Including eco-friendly cleaning products and eco-friendly household items
Everywhere we look, plastic is everywhere. In the clothes, we buy right up to the household items we are all using. It’s really easy to make a switch to eco products that can help save the planet and that use less or no plastic at all.
Going plastic-free helps to reduce our need for landfill sites and means that more items could be recycled.
If each one of us just switched to a few eco-friendly products then the difference would be huge! We’d be talking about less harmful products like BPA in our own systems as well as less consumed by animals too.
We can all make a difference but it’s impossible to change our habits overnight. This post covers how to make the simple switch to eco products as a beginner and what to look out for when aiming for zero waste.
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Going eco for beginners
Before you go off and start to swap your normal everyday products, have a think about:
Starting small
Going eco doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Swap one product a week for an eco-friendly product. Like your normal window spray for a homemade one.
Prioritising reusable items
This means trying to use more reusable items than single-use products. Start simply by swapping your plastic bags for reusable ones or even just use the plastic bags you have over and over again. Instead of using a cardboard coffee cup, why not buy a stainless steel travel cup that you can use again and again. The small changes matter.
Look for sustainable materials
Using recycled clothing and sustainable materials can help to reduce your carbon footprint too.
We’ve found 39 eco products that can help you to reduce your plastic waste and become more environmentally friendly.
Eco-friendly cleaning products
If you are looking for more eco-friendly cleaning products then look at our full list here.
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 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 Ecozone window & glass cleaner spray 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 Ecover laundry bleach here*
Ecozone Citrus Enzymatic Drain Cleaning Stick
There’s no more need to put bleach down the drain! These ecozone citrus drain sticks as small enough to put down your plughole. They smell amazing and each pack contains enough sticks that last a year.
Buy the Ecozone citrus enzymatic drain cleaning stick 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 Method Touch wood polish spray here*
E-cloth General Purpose Cleaning Cloths
These need no chemicals to clean grease from all your surfaces. They don’t smear and are machine washable so you can use them again and again. These clothes work on marble, wood, glass, and stainless steel.
Buy E-cloth general purpose cleaning cloths 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.
Ecover Toilet Cleaner Sea Breeze & Sage
This plant-based toilet cleaner does not only get your toilet smelling nice but kills germs too. It hasn’t got that strong bleach smell and it’s good for the environment too.
Buy Ecover toilet cleaner sea breeze & sage here*
Ecozone Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Biodegradable Wipes
These are 100% biodegradable wipes that kills over 99% of bacteria. These are alcohol-free and vegan friends that are made in the UK.
Buy Ecozone anti-bacterial multi-surface biodegradable wipes here*
Eco-Max Laundry Liquid Non-Bio
This is made with plant-based ingredients that contains no chemical residue. It’s free from phosphates and non-toxic on the skin.
Buy Eco-Max laundry liquid non-bio here*
Eco Friendly Washing Up Scrubbing Brush & Eco Sponge
These brushes have zero plastic and made from beech wood which has been responsibly sourced. These brushes are great for all uses including any stubborn pots and pans you have.
Buy the eco friendly washing up scrubbing brush & eco sponge here*
Eco-friendly household items
By swapping a few simple items in your home for eco products can really make a huge difference. You could swap your normal plastic water bottles for reusable ones or swap to reusable shopping bags. Simple swaps really do make all the difference.
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 reusable coffee cups 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 stainless steel drink bottles here*
Reusable straws
These reusable straws are great for kids. They are metal, are dishwasher friendly, and can be used over and over again.
Drink Bottle Jackets
Having a drink bottle jacket helps to keep your drink either hot or cold, depending on the drink. They come in different colours and are really useful on a day out.
Buy drink bottle jackets here*
Recycled Toilet Tissue
This toilet paper is sourced from the UK and is made from recycled fibre. It has a very small carbon footprint and is soft in all the right places.
Buy recycled toilet tissue here*
Recycled Table Cloth
Make with recycled fabric, this table cloth is easy to keep clean and looks amazing as a central piece as well.
