5 Easy Sustainable Swaps At Home

Although I’m far from being a sustainable living blogger, I do try to make conscious choices when I shop. As a lifestyle blogger, I buy fashion and home items every season. So I try to balance that consumption by scaling back on areas like air travel, take-out meals, single-use products, and plastic products. If you are trying to be more conscious of what you buy, here are some easy sustainable swaps for your home.

Obviously, the most sustainable thing we can all do is to not buy more, but that’s not always realistic. We could all do more DIY living, like growing our own food, making our personal products, and repairing worn-out clothes. But if you’re don’t have the time or skills to DIY your needs, try some of these sustainable swaps.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. As a ShopStyle Member, I earn a smallcommission when you purchase through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for reading and supporting Fashionipa.

1. Laundry – Wool Dryer Balls

Conventional dryer sheets are made from polyester which does not biodegrade. They also contain chemicals that can trigger asthma and disrupt hormones. They also leave a residue on your laundry that makes your towels less absorbent, pajamas less flame-resistant, and athletic clothing less moisture-wicking.

Wool dryer balls bounce along with your laundry, separating items so that the air can circulate better. They also absorb moisture so you may notice that your laundry doesn’t take as long to dry. They don’t have the fragrance that dryer sheets do, but they will soften up your clothes without harmful chemicals.

I don’t use essential oils to my wool dryer balls as I’ve read that they are flammable and risky to add.

You can reuse wool dryer balls around 1,000 times! It’s one of many sustainable swaps that will save you money.

I bought my Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls from Bed Bath & Beyond a couple of years ago. If you shop at Target, look for Ever Spring‘s version. On Amazon, Smart Sheep’s dryer balls are highly rated.

My next swap will be laundry detergent sheets, but I’m still doing research on which ones can handle the workout clothes of two teenage athletes!

2. Kitchen Storage – Glass, Stainless Steel, Stoneware & Silicone

My kitchen is the area where I’ve made the most sustainable swaps. When I’m not at my computer, I’m in my kitchen cooking, washing, storing, or packing food. So, I’m pretty obsessed with having the right containers. Here are some of my favorites storage containers.

I bought most of these at local stores, but they are also available on Amazon:

Reduce Insulated Food Container

This one came in my latest Alltrue (formerly Causebox) subscription and my daughter has already claimed it for school lunches. We’ve been using our other Reduce food jars for over 5 years.

U-Konserve Divided Stainless Steel Bento Box Lunch Container (the divider is removable).

We use these for sandwiches and protein bars that would otherwise get squashed between running shoes and water bottles.

Pyrex Glass Food Storage Containers

Mine have plastic lids. If I were to buy new containers today I would opt for containers with wood lids.

Lunchskins Paper Sandwich Bags

I only use these when I need something disposable. They’re not airtight, but they keep sandwiches and snacks fresh for the day.

Le Creuset Stoneware HeritageCovered Casserole

I’m always looking for bakeware that can go from the oven to the table to the fridge. This one is small enough that it’s not too heavy. It’s perfect for desserts, sides, or dinner for a small crowd.

If you’re still using cling wrap, you may want to switch to silicone bowl covers, lids, and microwave covers. Silicone isn’t biodegradable, but it is extremely durable, so it will last for years. It isn’t perfect, but better than single-use products. I’ve had my silicone covers for several years now.

3. Dishwashing – Bar Soap, Bamboo Brushes & Natural Sponges

I switched to plant-based detergents years ago but still felt guilty about the plastic bottles that they came in. So I’m trying this Meliora Dish Soap For Handwashing and Bamboo Brush.

To reduce my use of paper towels, I bought these Natural Vegetable Cellulose Sponges. If you have kids, they’ll love soaking these in water and watching them pop up into shape!

4. Beverages – Coffee & Tea

If I don’t start my day with a cup of coffee, please come check that I still have a pulse. I love my morning coffee with collagen powder (more details about my collagen powder of choice in this post: 7 Small But Effective Changes To Your Beauty Routine). Most mornings I use this Pour Over Coffee Dripper as I’m the only one in my family who drinks coffee.

