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Key Takeaways
- Small eco-friendly swaps—like ditching paper towels and plastic wrap—can make a big difference over time.
- Many natural alternatives to common household products are cheaper and just as effective as store-bought versions.
- The best way to start making eco-friendly swaps is to pick one change at a time and build from there.
Making your home eco-friendlier doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. In fact, some of the easiest eco-friendly swaps are ones you can start today with things you probably already have on hand. Over the years, I’ve slowly replaced everyday household items with more sustainable options—and honestly, most of them work better than what I was using before. Whether you’re just starting your green living journey or looking for a few fresh ideas, these ten simple swaps are a great place to begin.
10 Easy Eco-Friendly Swaps
1. Switch to natural cleaning products or make your own.
I love making my own cleaning products. It’s so easy, and I know exactly what’s going in them. My all-purpose cleaner is just a 1:1 mix of organic white vinegar and water. Sometimes I’ll put in 10-20 drops of essential oils, like lemon or tea tree.
Vinegar is good for cleaning because it contains about 5% acidity (acetic acid), which is similar to the amount of acidity found in most household commercial cleaners. Vinegar is powerful at dissolving mineral deposits, dirt, grease, and grime. And it’s also strong enough to kill bacteria.
2. Reuse glass jars instead of buying new food containers.
We all know how bad plastic is for us, so why would we want our food stored in plastic containers? Reusing glass jars that we already have is one of the easiest sustainable swaps to make. All those pasta sauces, jams, and pickle jars can be reused to store all kinds of things. Some things I like to reuse glass jars for in the kitchen include:
- Freeze soups, broths, and sauces (make sure to leave about 1/3 empty at the top and freeze before placing the lid on)
- Storing homemade spice mixes
- Drinking glasses
- Storing leftovers
- Keeping beans, rice, and spaghetti noodles
3. Use bar cloths and Swedish dish cloths instead of paper towels.
On my journey to save money for our household, I decided paper towels were something that we could definitely do without. I started out using old towels cut up into dishcloth size.
Then, a few years ago, I came across Swedish dish cloths while shopping with my mom at Hobby Lobby. I bought one to try it, and I loved it! I bought more online at Simply Earth. They’re great for cleaning spills, wiping down countertops, and washing dishes. And you can put them in the top rack of your dishwasher to wash them!
4. Swap your single-serve coffee pods for a pour-over.
We’ve been using a pour-over for our coffee for years. A power surge blew up our Keurig, and when we started looking for new coffee pots, we were surprised to see that every one we looked at contained plastic. I was watching an Elna Cain video and noticed she was using a pour-over for her coffee, so I asked her about it in the comments. We bought one for our home and have been using it ever since. There’s no plastic, and we’ve saved a ton of money not buying coffee pods. (We buy whole beans and grind them ourselves.)
5. Use beeswax wraps instead of plastic.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 4.2 million tons of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps are produced every year. Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. Plastic wrap contains the chemicals polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Using beeswax wraps instead of plastic not only helps the environment, but it also keeps your family healthy and safe from chemicals.
6. Swap dryer sheets for wool dryer balls.
One of the first sustainable swaps I made in our home was replacing the dryer sheets with dryer balls. There are so many benefits to using dryer balls:
- They speed up drying time by physically separating items so air can circulate more. This reduces the cost of electricity.
- Dryer sheets are soaked in chemicals, which leave synthetic chemical residue on your laundry. Dryer balls are natural and biodegradable, which means no chemicals.
- As dyer balls bounce around, they’re softening your clothes for you.
- The tumbling action prevents clothes from sticking to the side of the dryer and sticking together. So no static or wrinkles.
7. Switch to shampoo bars and goat milk bar soaps.
I was pretty skeptical at first about trying shampoo bars. My husband bought some from Azure. They made his hair so soft, so after some time, I decided to try it out. The first time, I wasn’t sure I really liked using it, but after a few times, I finally fell in love and haven’t used commercial shampoo since.
Along with the shampoo bars, I also use and love goat milk soap. Goat milk soap has so many benefits. Using the goat milk soap has even helped with my psoriasis! My skin is much softer and looks healthier.
8. Swap plastic items for bamboo.
Another great way to make easy, sustainable swaps for an eco-friendlier home is to start using bamboo items instead of plastic. This is also one of the quickest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and stop adding to the microplastic pollution. Remember to start small and only make one swap at a time. Here are a few things you can start with:
- Toothbrushes
- Cutting boards
- Kitchen utensils like ladles and spatulas
- Storage baskets (I also love old wooden boxes and wicker baskets)
9. Buy organic.
I’m not talking about just organic food here. There are a lot of other items you can buy that are organic.
- Clothes
- Towels
- Bedding and mattresses
- Personal items such as lotions, makeup, skin products, and shampoo
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Pet food, treats, grooming supplies, toys, and bedding
- Cleaning products
- Furniture
I made a decision a few years ago to toss our bedsheets and buy organic cotton sheets. I love them! They stay cool, and I love a fresh, cool sheet when I get in bed at night.
10. Use natural air fresheners.
Air fresheners can release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into the air, which may cause headaches, breathing problems, and even reproductive harm. Be careful with products marked natural, green, or non-toxic, too. Manufacturers aren’t required to list all their ingredients, so you’re not 100% positive what’s being released into your air.
Instead of buying air fresheners at the store, make eco-friendly swaps to homemade air fresheners. Here are a few ideas:
- Make your own carpet refresher by putting 1-2 cups of baking soda into a shaker jar, add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir until it’s well combined. Shake a little on your carpet, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and vacuum as usual. I even use this on my couch and loveseat!
- Put about ½ cup of baking soda in a small jar or bowl and cover with breathable fabric, like cheesecloth. Place the jar wherever you need to remove odors. You can also add 10-15 drops of essential oil and mix well.
- Make your own room spray with witch hazel and essential oils. Add 20-30 drops of essential oil to an amber-colored glass spray bottle. Next, add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel to the oils, then fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water. Shake and spray!
Final Thoughts
Making eco-friendly swaps is a process, not a race. The biggest mistake you can make is trying to change everything at once. Doing that will leave you feeling overwhelmed, and you’ll give up altogether. Start with just one swap from this list, get comfortable with it, and then add another. Before you know it, you’ll have built habits that are better for your health, your wallet, and the planet. Small changes really do add up, and every step in the right direction counts.
Your Turn
What are your favorite eco-friendly swaps? If you’re just starting out, which one are you excited to try first? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
