
baking soda

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
when I shower, if needed (depends on season!)

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes, changed everything to natural products and not showering/washing hair every day anymore (which turns out to be way better for my curly hair)

9. Where do you live?
central Canada

Lynn said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
daily
2. How often do you wash your hair?
daily, alternating between shampoo and baking soday
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
2-3 times/day
4. How often do you floss?
when I remember or right before I go to the dentist
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? natural/homemade
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
antiperspirant on "high stress" days, natural deoderant most others, occasionally the Crystal
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? yes, when I think of it
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? yes, I shampoo less often and my showers are shorter
9. Where do you live?
Cleveland,Ohio

Colleen said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
usually daily
2. How often do you wash your hair?
2-3-4 times a week, depending
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
2x/day
4. How often do you floss?
2x/week
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
currently using aveda, usually use a *natural*esque brand.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
crystal
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
legs or bikini, 4 times/yr, had laser done 10 years ago.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I do oil cleansing method and honey on my face, now, for cleansing. But in general I think I've always been a simple hygeine routine person, compared to what I see in the mainstream.
9. Where do you live?
Portland, Oregon.

Erin said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
usually daily (although I have been known to skip a day and just wash my hair in the sink

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Daily


3. How often do you brush your teeth?
1x day

4. How often do you floss?
1 x a week (this is an improvement, trying to increase it to at least 2)

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
both


6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Usually no deodorant or antipersperant, on really hot days I might use a crystal body stick on pits

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
pits - weekly
legs - rarely (4 times a year in winter, maybe once a month in summer)


8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Shorter/cooler showers, increase in natural (or no) products


9. Where do you live?
Portland, OR

amandaginn said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?: 3x/wk
2. How often do you wash your hair?: 3x/wk
3. How often do you brush your teeth?: 2x/day
4. How often do you floss?: 5x/wk
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?: homemade/natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?: homemade deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?: 1x/10 days
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?: All of them. Less water, less waste, fewer chemicals/ingredients
9. Where do you live?: Minnesota

Micah Mae said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? I shower (clean myself) about twice a week. More if I need it. I do take bubble baths about every other day though. It's the only thing that saves my sanity being pregnant and having a toddler.

2. How often do you wash your hair? Twice a week. I'm Italian and my hair does get greasy quick. I wash with a vinegar solution once a week to help.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Twice a day optimally. Sometimes I end up falling asleep with my son before I brush but I try not to ever let that happen.

4. How often do you floss? Ah...never.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? I use Burts Bees shampoo/conditioner, a vinegar wash and Dr. Bronners soap.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? Deodorant.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Rarely. Couple times a month.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? Not really, they changed as I became a mom.

9. Where do you live? Currently Maryland.

Jenn said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every day
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day
3. How often do you brush your
teeth?
Twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
Most days
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Mostly "natural" and cruelty-free
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Conventional antiperspirant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Pits, every other day
Legs, once a week in summer, rarely in winter
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I still have the same hygiene habits but have switched to more natural and cruelty-free products
9. Where do you live?
Sacramento, California

WrethaOffGrid said...

Just a quick disclaimer, I live a very different life than most, I live in a hand-built cabin we call the skycastle on the side of a mountain, in the high desert of far west Texas. We are 100% off grid, we haul our water and generate our own electricity. The skycastle is not finished, though we are going into our 3rd year living here. Think camping out in style, LOL.

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Full on shower/bath, less than once a month, BUT I do wash myself everyday, we don't have a "bathroom" yet, I go to my neighbor's house to shower. I use a washcloth, soap and water to clean as much of myself as possible. Once our bathroom/shower is complete, I'll probably shower once a week, maybe 2-3X a month, no more, unless circumstances dictate the need.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
About once a week, in the sink at my skycastle.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Everyday, at least once a day, sometimes twice. I use a tooth powder called Eco-Dent, I add tea tree oil to it, I also add zylitol.

4. How often do you floss?
Weekly, yeah I know...

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
A little of both, going toward the more natural ones.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I use both, sometimes I use commercial antiperspirants, sometimes I use the crystal deodorant, sometimes I use baking soda and cornstarch, depends on my mood and what I have going on that day.


