51 Eco Friendly Products For The Home That Make Green Living Easy

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Looking for eco friendly products to make your home more sustainable?

From non-biodegradable & toxic chemicals in household cleaning products to wet wipe ‘fatbergs’ & single use plastics, many common household products are bad news for the environment.

So if you’re looking for simple ways to create a greener home, we’ve compiled 51 eco friendly products & tips to help you do just that

Choosing to ‘go green’ doesn’t have to be complicated, plus many eco-friendly products are now inexpensive to buy. In fact, there are variety of ways to make your home more eco friendly that are both free and simple to put in place.

Being ‘green’ isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking practical steps towards a life that’s more conscious and caring for the environment, in terms of the products we buy & choices we make.

You should find the following environmentally friendly products and green living tips practical & easy to implement around the home. Many are also very affordable.

Remember as well, you don’t have to switch over to using only eco friendly products overnight. It’s often easier to focus on one room, or area of your life, first, then work up there.

Eco Friendly Products (& Tips) For The Kitchen

1 – Recycle, recycle, recyle

According to this recycling guide, up to 60% of rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled. Recycling your waste is easy to do & you’ll be doing the planet a favour. You can also recycle clothes & old gadgets, as well as everyday waste.

Eco Tip: Recycling cell phones on sites like Gazelle or selling used items on sites like Ebay, can even make you money.

2 – Use biodegradable bin liners

Switching to eco friendly, compostable bin liners is a quick and easy way to cut down on your plastic waste.

3 – Invest in an eco water filter

A water filter will remove pollutants, such as chlorine, from your tap water. But did you know an estimated 100 million single-use plastic filter cartridges go into landfill each year? Using an eco friendly water filter, which uses refillable cartridges, or contains less plastic parts, can help with that. You could also try making your own homemade filter.

4 – Ditch the non stick cookware

Non stick cookware is big business, but the poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used to create non-stick surfaces are potentially toxic. Switching to cast iron cookware options is often considered a healthier option.

5 – Invest in a counter compost bin

Using a counter compost bin in your kitchen is a great way to reduce your natural waste. Some waste collection services will also collect your compost. Alternatively, if you have a garden, you can create your very own, nutrient rich compost!

6 – Switch to plastic free food storage

From BPAs to phthalates, there are many documented health problems associated with plastic. It’s also notoriously bad for the environment. Switching from plastic food storage containers to glass is easy to do, or you could try beeswax wraps or any of these eco friendly plastic wrap alternatives.

7 – Use eco friendly produce bags

Instead of buying produce pre-wrapped in plastic bags, why not buy them loose and store in eco friendly produce bags instead? Organic cotton bags are an eco friendly, reusable choice for storing and keeping food fresh.

8 – Use bamboo ‘paper’ towels

According to this source, spending on disposable paper towels, for home use, was around $12 billion in 2017. Switching to reusable bamboo alternatives is an effective, greener option that helps reduce this waste.

9 – Switch to cork or bamboo chopping boards

Bamboo is biodegradable and generally grows well without the use of fertilisers and pesticides. So replacing your plastic chopping boards and with cork or bamboo boards is a more sustainable option. You could also switch to bamboo kitchen utensils.

10 – Invest in some indoor plants

Indoor plants are a great way to help clean the air naturally. They’re generally inexpensive, plus they look good and brighten up your home. Treehugger uncovers 5 health benefits of house plants here.

11 – Be food waste conscious

Meal deals & 3 for 1 offers can be tempting on the pocket, but it can pay to weigh up the benefits. Meal deals are often heavy on single use plastic packaging & 3 for 1 offers can lead to waste if food goes uneaten. Many people find food planning helpful, as it encourages you to work out exactly what you need. Long term, this can save money & reduce waste.

12 – Buy local & organic food

Reduce your carbon footprint, by buying local, where possible, as this reduces your food miles. Buying local also supports farmers & enables you to eat more seasonally. Organic food products are also better for you & the environment, as the use of chemicals & fertilisers is prohibited or vastly reduced.

Eco Friendly Cleaning Products

13 – Switch to eco friendly products for cleaning

Most cleaning products contain harsh solvents, detergents and fragrances, as well as chemicals such as bleach and ammonia. You can either switch to gentler, eco friendly cleaning product alternatives, or make your own homemade cleaning products from ingredients such as baking soda & lemon juice.

14 – Use eco friendly laundry detergent

Most regular laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals, which leave a residue on clothing. This can be inhaled or absorbed by skin, leading to itching or skin irritations. Switching to a eco friendly laundry detergent is a greener option. Wool dryer balls are also an eco friendly alternative to dryer sheets & liquid fabric softeners.

15 – Use eco dryer balls

Did you know tumble dryers are often one of the most energy intensive appliances in your home? Pop in an eco dryer ball or two and you’ll shorten your drying time & soften your laundry naturally.

Most cleaning products contain harsh solvents, detergents and fragrances, as well as chemicals such as bleach and ammonia. You can either switch to gentler, eco friendly cleaning product alternatives, or make your own homemade cleaning products from ingredients such as baking soda & lemon juice.

