8 Product Swaps for a More Eco-Friendly Home
Last week my husband and I packed up our car and moved across the country from Denver, Colorado to Richmond, Virginia! We had spent the past 2 months in Colorado visiting family while getting ready to make the move. We are SO excited to be in Virginia, and even more excited to be moving into our “first place” together!
For the 2.5 years that we have been married we have either been traveling or living with a roommate, so this is our first time having a proper apartment all to ourselves! Woohoo!
With a new home comes lots of new furniture, decor and other basic neccessities (of which we have almost none!) Since we were starting from scratch, I wanted to make sure we filled our home with as many sustainable and eco-friendly product swaps as possible.
I started doing some research (googling and asking my eco-friendly savy friends) about where to start and the best products to purchase. Below is the comprehensive list of what I came up with! Whether you’re moving into a new place as well, or want to start creating a more eco-friendly home, I hope this list gives you some inspiration on where to start! Remember, the goal isn’t to be perfect, but rather to do your best with the space and resources you can. Even one small change can go a long way!
What We Swapped
Plastic Containers for Glass containers with lids:
We are big on meal prepping, so having good containers to store leftovers was a must, especially now that my husband will be heading into an office more regularly. We wanted something that was dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe, so these are the ones we landed on. I love that the containers come in two sizes, and they have a couple of different color options as well. I’ve also linked some that come with bamboo lids, if that’s a better fit for what you’re looking for!
Dryer Sheets for Reusable dryer balls:
I’ve heard great things about these, but haven’t had a chance to try them out myself! Last year, we would just forgo dryer sheets, but I definitely noticed the static and extra lint, so I wanted to make sure we started our with these in our new place. This company has a few different color options, but there are also tons of other varieties out there as well!
Normal Detergent for Thieves Laundry Detergent:
On that note, we also decided to try out the Thieves Young Living laundry detergent. After learning more about how easily chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, I wanted to prioritize the quality of cleaners and detergents that would contact our skin- aka laundry detergent. People rave about this thieves detergent, and it’s a great cost for how long the product is supposed to last, so I can’t wait to give it a shot!
Normal Cleaning Products for Thieves Household Cleaner:
To keep on the household cleaning track, I also wanted to try out this thieves cleaner from Young Living. Just like with the detergent, I was looking for a healthier option and have heard great things about this product. We also got some amber spray bottles to put the cleaner in! I plan to keep one in the kitchen and then use one for the two bathrooms.
Drugstore Hair Products for Refillable Shampoo and Conditioner:
We are lucky enough that our town has an AMAZING grocery store- like seriously the best one I’ve ever been to. I’m obsessed. One of the best parts of this grocery store is the refillable container/product section. They have tons of options for both foods and beauty products. We started out by trying their shampoo and conditioner and so far we love both! They smell amazing, are super affordable and it’s nice to know that both the container and the product itself are eco-friendly and good for us!
Plastic Grocery Bags for Reusable Grocery Bags:
My favorite alternative to plastic or paper grocery bags is to use a tote! We have a couple of different linen totes now that we use for groceries. Just store them in your car or by the door and you’ll always have them when you need them! *Disclaimer: it took us a while to get into the habit of using our totes regularly, but after you get used to it, its such a simple swap!
Normal Sponges and Brillow Pads for Bamboo sponges and scrub brush
This full brush set is an awesome, affordable option for more eco-friendly dish cleaning products. I love that it comes with 4 different brushes so that you can know you’ll always have the best tool for the job!
Plastic Ziplock Bags for Reusable Sandwich Bags
While we don’t use plastic bags much now (we try to stick to reusable containers) I wanted to have a few on hand for the times that we do need them. This set includes a handful of different sizes, and can easily be washed over and over in the dishwasher!
Some other tips to create a low-waste home:
Go paperless with all of your billing
Cut back on your shopping and always thrift when you can
Purchase energy efficient light bulbs
Use a diffuser
Add more plants
Check out Public Goods
So now I want to hear from you! What are some of your favorite eco-friendly home products or tips? Leave any suggestions you have in the comments below!