7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
What is shaving? Just kidding, I can't remember the last time I shaved my legs (years), no one sees them. I do shave my armpits, that's to help with odor control, I also trim/shave my nether-regions, again for cleanliness.


8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I live about as green as they come, living 100% off grid in the skycastle that my hubby built, over half of the skycastle is recycled materials. I prefer using more natural products on my skin when possible, all of this has less to do with being green and everything to do with being healthier, safer, cheaper and probably a lot of other reasons. :)

9. Where do you live?
On a mountain side, in the high desert of far west Texas.

phabulous_philly said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every day ( I might skip half a day in order to shower at night instead of the morning and vice/versa
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Once or twice a day ( more often only once )
4. How often do you floss?
( 4-5 times per week )
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
All natural ( hand made soap bars )
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Deoderant - but I am still on the hunt for a REALLY good one.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
2-3 times per week
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
The shaving has been reduced to a few times a week instead of every day - I have not always used natural bar soap but I have recently made the switch when I found local soaps
9. Where do you live?
Ontario Canada

Anna Marie said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Once or twice a week.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
I don't use shampoo anymore, just vinegar rinses. As such, I "wash" when I shower.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
When I shower. Or when they feel like they need it.

4. How often do you floss?
Never

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I used water and vinegar.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
I use nothing, unless I know I'll be stressed or smelly, and then I use one of those deodorant rocks.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Don't shave.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yep. I shower less, when I do shower, its a shorter shower, I don't use shampoos or deodorants, or any of those other things that simply aren't necessary.

9. Where do you live?

Western Washington state, US.

patina said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

i shower (don't have a bath) usually every other day-more often if i run or do something labor intensive

2. How often do you wash your hair?

whenever i shower

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

once when i wake up & once before i go to bed

4. How often do you floss?

probably once every two weeks

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

i use dr bronner's soap & occasionally the lush brand solid shampoo

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

tom's deodorant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?

i usually use an epilator, but shave maybe twice or three times a month

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

yes. all of them. i used to use more commercial products, like suave & stuff. as i read more about the chemicals & stuff in them, the more i am trying to stop using them.

9. Where do you live?
outside of chicago, IL

A Green Spell said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

Every other day.

2. How often do you wash your hair?

Same as #1.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

3-4 times per day

4. How often do you floss?

Every day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

I make all of my beauty products from natural ingredients.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

I use baking soda.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?

Every other day.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

All my beauty habits changed over the past two years - massively!

9. Where do you live?

Central Oregon

Q said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

It depends on how much I smell and how greasy I feel. Sometimes it's daily sometimes it's not for 3 or 4 days.

2. How often do you wash your hair?

Again, when it's greasy.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

2 times a day at least. I try to do 3 times a day, but who wants to brush their teeth in public bathrooms.

4. How often do you floss?

Like..... once a month...

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

Natural. Ain't no chemicals gonna get me. Baking soda for my hair, local handmade soap for the rest of me. I'm trying to get the equipment to make my own moisturizers.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

Deodorant rock.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?

When I need to... not very often.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

I used to shower/wash my hair everyday, and I used to buy shampoo.

9. Where do you live?

Edmonton, Canada

Sandy said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every two or three days unless I'm sweating alot or working closely with animals.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
About every three days...same rules apply as above.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every morning.
4. How often do you floss?
I have a habit of running stuff through my teeth; my dental assistant congratulates me on my flossing prowess so I'm not quitting. I don't actually floss unless something is bothering me.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Conventional; am searching for natural ones that work.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Antiperspirant.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
I don't shave. After 40, I stopped growing leg hair and my armpits aren't very hairy either.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? See above.
9. Where do you live?
Pennsylvania.

Sandy said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every two or three days unless I'm sweating alot or working closely with animals.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
About every three days...same rules apply as above.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every morning.
4. How often do you floss?
I have a habit of running stuff through my teeth; my dental assistant congratulates me on my flossing prowess so I'm not quitting. I don't actually floss unless something is bothering me.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Conventional; am searching for natural ones that work.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Antiperspirant.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
I don't shave. After 40, I stopped growing leg hair and my armpits aren't very hairy either.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? See above.
9. Where do you live?
Pennsylvania.

