If you are ready to make the switch to an eco-friendly lifestyle there are some changes that you’ll have to make. Some may be simple, while others may take some getting used to. The easiest way to make sustainable changes is to make eco-friendly swaps of products that you use on a daily basis.
Believe it or not, that can actually make a huge difference when it comes to living more sustainably. Not sure where to start? Well keep reading because I’ve got 13 simple swaps that you can make for your home.
Eco-Friendly Swaps: The Ultimate Guide Of Sustainable Products For Your Home
From your kitchen to your bathroom, and every space in between, there are products that you can use to start living more sustainable in your day-to-day life. Let’s go through them in each area.
Kitchen
These kitchen swaps will help with cleanup as well as keeping your food fresher longer.
Reusable Water Bottle
You most likely have one, or a few, of these already. If you haven’t made the switch to solely using them, this is your sign to. Reusable Water Bottles eliminate the need for single-use plastic bottles, often hold more water, and some can keep your water colder longer. You can even get custom ones on Etsy, or decorate your own with stickers, gems, and anything else you can think of.
Beeswax Wrap
Beeswax Wrap is an eco-friendly swap that replaces several products in your kitchen. When you have this on hand you won’t need plastic wrap or plastic bags. These particular wraps also come in colorful, fun designs that will brighten up your kitchen. Your food is sure to stay safe and fresh when you’re wrapping it with beeswax wrap.
Compostable Sponge
Compostable sponges are made of cellulose and are reusable. The best part is that when you finish using them you can throw it in the composter. This product makes cleaning messes in your kitchen a breeze without scratching up the surface you are cleaning. These sponges are also space savers because they don’t take up their full size until water hits it.
Reusable Paper Towels
Another reusable cleaning product that is a must have in any eco-friendly kitchen are reusable paper towels. Ditch the single use paper towels and opt for one of these reusable paper towels instead. You’ve got many different options for this type of product. It depends on if you want more of a paper towel look and feel, or you want to prioritize durability. Whatever works best for you and your lifestyle is the perfect option for you.
Glass Storage Containers
Storage containers are another product you can swap out to remove the plastic in your home. By switching from plastic to glass storage containers not only will you be helping the environment, you’ll also be getting fresher food longer. Glass containers can also withstand wear and tear longer than plastic, so you’ll have them longer as well.
Bathroom Eco-Friendly Swaps
Personal hygiene products also get a sustainable upgrade when it comes to making your home more eco-friendly. Here are a few must-have sustainable products to add to your bathroom.
Shampoo/Conditioner Bars
Get rid of the plastic bottles and opt for bars instead. There are many benefits to using shampoo and conditioner bars. They are made with healthier ingredients and are travel friendly. Perfect for anyone wanting healthier hair – which should be everyone, and those that travel a lot.
Reusable Makeup Pads
You’d be surprised how much money we waste on single use products when we could be saving money on reusable ones. One of those products is makeup remover wipes. Instead of using them once and throwing them away, make the switch to reusable makeup pads. These pads are made up of bamboo and cotton and can be used up to 1,000 times!
Bamboo Toothbrush
The last sustainable swap for your bathroom is in regards to your toothbrush. You have to replace your toothbrush every few months, that’s a lot of plastic headed to the landfills. Instead of contributing to that, get yourself a bamboo toothbrush. Bamboo is compostable, so when it comes time to get a new toothbrush you won’t have to send yours to the landfill.
The Other Sustainable Products For The Home
Your kitchen and bathroom are great places to start when it comes to creating an eco-friendly home, but there is more that you can do. The following products are great eco-friendly swaps for your whole home and laundry.
DIY Cleaning Products
A lot of the cleaning products that we buy in the store have unnecessary harmful chemicals in them. These toxins and chemicals are bad for the environment, and aren’t great for you either. Believe it or not, it’s actually pretty simple to make your own cleaning products.
Doing this will take the guesswork out of determining what is in your products, because you’ll know exactly what they are. It also ensures that your home, the environment, and yourself aren’t harmed by chemicals and toxins. Check out these DIY cleaning recipes and try them out for yourself.
LED Light Bulbs
Another eco-friendly swap that can benefit your whole home is switching from conventional light bulbs to LED ones. There are many benefits to making the switch, including longer lasting bulbs, saving money on your light bill, and of course it’s better for the environment. Saving money and the environment sounds like a win-win to me.
Soy Candles
Candles are a great addition to the home. They provide ambiance and a fresh scent. They aren’t all created equally though. Most candles release toxic chemicals in the air as they burn. Thankfully there is an option that keeps the environment in mind, soy candles. Soy candles also burn longer, so you and your family can enjoy those candles for longer.
Wool Dryer Balls
Now let’s move to the laundry room. One way to make this room more sustainable is to get rid of those single-use dryer sheets and opt for wool dryer balls instead. This product is a more eco-friendly choice because it can be reused.
They do a great job at removing static from your clothes and making them softer as well. This article suggests using two balls for smaller loads and three or more for medium to large loads.
Eco-friendly Detergent
The last swap that I want to talk about is your laundry detergent. Choosing the right laundry detergent is key for the health of your home, the environment, and yourself. Many detergents contain chemicals that can cause irritated skin, allergic reactions, and more.
Thankfully there are some options that contain cleaner ingredients. You can find eco-friendly detergent in a variety of formats including liquid, pods, tablets, and even sheets.
Final Thoughts On Choosing Sustainable Products For Your Home
After reading this article you should be well on your way to start making some eco-friendly swaps that will fit your new sustainable lifestyle. Which changes will you be making? Let me know in the comments.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com