My life is ripe with babies. I have babies in Los Angeles, babies in Chicago, and babies in New York City. Not to mention, toddlers and pre-teens galore. No, I’m not Octo-Mom on speed, delivering progeny across an ungrateful nation – I’m in my late thirties and all my friends have babies. This means much embracing of the cuteness and chubby cheeks. This also means a lot of “what are the best natural products for my adorable baby?” Generally followed by “can you babysit Saturday night?”

Well, moms and sensitive-skinned adults, I found a great product. California Baby’s Calendula Shampoo and Bodywash is about as pure and sudsy as they get. It is great for the little ones, but also a fantastic product for those of use with sensitive skin. This product gets a rating of ONE from Skin Deep – this must be in capital letters because it is the first natural product I have reviewed to receive the highest of ratings from the Environmental Working Group cosmetic database.

Why is it so pure? It contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients – calendula has been known to soothe skin for centuries. It is free of fragrance, scent masking agents, sodium lauryl sulfate, and DEA. It is biodegradable and free of common allergens. And it is naturally tear-free without the use of numbing agents.

But enough of the PR ingredients list – how does it work? Very well, I’m happy to report! I considered offering the product to my friends to use on their babies. After I finished attacking Tokyo – (because that would be monstrous! Who tests on babies?) – I decided to shower up and let the suds roll into my own eyes. And yes, the product does not sting. It’s not pleasant to have soap in your eyes – I rubbed at them exactly like I was an infant – but stings there were none. It has a light, pleasant smell that comes off really minty in application.

All in all, this is a great shampoo/bodywash for babies and sensitive big kids like us. Just heed this one warning – this product is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. I did not read the instructions to use only a dime-sized amount and basically almost drowned in a monster explosion of suds. It was totally akin to Bobby Brady using the washing machine

For further reading:

7 Squeaky Clean Non-Toxic Bath Products for Babies and Kids

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Image: chimothy27

Tired of that thong song when your sexiest undies collapse from too many wash machine beatings?

One way to lessen the damage is my mom’s method of washing her lingerie in a mesh bag on the delicate cycle of the wash machine, keeping the fabrics separated from towels and other heavier cottons. Bags also help protect fragile fabrics from too much machine agitation. Sadly, Mom still uses Tide detergent on everything. I wheeze from the chemical odor and wince at the notion of wearing tender garments marinated in Tide!

Mesh bags with green detergents are a good way to clean sturdier cotton undies and camisoles  in the machine, and for those who like using bags, Good Housekeeping has some great tips.

But when it comes to silks, I prefer to hand wash and hang undergarments, hose, bathing suits and work-out gear, finding it goes further to sustain these daily necessities while also rushing them through the wash and wear cycle faster.

Here are some safe and gentle products for soaking our most fragile garments:

1. Baby Shampoo

Even before having babies, I began soaking my delicates in the sink with a thimble-full of baby shampoo. My late Aunt Lorraine, one of the best knitters in the Midwest, taught me this trick for handwashing knitwear. For my hose, good thongs and bras, I use organic products, like California Baby , $20, finding a very small amount goes a long way in making suds. I add about a tablespoon to a sink full of water (lukewarm for anything that doesn’t need stain removal and warmer for garments that are spotted). I rinse in clean water and drape the wet garments over a towel to air dry. Experts say not to hang hose or they stretch out, so I usually fold mine over the bathtub rim on a dry towel.

Another reason I love gentle baby shampoo is that I’m highly allergic to most scented shampoos and lingerie washes, and I have no reaction to this gentle alternative. When out of the shampoo, I have also used gentle baby soaps, simply lathering the bar a bit with my hands under the tap to make suds for soaking.

2. Forever New Fabric Care Wash

A product that has been on the market for 25 years, Forever New , $15 – $17, has several organic formulas that address various garments from lights and darks to swimwear, work-out wear and items in need of stain removal. It works great for hand-washing bras. I have a friend who is quite well endowed and she washes a dozen bras at a time and then strings them to dry inside her shower. The site is something to behold. It’s important to remember to reshape the cups when hanging to dry. The washing is easy: you just fill the sink with lukewarm water, add the liquid and swish with your hand to mix the soap. Rinse twice and dry. Your bras will have a longer life if you avoid the tumbling of the machine.

3. Hanky Panky

The maker of organic thongs and undies, Hanky Panky has introduced a biodegradable lingerie wash powder that is hypoallergenic, fragrance free and made in the USA. It’s sold at site like A Brief Affair for $8.50 for an 8 oz. jar. Be sure to follow the directions for mixing so you don’t make the wash too potent.

Main image: Daniele Butera