The Nurturing Pirate said...

1. Shower 2x per week, more if needed. Or do a "spot clean" of the bits that need it.
2. Wash hair 1 - 2x per week, otherwise my hair gets too dry. Tried the baking soda/ASV route, but wasn't happy with the results and have gone back to shampoo & conditioner. Want to try the shampoo bar.
3. Brush 2x a day (Tom's).
4. Floss hardly ever.
5. Re: products. My main concern is that they have no parabens, "fragrance," SLS, not tested on animals.
6. Used to use conventional anti-perspirant. Switched to conventional deorodant. Then switched to Tom's deodorant. Now make my own.
7. Shaving: I'm fairly hairless and blonde, so I don't feel the need to shave regularly. Summer time: 2x per month. Winter: hardly ever. Bikini area: never (ouch!). Also, I never shave in the shower. I once did and gave myself a huge cut, so now I use the sink. Saves water too, and that's how I learned to do it when we lived on a sailboat.
8. I've always been "low maintenance," but recently, I've been trying to cut down on the number of products (plastic) I use. The first to go was shaving cream; I just use soap. Contrary to what ads will tell you, it's not any more drying that shaving cream.

As mentioned, I tried to cut out shampoo, but have had less success. I've been very happy with the handmade deodorant though! And I've been more concerned with what's IN my products, so have purchased more "natural" products.
9. SoCal

Sophia said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every day (I've got bangs, and my hair is horribly greasy.)

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I use "natural" deodorant

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Yes.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
During the fall: one a week.
During the winter: once every two weeks.
During the spring: twice a week
During the summer: every other day
It depends on whether I wear shirts that show my armpits and shorts, dresses, or skirts.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I have changed how often I shave. Once I've used up all my shampoo and the 24 bars of soap that my mom bought me, I'm planning on making my own.

9. Where do you live?
Portland, OR

Sophia said...

I would like to add that I shower everyday since I exercise heavily everyday. Having sunscreen and sweat on my body after a run or bike ride makes me feel so gross.

Issa said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Maybe a couple of times a month. Sometimes less, but sometimes I'll "spot clean" in the sink in the meantime.

2. How often do you wash your hair? Less than once a month.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Two to three times a day.

4. How often do you floss? Every now and then, whenever I think of it. This results in streaks where I'll do it several days in a row, and then streaks where I'll forget for weeks.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? Mostly conventional ones.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? I very, very rarely use anything for this purpose, but on the rare occasion that I do, I use deodorant.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? I do not shave.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? None of these are related to green-ness for me. They're just related to my hippiness in general. :-)

9. Where do you live? Near Knoxville, TN, USA

Maggie said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
About 5 times a week
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every two or three days
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Every morning and night
4. How often do you floss?
Almost never
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Mostly conventional. Bar soap in the shower, nothing for the face, conventional shampoo and conditioner.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Natural deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Underarms once or twice a week, legs a few times a year
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I shower and wash my hair less to conserve water and reduce plastic/ chemicals.
9. Where do you live?

Philadelphia

Robj98168 said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every Day
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Never- don't use shampoo- shave head
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
2 Daily
4. How often do you floss?
Try to Once a day
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Don't use deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Every two days
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Not really
9. Where do you live?Northwest USA

Unknown said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? It varies, I feel the "need" to shower every 2-3 days, BUT my baby falls to sleep beautifully to the sound of the shower, so I generally shower on the days that I need her to have a morning nap, not on my lap LOL.
2. How often do you wash your hair? roughly once a week
3. How often do you brush your teeth? once per day
4. How often do you floss? roughly every other day
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? minimal/natural (for the most part my showers are "water only")
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? A homemade "deodorant" consisting of vinegar & essential oils
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? very rarely
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? Hair washing decreased when I stopped using shampoo, less products, more natural products have changed as I've moved toward a greener/healthier lifestyle . . .
9. Where do you live? PA

Seattle Crunchy Guy said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?

It depends on the level of activity and the temperature. During the summer, any time I get all sweaty. During the winter 2-3 times a week.