But then, there are special occasions. Those mornings when I’m extra cranky and just want to indulge in something frothy and bitter. On that sort of morning, my Nespresso machine and milk frother are my best friends. The pods are single-use, but you can send them back to Nespresso to recycle them. They make it really easy by sending you a prepaid bag with your coffee order. If you haven’t kicked your coffee shop habit yet, these tools may help!

If you’re a tea drinker, Clipper Organic Tea is the best black tea I have ever had. They come in unbleached bags with no staples, string, or tags. Did you know that some tea bags contain chemicals (which help them from breaking in hot water)? If you can buy local loose leaf tea that’s even better (clipper is from the UK). But if you’d like a little indulgence from a Fair Trade company, try a cup of this tea. I recommend having it English-style, with a splash of milk and a little sugar.

5. Bathroom – Bar Soaps, Shampoos, Deodrant & Lotions

Bar Bath Soaps

Switching from shower gel to bath soap is probably one of the easiest sustainable swaps. A handmade soap store may have bar soap that is completely package-free.

I do use some liquid hand soap, but I’ve been using old dispensers with these Tirtyl Smart Soap refills. They’re little tablets in compostable packing that you mix with water to create foaming handsoap. Bonus: this is another “chore” that kids think is fun.

Bar Shampoo And Conditioner

Now, I have to admit that I haven’t switched to bar shampoos and conditioners. I have a haircare routine that works for me. I use products from an environmentally-conscious brand, and buy them from my friend’s salon to support her small business.

If you want to make the switch to bar shampoo and conditioner, check out one of the EWG Verified Brands.

Deodrant

I’ve tried a number of natural deodorants: Schmitts was too powdery for me. Native worked okay, but was fairly oily and left stains. Love, Beauty, And Planet did not work for me at all. I also felt guilty about the plastic containers. (Native has since started making deodorant in biodegradable packaging).

Then I discovered Each & Every Natural Deodrant which comes in plant-based packaging (sugar cane). I’ve been using the Geranium and Snow Mushroom which has been working for me, even during our 90 degree summer days! Each & Every deodorant is more expensive than most natural deodorants but you can include it in your Amazon Subscribe & Save subscription for a discount. Each & Every Deodrant is EWG certified.

Lotion

I’ve been using clean skincare brands like Everyone, but they come in plastic bottles. My next step will be to switch my lotion from liquid to solid. Most of the ones I’ve found include coconut oil, shea butter, or seed oils which can stain clothing and sheets, so I’m looking for one that won’t stain.

Makeup and makeup removers would be a whole other blog post but I do want to mention that the Original Makeup Eraser (that I received as a gift) is another bathroom favorite. It removes makeup and washes beautifully (unlike other facecloths that I have used and stained).

Shopping Tips For Sustainable Swaps

Buy From Local Farmer’s Markets Or Health Food Stores

Health food stores and eco-friendly businesses go hand in hand so you may be able to shop for your cleaning and moisturizing needs there! Our local farmer’s markets also include small businesses that make personal care products and green cleaning supplies – see if yours do too!

Check The Organic Section Of Your Grocery Store

Most grocery stores now have organic and natural bath and cleaning supplies. Look out for them while you’re shopping for food. Our local grocery stores also stock products from small local eco-friendly businesses which makes it really easy for me to support them.

Amazon Has Sustainable Products Too

If you do most of your shopping online, Amazon stocks a lot of sustainable products in their Subscribe & Save store. Though I’m trying to do more local shopping, sometimes life just gets too busy and Amazon comes to the rescue. Lately, I’ve been trying to order less often, and only order what I can’t buy locally, to reduce the number of packages that arrive at my house.

Have you made any sustainable swaps that I haven’t mentioned? Let me know in the comments below…

Other Posts You May Enjoy

My Healthy Haircare Routine

8 Non-Toxic Pans That I Use In My Kitchen

5 Clean Skincare Brands That I Use Daily