We Need Your Input: What Would You Like to See in Future How To Guides?

by on October 5, 2009 in Ask TSL

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We recently sent out a call for future How To Guide ideas on Twitter and Facebook and we got a lot of innovative suggestions (thank you!).  Now we want to take it a step further to learn which ideas you like best so far, and to find out what other topics you’d like to see in our future guides.  We appreciate your insight so much that we’ll give you FREE Shipping just for leaving a suggestion in the comments section below!

Check out the great ideas we’ve gotten so far and vote for your favorites (you can vote for up to 3 different options).

Which Future How To Guide Would You Like to See?

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Thanks for lending us your brains!  Be sure to include your email when signing in to leave a new suggestion for us below so we can email you a FREE Shipping code :)

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  • kellykent

    It was super hard to narrow that down to three choices!
    Lately I've had trouble finding a rating system (like cosmetic safety database) that i can trust for items like laundry detergent, bubbles (just plain old bubbles for blowing), and children's vitamins.

  • cindyfong

    I like “How to” guides that help me make decisions on products that have (a) lots of choice and (b) I'm not familiar with.

    For example, there are a tonne of kids water bottles on the market. Even after narrowing it down to the safe ones (i.e. BPA free), there is still a lot of choice. I would appreciate a list that details some of the things I should look for in a kids water bottle. Some things that I've come across myself in my own research are these:
    - ease of cleaning: do all the parts come apart, are dishwasher friendly, and has a mouth large enough to put in a scrub brush
    - ease of use for the child: can your child open and close it without problems, can your child shut it tightly so that it doesn't spill
    - cap/mouthpiece: does the mouth close tightly, is there a covering over the mouth piece, do you want a straw or spout
    - insulation: is it insulated, for how long, does the bottle have a sleeve over the metal to prevent little hands from getting cold
    - size: what volume do you want, does it fit into a car's cup holder
    etc. etc.
    So a how to guide on how to choose a specific product type… almost like a checklist of important things to consider, but also suggestions on what those considerations should look like would be helpful.

  • cynlop

    Greenwashing is my biggest concern, It would be great to have guide to companies that are genuine. I still find myself reading labels because some will still use harmful ingredients or put the product in packing that isn't even recyclable.

  • C

    There were so many great suggestions. I had a hard time choosing, but as a parent of a toddler and pregnant with another – I'm partial to the child-related ones.
    A suggestion (it may be a bit out of your realm, but still somewhat relative): How to tell if your cookware is “safe”.

  • Elizabeth

    I would be very interested in a clear guide to safe sunscreen products. I want to protect my children from the sun's harmful rays without exposing them to chemicals that are just as harmful.

  • http://www.oneamazingblog.blogspot.com/ Tiffany

    Thank you for this poll! I too have been so interested in better ways to freeze food–I try not to use plastic bags, but I haven't found a better option for storing things in the freezer. I'm always too worried to use Pyrex in the freezer, and I keep hearing awful things about aluminum foil….

  • Titania Jordan

    how to best spread the word and generate awareness to friends, family, mother-in-laws, caregivers, daycare centers, and schools (without sounding like debbie downer or paranoid patty). A quick overview of fast facts with solid sources (EPA, etc.) backing up the info would be great.

  • chandrah

    what about all the plastic in packaged food we buy? I know, buy less plastic food but sometimes it's just unavoidable.

  • kellykent

    It was super hard to narrow that down to three choices!
    Lately I've had trouble finding a rating system (like cosmetic safety database) that i can trust for items like laundry detergent, bubbles (just plain old bubbles for blowing), and children's vitamins.

  • cindyfong

    I like “How to” guides that help me make decisions on products that have (a) lots of choice and (b) I'm not familiar with.

    For example, there are a tonne of kids water bottles on the market. Even after narrowing it down to the safe ones (i.e. BPA free), there is still a lot of choice. I would appreciate a list that details some of the things I should look for in a kids water bottle. Some things that I've come across myself in my own research are these:
    - ease of cleaning: do all the parts come apart, are dishwasher friendly, and has a mouth large enough to put in a scrub brush
    - ease of use for the child: can your child open and close it without problems, can your child shut it tightly so that it doesn't spill
    - cap/mouthpiece: does the mouth close tightly, is there a covering over the mouth piece, do you want a straw or spout
    - insulation: is it insulated, for how long, does the bottle have a sleeve over the metal to prevent little hands from getting cold
    - size: what volume do you want, does it fit into a car's cup holder
    etc. etc.
    So a how to guide on how to choose a specific product type… almost like a checklist of important things to consider, but also suggestions on what those considerations should look like would be helpful.

