Room by room, the everyday disposables worth trading for something that lasts. Start with one, then come back for the next.
01 Kitchen
The counter and the cupboard
Start where you cook. These are the everyday disposables that are easiest to trade for something washable and refillable.
Instead of
Paper towels
Try
Cloth wipes
Keep a stack by the sink and wash them with the tea towels.
Instead of
Plastic dish brushes
Try
A wooden dish brush
A sturdy handle with a head you can replace.
Instead of
Plastic chopping boards
Try
A bamboo board
Hard-wearing, and a wipe of oil now and then keeps it fed.
02 Bathroom
The shelf by the sink
The bathroom holds plenty of single-use plastic. A few swaps cover most of it, and the refills keep the bottles you already have in use.
Instead of
Plastic sponges
Try
A natural loofah
A plant fibre scrubber, hung to dry between uses.
Instead of
Disposable face wipes
Try
Cloth pads
Wash and reuse them, and keep a small bag for the used ones.
Instead of
Plastic toothbrush
Try
A bamboo toothbrush
A bamboo handle with a brush head. Replace it when the bristles splay.
03 Laundry
The cupboard by the machine
Laundry is mostly a refill job: keep the bottles, change what comes in them, and let the wash do the rest.
Instead of
Plastic detergent bottles
Try
A laundry refill
Keep the bottle and top it up from a refill.
Instead of
Fabric softener bottles
Try
A refill concentrate
Add it to the wash as the label says, not more.
Instead of
Stain remover sprays
Try
A laundry bar
Damp the bar and work it into the mark before washing.
Instead of
Dryer sheets
Try
Wool dryer balls
Tumble them with the load and let them dry between uses.
04 On the go
The bag by the door
These are the swaps that travel: a flask, a straw, a cup and a set of cutlery, kept in the bag so they are there when you need them.
Instead of
Plastic cutlery
Try
A bamboo cutlery roll
Keep a set in the bag for meals away from home.