Sustainable Swaps

Reusable Paper Towels and Napkins

These can be made at home or bought online. Digital stores like Amazon and Etsy sell some handmade reusable paper towels. Most of the reusable paper towels can be thrown in the washer and air-dried to keep their integrity. 

Swedish Dish Cloths

This product is a little more durable than reusable paper towels. Some people use Swedish dishcloths to replace their kitchen sponges or to replace paper towels altogether. 

Using a Water Filter

Stop purchasing single-use plastic water bottles. Instead, you should invest in a water filter. There are multiple options; there’s an attachment for your kitchen faucet, a pitcher to keep in the fridge, or a reusable water bottle for filtered water on the go. Any and all of these options will help reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles.

Reusable Coffee Filters

Whether you have a Keurig, Nespresso, or a traditional coffee maker, there’s a reusable option for a filter. Some are sold at your local grocery store or can be found online. 

Loose Leaf Tea

If you’re more of a tea drinker, buy loose leaf tea instead of teabags. You can use a tea strainer to steep to perfection. 

Tote Bags

Instead of having the grocer bag your groceries in plastic bags, bring your own tote bags or reusable grocery bags. This swap can also be used for plastic produce bags. A lot of grocery stores sell reusable grocery bags with cute designs. (Some local recycling plants don’t allow plastic grocery bags to be recycled)

Reusable Food Storage Bags

Several brands have developed reusable ziplock bags in various sizes to replace single-use bags altogether. There are some that are freezer, microwavable, and dishwasher safe. 

Silicone Baking Mat and Cupcake Liners

This baking mat has over 70,000 5 star reviews. You can ditch the cooking spray and parchment paper for this easy-to-clean mat that can replace the mess of oiling up a baking pan. This set of cupcake liners has over 5,000 5 star reviews and comes in a variety of colors and shapes.

Beeswax Food Wrap

If you can’t find that lost lid to a food container, have no fear. Beeswax food wraps can cling to just about anything. It’s even reusable, just wash with warm water and gentle soap and it’s good to go! 

Razor

There are so many plastic-free razor options. Using a safety razor might be intimidating at first, but reviewers for this razor claim it’s easy to get used to. Safety razors last years beyond a regular plastic disposable razor. Replacement blades for safety razors can be found for just a few dollars. 

Makeup Remover

With over 15,000 5 star reviews, this makeup remover cloth makes taking off your makeup a breeze. Just simply add water and wipe away the day’s makeup. They’re machine washable too. You can also swap cotton rounds and cotton balls with reusable ones.

Shampoo, Conditioner, Face Wash, Lotion Bars

Many beauty brands are making the sustainable switch and ditching single-use plastic. Several have come out with shampoo and conditioner bars. There are also a lot of brands that solely produce ethical and sustainable beauty products. There are more and more sustainable options each day. This brand sells hair, skin, pet, and household ethical products. 

Handkerchief

Using a hanky might seem a little unsavory, but it’ll cut down on the cost of buying tissues during allergy season. You can use old bandanas or cut up some old tee shirts. 

(If you menstruate) 

Period Products

Worrying about running out of products is a thing of the past. There are so many options and alternatives to tampons and pads. A menstrual cup is a favorite. It’s a great alternative to tampons. They are very sanitary and can last for years. Another favorite is period underwear. You can just slip these on and not worry about leaking. There are also washable pads that are incredibly comfortable.

Having an eco-friendly house doesn’t have to cost a lot. There are numerous sustainable swaps that can be made throughout the house. Be sure to use the products you already have at home before you rush out to buy all new sustainable items. Some of the switches will even save you money by avoiding repurchasing single-use products.