I use the Trader Joe’s laundry detergent (hypoallergenic) and body wash and love them both. I see they also have ethical issues but I wanted to chime in anyway.
I went through a laundry detergent phase a few years ago, and the ones I hated were Nellie's (powder form), Dirty Labs, Zum, Seventh Generation, and Method. I can't seem to find one that works as well as Tide, but I'm going to test out Koala Eco once my jug is emptied! I've also heard good things about Charlie's Soap. I remember also wanting to try the brand, Root & Splendor!
Oh i LOVE TJs honey and oatmeal soap! I also love one of their almond exfoliating soaps — smells heavenly. I've been on the fence with TJs though since they're anti-union :/
Do you have any resources to learn more about company’s ownerships/ business practices? Specifically those who are not owned by the J&Js of the world but we still may not want to support. Thank you!
Truthfully this post took a VERY long time because I manually Googled each one up! The easiest is to figure out who owns the company, and if it's one of the many big evils (e.g., Proctor & Gamble, L'Oreal, Meta), then it's an easy no. Some other companies didn't have much info on their ownership, and some others were publicly owned by a bigger corporation. I'd do a deep dive and use key words like 🧊 or 🍊, or even typing "[brand] controversy". Reddit is useful, though if there is sparse info, I'd rec fact checking that. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have specific brands you'd want me to look into and I'm happy to do so. :)
There are a couple apps that could be helpful: Good on You for clothes/beauty (mostly looking at sustainability practices) and Goods Unite Us (mostly looking at ownership/politics/issues).
I use those apps, but I also like doing my own research to ensure that the information is accurate! I don't trust that these apps are always up to date, haha. But I know they try their best!
This is such a great guide!! I’ve been considering cutting back on Target too—I wasn’t familiar about all the issues with them that you mentioned (but that’s even more reason for me to boycott) but I honestly have just found their website totally unusable. After failing to let me log in for the 10th time, I bought paper towels from a company called who gives a crap, which seems like a way better company anyway! I’ll definitely try some of these companies you have listed here as swaps
Thank you so much, Maria! Sadly there are a lot of hidden problems with Target, and I'm glad the DEI controversy "exposed" them even more. Oh yes the website is so oddly clunky! I feel like it looks pretty, but when you actually start clicking into it, there are too many functionalities and it's a headache. WGAC has been such a solid brand! I stopped buying from them because it got too expensive, but I'm going to focus on spending less on unnecessary items this year so I can support these companies on a more regular basis. :') Hoping Costco one day stocks them!!
Thank you for compiling this curated list and not gate keeping this info. I deeply appreciate your candor and honesty in how tough it is (and will be!) to purchase items that might be a bit less “convenient” to get right away, like Target drive-up or via Amazon.
I’ve cut back on my Target purchases by buying more at my local grocery stores (Lucky, Safeway). I’m sure they have their issues too. I also use those isopropyl alcohol wipes and have recently purchased them at Lucky (store brand). Sprouts is a good store for alternative beauty products if you have one near you (but I think Sprouts is a non-union store, as is TJ’s).
Thank you for this list! I've found Grove Collaborative to be a wonderful alternative to Target. B corporation, woman owned, love that I can order many household items from a single retailer. Especially for diapers and family needs :)
If you have the option shopping at a local co-op for basics needs like cleaning supplies and such is excellent. We use a locally made laundry powder we can buy in bulk and the field day organic dish soap and hand soaps are affordable and work excellently. It then also supports a locally run cooperative shopping model. They aren’t everywhere but for some it is an excellent way of shopping. Thrive also offers a lot of great options and is more accessible to people as well.
I have avoided big box stores other than a couple I feel good about for a while, but it has its challenges. Koala eco products are deeply loved in our home as well, but are steep.
Oh I love that! I actually used to do something familiar, where I'd buy from local, zero-waste stores. However, I've always had issue with those products not being strong enough cleaning-wise, or irritating my skin. I've been experimenting for years now, which was why I reverted back to the Target alternatives. :( But I know that certain brands like Koala Eco are ethical AND actually work well, so that gives me hope haha
Thanks for the compilation! I’ve scaled back from Target since last year by switching to other local retail stores, but haven’t gone as far as checking the brands yet. It does feel like more effort to change from the stores and brands that are easily accessible, more affordable, and available at one store, but much respect for aligning your dollars to your values!
