Including eco living cleaning products
Eco living is a mindset that we can all get behind. By keeping some of our tips below in the front of your mind could really help make a difference to our planet.
As a beginner to living more eco, this could all sound a bit scary but it really isn’t. There are loads of really easy ways that you can help save the planet and reduce your plastic waste.
We’ve come up with 43 ways that you can start eco living as a beginner. These include everything from buying plastic free to trying to go zero waste.
If you are looking for more eco friendly ideas then have a look at:
The Best Sustainable Living Tips for 2021
The Best Eco Friendly Cleaning Products For Your Home
41 Easy Ways You Can Go Green as a Family
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43 Eco Living Ideas For Beginners
Did you know that many UK households throw away around 40kg of plastic each year. That’s enough to fill up 10 big recycle bins.
These eco living tips can make a real difference to your carbon footprint and helping the planet. Even if you only do one of these simple eco living ideas today then that could make a huge difference for the future.
Home and energy eco living tips
Here we’ve covered everything you need to start living a little more eco friendly at home. These are all really simple things that you can do right now.
Switch to renewables
Instead of using kitchen roll or tin foil, have a look at beeswax sandwich wraps or stainless steel coffee cups for when you are on the move. Not only do they save you money but you can use them again and again. They don’t need to be thrown away after one use. All you do is wash them
Our top 5 favorite eco living products are:
Reusable coffee cups – Having a reusable coffee cup can not help to stop your plastic usage but it can also save you money. Make your hot drink at home and take it with you. Buy the coffee cups we use here.*
Stainless Steel Drink Bottles – Taking a steel drink bottle means that you can not only bring your own drinks wherever you go but you could also be saving the planet by not buying more plastic. Bottles like these are great for the whole family as well. Buy the steel drink bottles we use here.*
Reusable straws – These reusable straws are great for kids. They are metal, are dishwasher friendly, and can be used over and over again. Buy the reusable straws we use here.*
Reusable Sandwich Wraps – Using beeswax sandwich wraps are a great way to help the environment. These come in a range of different sizes which are great for wrapping everything from sandwiches for a day out to meat for the fridge. Buy the sandwich wraps we use here.*
Eco Food Bags – These 100% compostable food bags are strong and durable. They can be used in the freezer while still being strong enough to hold all the food you need it too. Buy the eco food bags we use here.*
Compost
Having your own compost heap at home means that you always have fresh compost for your plants and somewhere that isn’t the bin to put all your leftover food peelings. It’s really easy to set one up and attract insects that help turn your waste into the best garden food.
Recycle everything
Add whatever you can to your recycling. Most bottles can be recycled now so check before you ditch them.
Try to cut out plastic
This still isn’t very easy as many of our shops brought foods are still sold in plastic but you could try buy bringing your own lunch everywhere in a reusable lunch box or even buying a stainless steel bottle for water.
Insulate your home
You might be surprised to know that energy is a big supplier of greenhouse gasses. Insulating your home will not only save you money but can keep your house warmer meaning that you don’t have to turn the heating on as much. Many local UK councils offer insulation grants to help you pay for the cost of keeping your house warm.
Fix it, don’t throw it
If a white goods item breaks it may be better to get it fixed instead of buying new. If you do need to replace the item then make sure that it has the highest energy rating that you can find. A* is currently the best for the UK.
Use eco-friendly cleaning products
Many of the normal cleaning bottles we use are not only made up of plastic themselves but can also be dangerous to the environment. Switching what you use to clean your home can really help to reduce your plastic use.
Our top 5 favorite eco cleaning products are:
All-Purpose Cleaner – This all-purpose cleaner can be brought cheaply from Amazon. All the ingredients are naturally-derived and biodegradable, and this cleaner kills 99.9% of bacteria. Using this means that you only need one cleaner for all your household jobs which cuts down on plastic bottles too. Buy the all purpose cleaner we use here.*
Ecozone Window & Glass Cleaner Spray – This glass cleaner removes all stubborn dirt from windows and glass surfaces. It is really fast drying and gets fingerprints off easily. This glass cleaner is cruelty-free, vegan and PETA endorsed. Buy the glass cleaner we use here.*
Ecover Laundry Bleach – Ecover do a range of different eco cleaning products but this one of our favorites. This laundry bleach keeps your clothes looking clean and bright while smelling fresh. It has an oxygen-based formula that is biodegradable and can be used down your toilet as well. Buy the laundry bleach we use here.*
Method Touch Wood Polish Spray – This wood polish gives off an amazing shine to your wood. This is non-toxic and has a plant-based formula that gives off an almond smell. The oil is biodegradable which contains gentle conditioners. Buy the wood polish spray we use here.*
Ecoegg Laundry Egg – This is an eco-friendly and hypoallergenic alternative to washing detergent. This uses natural cleaning pellets that have no harsh chemicals. This completely replaces the need for normal laundry detergent. Buy the ecoegg we use here.*
Use your microwave
If you are cooking for one then it may be better to use the microwave instead of the oven as it uses less electricity to heat up.
Grow your own
Growing your own vegetables can be fun but it can also help reduce your carbon footprint. Start small by planting some Strawberries in April or some peppers in March and watch them grow. They are both really easy to maintain and just need watering in hot weather.
Plant some trees
Planting a tree, even a little one can help increase our oxygen levels and makes you feel good!
Reduce water waste
Could you turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or only fill the kettle up with the water you need? Small steps like this can make a huge difference.
Water meter
Ask to have a water meter installed in your home. it helps you to track how much water you are actually using.
Use a water butt for watering plants
A water butt is a great way to collect rainwater that you can then use in the summer months instead of your hose.
Only heat the water you need
If you are cooking for one or two, then only fill a pan up with the water you need. The more water, the more energy it takes to heat it.
