Are you looking for a super simple yet in-depth plastic-free swaps guide to give your house a much needed sustainable makeover? Well, you’re in luck – this is the ultimate beginners guide to a plastic-free home.
When we think of the 6 R’s of Zero Waste – Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (compost) – we need to remember that Rethink is first for a reason.
Rethink. Notice. Ask questions.
Why is something done the way it is? Can it be done better?
So while you’re walking around your house noticing all the plastic, take a moment to appreciate that you’re noticing these things.
And remember that you don’t have to throw everything out and start over.
Use what you have first, and as things are running out or wearing out, make a plan to replace them with a better alternative.
And that’s where today’s post comes in.
Today we’ve compiled all of our favorite plastic-free swaps into one room-by-room guide for you to revisit when the time comes to replace those pesky plastics.
Plastic-Free Swaps For The Kitchen
Between the kitchen and the bathroom, you should be able to cut down on a lot of plastic! Just think of all the food packaging, food storage, soaps, and cleaners stashed away in there.
But before you start tossing what you have in favor of more “eco-friendly” options, remember – the only thing worse than a single-use item is a zero-use item.
So use up what you’ve got, and when you’re running low, revisit this list and make plans for how you’ll replace them with a better alternative.
Dish Washing
Whether you’re carefully hand washing your favorite coffee mug or running a full dishwasher every night, it’s one of the sad truths of adulting that we’re never done with the dishes – and all that dish soap packaging adds up!
My favorite kitchen swap to date has been my package-free solid dish soap bar for hand-washing dishes. It lathers like crazy and cuts through the grease and grime like it was never there. (It’s also great for cleaning the stovetop, kitchen sink, and even the bathtub!)
Pair it with your favorite loofah sponge, Swedish dishcloth, or wooden dishbrush for a totally plastic-free dish routine.
Dish Washer
But let’s not forget about the dishwasher! Running the dishwasher uses a whopping 75 to 82% less water than washing the same amount of dishes by hand – and uses about a quarter of the energy.
So whenever possible, opt for the dishwasher instead! And if possible, choose a PVA-free dishwasher detergent or pod.
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a water-soluble film that’s often used to wrap dishwasher and laundry detergent pods that dissolve during the wash cycle.
The ability of all wastewater management systems to completely remove PVA from the water cycle has garnered attention in the last few years, and while there doesn’t seem to be a conclusive answer yet, I prefer to err on the side of “if there’s a better option available that works just as well, let’s use that, just in case!”
Food Storage
Given the prevalence of plastic food storage options at the grocery store, it might seem impossible to ditch plastic completely here. But I promise it’s possible!
Here are a few of my favorite plastic-free food storage tips:
- Mason jar of water: Trim the ends of your herb bundles, asparagus, and broccoli. Stick them in a mason jar of water-like bouquets of flowers, and store them in the fridge. (Except basil – keep that one on the counter.) Change the water every couple of days and your herbs and produce will stay fresh for so much longer. Some herbs might even continue to grow!
- Silicone Stasher bags: If Ziplock baggies are your go-to when you’re on the go, Stasher bags are about to be your new best friend. Not only are they a reusable alternative to plastic baggies, but they can also be used in the freezer, oven, microwave, and dishwasher.
- Beeswax wraps: If you find yourself reaching for plastic saran wrap every time you’re putting leftovers away, reusable beeswax wraps are a great alternative for you! These wraps are made from organic cotton fabric coated in a combination of beeswax, jojoba, coconut oils, and tree resin, and seal your food fresh with just the heat of your hands. They’ll stick to themselves (to wrap something like a block of cheese or a sliced apple) or to another surface (like a large mixing bowl or a plate of leftovers), so the possibilities with these are endless.
Once, I used a beeswax wrap to cover a large bowl that contained leftover chicken bones I wanted to use to make broth the next day. Time got away from me and I forgot about the bowl in my fridge until a full week later, and expected them to have gone bad in that time. I removed the beeswax wraps and braced myself for a bad sniff test, and to my surprise, they were still perfectly fresh! The broth was delicious 
- Veggie Saver bags: If your produce tends to go bad too quickly, Veggie Saver bags are a lifesaver. These three-layer cotton bags allow your produce to breathe and stay hydrated as they need, keeping them fresh and crisp for 2-4 weeks! Yes, really. They’re machine washable and work for all types of produce – from berries to carrots to kale, and even potatoes and onions.