2. How often do you wash your hair?

Strange, when I lived in the Southeast and was sweating my ass off every day, I washed it every day and it got greasy within a day or two. Living in Seattle now, I've reduced the hair washing slowly but surely and it now takes up to two-weeks before my hair really needs it. If I wash every day, my hair is oilier. It seems like it took about 6 months for my hair to regulate it's oiliness, but now I find my hair is best after 3 days. Very sustainable, too. Shorter showers and less product use.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

At least once a day.

4. How often do you floss?

Only if something is stuck in my teeth! My dental tech used to praise my flossing habits every time I went in for a cleaning. I always said thank you.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?

A little of both, but moving away from conventional.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

Since I don't sweat much, I don't always apply deodorant. But when I do it's a natural product.


7. If you shave, how often do you shave?

I'm a guy, so I don't shave my legs. Maybe once years ago on a drunken dare from a girlfriend! I shave my face once or twice a week and don't use any products. Just step out of the shower and use a razor. Been doing that for decades and have saved a ton on products.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

Definitely. Living in the PNW you can't help but be more aware. I'm transitioning away from conventional and more toward earth-friendly.

9. Where do you live?

Seattle

All of Us said...

1. Every two days (although face ever day).
2. Twice a week (with baking soda and vinegar)
3. Once a day at night
4. As often as I remember (which is unfortunately not as often as I'd like.)
5. Very natural!! I make everything myself.
6. My one thing - I use regular deodorant/antiperspirant. I like to think that since I use almost no other chemicals on my skin it's OK. I should look into alternatives..
7. As often as necessary as to be socially acceptable.
8. I changed most everything in the last couple of years to be more 'green'. I have two daughters and the idea of pumping them with chemicals through body products started to sicken me. So I made a lot of changes to benefit them and maybe me.
9. Princeton, NJ

Erika said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
When I need to - generally at least once or twice a week for a full-on shower. Daily or more frequently a wet washcloth w/soap works wonders.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
That and shaving would be the main purpose of showering, unless I'm just filthy muddy or something.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Generally at least twice a day, depending on what i eat maybe more. I think a big difference in my dental routine is the amount of paste I use - probably 1/2 a pea sized amount and many brushings are just water (at least one a day is w/paste).

4. How often do you floss?
I really hope my dad doesn't read this! Maybe once a month, or if I feel I need it...

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I have a mild obsession with armpit odor, so I had quite the collection of my "favorite" deodorant/antiperspirant before I realized how toxic it is, and since most of them are open, I don't know what to do with them, other than throw them away, so I use them, alternating with Tom's and homemade. I use Tom's toothpaste, as well as a locally made (I think... the label has a 425 area code) tooth powder occasionally. I use castile soap w/a few drops of vegi glycerine and GSA diluted with mucho water for shampoo, I rarely, if ever use conditioner (on the rare occasions I do, it's from the co-op made with organic ingredients, no SLS, parabens, etc.). I make my own lotions, salves, lip care, and insect repellent, and I don't wear make up, and have recently given up sunblock (other than when there's no way to get out, then I use Badger). I also have made it a point to purchase the more responsible choice for things like razors and hair brushes (well, I just have one of the latter), avoiding "virgin plastic" and plastic, in general, where I can.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
See above.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Generally at least once a week - if I have an acupuncture appointment, generally the day before that, if not, it could be a while. Really not something my hubby's proud of.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
OMG, I used to use expensive chemical shampoos and conditioners, shower 2 times a day, shave constantly, use all sorts of crappy stuff on my skin... I've done a complete 180*. I'm always looking for a less-invasive way of caring for myself and my family/home...

9. Where do you live?
Skagit County, WA

--Erika

Helen said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
4-5 times a week
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Twice a week
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
Daily
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Bicarb soda, corn flour (starch) and Teatree oil
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Never
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I've changed just about everything except the frequency of brushing and flossing my teeth. I'm an old girl with lots of bridge work, therefore lots of flossing. I use a "green" toothpaste and sometimes use bi-carb soda instead. Oh, and I use a toothbrush with a bamboo handle.
9. Where do you live?
Melbbourne, Australia

Kate said...

1 & 2 I shower and wash my hair about twice per week, more often in summer and then sometimes just shower and wet my head without shampooing. Also whenever an occasion comes up that I feel the need to clean up for. I won't go for a massage without showering just beforehand. I think that would be rude.

