It’s easy to want less: less to buy, less to clean, less to store, fewer choices, and less to throw away. We get a little thrill from consolidating—turning two products into one or freeing up space in a drawer or closet by eliminating duplicates. Why buy ten bottles for ten different tasks when one product can do them all? Three years ago I wrote a post about small ways we keep life simple, and after several requests for an update, here’s an extended list. Three years into “Project Simplify,” we have even fewer cleaning, grooming, and hygiene products around the house—even with a third person to care for. The specific products that work for us might not be the same ones you prefer, but the general approach of paring down and focusing on multi-purpose items might be helpful.
Back in 2009 we realized John and I didn’t mind sharing the same shampoo and conditioner (we use Avalon Organics from Target) and the same body wash (we use Say Yes To Cucumbers, also from Target). Instead of keeping separate bottles—resulting in six or seven containers in the shower—we buy a single bottle of each and share. That cuts down on frequent trips to restock and leaves just three containers in the shower at any given time. We don’t store extra bottles under the sink or in the linen closet; when something runs low, we replace it. It’s simple and uncomplicated.
Because of earlier eco-related changes, simplifying other areas became almost automatic. We rely on Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent without fabric softener, which reduces the number of products we buy and makes storage easy. We used to alternate Charlie’s Soap for diapers with Seventh Generation, but eventually switched to Seventh Generation across the board—it’s easier to use one product for everything. We stopped buying fabric softener after doing a few loads without it and noticing no difference, so we simply eliminated it from our shopping list.
We use a single dishwasher detergent brand and have considered making homemade laundry or dish detergents, but haven’t switched yet. If we do, we’ll share the process and results. We’ve collected some DIY cleaner recipes over the years that we use occasionally.
For general cleaning—floors, counters, tubs, and tile—we mainly use two cleaners about 99% of the time, supplemented by occasional homemade solutions. Instead of buying separate products for windows, tile, and wood floors, we keep it minimal. Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Cleaner diluted with water covers counters, wood floors, and many other surfaces when used with a damp microfiber cloth. For glass, we use a simple vinegar-and-water mix (five parts water to one part white vinegar). This approach keeps cleaning supplies streamlined and storage straightforward.
We also water down Dr. Bronner’s soap (the bottle recommends diluting) and use it for hand washing throughout the house—kitchen sink, bathrooms, and more. One part soap to one part water works well. It’s mild enough to remove makeup and gentle enough for a pet bath, so it’s the one soap we use for multiple tasks.
My simplicity habit traces back to living in a tiny studio in NYC with almost no storage. These days my entire makeup collection fits in a single small bag I’ve used for years. It’s not just a travel kit—it’s everything I own, which makes it easy to pack or grab on the go. I keep it mostly in the car so I can apply makeup while John drives if I’m running late.
My makeup bag holds:
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear bronzer/blush
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear two-toned eye makeup
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear concealer stick
- Physician’s Formula Organic Wear mascara
- An eyelash curler
- A blush brush
- One spare contact (because I lose them sometimes)
I’ve used these products consistently for 2–3 years and like the simplicity and speed they offer. A small makeup routine encourages me to look polished without taking much time. Using fewer, milder products has also improved my skin and cut down on impulse purchases of novelty shades or trendy items.
For hygiene, John uses hair products like Crew and occasional Got2be, shaving cream, and Burt’s Bees aftershave. I shave with a bit of conditioner in the shower. We share the same type of razor (we keep one in the shower and one in a drawer) so replacement blades are easy to manage. We both use Tom’s of Maine deodorant and the fluoride toothpaste from that brand—after trying a fluoride-free option and getting cavities, we switched back and have had none since.
Beyond shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, we avoid a lot of extra beauty products. John isn’t into cologne and I don’t wear perfume. We keep one tube of sunscreen and one of lotion and restock only when they’re empty. We like Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Coconut Organic Lotion and Bullfrog Sunscreen SPF 30. A tube is kept in our travel bag, one under the sink, and one in the car, so we always have one handy. Since I use mild makeup and gentle soap, I don’t need face cream anymore—my skin stays balanced without an extra moisturizer.
High school me hoarded beauty products, but adult life, a busy schedule, and parenthood have simplified that. I don’t use hairspray, pomade, or perfume these days; my shampoo and body wash scent is fine as my “signature.” My hairstyle tends toward ponytails, which eliminates the need for styling products. This streamlined routine feels like low-maintenance chic on a good day and just practical on a busy one.
There are magazine sections about makeup and perfume I can now skip without FOMO. Nail polish is one exception: I keep a small, curated collection of about ten bottles from brands like Zoya and Honeybee Gardens that avoid some of the harsher chemicals in mainstream formulas. Ten bottles fit neatly in our organized drawer, and I avoid adding more unless one runs out.
Lip balm is another personal essential. I keep a stick in my purse, a box by my desk, on my nightstand, and in the car’s glove compartment. Having a few stashed in key spots prevents frantic searching and reduces frequent small purchases.
When our daughter Clara was born we purposely kept baby products minimal instead of registering for dozens of items. We started with three basics and stuck with them:
- California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash for bathtime
- Badger Baby Sunscreen for sun protection
- California Baby Calendula Cream for face, body, diaper rash, cradle cap, eczema, and dry skin
Those three products are still our main baby-care items after nearly two years. They’re easy to store in a single drawer or closet and we only replace them when they run out. Keeping Clara’s routine minimal made life simpler and left space and time for other things.
Choosing fewer, multi-purpose, and often natural products has reduced impulse buys, freed up cabinet space, saved money, and given us time back. I’m curious what strategies others use to simplify—whether it’s sharing products, making your own, leaving things out of your routine, or buying in bulk. What works for you?
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