8 Easy Eco Friendly Household Swaps
I feel like if I hear the phrase “unprecedented times” one mo’ time I’m gonna start throwing plates at brick walls.
But with the state of what’s going on in the world right now, many people I know are looking for ways to do their part in activism – from voting to giving money to causes to making drastic changes in the way they live their life.
I suffer from a chronic endocrine/hormonal disorder called PCOS. It’s pretty common and many women have it and since September is PCOS awareness month, I figured this would be a great time to talk more about some changes that I’ve made since our last pregnancy loss.
Why make earth friendly swaps?
Okay, look. I’m not bougie. I honestly don’t even recycle. (I know, go ahead and close this tab out if you want, but let ye who hath no sin cast the first stone or something).
My reason for making the change to more eco friendly products is way less about the environment (eek that sounds terrible) and more about my personal health. It doesn’t really matter your reason, but if you’re looking to make the changes do it for whatever you think is right.
I’m not a “flat earther” and I do believe global warming is real, so I’m not totally off my rocker, but I just fully believe that there is no one more determined than a chick trying to get pregnant and again, I don’t know if you’re new here, but … Ya girl wants to be pregnant again and actually get to carry to term this time and bring home a healthy baby.
(Update: WE DID!!!!! And she’s awesome)
Because PCOS affects my entire endocrine system and my hormones are way out of wack, having things in the home that make that worse makes me all GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN.
If you have PCOS and you have some of these in your home, don’t take this as a way of me belittling you. I’ve just done a lot of research and wanted to make this post to hopefully be HELPFUL if you’re looking to make some changes and use more earth friendly products in your home, regardless of your reason!
The 8 Easiest Earth Friendly Swaps
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Household cleaning products
I actually wrote an entire post, including recipes and free printable labels on making your own household cleaners!
Why this is a good place to start:
Making your own cleaners can save you literally hundreds of bucks and your initial investment is pretty low. More than likely you might have these things around your house already!
Plus, you gotta admit, these labels and having cool amber glass bottles is way cuter than the plastic bottles you get from a grocery store or Target, right?!
Products you need to get started:
- At least 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol (which hopefully is becoming easier to find nowadays)
- Vinegar
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Essential oils of your choice
- Glass amber spray bottles (these are my favorite)
Mesh produce bags
So, as you’ll soon see, most of these swaps are a way to eliminate single use plastic or just plastic in general.
That is because not only is plastic bad for the environment, it’s actually pretty bad for my hormones.
I am just starting to work with a dietician that specializes in PCOS and hormonal imbalance and she said recently that if it’s hot or if it’s wet, it should never touch plastic.
Why this is a good place to start:
Since a lot of produce you buy sometimes gets sprayed with water, when you put it in those plastic bags, they are wet. These produce bags are a super easy earth friendly swap and you can keep a couple in your car or purse for shopping trips!
Products you need to get started:
- Mesh produce bags like these from Amazon
Cloth Paper Towels
This is where I confess – Really and truly, I made SO. MUCH. FUN. of people with these. Like why on earth would you have this? It’s so annoying and honestly how gross is it to wipe your counters with a cloth and then use the same cloth to use something else? Ew.
But then I found a hack!
Grab a glass container you have or you can pick one up from The Container Store like this.
Then, mix up some OxyClean in some warm water. You can find like “natural” versions of OxyClean, but since this is a one-step-at-a-time approach, I decided to use what I have.
When you use a cloth and it’s getting gross (which honestly won’t happen as often as you may think), toss it in the glass container with your OxyClean mix and when you’re done with all your cloth paper towels, toss them in the wash!
The reason I chose the ones I did was because the material they’re made out of actually clings to itself so you can wrap them around an old paper towel roll like I did here!
Why this is a good place to start:
This is a super cheap way to get rid of paper! Also, believe it or not, instead of tearing off a paper towel to wipe your hands, you actually end up using the same one multiple times and it just makes you more mindful.
I know it sounds weird, but not a whole lot makes me more mindful, but this one did!
