Ever stopped to think about what exactly is in your cleaning products? And not just the ingredients list (which we passionately believe should be all natural), but what the proportion of all the ingredients actually is? You might be shocked to find out most bottles of spray sitting under your sink are actually made of up to 97 per cent water. Which begs the question, is there a more sustainable and cost effective way of creating and transporting these products? Enter Ami Bateman and Sian Murray. The Sunshine Coast-based pair have created Pleasant State, Australia’s first concentrated all-natural, eco-friendly bars that dissolve in water to create a multi-purpose, bathroom and glass cleaning solution.

 “You simply fill your reusable spray bottle with warm water, drop in the bar, watch as the bar fizzes and dissolves, and then get spraying,’’ Ami says.

We sat down with Ami and Sian ahead of their crowdfunding launch, which at the time of publishing had reached 40 per cent of its goal!

Do you think during the Covid-19 Pandemic people are still prioritising sustainability?

Ami: Yes! When we spoke to our customers earlier this year they spoke about how the pandemic has allowed them to slow down and reflect on their daily habits and purchasing decisions. They also overwhelmingly told us they had been making small incremental changes over the past few years to reduce emissions and single-use plastics.  

We love hearing about the different ways people live simply, what are your everyday sustainability hacks?

Ami: For the past two years I have slowly been removing things from my home that are made from petrochemicals or plastics after becoming aware of the detrimental impacts they have on our health and the planet. Before I purchase anything I think long and hard about it and I ask the following questions: Do I actually need this? Can I go without it? Can I repair what I currently have? Then I look into whether their values align with mine.

By way of example, I only purchase clothes from businesses that I research thoroughly. I preference local businesses, and those that produce small batch runs using natural and organic materials. My beauty products have no nasties, and either come in bar form or glass packaging. I only buy reusable glass drink bottles. 

Sian: A few years ago I watched a documentary called Cowspiracy that covered the devastating impacts of animal agriculture on our planet and I was rocked to my core. Until then I had seen myself as an environmentally conscious person, but having short showers and making sure I recycle my plastics wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I was shocked into veganism for a year. Due to health reasons I had to incorporate some animal products so now I focus on organic and plant based food when I can. Animal agriculture is the second largest contributor to human-made greenhouse gas emissions, so being conscious of that has been really important to me ever since. 

What’s the best sustainable living advice you’ve ever received?

Sian: I used to get so worried about always doing the right thing, always being sustainable, never buying plastic and staying vegan even though it made me unwell. But then one day I read a quote that really resonated with me: “ I cannot do everything, but I can do something”. 

It made me proud of everything I am doing but strong enough to understand that I can’t do it all. 

What are your go-to good for you and good for the planet brands?

 Ami: I love Peggy Sue beauty products. They come in glass and all the ingredients are natural and no nasties. The other brand I love is Seed & Sprout. They offer amazing home and beauty products. The founder, Sophie, is super authentic, does not compromise on quality (and charged correctly for it!) and has no plastics or nasties in any of her products. I also love the Melbourne clothing brand Kuwai who do small batch runs using local manufacturing and natural materials!

Sian: I finally found a shampoo and conditioner bar that works from Bar None. I love Thank You and Who Gives a Crap – they are aspirational brands for me. Patagonia is my dream boat, I love everything they do and the message they spread. I learn so much just from following their progress on social media. I would love to build a brand like Patagonia!

Related: We talk to Teresa Palmer and Chrissy Duigan of Lovewell 

Related: Five minutes with Laura Wells