More often than not, some of our favorite buys are small, how-didn’t-I-know-about-this products that solve an everyday problem. That’s what we’re highlighting in our Little Lifesavers series: cheap, simple purchases that you’ll use on the daily. Hit “Add to Cart” and thank us later!
Problem: Humans use 1.5 billion single-use cotton swabs every day, and yet we still need to clean our ears.
Solution: One LastSwab will clean your ears around 1,000 times — and I swear it's not as gross as it sounds.
There are two things I'd like to admit up front: I'm a bit of a clean freak, and I've definitely broken the guidelines for safely cleaning your ears with Q-tips. It just feels so good! So when I first spotted LastSwab from sustainable brand LastObject, I rolled my eyes in disgust at the thought of reusing something that goes in my ears. I was also skeptical that the substitute for the cotton ends (medical-grade silicone) could give me that satisfying clean feeling.
After thinking about the hundreds of cotton swabs I go through in a single year and remembering that sad photo of a seahorse carrying a pink swab, I decided to try it out. I've switched to metal straws, I love my Stasher bags and I've been eyeing washable cotton squares. What makes this product so different?
It helps that LastSwab is aesthetically cute! It comes in pretty colors with a biodegradable carrying case so you can take it with you when you travel. The actual swab is the same size as its single-use counterpart, with nubby soft ends that feel nice on sensitive ear skin.
I’m going to be honest: There’s an adjustment period when you make the switch from the cotton you know and love. My routine is to store the LastSwab in my medicine cabinet, use it after a shower, and then wash it with soap and warm water after each use. While it doesn't dry up the shower water left in your ear the way cotton does, you still get the sensation that you're giving the outer ear a good cleanse. Like typical cotton swabs, you shouldn't go digging around inside your ear canal with the LastSwab, no matter how tempting.
In addition to the Basic swab, I'm also loving the Beauty style that's designed for removing mascara and eyeliner mishaps. It has one smooth end and one pointed end to touch up lipstick or navigate around lashes with a touch of makeup remover. I'm a girl who loves her routine and beauty rituals, but switching from single-use cotton swabs to LastSwab is a no-brainer way to lessen my environmental footprint.
The cotton swab is just the beginning: LastObject recently closed a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch its newest solution to single-use items, LastTissue. Swap in your Kleenex for this silicone carrying case with six handkerchiefs, separated into two chambers for clean and dirty. You can preorder LastTissue on Indiegogo now.
Read More:
These Eco-Friendly Products Will Help You Swap Out Single Use Plastics For Good
Waste Less and Snack More with One of These Reusable Plastic Baggies
Ditch the Disposable With a Produce Bag You Can Use Again and Again
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