3 & 4 Nightly, without fail

5 conventional

6 salt crystal deodorant after each shower and antiperspirant whenever I do physical work, which is often.

7 whenever I feel like it, which is often for my pits, occasionally for everywhere else, legs more often in summer

8 Yes, I shower less often now because I don't have a day job. I feel less pressure to look "presentable" by conventional standards.

9 PA

Crunchy, I'd really like to know what, if anything, you will do with these responses, or what you make of them.

Anna @ Blue Dirt said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? Every day
2. How often do you wash your hair? Every day, it's very oily
3. How often do you brush your teeth? every other day
4. How often do you floss? Twice a month
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? Natural and organic to avoid allergens
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? Using up the deodorant on hand, then I will make our own.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Every other week, summer every other day.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
My showers are much shorter because I don't shave, the shower is too small to bend over in, so I use an electric razor. Uses electricity, but less water. I've had to find bath products that are not irritating to all of my allergies, and I make our soap. It's hard to find good products, but once you do you'll guard them with your life!

9. Where do you live? Rural Minnesota

Christina said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? every 2-3 days unless I've gotten really mucky in the garden
2. How often do you wash your hair? every 2-3 days
3. How often do you brush your teeth? every morning
4. How often do you floss? every morning
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? natural soaps - dr bronners brand
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? a tom's of maine deodorant when I'm unshowered and going out and about; watching the thrift stores for a powder-puff setup to make my own cornstarch-and-baking-soda mix
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? don't shave, trim my armpit hairs once a month or so when they're long and start tugging
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? yes, the conversion to natural soap and shampoo, the reduction in shower frequency
9. Where do you live? suburban San Francisco bay area

My family is moving along these paths with me (hubby, three kids) but more slowly - they use the natural soap but continue to prefer the traditionally manufactured shampoo and conditioner (though we have a stock they've been going through and we'll cross the repurchase bridge when it runs out). My 4 and 10yos only bathe once a week unless they're particularly dirty, otherwise just a sponge-down of feet, hands and face at bedtime. My 14yo showers 2-3 times a week as I do, my hubby prefers to shower daily but sometimes skips a day.

We're a homeschooling, home office family, and I think those things enable us to follow a hygiene path different from the typical US version; we don't see other people every single day.

Rebecca MacLary said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Twice a week during fall thru spring, and maybe 3 times a week in summer-depends on my activity, of course.

2. How often do you wash your hair? Twice a week.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Every night, and sometimes after lunch, too.

4. How often do you floss? Nightly.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? Natural-I use Dr Bronner's liquid soap for bathing, homemade hand soap, and Lush shampoo. I am making shampoo bars next!

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? I use Lush aromacreme at the moment, but plan on making my own very soon.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Lately, I've been going a week or more between shaves. But shorts weather is coming, so I'll shave my legs and armpits more often than that. I wish I didn't care what people thought.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? Well, I used to be a "product whore" (3 years ago, before pregnancy)...now I have practically nothing for personal care products. I still use hair mousse before I straighten my hair, and occasionally pomade, but that's it for drugstore stuff. And I'm going to try to find natural solutions for that. The length of my showers has decreased, as well as the frequency-I used to be an every-day shower kind of person. I'd love to find a natural toothpaste solution, too.

9. Where do you live? Ontario, Candada.

debmoulton said...

1. Every other day.
2. Once a week.
3. Four times per day.
4. Every other day.
5. Natural
6. Homemade baking soda based.
7. Legs, once a week, pits, twice a week.
8. Yes! No 'poo, homemade soap, homemade toothpaste, safety razor.
9. So. Cal.

Ashley said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
2 x week

2. How often do you wash your hair?
once a week

3. How often do you brush your teeth? once a day

4. How often do you floss? hardly ever

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? conventional til they run out, then switching

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? deodorant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? once every 3 or 4 weeks

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I've started shaving less, and washing my hair less.
9. Where do you live?
Ohio

Anonymous said...

Last year I read the book, The Dirt on Clean. It was an informative history of cleanliness dating all the way back to BC times. It was really interesting - definitely worth checking out:

www.thedirtonclean.com

I know you wanted to know what our personal cleaning habits are, but I don't feel comfortable posting that information publicly. I hope you enjoyed my little blurp on The Dirt on Clean.

