Easy Eco-Friendly Swaps
Over the years as I’ve had to buy replacement products, I’ve tried to make eco-friendly swaps. I’ve done a bit of research, and have found a few favourites during this process that I though I’d share with you!
Floor Cleaner: Swap Chemicals for Method
During my last trip to the states I smelled this floor cleaner and fell in instant adoration. Almond is my favourite scent, but I was already hauling around a packed suitcase. Imagine my delight when I returned to Ireland to find it next door! I currently have the rhubarb scent, which is also super yummy, and am waiting for post-pandemic ordering of the almond scent to my local Health Matters. Method is a company I’ve loved for many years because of its good ingredients and sustainable business practices. Plus they make amazing cleaning products!
Deodorant: Swap Chemicals for Nuud
This is my most recent swap. This company in the Netherlands has created an amazing deodorant via sustainable methods. The deodorant itself has much better ingredients for your body, but the packaging is all sustainable as well which is amazing! Plus, it WORKS. I’m talking only applying deodorant every couple of days, even while working out and showering daily. Mind-blowing.
Baking Sheets: Swap Disposable for Silicone
I tend to use a lot of parchment when I’m baking, but a few years ago I snagged a silicone baking mat on a shopping trip and for such an affordably price you can’t go wrong!
The one I use: Buy from Homestore + More
Buy from Nuud (free worldwide shipping)
Water Bottles: Swap Plastic for Reusable
About 6 years ago now I made the switch to reusable glass bottles. They were great for having around the house or the office, but not the best for traveling. We still use these a lot to this day! But if I had to choose one of my reusable bottles to recommend, it would be the stainless steel thermos ones. There are a lot of brands with varying quality, but I use a rose gold metallic one from Chilly’s.
It’s held up super well over the past couple of years, and it genuinely keeps my water ice cold throughout the day. But you can also use it to keep drinks hot! This is great if I’m going on a hike and want cold water at the top, or especially when I’ve been on holiday and I’m by the pool all day because even sitting in the hot sun it stays super cold. Plus, they come in lots of cute designs so you can get one that you’ll like to have around.
The one I use: Buy from Brown Thomas
Toothbrushes: Swap plastic for bamboo
Bamboo toothbrushes are becoming so much more accessible; they’re popping up everywhere from Boots to TK Maxx! They’re a great alternative to the typical plastic version and do the job just as well. Plus there’s still some cute designs so you can personalise them to your liking or just remember whose is whose when you’ve got multiple in one bathroom.
Bonus appreciation photo for Killian’s naming system when we need to swap out and want to pick a colour:
The ones I use: Buy on Amazon
Food Storage: Swap Plastic for Glass
We make almost all meals from scratch. So we have a lot of food storage happening! There are lots of options on Amazon, or at your local home store, but I use IKEA’s. There are lots of benefits from using glass, obviously to the environment, but also to your food. You don’t have to ever worry about trying to get tomato stains out of plastic again. Or funky smells. They’ll come out perfectly clean each and every time! I have quite a long commute which involves a good bit of walking, and I don’t find that they’re noticeably heavy or a pain to carry around.
The ones I use: Buy from IKEA
Cotton Rounds: Swap Disposable for Cloth
I have loved this swap probably most. I can use as many rounds as I want without feeling guilty, and they’re super soft on my eyes. They’re easy to wash, and I don’t have to worry about running out and having to pop into a store. Tip: I purchased a mix of black and white rounds, but I’ve loved the black ones much more because they don’t show stains from long-lasting lipsticks or waterproof mascara.
Similar to the ones I use: Buy from Holland & Barrett
Straws: Swap plastic for glass
I am in love with these straws that I got from Amazon. They come in short and tall, as well as straight and bent, and include a brush to clean the inside. They look beautiful, you can see what’s going on inside so you know what/where to clean, and they’re SO MUCH BETTER than plastic! I’m not much of a straw-user to begin with, but these are a great alternative when you do want to use one, or if you’re going to a restaurant and want to bring your own.
The ones I use: Buy on Amazon
Shampoo. Swap a bottle for a bar
The Lush shampoo bars are revolutionary. Honestly. Try them. They lather up better than regular bottle shampoos, you can travel anywhere with them because they aren’t liquid (and they’re also super lightweight!), they last for ages, and the ingredients are amazing. Plus, the company is really great for sustainability and just has some wonderful ethics even despite its now large size. Bonus: Their products smell amazing.
The one I use: Buy from Lush
What are your favourite eco-friendly swaps? Leave them in the comments so I can check them out!