GlobeIn is a subscription that seeks to bring the world to you every month in the form of carefully curated artisanal goods from throughout the world. They take the time to make sure items are fairly traded and therefore support artists and their work. This theme is really important to me as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer I saw first hand while serving how much it can mean to an artist, family, and whole community to be fairly paid for their hard work. It can mean a drastically better life!
GlobeIn has two boxes:
Artisan Box: $35 a month, $33 per month with a 3 month subscription, and $30 a month with a 6 month subscription. Use coupon codes WELCOME to save 25% off of your first box with a 3 month subscription!!!
Benefit Basket: A smaller version of the Artisan Box that has one item nestled a basket: $19.99 a month or $56.95 every 3 months. Use coupon code TRYBENEFIT to save $7 off of a 3 month subscription!!!
The theme for August’s GlobeIn Box is Laundry, which I usually would not be so excited about because I hate to do laundry and have bought undies and socks in bulk so that I could put off laundry day as long as possible. You know where it gets to the point that there is a tower of clothing to be washed and you are digging deep into your closet to put together questionable outfits together? Yeah that is me.
However as the spoilers came out I caught the excitement because it is genius to send interesting laundry products that will make doing laundry more fun! I also LOVE when I get things in subscription boxes that I can actually use. I am sure many of you can relate!
You can order this box up until August 15th!
The box arrives and now I look worldly and compassionate riding up the elevator with everyone else getting off of work
Did they match the bag and the basket on purpose? Awesome!
Altyn Kol Women’s Cooperative -Wool Dryer Balls (Kyrgzstan): This Cooperative was founded in 1995 when the Soviet Union collapsed and now employs over 1,000 craftswomen providing sometimes one of the only ways families can make any money at all. At the same time this allows the people of the area it serves to continue to carry out their traditions and customs, which is the focus of their mission statement (Yes, I feel down the internet rabbit how and spent the last hour reading about them and the area they serve!).
Dryer balls help laundry dry faster which is pretty important if you want to save some time and not deal with the immense sadness we enviable feel when we reach our hand in expecting dry clothing and instead get damp disappointment. Because these are wool they don’t impart any toxins and you can even put a few drops of essential oil on them to freshen up your laundry without dosing yourself in fabric softener chemicals.
I heard a rumor that if you wear clothing dried with these you will make friends with sheep much more easily and be the envy of everyone at the petting zoo
HAE Now – Organic Cotton Bag (India): I really like the color of my bag which I am going to use to hold my fluffy fluffy dryer balls! I am really happy I got the color purple since it is one of my favorites. The bag itself is sturdy and super soft. I wish I had some lounge pants made out of this bag!
What I didn’t know is that cotton from other countries has had a bad reputation because of environmental degradation and hardship rural communities experience when growing it. The movement toward fair prices and organic farming has helped Hae Now pay its workers 20%-50% above local minimum wages and provide those communities with a host of services like meals and health care.
I will have to remember not to refer to this bag as my “dryer ball sack.” No, there was no resisting making that joke, I am only one woman.
Peace Handicrafts – Upcycled Laundry Bag: Pictures of this do not really do this bag justice. It is huge and super sturdy! I like the repurposed feel of the bag because it looks trendy and will give me something to talk about if I have a super bored house guest. I could make up a story about how the bag saved my life and not wanting to part with it, I had it turned into something I could live with forever!
Though the story included about Vin Sophea and how she went from washing dishes at 9 years old to working as a quality control manager for Peace Handicrafts is a more compelling story. You might be able to get a cheaper laundry bag, but you can’t put a price on a story like that.
I think my dirty laundry might not be fancy enough to cart around in this bag!
Soap Nuts (Nepal): These come from a supplier that Globe In works with and that supplier is putting some revenue toward relief for victims of the recent earthquake. When I pulled these out I had no earthly idea what they were used for! Lucky enough for me the instructions are easy. Just throw a few of the soap nuts into the included bag and toss them in with the laundry to get your fresh and clean on!
Soap nuts might be a good alternative to those who are allergies or sensitivities to chemical laundry detergent. I am don’t think one can get more natural then this! The soap that comes from the dried nut shell is saponin. So I learned a new word while learning about a new natural way to wash my clothing.
I wonder if a kid in Nepal says a bad word their moms make them wash their mouth out with soap nuts…
Dona Selerina – Palm Leaf Basket (Mexico): These baskets come every month and are about the coolest thing ever. I wish more subscription boxes put their items in something I could easily reuse! Now that I have one in my hands I can see why this is a sought over item on swapping sites. Not that I would swap this, I need it to hide the many make up brushes and such that I have littered all over the bathroom.
Each basket takes about two to three hours to weave and holding it in my hands I can say I appreciate the effort. When serving in the Peace Corps my village tried to teach me how to weave baskets and I couldn’t even make one. I remembered their worries and confused expressions when I could not get it right. It was hard everyone I swear! eventually they gave up and tried to teach me other things which was the best thing for all parties involved.
How much time will it take my cat to try to fit into the basket?
