FAQ
Product Questions
Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
Q: How do I use a shampoo bar?
A: Soak your hair with warm water, then rub the bar in your hands to build a lather. Set the bar aside and massage the lather through your hair and scalp. If using our Bar Saving Bag, you can leave the bar in the bag and build a lather in your hands. The bag creates a wonderfully exfoliating, loofah-like experience. When done, hang the bag from the faucet or a hook and allow it to fully dry.
Q: How do I use a conditioner bar?
A: After shampooing, use a conditioner bar to lock in moisture and nourish your hair. You can either apply the conditioner bar directly to your hair, from scalp to ends. Or, you can build a creamy lather in your hands, then rub that through your hair. When done, keep your conditioner bar in a Bar Saving Bag, or on a Bar Saving Dish, and allow it to fully dry.
Q: Do the shampoo bars contain SLS?
A: Nope! Our shampoo bars are made with sustainable, gentle ingredients, and are pH balanced to protect your hair and scalp. Many other brands use sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a harsh detergent that strips hair and skin, causing dry skin and irritation. SLS is also often made from palm oil, a major driver of habitat-destroying deforestation. Instead of SLS, our shampoo bars use a unique blend of sodium coco sulfate (SCS) and sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) - two gentle surfactants derived from coconut oil, which keeps hair hydrated while being much nicer to the environment.
Q: Will your shampoo bars strip my hair color?
A: Our bars are pH balanced, so they won’t strip color anymore than liquid shampoo. However, they will not prolong color either. So, if you use a toner in your hair currently, we recommend you keep using it.
Q: How long will my shampoo bars and conditioner bars last?
A: Our shampoo bars and conditioner bars are highly concentrated, so a little bit goes a long way. They are designed to last 50-75 washes, replacing up to three 300ml bottles of liquid shampoo or conditioner.
Q: How do I store shampoo bars and conditioner bars?
A: Shampoo bars and conditioner bars will not last long if they stay wet. So we recommend using our Bar Saving Dish or Bar Saving Bag to keep your bars high and dry.
Q: What is unique about your shampoo bars?
A: Our shampoo bars are made with sustainable, gentle ingredients, and are pH balanced to protect your hair and scalp. Many other brands use sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a harsh detergent that strips hair and skin, causing dry skin and irritation. SLS is also often made from palm oil, a major driver of habitat-destroying deforestation. Instead of SLS, our shampoo bars use a unique blend of sodium coco sulfate (SCS) and sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) - two gentle surfactants derived from coconut oil, which keeps hair hydrated while being much nicer to the environment.
Q: Are shampoo bars and conditioner bars kid-friendly?
A: Our shampoo bars and conditioner bars are 100% soap free and pH balanced, so they are great for sensitive skin on kids and grownups alike. For an extra gentle bar, try our Coconut Vanilla shampoo bar.
Q: Are shampoo bars and conditioner bars travel-friendly?
A: Absolutely! Shampoo bars and conditioner bars are perfect for travel. Just be sure they are dry and safe in their Bar Saving Bag or Bar Saving Dish. Plus, no more leaky shampoo bottles to worry about!
Toothpaste Tablets
Q: How do I brush with toothpaste tablets?
A: Pop a tablet in your mouth. Chomp on it a few times and brush with a wet toothbrush as you would normally. Your teeth will be squeaky clean in no time.
Q: Do the toothpaste tablets contain fluoride?
A: Nope. Our toothpaste tablets are made with nano-hydroxyapatite, which is a fluoride alternative that reduces sensitivity and strengthens enamel. Our full ingredient list can be found on the product page.
A: There are 248 tablets in our jars and pouches - enough for one person to brush their teeth twice a day for four months.
Q: What's unique about your toothpaste tablets?
A: Our toothpaste tablets are made with Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol found in plants. It provides a natural sweetness while strengthening enamel and reducing tooth decay. Our tablets also have nano-hydroxyapatite, an effective flouride replacement, and are sold in sustainable packaging. We avoid harsh chemicals like SLS, along with artificial ingredients and plastic packaging.
Q: Are toothpaste tablets travel-friendly?