Use a shower for 10 minutes
Set a timer on your phone and see if you could have a 10-minute shower to help reduce your water usage.
Use the plastic bags you have
We all have plastic bags around our house that we used to use. Use them now. Remember to take your own every time you go shopping.
Use LED light bulbs
Start to replace your bulbs with LED bulbs when you can. They use a lot less electrically.
Turn everything off
When you leave a room, turn the lights off and switch off the power at the wall. This saves energy as even if the appliance isn’t on it still takes power from the wall.
Wear a jumper
Before you turn the heating on, put a jumper on first.
Eco living travel ideas
These are eco living travel ideas that can help you to reduce your carbon footprint.
Walk more
Could you replace one car journey with a walk instead?
Fly less
Could you take the train which can hold a lot more people and makes it less harmful on emissions?
Think about your journey
Are you going to be stuck in traffic or having to press the break a lot? This could take up more petrol as well as pump out more emissions.
Pack sustainably
How heavy is your car? Can you reduce the weight?
Plan where you eat
This stops you from having to drive around to find somewhere to eat using up more petrol.
Local knowledge is best
Use local knowledge as your guide when going to new places.
Car share
Ask if anyone you know is going to the same place. This works well with colleagues. The more people in the car the less your footprint is.
Eco living food ideas
These are quick ideas on how you can help save the planet with food.
Eat less meat
Could you make one day a week vegetarian day? By cutting down on your meat intake, by just one day a week can really help reduce the environmental impact.
Don’t waste food
If you do have leftovers, don’t bin it. Could you freeze them for another day or take them to work with you for lunch?
Have your food shop delivered
Many of the supermarkets make sure that their vans are full of food and given a route with houses that are close together. By ordering your food and having it delivered, you are reducing your carbon footprint.
Buy local
If you can, buy from locally sourced food suppliers. There’s nothing like knowing where your food is from.
Eat as locally as possible
If you are going out then try and pick a restaurant or takeaway that is close to home.
Eat as seasonally as possible
This means that you are eating the food that is grown as close to the UK as possible.
Think about packaging
Many supermarkets are offering fruit and vegetables without any plastic packaging. Take your own brown bags and fill them up!
Eco living fashion
These eco living fashion tips could help you to save money while saving the planet.
Go vintage
Vintage is in! Have a look at friends and your parent’s wardrobe and see what you can find to wear. you may just be surprised!
Use charity shops
Spend a few hours around your local charity shops. Many have great bargains and clothes that have hardly been worn.
Buy less
If you don’t really need something then don’t buy it.
Look for eco-friendly materials
These are clearly laid out of many clothes. Know what you are buying and how it was sourced.
Learn to DIY
There are many YouTube videos online that show you how to patch a hole and make it look great or how to make your own clothes. This is a great way to get creative with what you have.
Eco living beauty tips
These are simple eco living beauty tips that you can use on a day-to-day basis.
Ditch the face wipes
You don’t need disposable face wipes to take makeup off or to clean your face. Buy a pack of cotton flannels for face washing and a pack of washable makeup pads that take off even the most hard-to-shift mascara.
Buy package-free
Not easy but try and buy as many of your beauty products without plastic.
Menstrual products
Could you swap to an eco-friendly version or go reusable is even better.
Our top 5 favorite reusable period products are:
Mooncup – Mooncup is made of 100% medical-grade platinum silicone and can hold three times more blood than a tampon. It doesn’t dry you out like a plastic menstrual product and works great whatever you have planned that day. Buy a Mooncup here*
Eco Lily 6 Pack Reusable Cloth Sanitary Towels – These come in three different sizes depending on your period strength. They wash really well and are soft in all the right places. They are chemical-free and are great for daily wear. Buy the Eco Lily 6 Pack Reusable Cloth Sanitary Towels here*
Wear Em Out – These pads are fashionable and fun! They come in a range of colours and styles which match however you are feeling. What we like the most is that they are pretty good value for money and are thin, so you don’t really feel like you are wearing much at all. They absorb a lot and come up really clean when washed.
DAME reusable applicator set – Made out of BPA-free medical-grade mediprene, DAME have produced a tampon set that you don’t have to even clean, just rinse through with water. What we like the best about this is that it’s easy to use and felt almost like a straight swap from the conventional tampon. It did take a little longer to work out how to use the first time but after that, it was pretty swift to insert and go.
The DAME kit comes with tampons and the applicator, plus a pretty little tin to keep it in when you don’t it. Try the DAME reusable applicator set here.
Thinx Leotard – This is a super absorbency leotard that is great for exercising in. It’s an all-in-one that looks great and really fits your body so that you can dance, squat and jump without having to worry about any leaks. It has built-in bust support and is super stretchy for all kinds of workouts. It is a little pricy but is worth the peace of mind if you do a lot of exercises. Buy Thinx Leotard here*
Related Posts:
- 41 Easy Ways You Can Go Green as a Family
- 19 Reusable Period Products That Can Help Save the Planet
- The Best Sustainable Living Tips for 2021
Big brands can also be eco-friendly
Don’t feel that you need to find indie products online to go eco-friendly. You really don’t! Many major brands are switching to more eco-friendly products. Do your research before you buy.
Borrow instead of buy
Could you borrow instead of buying what you need? Could a friend lend you a new eye brush or comb? Sharing items can really help reduce our plastic waste and landfill.
Laura x
If you have enjoyed this post and would like some more eco living ideas then have a look at the Eco Living section here on My Beautiful Mess. While you’re here why not pop over to Pinterest and follow my Eco Friendly Home Board or my Eco Friendly Products Board which will give you loads more ways you can go green quickly and easily.
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