- Pyrex: Once I made the switch to glass Pyrex containers from plastic Tupperware, I never looked back. I love that I can use one container for cooking, serving, storing, and even freezing, and the “Freshlock” lids keep everything sealed tight so it’s easy to toss in a bag and take on the go, too.
- Glass jars: Whether you’ve saved up a collection of sauce jars or love a Goodwill mason jar find, glass jars of all shapes and sizes are the MVP of food storage. I have a full kitchen shelf dedicated just to my jar collection, and it’s never fully stocked… they’re literally always in use. There’s not much you can’t do with a jar!
Plastic-Free Kitchen Checklist
- Shop the bulk section of your grocery store using your own bags and jars.
- Choose package-free produce whenever possible.
- Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags!
- Store your groceries and leftovers in plastic-free containers like mason jars, beeswax wraps, Stasher bags, and Veggie Saver bags.
- Prep your meals on bamboo or other wood cutting boards, which are naturally anti-bacterial and gentle on knives.
- Switch to non-toxic cookware that doesn’t contain non-stick properties, which often contain PFAS, or “forever chemicals.”
- Run your dishwasher whenever possible, using a PVA-free dishwasher detergent.
- Hand-wash your dishes with a package-free dish soap bar, paired with a natural loofah sponge, Swedish dishcloth, or wooden dish brush.
Plastic-Free Swaps For The Bathroom
Once you’re aware of the problems associated with single-use plastics, it’s basically impossible not to notice all of the plastics around our homes, especially in our bathrooms.
But remember – just like I said above – the only thing worse than a single-use item is a zero-use item.
So before you go on a shopping spree for all the best plastic-free bathroom products, use up what you’ve got first, and replace them as need be. But when you are ready to replace them, these are my favorites.
Soaps and Such
Shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, shaving cream, hand soaps, lotions, moisturizers… the list goes on. There are a lot of products in our bathrooms!
But thanks to people like you who care about making sustainable changes in their lives, there are SO many plastic-free options available to replace all of these.
The most popular option among the zero waste and plastic-free communities is bar soaps, for their lack of packaging and lightweight and portable nature. And yes, there really are solid bar options for everything from shampoo to shaving cream to body lotion!
But if switching to shampoos and lotions in a solid form isn’t something you’re ready to try, you’re not alone! Refillable bathroom products are becoming more and more popular and in so many different forms.
If you have a local refillery in your area, check out what products they have available! You can take your own containers to refill with as much or as little as you need – totally waste-free.
If you don’t have a zero waste store near you, check out an online refillery instead! Online refill shops like A Drop in the Ocean and Plaine Products will pay for you to send their empty containers back to them to be washed and reused over and over again, so nothing goes to waste.
Shaving
My all-time favorite zero waste swap that I have ever made is my stainless steel safety razor. Truly.
I know that they look scary, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually WAY better than its plastic counterparts.
Since switching to my safety razor, I’ve cut myself significantly less than I used to, I get zero razor burn, and I’ve saved a TON of money (like, hundreds of dollars).
Just remember – rinse your hands of any shaving soap before handling the razor, go slow (especially at first), and don’t apply pressure while you’re shaving – just let the weight of the razor do the work for you.
Period Products
Did you know that most conventional period products are made from plastics, and generate over 28,000 tonnes of waste every year?
Not only are these products clogging up our environment, but they’re also just not great to have near such sensitive areas of our bodies.
Making the switch to reusable, plastic-free menstrual products has been a game-changer for me. It’s not only saved me money and waste but it’s eased so much of the burden we carry as menstruating humans.
Personally, I’m a big fan of period underwear, but there are also menstrual cups and reusable pads in all shapes and sizes if those are more your jam.
Plastic-Free Bathroom Checklist
- Opt for refillable or solid bar soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and other essential toiletries.
- Choose plastic-free oral care products – everything from bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste tablets to compostable floss and refillable mouthwash. (Double-check that your bamboo toothbrush isn’t made with nylon (aka plastic) bristles!)
- Use a stainless steel safety razor with a plastic-free shaving cream bar.
- Ditch disposable period products for reusable period panties, menstrual cups, or pads.
- Switch to a plastic-free natural deodorant. Conventional deodorants aren’t just packaged in non-recyclable plastic – they’re also full of ingredients that can absorb into our sensitive underarm skin and cause irritation and other health concerns over time.