A: Absolutely! Our toothpaste tablets are TSA Approved and great for travel. As a bonus, you'll never have to worry about a toothpaste tube bursting in your luggage, making a huge mess everywhere!
Q: Are toothpaste tablets safe for kids?
A: We do not recommend any toothpaste tablets to kids under 3 years old as they could be a choking hazard. For kids under 3, you can crush the toothpaste tablet into powder, then dip a wet toothbrush into the powder for brushing.
Q: Are toothpaste tablets safe for animals?
A: They are okay for cats, but toothpaste tablets are not safe for dogs! Our tablets are made with xylitol which is great for our teeth, but very toxic to dogs. Similar to grapes or chocolate, products with xylitol are very harmful to dogs. If you think your dog may have eaten your toothpaste tablets, call your vet, emergency clinic, or animal poison control center right away.
Bamboo toothbrush
Q: What is your toothbrush made out of?
A: Like other bamboo toothbrushes, ours is made of moso bamboo which is native to China and grown in pesticide-free forests close to the toothbrush factory. Bamboo regrows in just 3 years, making it highly sustainable.
Q: What are your toothbrush bristles made of?
A: Our bristles are made of recyclable soft nylon, which is what most dentists recommend. We looked into other materials for bristles, but the only compostable material currently available is made of boars hair. But that raised questions about animal treatment. We also found a type of nylon made from castor bean oil. But that is still not compostable, and the process to make the bristles still creates a polymer, so any benefit is debatable. In the end, we felt the best option was soft nylon bristles that would satisfy our dentist friends, and still have the potential to be recycled.
Q: How do I compost the bamboo toothbrush handle?
A: Composting our bamboo toothbrush is a piece of cake. Cut or break off the bristle head, and put the handle directly in your home compost or garden bin. The bristles can go in your plastic recycling. Along with the toothbrush handle, all of our paper packaging and boxes are recyclable or compostable, even the packing tape!
Deodorant
Q: Are your scents unisex?
A: Anyone can benefit from our great smelling deodorants. Our first two scents are Coconut Vanilla and Citrus & Cedar. Both are unisex and formulated for sensitive skin, while providing powerful odor protection. If there's a new scent you would like us to add, please email us!
Q: What goes into your deodorants?
A: Our full list of ingredients is on the product page. Our deodorants are all natural and non-toxic. They are aluminum-free, with no parabens, sulfates or phthalates.
Q: Is the deodorant aluminum free?
A: Absolutely. Our natural deodorant formula is 100% aluminum free. No nasty stuff here.
Q: How do I use the Deodorant tube?
A: First remove the cap. Then use your finger to push the product up from the bottom, until you have enough to apply. It only takes a thin layer all over your armpit. Finally, smell great all day!
Q: Are the deodorant tubes really plastic-free?
A: Yes they are! Our deodorant tubes are made of paperboard sourced from responsibly managed forests. The empty tubes can be easily recycled with the rest of your paper and cardboard.
General Questions
Subscriptions/Account
Q: Why do you offer subscriptions?
A: Because it's easier for everyone! Nobody likes running out of toothpaste tablets or (gasp!) deodorant. In those situations, it can be easier to buy whatever your local grocery store has on the shelf. Unfortunately, most stores don't carry many natural, plastic-free products. The shampoo section alone is a sea of plastic bottles and harsh chemicals - gross! And when you find a brand you like, most people want to stick with them. So, having a subscription that automatically orders your favorites, while saving you money, makes life a little easier. Along with helping you, it also benefits us. Having a base of happy customers making regular purchases helps us grow with predictable revenue, which makes operating our business that much easier. So, we look at it as a win-win, making things easier for everyone.
Q: Do I have to subscribe?
A: Nope! All of our products are available as one-time purchases. We also offer subscriptions on most products, which will save you a little money. But subscriptions are never required. So you can choose to subscribe to as many products, or as few products, as you want.
Q: How do your subscriptions work?
A: Easy. If you find a product you want to subscribe to, you can add that option during your purchase. Each subscription automatically places your next order on a preset schedule, so you always have enough toothpaste tablets or shampoo bars, or deodorant or a new toothbrush, right when you need it. And for domestic US orders over $50, shipping is always free.
