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I don’t profess to be the most eco-friendly person on the planet – far from it in fact. I’d say as a family we are working towards being more eco-conscious by making little changes here and there. But we definitely have a long way to go. Life is so busy and hectic these days that sometimes it just seems like too much to think about and take on. So I just thought I’d share some of the small and simple eco swaps we’ve made and are still intending to make, in case anyone else finds it all a bit overwhelming!
1. Reusable wipes and cloths
Baby wipes
When the twiglets were babies, we used disposable wipes. As they got older, we started to use Cheeky Wipes washable cloth wipes more. They’re fab and it’s really reassuring to know that there are no chemicals going on your baby’s delicate skin.
Face wipes
This was quite a recent switch for me. I’ve started using washable make-up removing rounds, rather than the face wipes I always used to buy. And I love them! You can read my full review here to find out all the other reasons why I think they’re fab 🙂
Cleaning cloths
I used to be terrible for getting through loads of antibacterial wipes when cleaning. Nowadays I buy washable microfibre cloths and sponges instead, which are much more environmentally friendly. You can also get reusable bamboo kitchen towel but we haven’t quite got that far yet!
2. Eco-friendly cleaner
The best and most eco-friendly way here is to make your own simple surface cleaner. If you fancy it, check out this recipe 🙂 Or find out more about cleaning without chemicals in this post. Being honest, we’re not quite at the point of making our own cleaner yet. However, we have switched to buying Method cleaners as they’re a lot more eco-friendly than many other brands.
3. Reusable bags instead of carrier bags
As eco swaps go, this is probably one of the most simple! I’d imagine practically everybody is doing this already these days. Single-use plastic carrier bags are much less readily available and usually only for a charge. There are various types of ‘Bags For Life’ you can get, as well as endless choices of gorgeous fabric tote bags.
4. Bar soap instead of shower gel
This is a switch I didn’t think was suitable for me as I have really sensitive and eczema-prone skin. So bar soap has always been too drying for me. However, there are so many more natural and gentle bar soaps out there now. I love handmade goats milk soaps, like those from The Soaping Goat. They contain pure essential oils, with no preservatives, palm oil or chemicals. Solid shampoo bars are also an excellent alternative to shampoo in plastic bottles.
5. Reusable coffee cups
Before the pandemic hit, lots of people were using reusable coffee cups to grab their takeaway coffee. I think this has taken a big backwards step lately due to outlets needing to follow Covid-safe regulations and so on. Hopefully when things (eventually!) return to normal, people will be able to go back to using them more. I have a few colourful reusable coffee cups that I LOVE. And I even bought this gorgeous rainbow cup cozy from Leigh Leigh Gumtree to prevent me burning my very pathetic hands!
6. Reusable straws
Now I know this is a bit of a contentious one. Some disabled people need to use disposable plastic straws so obviously this is not appropriate for everyone. But, if it is suitable for you, using reusable silicone or metal straws is a great way of minimising plastic waste.
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7. Beeswax wraps instead of clingfilm/tinfoil
This is one of my favourite simple eco swaps. I recently made the switch to using beeswax wraps and am a total convert. I use them all the time – for sandwiches in packed lunches, to cover dishes in the fridge… For loads of things actually! I have a set of various sizes of beeswax wraps from Eco Food Wraps and they’re so easy to use. You can mould them to fit whatever you’re wrapping or covering, using the warmth from your hands. And to clean, you just wash them in cold water with mild soap and leave to dry. There are so many lovely designs to choose from too.
8. Laundry egg
Many washing gels and fabric conditioners and so on are not great for the environment. Laundry eggs are a great solution. We were lucky enough to be gifted an Ecoegg laundry egg a while ago. You can read more about how we got on with it in this post. I really like it, although I don’t use it for every single wash, as I find it less effective when clothes are really dirty. I’ve since bought the dryer eggs too, which I find excellent.
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9. Eco-friendly period products
Now this is one eco swap I definitely haven’t got that far with! I keep intending to try a menstrual cup, but something keeps stopping me – nerves I think! I know you can get different sizes and so on, but I’m just not sure I can quite get on board with the whole concept of it! Really I should give it a go though. This post about Cherriful menstrual cups has lots of useful info 🙂 I’m also not personally sold on the idea of period pants, even though I know absolutely loads of women who swear by them! The only thing I have done is moved to TOTM Organic tampons, as they are made of organic cotton, are biodegradable and contain way fewer chemicals than the ones I used previously.
10. Reusable water bottles
This is another really easy eco swap to make. There is so much choice in terms of reusable water bottles. Stainless steel refillable bottles last for ages and lots more venues are installing water refill stations to avoid people needing to buy single-use plastic bottles.
11. Bamboo toothbrushes
If you don’t use a reusable electric toothbrush, then wooden bamboo toothbrushes are a great alternative to disposable plastic ones. And they’re much kinder to the environment.
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Which simple eco swaps have you tried? Do you have any other ideas?
If you’re looking for more inspiration, I’d highly recommend checking out the Ailuna app. It’s a free mobile app full of tips and tricks to help you change your habits for good and help to look after the planet 🙂
Thanks for reading!