This is a great post! For the Cepacol cough drops and Claritin (and TBH any medication), as a pharmacist, I'd recommend just getting the store generic version of whatever pharmacy or grocery store you prefer to shop at.
Thank you for the tip!! Is there a generic alternative to the Cepacol? I assumed those were stronger than Ricola's so I'm not placing them in the same category.
Yes, Ricola cough drops are just herbal, whereas Cepacol is actually medicated. Depending on the version, the actual ingredients of Cepacol are benzocaine and menthol (both for numbing) or benzocaine and dextromethorphan (cough suppressant AKA Delsym), so just look for a generic with those same ingredients. A lot of store generics will explicitly say "compare to Cepacol" or something like that on the front of the box.
Love love love this list! Buff city soap is awesome and I've found the laundry detergent cleans really well and they also have soaps (body wash, hand soap, bar soap, etc...)
Wow… your list is well researched and made me realize how little of these types of products our household never uses. I’ve been a natural co-op shopper for decades. The diversity of consumer behavior in our country is fascinating.
Thank you so much for all your hard work. I try to do the same, but quite frankly it’s exhausting. I will refer to your list and check back frequently 👍🏻🙌🏻
If you shop at Trader Joe’s at all, you might wanna try their honey and oatmeal soap. I find it very mild and yet adequately cleansing for the body.
I haven’t shopped at target since they did the DEI thing. It hasn’t been a big effort at all. It’s mostly full of stuff I do not need.
I use the Trader Joe’s laundry detergent (hypoallergenic) and body wash and love them both. I see they also have ethical issues but I wanted to chime in anyway.
I went through a laundry detergent phase a few years ago, and the ones I hated were Nellie's (powder form), Dirty Labs, Zum, Seventh Generation, and Method. I can't seem to find one that works as well as Tide, but I'm going to test out Koala Eco once my jug is emptied! I've also heard good things about Charlie's Soap. I remember also wanting to try the brand, Root & Splendor!
Oh i LOVE TJs honey and oatmeal soap! I also love one of their almond exfoliating soaps — smells heavenly. I've been on the fence with TJs though since they're anti-union :/
if you’re boycotting target, you may as well boycott trader joe’s too. they joined amazon in trying to declare the NLRB unconstitutional: https://www.epi.org/blog/whats-behind-the-corporate-effort-to-kneecap-the-national-labor-relations-board-spacex-amazon-trader-joes-and-starbucks-are-trying-to-have-the-nlrb-declared-unconstitutional/
It's so upsetting to see that TJs is a part of the mix, since they sell so many favorites of mine.
Now THIS is what I’m talking about, 10/10 post
TOO kind! 🥹🫶🏻
Do you have any resources to learn more about company’s ownerships/ business practices? Specifically those who are not owned by the J&Js of the world but we still may not want to support. Thank you!
Truthfully this post took a VERY long time because I manually Googled each one up! The easiest is to figure out who owns the company, and if it's one of the many big evils (e.g., Proctor & Gamble, L'Oreal, Meta), then it's an easy no. Some other companies didn't have much info on their ownership, and some others were publicly owned by a bigger corporation. I'd do a deep dive and use key words like 🧊 or 🍊, or even typing "[brand] controversy". Reddit is useful, though if there is sparse info, I'd rec fact checking that. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have specific brands you'd want me to look into and I'm happy to do so. :)
Thanks 🫶
There are a couple apps that could be helpful: Good on You for clothes/beauty (mostly looking at sustainability practices) and Goods Unite Us (mostly looking at ownership/politics/issues).
I use those apps, but I also like doing my own research to ensure that the information is accurate! I don't trust that these apps are always up to date, haha. But I know they try their best!
this is amazing!! thank you for all your work on this, inspiring and informative.
