13 Eco-Friendly Home Essentials
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Transitioning your home into an eco-haven can be daunting. Where do you start? What non-toxic cleaning products actually work? Where do you research to find the best, most eco-friendly solutions? The reality is, many people want to be less wasteful but revert back to using single-use stuff because finding alternatives can be a total headache.
Here’s what I’ve learned works best 👉 Make changes one at a time.
Plan, research and swap items as you nearly run out of them. This approach is so much less stressful than doing it all at once. Are you ready to retire your toothbrush? Is your toilet paper running low? Now’s a good time to find an eco-friendly alternative.
To help get you started, I’m sharing 13 tried-and-true, eco-friendly home essentials which enabled me to convert my home into an eco-oasis, one swap at a time.
13 Eco-Friendly Home Essentials
Tired of tossing single-use plastic baggies in the trash? Opt for a reusable silicone option. These eco-friendly storage bags come in an assortment of fun colors and sizes with nearly endless possibilities for use. From freezing leftovers to popping popcorn, these bags can do it all!
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Preserve your food and reduce waste with a cute, sustainable alternative to plastic wrap. Beeswax wraps are easy to clean, will last about a year and are totally compostable.
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Reusable produce bags benefit the health of yourself and the environment greatly. They help keep your produce fresh and toxic free. Plus, you'll feel a sense of pride as you shop and eliminate unnecessary clutter in your home.
Do you have single-use bags at home that you want to help keep out of the landfill? Visit plasticfilmrecycling.org to find a recycling drop-off location nearest you.
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04/ CLOTH NAPKINS
Less wasteful than paper towels, cloth napkins are an easy, inexpensive eco-friendly swap durable enough to stand up to even the messiest fingers. We keep a stack on our dining room table and reuse them until they’re filthy enough to be washed. This eco-friendly swap is sure to elevate every meal!
They say you’re more likely to drink water if you carry a water bottle. So why not stay hydrated and reduce your carbon footprint by choosing a reusable option that you can refill throughout your day?
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Your washing needs are met with these absorbent, totally compostable loofahs. From cleaning dishes to washing up in the shower, these multifunctional sponges have gotchu covered (in suds)!
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Did you know… Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, requires no agricultural chemicals to thrive and will naturally decompose after it’s been tossed out? Awesome right?! This eco-friendly swap is something to feel good about.
Looking for ways to extend the life of your retired toothbrush? Use it for cleaning the cheese grader, jewelry, your dogs teeth, computer keys, sink drains, your shoes and so much more!
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Bar soaps are a readily available, excellent eco-friendly alternative to the liquid stuff. From face and body wash to shampoo and conditioner, there are bars of soap for every occasion. Zhuzh up your bathroom with a ceramic soap dish and use lidded containers in the shower to help keep your soap dry. As always, look for soaps with minimal packing and ingredients.
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09/ RECYCLED TOILET PAPER
Check out these rolls! TP made from 100% recycled paper, free of inks, dyes, or scents and delivered straight to your door. Plus, Who Gives a Crap donates a whopping 50% of their profits to help build toilets for communities in need. Who knew you could feel so good buying toilet paper?!
Would you believe you’ve probably got all the ingredients you need to clean with? Yep! Common household products like white vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide will solve even the worst cleaning conundrums. Now, all you need are a couple of spray bottles.
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11/ SAL SUDS
Simplify your cleaning supplies, create space under your kitchen sink, save money and reduce waste with Sal Suds. Made with only a few plant-based non-toxic ingredients, this multipurpose, concentrated, biodegradable cleaner is Dr. Bronner’s best kept secret!
12/ UPCYCLED CLEANING RAGS
Give your old cotton tees and bed sheets new life by cutting them up and using them as cleaning rags. Keep a stack in your kitchen to disinfect countertops, clean windows, wipe up spills and so much more!
13/ RECHARGABLE BATTERIES
Let us appreciate the convenience batteries provide to our every day lives, amiright?! More energy efficient than disposables, rechargeable batteries will save you money and are better for the environment. Win. Win!
Did you know improper disposal of batteries can cause fires and contaminate the environment? To find a battery recycling facility nearest you, visit Earth911
Would love to hear what items you’ve swapped and how it’s all going. Drop me a note in the comments below!