Verdict: I believe in what Globe In is about, and it is the reason I wanted to review it. Small buying decisions we make can affect entire communities all over the world. GlobeIn curated a useful and surprisingly interesting collection that 100% delivered on its laundry theme. I enjoyed the goods, and the stories that went along with them. I honestly can’t wait to do a load of laundry and see what all these things can do!
This box is available until August 15!
Disclosure: I was sent this box for review purposes and gave my honest thoughts. There are affiliate links in this post along with some good vibes!
Awesome review as always!
You could be onto washing the mouth with soap nuts definitely less toxic? Actually I wonder what started the wash your mouth with soap back in the spray and how that ran like wildflower without he internets … Was it TV, radio, word of mouth (heh). I am sure that A Christmas Story was the tail end of that trend.
Looking forward to my bag of balls. I always wanted fluffy balls the plastic balls were too rough on the delicates 😉 You better report on your bag of nuts.
You KNOW I am going to report on my bag of nuts! That is a given. Also thank you for the compliment. It can be tough to write a review when I am feeling serious about what it is trying to accomplish! I once was threatened with soap punishment as a child because for some reason I became taken with the word Bastard and had to say it all the time.
I actually have never tried laundry balls but will be doing the laundry tomorrow so… get excited! I want to start doing videos at some point, but I am so critical of other peoples that I really have no right making my own!
Ummm… *back in the day*
This month got me to subscribe. I purchased a 3-month subscription. I’m really impressed with the curation; who knew I could be anticipating laundry. I’m excited to try out the soap nuts and dryer balls. I have sensitive skin and would love to find something I can use consistently.
I spent several years of my childhood in rural Indonesia (which puts the word rural into a whole new category for most people) and definitely appreciate the commitment GlobeIn has to fair trade and compensation. I was never able to pick up the handicraft work of the native population but I did learn to climb trees to get coconuts and how to open them with a machete so that’s something.
I think my kitties may be too…fluffy for the basket but that bag has potential!
It really is awesome they picked something so mundane and made it exciting! I think this may be the answer for a lot of people who have sensitive skin.
I remember you talking about Indonesia! I so want to visit there one day!!!! I can’t believe you climbed trees for coconuts. I would just send a kid up to get them for me. I have the most hilarious pictures of another Peace Corps person from my group (my buddy) that I WISH I could post but I can’t. It shows him going up the tree and all his facial expressions. You can actually watch as his face turns into the picture of fear.
I knew one guy who had to get airlifted out because he was opening coconuts with a machete and hacked his hand. He came back and all was well. But wow.
The basket is small for my kitty but she would try to find a way. I will keep it away from her lol
Great review! It’s hard to make laundry exciting. You need to share more stories from the Peace Corp. I can’t wait for my box to arrive.
I think maybe at some point I will do a “remember that one time” seeries I have been toying with. So much to do!
also thanks!!!!
I didn’t think a laundry box review could be so much fun, I love the humor! I also have been wanting to try dryer balls and never knew you could add oils to them. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks Rachel!!! I am sort of in awe myself how juiced I become when I get not only something I can use but something I am proud you use! I cant believe I am looking forward to doing laundry…
I’ll be trying oils on me. Lavender will be the first of course!
rare sexy typo!!!! Tell us moire and I can finally open a pay for play area on the site!!!! 😉
They say lavender! I want my clothing to smell calming!
Heh missed her typo hilarious catch!
The only time ever! I am too busy making typos to catch them!
LOL. I still think your airplane typo is the best! I should make a rule. No posting at 1 in the morning 🙂 . I’m on East Coast Time.
I’m surprised you didn’t say anything about one BB line. I will leave you to ponder which one.
I can’t fix it because it is your post 🙂 I love lavender.
@Sub Bella: Not sure which brand(s) you use but I remembered that you are Amazon Prime … There is a save and subscribe for 100% pure essential oils I think the brand name is “NOW” and I can vouch for several of the scents including the lavender. I used to get L’ocittane lavender before…
Do you have an oil diffuser? I am looking in Amazon half-assed for one, preferably battery operated. I threw out my tea light one awhile back and the smell was too strong when I used eucalyptus on my wee ones humidifier when one had a cold. I received a bunch of wee friendly Young Living oils from a family member as a baby gift.
I have a wax one… Like where it melts scented wax and it smells so good. I have an awesome owl one… got it at Walmart.
Pnut – Thank You! I will check it out. I order my oils from Mountain Rose Herbs. I need to buy a diffuser! I used to have one and can’t find it.
Subscriptionista – My tart burner has butterflies on it.
Thx ladies! Sub Bella let me know if u get one via Amazon …. I went again to look and did not press the trigger. Not going to look at your EO link I just about had a heart attack when O saw young living prices!
Quality oils can be expensive. I’ve attended herb classes, soap making, and a few workshops taught by Stepahnie Tourles. Mountain Rose Herbs is a popular recommendation. I may order the “Now” brand Lavender to check it out. I’m curious. I’m aware of the YO oils, but not familiar with them.