Essentials Crate is a monthly subscription featuring healthy and eco-conscious lifestyle items for day to day life. This includes 4-5 full-size home, personal care, beauty, and/or wellness products from local artisans, small businesses, and bigger household brands.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Essentials Crate
The Subscription Box: Essentials Crate
The Cost: $44 per month. Save with longer subscription commitments.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 15% off your first order!
CODE: MSA15
The Products: 4-5 full-size home, personal care, beauty, and/or wellness items focused on eco-friendliness and health.
Ships to: The U.S. for free.
Essentials Crate February 2021 Review
Essentials Crate sends out an email with all of the product info instead of a physical booklet. I added it here above so you could check it out too.
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Bamboo Dish Brush and Replacement Head - Listed Value $18.00
I am totally one of those people who "soaks" dishes that I would rather not scrub. I just hate getting my hands wet with an especially messy dish! I used to have a long-handled scrubber similar to this and I loved it, and then I had to toss it out and I guess I just never replaced it. That long handle means I can scrub away at problematic dishes without ruining my manicure or getting my hands soaked. The head is covered in pretty aggressive bristles which makes scrubbing a snap, and it even arrived with an extra replacement head.
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Bottle Brush Scrubber - Listed value $10.00
I officially turned into a water bottle person in 2020 and my favorite had a slightly narrow opening, which means I usually fill it with hot water and soap and shake it aggressively, hoping that is enough to really clean it. Even though I usually only put water in it, I still think an actual scrubbing is way overdue. This narrow bristles brush is small enough to fit into my favorite bottle and clean it thoroughly. And it reminds me of my cat's cute tail which somehow makes it even more charming.
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Sisal Fiber Cellulose Sponges, 3 count - Listed Value $5.00
We made the switch to natural sponges back in 2019 and though it is a small change in terms of cutting down on the plastic we use each day, I truly believe little changes like this add up. I also have found that these work just as well as the more colorful ones I used to use and somehow seem to get less gross over time. Sponges might not feel super exciting in a box, but we will 100000% use these and it saves me from picking up more at the store for a few months.
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Art Soap Life Dish Bar, 125 g - Retail Value $10.00
One product that we haven't given up (YET) is our liquid dish soap. It isn't the best for the environment and it comes in big plastic bottles, so it for sure is another small step we could take in terms of good swaps in and around our sink. I liked this soap and found that it was great for cleaning, but if I could change one thing, I would have picked this brand's scented option. I still associate clean scents with "clean" (I know it is all in my head) and I find that a good fragrance makes dishes a little more bearable. Next time, I will order the option with the rosemary and orange scent!
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Whispering Willow Cedar Soap Dish - Retail Value $7.00
This cedar dish is the perfect complement to our soap. The bar above should last a really long time IF I can keep it dry between uses, and this ridged dish is perfect for keeping it out of any remaining water. I like the simple and natural style of this design too!
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Paperless Bamboo Towels, set of 8 - Listed Value $20.00
Will is a paper towel addict. It actually drives me crazy because they are expensive and our cat often steals the rolls and unfurls them all over the living room. It was cute the first time, but now... not so much. I would LOVE to never buy paper towels again, but this is one of those things that feels really hard because tearing one or two off, using them, then tossing them is just too easy. With reusable ones, you have to keep track of them and wash them, but honestly, I think we could make this switch with time. This set of 8 is a good start and I found them to be soft but also super absorbent due to the waffle texture.
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Avry Beauty Shea Butter Hand Creme, 45 mL - Retail Value $3.00
This little tube of hand creme fits the overall theme of the box quite well and felt great on my hands. I was less crazy about the scent (it was a little too sweet for me) but pleased that this formula was cruelty-free and vegan.
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Avry Beauty Shea Butter Gloves - Retail Value $1.25
My final item was a pack of shea hand gloves. Again, I wasn't into the scent per se, but it left my hands feeling so soft. My trick with these is to wear them and place a heating pad on top of my hands. It really helps the serum absorb and soften my skin.
The Verdict: Essentials Crate is really nailing their themes each month and sending very high-quality and practical items in reserved colors that look great in anyone's space. This is one of the most polished boxes I get to review! As someone who really doesn't get excited about cleaning products, I find myself looking forward to any that happen to arrive in this box because I know they will be thoughtful when it comes to materials, style, and sustainability. Everything this month ended up at my sink and used almost immediately. I do think the creme and gloves felt a little bit like add-ons, but, hey, I am not complaining.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, your first box will be the March box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 15% off your first order!
CODE: MSA15
Value Breakdown: This box costs $44, including free shipping which means each of the 8 items costs an average of $5.50.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
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