Products you need to get started:
- Empty paper towel tube
- Unpaper towels – These are the exact ones that we got or you can get some more neutral ones from Amazon like these, but I’m not sure if they’ll cling to one another like ours do
- Large glass container
- OxyClean powder
Stainless Steel Water Bottles & Straws
I don’t know how to pronounce this bottle, but I say it like “Take Ya” like “Don’t forget to TAKE YA water witcha.”
Stainless steel or glass is way superior to plastic. Again, the rule earlier of “if it’s wet or warm, it should never touch plastic.”
I’m not sure if you know this but, water is wet. By using a reusable water bottle, you can also reduce your plastic waste too!
I also hated on the idea of stainless steel straws too because it sounds miserable for your teeth. But having a silicone tip is key! I like using them now over plastic straws and I’m not mad about it!
Why this is a good place to start:
Honestly, stainless steel bottles can be pricey. So, watch for sales! I got my first Takeya at Target on sale for $15!
You don’t have to throw away all your plastic reusable water bottles, but what I did is when I bought a stainless or glass one, I just got rid a plastic one.
Products you need to get started:
Glass Storage
No doubt to date my favorite purchase thus far with all these eco friendly products is my glass storage!
Getting rid of plastic Tupperware all stained with food just honestly made me feel so much better.
Why this is a good place to start:
Having glass is so much easier to clean! It’s also a great way to keep food for lunches or leftovers safe.
Products you need to get started:
- Glass storage set (This is the exact one I have and I’m OBSESSED with it. 5 year warranty and great ratings on Amazon!)
Reusable Ziplock Containers
What’s great about these is that there are tons of different kinds. I’ve seen them everywhere from TJ Maxx to Aldi.
But I call this, “Instagram ads strike again.” Because I saw these in an Instagram ad and was so intrigued.
Microwave safe, freezer safe, dishwasher safe?! Unheard of.
The “adult” ones aren’t too much to write home about, but then I saw these:
I’m sorry, but these baby containers are the cutest way to reduce your carbon footprint and have something that’s food safe if I’ve ever seen it!
Why this is a good place to start:
Uhhh, I mean did you see how cute those guys are? Seriously though, the fact that these are safe for the microwave, dishwasher, fridge AND freezer, these babies sell themselves for me.
I will say, these particular ones are expensive, but you can get them on sale or just save up and splurge on them because to me, the ease of use is and has been totally worth it for us.
Products you need to get started:
- Reusable ziplock containers – We have the gray set of cups and the baby ones
Dryer Balls
Ha. I said balls.
Okay, but seriously, seeing dryer sheets ALL FRIGGIN’ OVER my laundry room drives me insane.
By using a cheap alternative of dryer balls, you aren’t spending money every other month on dryer sheets. If you like a scent, you can put a drop or 2 of essential oils on them to add a bit of fragrance.
Why this is a good place to start:
SUPER cheap and is a quick way to reduce spending money on dryer sheets!
Products you need to get started:
- Dryer balls – You can get the kind made of wool or if you prefer, try this silicone alternative version
- Essential oils of your choice (optional)
Beeswax Wraps
This one actually started with a desire for me to DIY these myself (which you totally can still do) but I just didn’t have it in me to do it. So I decided to buy them.
I really love the idea of getting rid of plastic wrap and having these reusable beeswax food wraps. If you can use plastic wrap for it, you can use beeswax wraps for it and you’re not running the risk of harmful, hormone disrupting chemicals getting IN or ON your food.
Why this is a good place to start:
I love that by spending a few dollars, you can effectively replace your need for plastic to store your food in or to cover your food with.
Products you need to get started:
- Beeswax wraps like these or these from Amazon!
By no means is this an all encompassing list, BUT I was truly hoping this is an easy and budget friendly way to get started! Remember, just one change at a time. You don’t have to go nuts and throw everything away and start over.
Just replace one little thing at a time, give yourself time to get used to it, work out any kinks and then when you’re ready, move on to the next thing!