Til next time,
Hannah xx
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39 Comments
So many great suggestions, I could do with making more changes. I have already swapped to microfibre cloths for cleaning and reusable wraps and bottles for food but still could make many more changes so this is really helpful. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
Thank you, glad it was useful 🙂 x
These are all great ideas ☺️
We used cheeky wipes as soon as my son started eating. They’re much more efficient at mopping up food, cleaning hands and face of all sorts of tomato sauces, crisps etc compared to regular wipes.
Reusable bags is another one I’ve done for ages. Also bar soap instead of hand wash. When I went through my cupboards I was surprised how many bar soaps I had from old gift sets! It’s actually been a money saver too.
Can I please encourage you to give mooncup a go? I’ve been using one for 12 years… Eco saver, money saver and total stress saver. It’s amazing. Never have to carry around pads or tampons of all shapes and sizes and I haven’t bought any of those products for over a decade. It’s easy to empty once you get the hang of it and can be kept in for longer than any other product so on a busy day out you can totally forget about it. It really is worth trying!!
Oooh I really should give it a try shouldn’t I?? I think I’ve heard of quite a lot of people saying they couldn’t get on with it/found it uncomfortable etc which has put me off. But I should definitely give it a go anyway, you’re right!
I’ve just ordered some ego eggs for the laundry. Had never heard of those before
Ah amazing! Hope you get on well with it 🙂
I too am working towards making greener choices and after reading your post, I have to say I am feeling quite proud of myself. I haven’t tried the laundry egg yet so, thats next on my list. x x #MischiefAndMemories
Ahh fab, well done you 🙂 x
Every little bit helps. I try and pay as much attention as I can and try to limit our plastic, especially single use plastic. It’s not easy, thats for sure #KCACOLS
No, everything’s geared up for disposable to be so much easier isn’t it 😐
I will most certainly be making some of these simple swaps! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent 🙂 x
We’re using cloth nappies & breast pads for the first time & I love them! Great ideas/swaps #mischiefandmemories
Ooh amazing! I love the look of cloth nappies but just couldn’t quite get my head round it with two babies for the first time! xx
Never thought about reuseable make up wipes- what a clever idea! I always use tons of cotton pads (and feel guilty) so some reusable ones would be great and not too much hassle to make the switch. I’ve also toyed with the idea of period pants but I just can’t get my head around it and I’d feel so uncomfortable worrying about leaks.
Katrina x
#KCACOLS
No I’m with you, I can’t quite get my head around period pants either :\
So many great ideas here, and a few that everyone could easily make the switch for. We love goats milk soap bars too! Though I’ve not quite worked out the shampoo bars – they seem to make my hair super sticky. Thank you for joining us for #MischiefAndMemories xx
No I haven’t tried shampoo bars yet, have seen very mixed reviews – think it would be quite a big switch to make :\
I want to make eco swaps but already do some of the ones above. I have period pants and would never consider going back to pads or tampons. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
Ah excellent, that’s fab 🙂
This is what we need. Not all of us are experts so need the simple swaps outlined as you have. Fabulous! #MischiefandMemories
Ah thank you, I’m definitely no expert 🙂
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I love this list, partly because it’s made me feel pretty good about the things on here that I already do! I bought myself some reusable cleaning pads a few months ago, where I had been using cotton wool pads before, and they’re so much better, most days I just use them with water and my skin feels lovely! x #KCACOLS
Amazing, yes I love them too 🙂
I have made some of these swaps and now I feel I am doing my bit to help our planet. My family are still not on board with using bars of soap but I’ve stopped buying shower gel so once it’s gone they’ll have no option. hehehe
Ah amazing, sounds like you’re doing fab! Haha they’ll get used to it 🙂
Some amazing ideas here. Those Reusable Face Wipes are fab! I have never heard of tghe laundry egg but will look into it. Thanks for sharing these ideas. #MMBC
So glad it was useful 🙂 x
These are all great eco-swaps. We do most of these as well. I haven’t tried a Mooncup but I’ve used washable pads and period pants for ages and they are great. We’ve also used cloth nappies with all three children (the ones we bought for Jessica are still going strong!) and I’ve started trying toothpaste tablets and solid shampoo and conditioner recently too. #MMBC
Oh my gosh I haven’t even heard of toothpaste tablets! What are they like?? x
I’m totally with you on these – I’ve started using bars of soap instead of shower gels in plastic bottles and have been using reuasable face wipes too for a while to take off my makeup. Thanks for some more ideas too x KCACOLS
Excellent, sounds like you’re doing a great job 🙂 🙂
Popping back from #KCACOLS xx
🙂 xx
These are brilliant suggestions Hannah, thank you! And an extra big thank you for pointing out that disposable straws can still be needed for some disabled people, that really warmed my heart to read <3 #KCACOLS
Ahh I’m glad 🙂 Thanks for reading xx
We’ve been using metal straws, bars of soap and sandwich wraps for a little while plus using tote bags rather than carriers so I hope we are making a little difference to the planet. I saw on Instagram someone selling toilet fizzers which looked fab as they were wrapped in tissue paper rather than plastic so I’m quite tempted to give them a try too! #KCACOLS
Ooh wow those toilet fizzers sound fab – will keep an eye out for them!