Going green with your self-care and home cleaning routines is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact. With some simple swaps and DIY solutions, you can make your beauty regimen and household chores more eco-friendly. Here’s how to get started on your sustainable self-care journey.
Evaluate your current products
Take a look at the personal care and cleaning products you currently use. Check the labels for ingredients like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and other chemicals of concern. Opt for products with simpler, plant-based ingredients whenever possible. Also take note of packaging – choose items in recyclable or biodegradable containers.
Switch to natural beauty products
When it comes to skincare, haircare, and cosmetics, natural and organic products are ideal for green beauty. Look for options certified organic by the USDA. Some labels to look for include:
- 100% pure
- EcoCert
- Made with organic ingredients
Brands like 100% Pure, Beautycounter, and Juice Beauty offer makeup lines free of harsh chemicals. For skincare, Tata Harper and Osea use high-quality botanical ingredients.
Try DIY personal care recipes
You can also make many personal care staples yourself with simple ingredients like:
- Coconut oil – natural moisturizer
- Apple cider vinegar – hair rinse
- Baking soda – deodorant
- Lemon – teeth whitener
DIY recipes mean you know exactly what’s going into your products. They also create less packaging waste. Look up recipes online or check books like DIY Natural Beauty by Adina Grigore.
Go green with your hair care
When it comes to washing and styling your hair, there are many ways to become more eco-friendly:
- Switch to shampoo & conditioner bars to reduce plastic waste
- Use all-natural styling products like gels and mousses
- Let your hair air dry when possible to save electricity
- Ditch hairspray for flaxseed gel – an all-natural alternative
Also reconsider hair dyes. Opt for natural henna dye or go au naturel when you can.
Use eco-friendly makeup
For makeup, mineral and powder-based formulas tend to be more natural. Try loose mineral foundations and pressed powder eyeshadows and blush.
Some other sustainable swaps include:
- Coconut oil for removing makeup
- Reusable cotton rounds instead of disposable pads
- Bamboo makeup brushes – biodegradable handles
- Safety razors with replaceable blades
Choose low-waste oral care
Your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash likely contribute lots of plastic to landfills. Here are some ways to green your oral hygiene:
- Bamboo toothbrushes – renewable and compostable
- Toothpaste tablets – plastic-free and lightweight
- Dental floss made of silk or bamboo fiber
- Glass bottles for mouthwash – reusable
You can also make toothpowder from baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils.
Green your hand washing
When washing hands, traditional liquid soap and hand sanitizer generate plastic waste. Try these sustainable swaps instead:
- Bar soap – plastic-free and long-lasting
- Foaming hand soap dispensers – reuse pump bottle
- DIY hand sanitizer – mix aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and essential oils
Also, opt for reusable towels over paper towels to dry your hands and cut waste.
Use eco-friendly home cleaners
Harsh chemicals found in many conventional cleaners can harm you as well as the environment. Luckily, you can easily make effective green cleaners at home.
Some recipes to try:
- All-purpose – mix baking soda, vinegar, castile soap in spray bottle
- Glass & windows – mix equal parts vinegar and water
- Toilet – pour in baking soda and spray with vinegar
- Drain cleaner – pour baking soda down drain followed by vinegar
When buying pre-made cleaners, look for plant-based ingredients and products packaged in glass or other recyclable containers. Brands like Mrs. Meyer’s and Seventh Generation offer green cleaning options.
Swap paper towels for reusable rags
Paper towels generate tons of waste. Instead, use washable multi-use cleaning cloths and sponges. Some options:
- Cotton cloths – sturdy and absorbent
- Microfiber cloths – good for dusting
- Reusable paper towels – hemp or bamboo-based
Wash cloths regularly using green laundry methods. Discard microfiber cloths in the trash when too dirty to prevent plastic waste entering waterways.
Use eco-friendly laundry detergent
When doing laundry, typical detergents contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other chemicals that get released into waterways. Greener options include:
- Plant-based liquid detergents – often come in cardboard packaging
- Detergent sheets – plastic-free and compact
- DIY laundry soap – made from Castile soap, washing soda, and essential oils
Also, washing in cold water saves energy. Hang drying clothing reduces dryer electricity use.
Buy in bulk
Purchasing beauty, personal care, and cleaning items in bulk sizes reduces packaging waste. Try getting bigger bottles of shampoo, giant tubs of coconut oil, or concentrated laundry detergent refills.
You can also buy in bulk at eco-conscious stores. Bring your own containers to reduce waste. Bulk buying saves money too!
Reuse containers creatively
Before discarding product bottles and containers, consider creative ways to repurpose them. Glass jars can store cotton balls or q-tips in the bathroom. Fancy bottles look nice holding fresh flowers. Just make sure to thoroughly wash and dry containers before reusing.
Recycle properly
When you do need to dispose of product packaging and containers, recycling properly is key. Make sure to follow local guidelines on what can and cannot be recycled.
When in doubt if something is recyclable, it’s better to throw it in the trash. Wishcycling creates problems at recycling facilities.
Conserve energy
Using less energy in your self-care routine also reduces your environmental footprint:
- Turn off bathroom lights and unplug appliances when not in use
- Wash clothes in cold water and air dry when possible
- Take shorter showers to conserve hot water
- Unplug or switch off unused electronics and devices
Simple habit changes add up in big energy savings over time.
Get involved in green initiatives
Beyond your own home, there are many ways to support broader sustainability efforts:
- Join local plastic-free or zero waste groups
- Volunteer for beach or river cleanups
- Advocate for banning harmful chemicals in products
- Petition companies to reduce plastic packaging
- Donate to or invest in eco-conscious businesses
Collective action creates wide-spread change. Get involved however you can.
Enjoy the journey
Going green with your self-care and home cleaning does take some extra effort. But taking it step-by-step makes it manageable. Focus on swapping one product or habit at a time.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey and take pride in doing your part to live more sustainably. The small changes make a real difference!
