10 THINGS FOR A GREENER HOME

With more and more of us on a mission to do our part where we can (and just generally fed up of paying for, storing and then having to dispose of unnecessary packaging), I’m sharing part two of my easy eco household swaps.

Here are 10 things you can implement to help make your home greener:

1. SWAP YOUR LAUNDRY DETERGENT

The ingenious Ecoegg removes the need for laundry detergent and instead uses two types of natural mineral pellets housed in a recyclable egg-shaped container which you simply pop into the drum of your washing machine with your laundry. Other plastic-free options are laundry strips and traditional soap flakes, just make sure the water is warm enough to activate the soap. The laundry strips are minimally packaged - usually just a cardboard envelope - and take up very little space. Perfect for small kitchens and travelling - just don’t get the box wet!

2. TRY HOMEMADE HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS

Looking for something like a multi-purpose household cleaner with minimal ingredients? You can grab a reusable spray bottle and mix together household vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and citric acid (see the full recipe here) to create your own at-home version. These natural ingredients are cleaning staples and even better, if you can afford to buy the ingredients in bulk to begin with you can make up your next batch as and when you are ready and save yourself money in the long run while knowing exactly what you’re using!

3. COMMIT TO COMPOSTING

Whilst a proper compost bin is a luxury only afforded to those with outdoor space, composting from home shouldn’t be overlooked. According to a recent study, “if composting levels increased worldwide, we could reduce emissions by 2.1 billion tonnes by 2050”. Compostable food waste bags are a household-friendly, nifty, eco option to keep your food scraps and waste contained until you’re ready to dispose of them via your local bin collection or via a separate food waste collection service. Some areas of the country will collect your food waste separately from your household rubbish. Don’t keep the waste hanging around in the bags for too long though (no longer than 10 days is recommended) as these bags will quickly break down… which is, after all, the point of them! In some cities, like London, there are companies that will pick up your food waste to ensure it goes directly to the correct recycling place, check out First Mile. Rather than using compost bags for this, you can just keep a stainless steel bowl on the kitchen counter to collect the food scraps which is what I do. I tip it daily, or every other day (depending on how much cooking I’m doing) into my compost bin/wormery (yes it’s a bit of both - will share more info on it sometime!). If you are looking for something more self-contained the Subpod Wormery is a great option for those with a little bit of outside space. The Subpod is a small in-ground box system to which you add your daily food waste. The worms and microbes go to work, by breaking down your food waste into a rich and nutrient-dense compost which you can use to fertilise your plants.

4. KITCHEN CLEANING AIDS

When it comes to washing up, biodegradable sponges and coco scourers offer compostable alternatives to their plastic-filled equivalents. My biodegradable sponges last at least a month to anything up to six months, I’ve even had the same coco scourers since 2019. To prolong their lifespan, I deep clean them in the dishwasher every now and then too! I love them for cleaning my cast-iron and non-toxic non-stick pans just with warm to hot water so that I don’t have to use soap which would remove the ‘seasoning’ that keeps them non-stick and easy to cook with and clean. Swapping your standard kitchen roll for an unbleached bamboo kitchen roll is another option that while more eco is more expensive… look for recycled kitchen roll in your local supermarket for a more affordable option or get into good old-fashioned, absorbent cloths that can go into your laundry.

5. HOT WATER

We are all guilty of boiling more water in the kettle than needed - the Guardian reported that “we habitually boil twice as much water as we need'' - something to be even more aware of as energy bills continue to rise. Invest in a large insulated flask for your office or WFH desk so you can prep your water and keep a good eye on your liquid intake for the day. Or for something a bit fancier, opt for an insulated coffee pot or jug. I use a 1 litre French Press style insulated jug (the plunger is great if you are making herbal tea too), which also comes in 1.5 litres. Easy to clean, non-toxic, no plastic parts to wear away or react with the hot water, no fragile glass, plus boiling water and then allowing it to come to a drinkable temperature is a great way to rehydrate the body according to Ayurveda.

6. BATHROOM

Like the kitchen, the bathroom is where single-use can plague the room unknowingly. Some easy bathroom swaps are to switch from traditional sanitary wear to period pants, which are washable and reusable. Making your home greener doesn’t mean you have to go without, traditional cotton earbuds can easily be swapped for bamboo earbuds (which are also biodegradable) alongside reusable bamboo facial pads (which are super soft on the skin). A stylish, refillable bamboo razor can replace a single-use razor. Replace the razor blades as needed and remember to recycle your old stainless steel blades - be sure to use a razor blade bank to collect as many as you can (likely over years) and safely hand them over to be melted down - razor bank and all.

7. PERIOD CARE

Periodcare has come a long way - there is now an influx of innovative brands making big moves. Brands like Modibodi and Wuka offer different styles of period underwear which can be washed and re-worn each time. But if period pants aren’t your preference then opt for organic bamboo sanitary towels which are hypoallergenic, soft and breathable made from bamboo grown without the use of toxins, pesticides or synthetic chemicals. Alternatively, choose reusable, washable pads to do away with single-use - I use a mixture of both.

8. SHAMPOO IN A BAR

Soap bars are back and they’re not just for your body! Shampoo bars offer all the benefits of shampoo and are almost package-free using just a little cardboard box as protection. Whilst it might take you a little while to get around using a bar of soap for your hair, in the long-term it’s an easy eco swap where you haven’t had to make any compromises - plus many of the brands, as you can imagine, are as concerned with human health as well as planet-health so these are usually free from undesirable ingredients such as sulphates, parabens, Phthalates, any form of alcohol-based ingredients and synthetic fragrances (to name a few). One of my favourites is the Shaeco Argan oil shampoo bar, a moisturising rinse great for most hair types. Even my dogs are jumping on the bandwagon, Julie is particularly a fan of Troopets shampoo bar, made with only natural essential oils.

9. BULK BUYING

Not only is bulk buying a cost-effective way of shopping (especially when it comes to organic) but it means you’ve always got what you need on hand while reducing your overall packaging consumption. Over recent times lots of communities have set up cooperatives, where they will buy in bulk and distribute to those who have ordered or are in need. If you haven’t got the space to store your dry goods en masse then see if you have a local zero-waste store, you will still often get more for your money. Sites such as Eco & Beyond and Local Zero Waste offer great online directives where you can search for local zero-waste stores and cooperatives in your local area. Items such as organic pulses, pasta, nuts and seeds are paid for by weight and they can all be taken home in your own reusable produce bags or your vessel of choice.

10. SAVE THAT RAINWATER

Collect rainwater if you can (I have a flat roof which is annoying for water collection but I do leave out multiple buckets and bowls in a downpour!) as well as the water from soaking and washing any grains or legumes which can be used as a natural fertiliser for your houseplants and garden. If you boil and steam food in a lot of water (no salty pasta water please!) you can save this water for watering too - more nutrients for your plants! I tend to steam food with just a small amount of water in the bottom of a pan so don’t do this but occasionally when I use a proper steamer (like when I’m making puto) then I do pour it into a jug to cool and use. For water saving in general, it’s great to be mindful of how much you use. If you haven’t already, get into the habit of turning your tap off while brushing your teeth for the recommended time, and be mindful when washing up - don’t leave that tap running constantly if you can help it!