Q: How do I log into my account?
A: There are a couple easy ways to log in. You can click the "person" icon in the top right corner of the screen. Or, if you have recently ordered, click the "Manage Subscription" button in your order confirmation email. Once you are logged in, you will find all kinds of options for managing your subscription.
Q: What changes can I make to my subscription?
A: Once you are logged in, you will find all kinds of options for managing your subscription. You can change the products you subscribe to, change how often you receive shipments, update your shipping address, payment method, or cancel the subscription. Easy!
Q: How do I cancel my subscription?
A: Well dang, we're sorry to see you go! But, we get it. Sometimes there are just too many subscriptions to deal with. Canceling is easy. Just log into your account using the "person" icon in the top right corner of the screen. Once you are logged in, you'll see all kinds of options, including canceling. Please note, cancelling your subscription will prevent all future orders from processing, but it will not cancel any orders already charged. And of course, if there is anything we can do better, please email us at hello@communitygoods.co
Shipping & Returns
Q: Do you offer free shipping?
A: Yes we do! Free standard shipping is applied to all domestic orders $50+.
Q: When will my order ship?
A: Your order will typically ship within 2 business days. However, our team is very small as we are just getting started, so it could take longer if we get slammed. Once your order has shipped, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information. We ship from our fulfillment center outside Seattle, and most packages arrive anywhere in the U.S. in 7-10 days after the ship date.
Q: How long will it take for my order to arrive?
A: Shipping usually takes 7-10 business days after the ship date. We will get it shipped as soon as we can.
Q: Where do you ship?
A: For now, we only ship to the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. We are hoping to offer international shipping soon!
Q: What is your return or refund policy?
A: Free and easy! We certainly hope you love your Community Goods, but if not, please email hello@communitygoods.co within 30 days of receiving your order so we can help. For subscriptions, please note shipments after your first order are not eligible for return, refund or cancellation after they have been charged. But you can always cancel your future subscription shipments. If something is wrong, please let us know and we'll replace it or give you a full refund.
Environmental, Social & Governance
Q: What are your Certifications?
A: Before we sold our first product, we joined 1% For the Planet. As a full company member of 1% For The Planet, we have committed to donating at least 1% of our annual sales toward approved environmental organizations. One of those organizations is The Surfrider Foundation, which fights to protect our waterways, oceans and beaches from plastic pollution. Another organization we have committed to support is Ocean Conservancy, which has collected nearly 350 million pounds of trash from our oceans since 1986.
As we evaluate partners and suppliers, we require their attestation of using zero palm oil derived ingredients, and zero animal testing. This has allowed us to become certified Cruelty-Free And Vegan with PETA's Beauty without Bunnies program. We are also working toward being certified Palm Oil-Free by the Orangutan Alliance. That is a resource intensive certification, but we expect to have it in place within a year.
Community Goods is also planning on becoming a certified B-Corp, once we are eligible after one full year in operation.
Q: Are your products tested on animals?
A: Never. We have chosen our suppliers based on this requirement, and expect to be certified Cruelty-Free in the near future.
Q: Are your products made in the USA?
A: Most of our products are made in the USA. This includes all of our shampoo bars, all of our conditioner bars, and all of our deodorant. Our toothpaste tablets and bamboo toothbrushes are made by an FDA registered manufacturing facility in China, which is also certified to CE standards. Currently, there are not any bamboo toothbrush manufacturers in the USA. And even if there were, they would have to ship the raw bamboo from China, as that is were it is grown. Our toothpaste tablets and bamboo toothbrushes are shipped to us by sea instead of air, to minimize our carbon footprint as much as possible.
Q: What is your packaging made of?
A: Our packaging is all kraft paper, cardboard, and glass jars with aluminum lids. All materials that are very easy to recycle. Many are also compostable. Our boxes are 100% recycled corrugate, made in the USA. They are 100% recycled content with 95% post-consumer waste. Our packaging tape is also paper, and is completely plastic-free. Our inks are all plant-based or algae-based.
For any other questions, or if you just want to chat, send us an email anytime: hello@communitygoods.co