  • Elizabeth

    What a great thing to vote on! We are still using some plastic and are slowly trying to wean ourselves off of plastic containers. Since my husband is skeptical of most other options I am particularly curious how the various plastic companies rate.

  • Amie Vetter

    I would love a great toy guide. I always feel lost at choosing and end up making choices that i am unsure of just because they are convenient and cheaper.

  • cynlop

    Greenwashing is my biggest concern, It would be great to have guide to companies that are genuine. I still find myself reading labels because some will still use harmful ingredients or put the product in packing that isn't even recyclable.

  • C

    There were so many great suggestions. I had a hard time choosing, but as a parent of a toddler and pregnant with another – I'm partial to the child-related ones.
    A suggestion (it may be a bit out of your realm, but still somewhat relative): How to tell if your cookware is “safe”.

  • Elizabeth

    I would be very interested in a clear guide to safe sunscreen products. I want to protect my children from the sun's harmful rays without exposing them to chemicals that are just as harmful.

  • http://www.oneamazingblog.blogspot.com/ Tiffany

    Thank you for this poll! I too have been so interested in better ways to freeze food–I try not to use plastic bags, but I haven't found a better option for storing things in the freezer. I'm always too worried to use Pyrex in the freezer, and I keep hearing awful things about aluminum foil….

  • Titania Jordan

    how to best spread the word and generate awareness to friends, family, mother-in-laws, caregivers, daycare centers, and schools (without sounding like debbie downer or paranoid patty). A quick overview of fast facts with solid sources (EPA, etc.) backing up the info would be great.

  • chandrah

    what about all the plastic in packaged food we buy? I know, buy less plastic food but sometimes it's just unavoidable.

  • Anonymous

    I would love to see a guide for choosing toys! It is my biggest struggle right now. My son is 9 months old and puts everything in his mouth. I can only buy so many non-plastic toys. I spent some time contacting toy companies myself, but some will not release BPA/PVC information.

  • http://thesocalledme.net/ Just Jennifer

    Hey! Found your blog through another site. Love it :D You’re definitely a daily worthy blogger. Added you to my feed reader.

    Thanks for havin’ me and hope to have you visit my bloggy. Have a great week.

  • Teri Stewart

    Thanks for providing so much info!

  • Laura C

    I like the toy idea but would especially like to see larger toys included, such as exersaucers that are all kinds of plastic. Thanks! I love this blog.

  • http://kevnjacks.blogspot.com/ Jackie H

    I would love to see a review of the current organic baby foods & their packaging – to see if they are truly organic and/or BPA-free.

  • natalietrenary

    I'm shopping for a organic mattress. I'd can't find any kind of comparison guide on mattress companies. And of course they all say they're the best because, blah, blah, blah.
    I'd also like to know what to use instead of aluminum foil for baking.

  • Emily

    I am very interested in packaging. I have tried to use less and less plastic at home but sometimes you just need to buy products for children in plastics. I also recently was hoping you would have a guide on children's/infants/prenatal vitamins. Thanks for everything

  • Michelle

    I believe the year, and sometimes month, of company's manufacture will need to be included in some of these product guides (e.g., Little Tykes Doodle Board produced in China after May 2008 are “safe” – I'm making that up, but I think you get my point). It's been my humble experience that a company at large usually can't be pigeon-holed into a 100% BPA-PVC-phthalate-lead-free class, but perhaps some specific products of theirs (again, with manufacturing date included) can be classified as BPA-PVC-phthalate-lead-free. Again, thanks *so* much for doing such fantastic persistent research!

  • tryingtobegreener

    Thanks for asking for our input!

  • squeakycleantot

    I would really like some alternatives to plastic wrap and tupperware. Just don't feel safe using it anymore.

  • wendy

    i second the safe cookware suggestion above!

  • randeetreadwell

    I would love a list of products to avoid that are used in the kitchen. How can I tell which products are safe to use and which aren't?

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Thank you to everyone who took the time to give us your input! We've already begun integrating your fabulous ideas into our future plans for How To Guides!

    We promised to thank you for sharing your insight, so please keep an eye for your FREE Shipping code to arrive via email :)

    Sincerely yours,

    Alicia and Family