- Use compostable cotton swabs instead of plastic Q-tips.
- When it’s time to replenish, make the switch to toilet paper that’s wrapped in paper instead of plastic. Or – if you’re feeling up for it – give reusable toilet paper (sometimes referred to as a family cloth) a try instead!
Plastic-Free Swaps For The Laundry Room
Just like doing the dishes, we’ll never be done doing laundry. And while there might not be as many “products” in our laundry rooms, there are still many ways we reduce our plastic footprints with our laundry and clothing choices.
Washing
Beyond the plastic jugs, did you know that most well-known laundry detergent brands contain a possibly carcinogenic synthetic chemical called 1,4-Dioxane that New York banned in 2023?
These traditional laundry detergents are full of chemicals that aren’t great for us or the planet, like artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances, and synthetic surfactants. These things can cause allergic reactions, asthma, skin irritation, and more – especially in children and babies.
So ditch the plastic jugs of synthetic laundry detergents and instead opt for a glass jar of refillable, natural laundry detergent.
This has been one of my favorite plastic-free swaps, even after moving several times and using six different washing machines (yes, six) in that time. It’s never failed me, even in cold water, hot water, high-efficiency machines, standard machines, top-loaders, and front-loaders. I’ve tried it all and can’t imagine using anything else.
Drying
Whenever possible, hang-drying your laundry is the way to go! It not only saves a TON of energy but also helps your clothes last longer.
But, when hang-drying just isn’t an option, ditch dryer sheets and fabric softener in favor of a set of all-natural wool dryer balls.
Dryer sheets are actually made from woven plastics and coated in artificial fragrances and other chemicals, which aren’t just irritating for sensitive skin – they’re also a fire hazard.
Wool dryer balls were one of the first zero waste and plastic-free swaps I made in my sustainability journey back in 2017 and they still look nearly brand new. And the average American family would have spent $175 on dryer sheets in that same amount of time!
Dryer balls bounce around in your dryer with your laundry, softening your clothes, reducing static, and even cutting your drying time by 10-25%.
I hang-dry as much as I can, but for things like bedsheets and towels that I just don’t have space to hang in my apartment – dryer balls are the MVP of my laundry room.
Plastic-Free Laundry Room Checklist
- When purchasing new clothing and textiles, opt for natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool. Fibers like polyester and nylon are actually plastic!
- Choose a plastic-free natural laundry detergent instead of plastic jugs.
- Opt for cloth diapers and cloth wipes for your little ones. Did you know that 18 billion diapers are tossed into landfills each year, just in the US?
- Hang dry your laundry whenever possible. This will extend the life of your clothes, plus the sun acts as a natural bleach alternative and helps remove stains!
- When tumble-drying laundry, ditch dryer sheets (and fabric softener) in place of a set of wool dryer balls to naturally soften your clothes and reduce static.
- Got pet hair? Use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes and other surfaces instead of a lint roller with disposable plastic sheets.
Plastic-Free Swaps For The Office
The office isn’t typically somewhere we associate with a lot of plastic (besides our tech). But as someone who spends a lot of time at her desk, I’ve found a few favorite ways to reduce the small amount of plastic I do use.
And truthfully I’m always surprised they’re not discussed more in the eco-living spaces!
Plastic-Free Office Checklist
- Extend the life of your ink cartridges by setting your printer default to draft mode.
- When they run dry, ditch plastic highlighters in favor of simple colored pencils.
- Choose refillable fountain pens instead of disposable pens.
- When you need to purchase new tech or furniture, check secondhand sites like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or even your local Buy Nothing Group first, or opt for refurbished models directly from the company.
This was your full guide to plastic-free swaps for every room in the house!
Plastic – and especially single-use plastic – has become so ubiquitous in our daily lives that we oftentimes don’t even notice it anymore.
But by going back to the first in the 6 R’s of Zero Waste – Rethink – we can start to notice these things and make more sustainable choices in our lives that are better for the planet and our families.
I hope this room-by-room guide to plastic-free swaps is a resource that you’ll save and reference again and again as you begin to shift your household away from single-use plastics.
And if there are any swaps I missed, let me know in the comments below so we can all learn from each other! Happy Plastic Free July! 
The post The Best Plastic-Free Swaps for Every Room in the House! appeared first on Sustainably Kind Living.