By the way, I live in Portland, Oregon.

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Three times per week
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Same
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Once per day
4. How often do you floss?
Every couple months; I always forget
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural: bar soap and giavani shampoo/conditioner
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Homemade deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Not at all from November-March and every couple weeks the rest of the year
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I've never been a product girl; I just switched the conventional stuff to the natural two years ago
9. Where do you live?
Pennsylvania

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bath? I usually do one or the other every other day. It depends on the week. I have very dry skin and hair. While I would love to say this is due to my environmental principals, it was my dermatologist who advised me to cut back. I have a spray bottle with water and a bit of essential oils, I use to freshen up in between showers.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
2-3 times a week.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a day or as needed.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Homemade natural products

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
That really varies too much to even keep track of.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I started making my own body products when I realized that I was making stuff for cleaning my house but still using a lot of chemicals on myself. Even the so-called "natural" products have a lot of chemicals I don't want to deal with.

9. Where do you live? Iowa City, IA

Angela said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
I try for weekly, but sometimes I skip a week because scheduling just doesn't work out.

I wash my face everyday, though.

2. How often do you wash your hair? as often as I shower.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? daily

4. How often do you floss? when I remember, which is not often, but I use natural silk floss when I do remember to floss.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
I use shea butter soap for face and body; a locally-made honey-based moisturizer for face; homemade moisturizer for body (cocoa butter, jojoba oil, olive oil, beeswax, etc.); baking soda for scalp (I have dreads)

Tom's of Maine toothpaste, though. I don't like the homemade stuff. Will be switching to a fluoride-free, SLS-free toothpaste once this tube is done.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
homemade deodorant (baking soda, coconut oil paste)

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
I only shave in summer, and then it's about weekly or so.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?

all have changed. It started with the hair -- tried 'no poo' and then started messing with how long I could go without washing it and other things followed (dreadlocks, product choice, etc.)

9. Where do you live?
Toronto, ON

Anonymous said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every other day

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every other day

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day

4. How often do you floss?
Once a day

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Natural, as much as possible

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Natural deodorant

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
once a month

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Yes, frequency and length of shower, type of products used.

9. Where do you live?
California

Liz said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Every other day
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Ever other day
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
A few times a week
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Mostly conventional I guess
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Deodorant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Once a week, max
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I am going to start using greener products soon - I'm waiting for the other stuff to run out.
9. Where do you live?
Atlanta

Maudi said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
daily

2. How often do you wash your hair?
every other day

3. How often do you brush your teeth?

at least twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
daily

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
natural, except I've had to use head and shoulders every once in while for dandruff, tried everything else out there but nothing seemed to work. Trying to get an antifungal diet in order to see if anything changes

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Crystal Rock

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
once it's noticeable, every two weeks

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I use natural products as much as I can. I don't wash my hair everyday and when I bathe I don't wash things like my shins especially if I've been wearing pants.

9. Where do you live?
Bay Area, California

Sonya said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Most days, due to gym-going lately. I prefer once ever two or three days though.

2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every time I shower, so about 4-5 times a week lately.

3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day.

4. How often do you floss?
twice a week. When I am being a good girl.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Some natural, mostly conventional. I own a large supply that I am still working through. I like variety so I usually have a few different shampoos in the rotation and I bought the family sizes. Eventually though, they will run out.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Antiperspirant, when i decide to use anything at all. (one stick lasts me a year, at least)

7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Um. I'll shave every day for a week, then go three months without. It's a lot of hassle.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
None of them really, except the products are changing. I already came from a water conservation family.

9. Where do you live?
West Coast native, East coast resident.

Anonymous said...

1. Every day during the summer and fall months...every other in winter
2. Every other day
3.Twice a day
4. Once a day
5. yes locally made head to toe-
6. crystal rock deoderant
7 not hairy enough to warrant shaving more than a few times a year
8. made all these changes over time
9. Northern PLains

Michelle Bowman said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe? At most every other day, unless I get all sweaty, then it's just a rinse, not a full blown shower. More than that, I'll shrivel up and dry like a raisin.

