In my quest for a more eco-friendly home, I’ve discovered that the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room are hotspots for easy yet impactful sustainable swaps. As someone who admittedly didn’t put much thought into the environmental impact of my daily household items, I’m excited to share the simple switches I’ve made that have made a world of difference.
The Kitchen: Ditching Disposables
When it comes to the kitchen, I started by targeting the single-use plastic items that we go through like clockwork – things like plastic wrap, sandwich bags, and garbage bags. These might seem like small fries, but the ripple effect of eliminating them can be substantial.
The best saran wrap alternative I found was from Bees Wrap. Their organic cotton, beeswax, and plant-based wraps are not only reusable for up to a year, but they can even be composted at the end of their lifecycle. Goodbye, endless rolls of cling film!
For plastic bag replacements, I turned to Hold On, a brand that specializes in plant-based, home-compostable trash and storage bags. I was able to completely eliminate my guilt around lining my garbage can and storing snacks, all while reducing my plastic waste.
When it came to my dishwashing routine, Blueland had me covered. Their plant-based, compostable “Pop-Up Sponge” has become a permanent fixture in my kitchen sink. This super sponge arrives flat for easy storage but springs to life when wet, making it a space-saving and sustainable alternative to those ubiquitous yellow sponges.
But it wasn’t just the single-use items that got the sustainable treatment. I also swapped out some of my longer-lasting kitchen mainstays, like my coffee maker and food storage containers. Ditching my old plastic-heavy coffee machine for a sleek Chemex has not only elevated my daily brew but reduced my environmental footprint. And goodbye, Tupperware – hello, beautiful ceramic Caraway Food Storage Set!
The Bathroom: Cleaning Up My Act
From the kitchen, I moved on to the bathroom, where I tackled the plastic-centric products lurking in my medicine cabinet and under the sink.
I was dismayed to find countless over-the-counter medication bottles made of single-use plastic. How could I be putting products meant to improve my health in such environmentally harmful packaging? Thankfully, I discovered Cabinet, a brand on a mission to eliminate plastic from the medicine cabinet. Their compostable pouches and glass bottles have given me peace of mind.
But it wasn’t just my medicine cabinet that needed a makeover. I realized I was going through spray bottles of counter cleaner and disposable wipes at an alarming rate. That’s when I found Makesy and their all-purpose cleaning solution. The starter kit comes with a reusable glass spray bottle, a sugarcane-based alcohol cleanser, and essential oils for a lovely fragrance. No more plastic waste from my cleaning routine!
The Laundry Room: Reducing Microplastics
Last but not least, I turned my attention to the laundry room – a hotspot for microplastics and other environmental concerns. I started by replacing my cheap plastic laundry basket with a beautiful, foldable bamboo and cloth alternative from Cozymatic. Not only is it more visually appealing, but I can also toss the cloth bag in the wash to keep it fresh.
And speaking of laundry, I’ve swapped out my conventional detergent for a powerful, 5-in-1 formula from Dirty Labs. Packaged in a recycled aluminum bottle, this eco-friendly solution helps reduce my impact on the environment, all while getting my clothes sparkling clean.
The journey towards a more sustainable home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By taking it one room at a time and making gradual, thoughtful swaps, I’ve been able to significantly reduce my reliance on single-use plastics and other environmentally harmful products. And the best part? Many of these sustainable alternatives are not only better for the planet, but they’re also more visually appealing and easier to use.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a look around your own kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, and see what sustainable swaps you can make today. Trust me, your future self (and the planet!) will thank you.
