Refill Goods. Shed Waste.

McHenry County’s First Zero-Waste, Bulk Refill Store

Find our products inside The Rooted Ritual Apothecary in McHenry.
Also, come visit our incubator store opening May 1, 2026 at the McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes!

Eco-friendly and affordable
everyday essentials that are better for you, your home and the planet

    • Body Lotions, Oils, & Moisturizers*

    • Body Brushes & Loofahs

    • Bubble Baths*

    • Cotton & Bamboo Swabs*

    • Deodorants*

    • Epsom Salts*

    • Face & Body Washes*

    • Hand Soaps*

    • Shaving Goods (Razors, Razor Blades)

    • Shower Steamers & Bath Bombs*

    • Sugar & Salt Scrubs*

    • Sunscreens & Balms*

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Beard Oils & Balms

    • Beard Brushes & Combs

    • Conditioners*

    • Dry Shampoos

    • Hairspray

    • Hair Gel

    • Hair Ties

    • Hair Brushes & Combs

    • Shampoos

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Concealers*

    • Eyeshadow*

    • Face Creams*

    • Facial Toner*

    • Facial Serums & Lotions*

    • Foundation*

    • Lip Balms/Lipsticks*

    • Makeup Remover*

    • Makeup Remover Reusable Pads

    • Mascara*

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Dental Floss*

    • Mouthwash*

    • Tongue Scrapers

    • Toothbrushes (Bamboo, Travel Size, Electric Heads)

    • Toothpaste 

    • Toothpaste Tablets*

    • Tooth Powder

    *Denotes refillable items

    • All-purpose & Multi-Surface Cleaner

    • Bath & Shower Cleaner

    • Glass & Window Cleaner

    • Toilet Cleaner & Toilet Bombs

    • Floor Cleaner

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Dryer Balls

    • Laundry Detergent (Liquid, Pods, Powder)*

    • Laundry Stain Remover*

    • Oxy Brightener*

    • Fabric Conditioner*

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Baking Soda

    • Borax

    • Castile Soap

    • Citric Acid

    • Distilled Water

    • Epsom Salts

    • Essential Oils

    • Hydrogen Peroxide

    • Rubbing Alcohol

    • Soda Ash

    • Vinegar (cleaning grade)

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Beeswax Wraps

    • CoffeeSocks

    • Compostable Cling Wrap

    • Dish & Pot scrubbers and brushes

    • Dishwashing Soap*

    • Dishwasher Detergent* (Gel, Liquid, Powder, Pods)

    • Fabric Bowl Covers

    • Food Huggers

    • Silicone Bags

    • Swedish Dishcloths

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Bamboo Utensils & Serving Pieces

    • Bento Boxes

    • Compost Pails

    • Ice Cube Trays (metal & silicone)

    • Reusable Straws

    • Silicone Freeze Pop Molds

    • Soap Saver Holder/Bag

    • Toilet Paper

    • “Un”paper Towels

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Shopping Bags

    • Mesh Vegetable Bags

    • Muslin Bulk Bags

    • Mason Jar Drinking Lids

    • Pet Care: Soaps, Shampoos, Poop Bags, and Toys

    *Denotes refillable items

    • Felted Soaps

    • Recycled Paper Gift Cards

    • Natural Baby Teething Toys

    • Baby Bath Toys

    • Kids Crayons & Chalk

    • Refillable Page Notebooks

    • Candle-Making Kits

    • Refill Bags of Candle Wax

    • Gifts Made from Repurposed Materials from Local Artisans

    *Denotes refillable items

Low Waste

•

Sustainable Living

•

Earth Friendly

•

Refill Culture

•

Single-Use Plastic-Free

•

Reusable > Disposable

•

Clean Ingredients

•

Closed Loop

•

Cruelty-Free

•

Low Waste • Sustainable Living • Earth Friendly • Refill Culture • Single-Use Plastic-Free • Reusable > Disposable • Clean Ingredients • Closed Loop • Cruelty-Free •

How it Works >>

1

Bring (or Buy) a Container

Bring your own clean, dry container—or purchase one in-store to reuse. Weigh your empty container with the lid on and note the tare weight.