2. How often do you wash your hair? Twice a week at most. I give it a rinse, but washing too much is bad for my hair.

3. How often do you brush your teeth? Twice a day.

4. How often do you floss? I aim for daily. But I forget sometimes.

5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? As natural as possible. But occasionally I go conventional. Depends on the product.

6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? A combo. I don't want my patients to comment if they get a whiff of BO.

7. If you shave, how often do you shave? I'm blessed with thin leg/pit hair. I shave pits once a week and legs, well, I have gone a month and longer before.

8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? I don't shower as long as I used to, and I turn off the water when brushing teeth to conserve water. Also, I keep the AC/Heat at higher/lower temps to decrease how much we actually use it. I try to purchase organic products and products with less of a carbon footprint.

9. Where do you live? Central Western Georgia. Used to live in FL.

Baer said...

1. Every second day.
2. About 2x/week.
3. 2x/day.
4. Almost never... My teeth are too close. Doesn't work.
5. All natural and organic.
6. I use "funk butter" by "oyin handmade" when I want to smell pretty, but otherwise usually nothing.
7. Probably once a week in the summer, and once a month or so in the winter.
8. I've pretty much always been this way since I was old enough to buy my own bath products.
9. Winnipeg, MB

Amber F. said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Mostly every day. Sometimes I'll skip one, but it's rare.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every other day
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
Twice a day
4. How often do you floss?
Not often enough to make my dentist happy. (rarely - I need to improve)
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Conventional.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Tom's of Maine deoderant
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Several times a week
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
I've looked into more environmentally friendly cleaning/makeup options, but have had trouble finding some that work with my weird skin allergies.
9. Where do you live?
Indiana

Unknown said...

1. How often do you shower/bathe?
Everyday or every other day. A shower helps me wake up and start my day.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
Every time I shower.
3. How often do you brush your teeth? Morning and night. Or if I'm getting ready to go out somewhere nice.
4. How often do you floss? Basically once every day. Unless I've been hitting the popcorn.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones? More natural but not completely natural. Tom's sensitive toothpaste or EcoDent powder toothpaste, EcoDent floss, Kiss My Face bar soap, J.R. Liggett's shampoo bar, Ballard Organics foaming hand soap in a reusable pump.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else? 2 parts baking soda and 1 part corn starch, I put it on with a little cloth mitt.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave? Don't shave pits, nether regions or legs. Sometimes I trim the pits with a hair trimmer.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how? Oh definitely! I kicked the antiperspirant habit and switched to baking soda. I stopped using disposable razors for shaving my legs, now I buy tights instead. I seek out products that are more in line with my beliefs and stick to them. I don't just buy what seems pretty or is right in front of me.
9. Where do you live? Seattle, WA

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Allie said...

1. Every 2-3 days.
2. Usually 1/week. Occasionally 2/week
3. Daily.
4. I try to floss every day, but am not always successful.
5. Both. My mother makes and ships me soap and I use vinegar and Dr. Bronner's on my hair.
6. All of the above. I have a crystal stick which I sometimes use, sometimes I use deodorant and sometimes antiperspirant.
7. I never shave my legs, but I shave my parts and armpits 1/week.
8. No, these habits are all basically the same.
9. Houston.

Anonymous said...

. How often do you shower/bathe?
In the summer every two to three days, in the winter twice may be even only one per week.
2. How often do you wash your hair?
When I shower.
3. How often do you brush your teeth?
When needed. When my mouth tastes bad (at least every morning), after stinky foods, when they look like they need cleaning.
4. How often do you floss?
When something gets stuck.
5. Do you use "natural" body cleansing products or conventional ones?
Both, but mostly I try to stay natural.
6. Do you use deodorant, antiperspirant or something else?
Antipersperant, but I use it rarely.
7. If you shave, how often do you shave?
Almost never shave my legs, and only shave the pits in summer when I shower.
8. Have any of these habits changed as you've tried to live a greener lifestyle? If so, which ones and how?
Not realy a new thing for me. I have a terrible skin condition and I don't sweat much. My skin is very dry and since I produce so little oil naturally, washing it away in a shower or bath only makes it worse.
9. Where do you live?
Texass