Buy recycled table cloths here*
Disposable Waste Bags
Trying to find disposable bin bags isn’t easy but these work really well. They are made from corn starch which is 100% biodegradable and compostable.
Buy disposable waste bags 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 reusable sandwich wraps 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 to.
Reusable Produce Bags
These machine-washable bags are great for holding all your fruit and vegetables in. Take them to the store with you as well as they are a great way to pack our food after a shop.
Buy reusable produce bags here*
Recycled Paper
Using recycled brown paper as wrapping paper is a great way to make a present unique while helping the environment. It can be fully recycled as long as no glitter is added to the paper.
100% Recycled Aluminium Foil
If you don’t like the sound of using beeswax bags then have a look at this recycled aluminium foil. It is vegetable-based inks which means that it can be fully recycled.
Buy 100% recycled aluminium foil here*
Recycled Handle Toothbrush
This has soft bristles with a bamboo handle. They come in a pack of four brushes and even the box can be recycled.
Buy recycled handle toothbrush here*
Reusable Silicone Cupcake Cups
These are made of silicone which is great for baking. These work exactly like normal paper cups and can be washed in the dishwasher and used again.
Buy reusable silicone cupcake cups here*
Compostable Cutlery
These durable eco-friendly knives, forks, and spoons are great for parties. These can help you to reduce plastic while still using cutlery that you don’t need to wash!
Reusable Bread Bag
This polyester bag works great for keeping bread fresh. You can reuse it and pull the inner liner out to wash it after use.
Eco-friendly period products
It really is easy to switch from your normal plastic period products to a more sustainable product. We have 12 of our favorite reusable menstrual products here that you can try depending on what you are looking for.
Please bear in mind that you might not like the first product you try. Please keep trying as there will be a product out there for you.
If you are looking for more eco friendly period products then have a look at our post here.
Modibodi Waist Bikini Pants
These super sexy pants are great for making you feel as normal as possible while on your period. They aren’t bulky and come seam-free and in a range of colours. They wash really well and dried within three hours when we put them on the radiator. What we liked the most was that they didn’t really feel like period pants at all!
Buy the Modibodi waist bikini pants here*
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.
Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup
This is a soft and flexible menstrual cup that is great if you have bladder sensitivity, cramping or discomfort with firmer cups.It’s really easy to insert and if looked after light can last up to 10 years.
Buy the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup here*
Athena Menstrual Cup
This is a great affordable menstrual cup that can help to reduce cramping and dryness. These cups give you the freedom away from disposables right away.
Buy the Athena Menstrual Cup here*
Floating Lotus Reusable Bamboo Sanitary Towels
These are the cotton menstrual pads we wear ourselves. They are made of soft and breathable material with an odour resistant top layer. What we like the most is that the different size absorbs pads have different coloured poppers so you can quickly grab the one you need. They are super comfy for overnight and fold up really small if you are out and about.
Buy the Floating Lotus Reusable Bamboo Sanitary Towels 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.
Rovtop 12 Pack Reusable Sanitary Pads
These reusable pads come in cotton or bamboo and a range of different designs. The reviews say that they can last up to one day but we found we needed to change after four hours on a heavy day. They did last very well overnight though!
Buy Rovtop 12 Pack Reusable Sanitary Pads here*
Little Lamb Cloth Sanitary Pads
These cute sanitary pads come in a bumper pack with everything you need. They are really absorbent and come with a bottle of tea tree oil if you prefer to freshen them up.
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.
Ohne cardboard applicator tampons
Ohne cardboard applicator tampons do what they say. The applicator is cardboard and the tampons themselves are biodegradable. What we love the most is that the tampons come in different sizes depending on your period, so we brought a mix of all to cover ourselves.
Related Posts:
- The Best Eco Friendly Cleaning Products For Your Home
- 19 Reusable Period Products That Can Help Save the Planet
- The Best Sustainable Living Tips for 2021
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.
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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