This is part 2 of our 2-part blog post series. If you have not read part 1, you’ll find it here.
Below is a list of organisations and people I source most of my bedding and other things like furnishings and personal care products from.
(I am not affiliated with any of these organisations and don’t get any kickbacks from recommending their products. This blog post simply contains information about what I utilise in my own life.)
What we sleep on…
Blessed Earth – They sell organic fair-trade cotton bedding and metal spring-free, organic, fair-trade wool mattresses and pillows online. And their delivery costs aren’t too high. We have been sleeping on Blessed Earth wool mattresses for years and find them cool in summer and warm in winter. The added softness of a wool topper makes them that much more comfy. We use the wool pillows, sheet/doona sets and the wool doonas that come in different weights for different weather.
Bhumi – Online shop that sells a variety of organic fair-trade bedding. This includes flannelette sheets, which I have had great difficulty in sourcing organically. The flannelette sheets are sooooo soft, they do shed a bit during use – but stay very comfy.
For the garden…
Greenpatch Organic Seeds – I have purchased my seed potatoes for my garden from Greenpatch for the last few years and have found them to be better than my previous suppliers. They sell open-pollinated, heritage, untreated, non-genetically modified, organic and conventional seeds and some plants.
Pohlmans Nursery – This nursery is about 50 mins away from us at Adare. They are a commercial nursery with a shop attached where they sell garden plants and vegetable seedlings and flowers. They also have a discounted section where you can pick up more mature stock cheaply. A lot of the seedlings you can buy in Bunning come from Poleman’s. If you live local, cut out the middle man and buy direct.
Daley’s fruit Nursery – Based in Kyogle, they run an online shop as well as having a “bricks and mortar” nursery. I have been buying fruit trees from Daley’s for at least 10 years and have found the stock they send to be a good quality. They have mastered the art of sending plants through the mail efficiently and without any damage to the plant. Daley’s have a HUGE variety of fruit trees for every climate as well as native stock, hedging and much more.
For the body…
Gleneden Family Farm lard based soap – love these guys soap! They do a great dog soap that has helped Eli, our dog, with his skin irritations. We also use the people soap everyday and I buy it in bulk. They don’t have an online shop right now, but you can contact them via their website to order. Or head on over their way for a farm visit. They will post out.
Grants fluoride free toothpaste – one of the few toothpastes available without fluoride that doesn’t cost a heap, and tastes OK. I have started buying it in bulk through their online store as our local Woolworths supply is hit and miss.
WGAC – “Who Gives a Crap” is an online company, with a sense of humour, that makes quality toilet paper, paper towels and tissues as well as some other products from bamboo fibre. They give 50% of their profits to build toilets in places that have none. The quality of the product is good – not sorbent good but pretty close – and you’re supporting an Australian company with a sustainable product. And it gets delivered to your door!
N-Essentials – an online store that sells ingredients for making your own chemical-free cosmetics. Stocks things like almond oil, shea butter and beeswax as well as much more.
For the kitchen/laundry…
Kin Kin Naturals – Qld owned and run company that makes all-natural laundry and kitchen detergents. You can buy in bulk 5 litre containers. I purchase this from Sovereign Foods.
Ozfarmer – online store based in NSW that have preserving jars, kitchen equipment and animal products for the small farmer and much more. Reasonably priced and good service.
For the house…
The Skin Thing – based on the Sunshine Coast, they sell ethically sourced natural sheepskin and cowhide products. Not organic, but an Australian-owned business that also believes in zero waste practices. They have both a bricks and mortar store or you can buy online. We have a number of sheepskin rugs as well as a large cowhide mat that has been under our dining table for coming up to seven years now. I have hand-washed the sheepskins a few times and it hasn’t been a problem. This means you don’t have to get them dry-cleaned with all those chemicals. If you are in the market for a new rug, I would recommend a visit to their store if you can. They have well informed helpful staff who can answer many of your questions. The tactile experience is worth the trip!
Happy flame – A small family business that makes non-toxic beeswax candles of all shapes and sizes. Based in NSW they use both organic and conventional Australian beeswax in their candles. Visit the online shop to peruse the variety of candles available. I love the smell of beeswax candles and they also help clean the air due to the ionization effect of the beeswax. Like so many handmade quality products, Happy Flame candles aren’t cheap. I buy them as a treat to burn on Summer nights so I can turn off the lights to keep the bugs at bay.
I hope this small list gives a “stepping off” point for you all on your journey in this crazy world. A place to start if you are looking to change your spending habits. Many of these products are more expensive than imports from China, but I think as a society we have lost the ability to value products made with freedom and creativity.
Remember…
“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.” — Anna Lappe