🥹🫶🏻
This is such a great guide!! I’ve been considering cutting back on Target too—I wasn’t familiar about all the issues with them that you mentioned (but that’s even more reason for me to boycott) but I honestly have just found their website totally unusable. After failing to let me log in for the 10th time, I bought paper towels from a company called who gives a crap, which seems like a way better company anyway! I’ll definitely try some of these companies you have listed here as swaps
Thank you so much, Maria! Sadly there are a lot of hidden problems with Target, and I'm glad the DEI controversy "exposed" them even more. Oh yes the website is so oddly clunky! I feel like it looks pretty, but when you actually start clicking into it, there are too many functionalities and it's a headache. WGAC has been such a solid brand! I stopped buying from them because it got too expensive, but I'm going to focus on spending less on unnecessary items this year so I can support these companies on a more regular basis. :') Hoping Costco one day stocks them!!
Thank you for compiling this curated list and not gate keeping this info. I deeply appreciate your candor and honesty in how tough it is (and will be!) to purchase items that might be a bit less “convenient” to get right away, like Target drive-up or via Amazon.
You are so kind — thank you!!
I’ve cut back on my Target purchases by buying more at my local grocery stores (Lucky, Safeway). I’m sure they have their issues too. I also use those isopropyl alcohol wipes and have recently purchased them at Lucky (store brand). Sprouts is a good store for alternative beauty products if you have one near you (but I think Sprouts is a non-union store, as is TJ’s).
That's frustrating — thanks for flagging this! I didn't realize Sprouts was non-union. :(
Thank you for this list! I've found Grove Collaborative to be a wonderful alternative to Target. B corporation, woman owned, love that I can order many household items from a single retailer. Especially for diapers and family needs :)
They pretty much offer all the alternatives we need! There are some brands that aren't fully ethical on Grove, but at least a chunk of them are!
Wow this is so helpful, thank you!!
<33
If you have the option shopping at a local co-op for basics needs like cleaning supplies and such is excellent. We use a locally made laundry powder we can buy in bulk and the field day organic dish soap and hand soaps are affordable and work excellently. It then also supports a locally run cooperative shopping model. They aren’t everywhere but for some it is an excellent way of shopping. Thrive also offers a lot of great options and is more accessible to people as well.
I have avoided big box stores other than a couple I feel good about for a while, but it has its challenges. Koala eco products are deeply loved in our home as well, but are steep.
Oh I love that! I actually used to do something familiar, where I'd buy from local, zero-waste stores. However, I've always had issue with those products not being strong enough cleaning-wise, or irritating my skin. I've been experimenting for years now, which was why I reverted back to the Target alternatives. :( But I know that certain brands like Koala Eco are ethical AND actually work well, so that gives me hope haha
Thanks for the compilation! I’ve scaled back from Target since last year by switching to other local retail stores, but haven’t gone as far as checking the brands yet. It does feel like more effort to change from the stores and brands that are easily accessible, more affordable, and available at one store, but much respect for aligning your dollars to your values!
Great job on decreasing your Target spend! I love how this community is collectively opting for other and better options. :)
This is a great post! For the Cepacol cough drops and Claritin (and TBH any medication), as a pharmacist, I'd recommend just getting the store generic version of whatever pharmacy or grocery store you prefer to shop at.
Thank you for the tip!! Is there a generic alternative to the Cepacol? I assumed those were stronger than Ricola's so I'm not placing them in the same category.
Yes, Ricola cough drops are just herbal, whereas Cepacol is actually medicated. Depending on the version, the actual ingredients of Cepacol are benzocaine and menthol (both for numbing) or benzocaine and dextromethorphan (cough suppressant AKA Delsym), so just look for a generic with those same ingredients. A lot of store generics will explicitly say "compare to Cepacol" or something like that on the front of the box.
Love love love this list! Buff city soap is awesome and I've found the laundry detergent cleans really well and they also have soaps (body wash, hand soap, bar soap, etc...)
thank you for sharing! i don't think i've heard of that brand before!
Wow… your list is well researched and made me realize how little of these types of products our household never uses. I’ve been a natural co-op shopper for decades. The diversity of consumer behavior in our country is fascinating.
amazing that you're a co-op shopper! a lot of their brands are green flags usually but some red flags may sneak in 😅
Love this! Check out "cut off the spigot" on Instagram it other platforms. She gives really specific alternatives to bad companies.
yes! i follow them there and on substack 🙌🏻
Thank you so much for all your hard work. I try to do the same, but quite frankly it’s exhausting. I will refer to your list and check back frequently 👍🏻🙌🏻
that's okay! no need to aim for perfection on the first try! 🥹