2

Fill It up

Choose from our selection of natural, eco-friendly bulk goods and fill your container with just what you need. At checkout, we’ll subtract the tare weight so you only pay for the product inside.

3

Repeat!

Return anytime to refill your favorites, reduce waste, and restock your home—sustainably.

In a world of excess and throwaway culture, The REfill Shed offers a quieter, more intentional way to care for yourself, your home, and the Planet.

We make it easy to choose clean, non-toxic products that nourish without harm, and reduce waste without giving up beauty or ease. Refilling becomes more than a sustainable act; it’s a gentle ritual, a return to what truly matters. Whether you're just beginning your low-waste journey or have long been mindful of what you buy and throw away, The REfill Shed invites you to slow down, simplify, and feel good about the impact you're making—one refill at a time.

Because what you do (and how you do it) matters.

FAQs >>

  • Refilling containers is one of the easiest ways to keep single-use plastics out of landfills and resource-intensive recycling systems. Most plastic isn’t actually recycled, and producing new containers takes a toll on the planet. Refilling reduces waste, lowers emissions, and supports a healthier, more sustainable way to shop.

    Refilling is also great if you’re on a budget or have a small space — choose your preferred container and amount you’d like to bring home. It’s a small shift with a big impact: better for you, your home, your wallet, and the earth. You may be surprised how much you enjoy it!

  • It depends on which products you’d like to buy — we sell soaps, lotions, cleaning products, cosmetics, and more! Check out the products listed above with an asterisk next to them (that denotes a refillable product) — and determine ideal containers that you have on hand.

    Glass is always great, but plastic works too. #5 plastics are better than other plastics since they can withstand high temperatures.

    Make sure the containers are very clean and dry.

  • No problem! We sell reusable glass and aluminum containers. Bring them back to refill as often as you like.

    We also sell many non-refillable products that don’t require a container. Come as you are!

  • Wash thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Use a dishwasher if possible, and dry completely before refilling.

    In addition to regular cleaning, we recommend sanitizing at least once per year. Sanitize glass by boiling for 5+ minutes. Sanitize plastic with a rinse of 60% alcohol.

    To clean pumps and tops, rinse well with soap and hot water. Pump 60% alcohol through the mechanism 10+ times to sanitize the inside.

  • We prioritize local, small businesses that:

    • Use ethical, cruelty-free practices

    • Minimize carbon emissions and packaging waste

    • Offer refillable or closed-loop options

    • Make products that actually work—we test everything!

    Most of our products are made in the USA and Canada. Bamboo items may come from other regions but are sustainably sourced.

  • It’s a sustainable, circular model where nothing is wasted.

    At The REfill Shed:

    • You refill your container again and again

    • We return bulk drums to suppliers for reuse

    • You avoid single-use packaging and reduce landfill waste

    Better for you. Better for the planet.

Practices We Care About >>

We vet our suppliers and test our products to offer you the highest quality goods at the lowest possible prices. We look at all aspects of the business and seek supplier practices in alignment with these certifications.

Hi, I’m Jodi, founder of The REfill Shed & advocate for protecting our planet

My sustainability journey began in middle school, collecting newspapers before curbside recycling was even a thing, and taking part in the very first Earth Day! Years later as a middle school science teacher (with full-on Ms. Frizzle energy), I started every class with a Green Fact of the Day. After COVID, I stepped into my dream role as an environmental educator for Pre-K through 8th grade, bringing hands-on, creative lessons about the Earth to children of all ages.

When I experienced sudden hearing loss in one ear and had to leave the classroom, I knew my mission wasn’t over—it just needed a new path. That path led me here: pouring my passion for education, community, and the environment into The REfill Shed, McHenry County’s first zero-waste refill shop.

My goal is to make sustainable living flexible, affordable, meaningful, and accessible for real people living busy lives. And this is just the beginning—there are many more aspects of this community endeavor that are expected to come alive.

I hope you’ll come along on this fun, meaningful, imperfect journey!