16 – Go Refillable

Many health, or environmentally conscious, stores now offer you the choice to refill many of your household cleaning products in-store. Simply take the original bottle, you bought the laundry liquid or washing detergent in, back to the store & refill it back up. You’ll usually get a discount too, as you’re recycling the same bottle.

Eco Friendly Products – Home Decor

17 – Buy organic & Fair Trade bed linen

The textiles industry makes up 10% of the planet’s carbon footprint. So choosing organic bed linen made with fibres grown without chemicals, is a positive step to take. It helps the environment, plus it’s healthier too. And if you opt for Fair Trade it also means the product has been produced under fair conditions for farmers & workers.

18 – Sleep easy with an eco mattress

We spend about a third of our life in bed, so it pays to have a good mattress! Many mattresses contain fire retardants & other chemicals, so it pays to use a brand that sells eco friendly products. If an organic mattress is too pricey, an organic mattress cover can provide protection from allergens & irritants, such as dust mites & chemicals.

Eco Tip: Look for recognised ‘green’ standard certifications, such as a GreenGuard or Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

19 – Source ethical & sustainable furniture brands

Ethically made furniture uses materials harvested from sustainable or recycled resources, with a focus on fair trade and responsible production practices. Sustainable woods include cork and bamboo, since they’re renewable & fast-growing. Ethical furniture isn’t always cheap, so you could also use thrift stores or places like Etsy to furnish your home with up-cycled or vintage items.

20 – Buy low VOC paint

Low VOC paints contain less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or VOC Solvents than traditional paints, making them better for you & the environment.

Eco Friendly Stationery Products

21 – Write, draw & print with recycled paper

Recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space and 4,000 kilowatts of energy! So using recycled paper is an easy way to go greener at home that has a big impact. And if you tend to stick post it notes all over your fridge, you could also switch to a reusable, bamboo dry erase board.

22 – Invest in a 7 year pen

It’s estimated that 100 million pens are discarded every day! Investing in an eco friendly 7 year pen will have you covered for, well 7 years!

Eco Friendly Products For Babies & Kids

23 – Switch to eco friendly baby products

Investing in eco friendly baby products generally means you’re choosing a product that’s healthier for baby & the planet Many man-made materials & plastics contain, or leach chemicals – so choosing organic cotton clothing over man-made materials, or choosing eco friendly baby bottles & bathtubs, non toxic play mats or Greenguard Certified changing pads can be healthier options. Organic baby formulas are also a more eco friendly choice.

24 – Invest in eco friendly & sustainable toys

If you have kids, choose to buy from companies who produce eco friendly toys, which are made from recycled, non toxic & child safe materials. See this guide for eco friendly toy brands, organic baby toys & natural wood options.

25 – Use non toxic art supplies

Kids love to get messy & creative. Opting for eco friendly, non toxic art supplies is easy to do. Or you could involve the kids in making your own homemade natural craft supplies, such as this DIY playdough or edible paint.

26 – Buy second hand children’s books

You can often pick up pre-loved kids’ picture & chapter books in great condition in second hand stores. And for a fraction of the full retail price too. Some online sites also offer digital downloads of kids books for free.

Eco Friendly Products – Health & Wellness

27 – Make your own natural care products

Most regular health care products contain a host of chemicals and additives. So why not make your own natural alternatives? You can make your own natural deodorant & toothpaste for very little cost, as well as use natural homemade alternatives to products, such as moth balls (which contain pesticides).

28 – Switch to eco friendly beauty care products

Many regular make up and beauty products contain chemicals and additives, which end up on our skin or leaching into the environment.  Switching to greener alternatives is becoming an increasingly popular choice to make. From non toxic nail polish to vegan hair care products, there’s lots of choice.

29 – Use eco friendly feminine hygiene products

Did you know many feminine hygiene products contain toxic chemicals? Our skin is highly permeable, so over time these toxins can build up. It’s never too late to switch to a more natural alternative, such as unbleached organic tampons, or eco friendly menstrual cups.

30 – Brush with a recycled toothbush

Toothbrushes account for a lot of plastic waste. Why not switch to a recycled or eco friendly bamboo option, which is 100% compostable.

31 – Use a shower filter

It’s estimated up to 60% of the chlorine we absorb on a daily basis can come from showering. This is because chlorine is re-vaporized in the shower, where it can be inhaled into the lungs. Vitamin C has been proven to  neutralise chlorine in water, so you could try a Vitamin C shower filter is a popular option. You can also pop a vitamin C tablet into your bath.

32 – Use a bidet!

If you’ve been to France you’ll know how popular bidets are! Toilet paper also accounts for a huge amount of tree losses each year and even recycled toilet paper comes with hidden risks. If you’re up for it, a paperless option is to install a Biobidet. It’s less expensive than installing a fully blown bidet & a good one should wash you just as well.

33 – Strike a pose on an eco yoga mat

Avoid coming face to face with chemical additives, during your downward dog, with an eco friendly yoga mat. Made from more sustainable materials, such as natural rubber or jute, yoga mats are also better for the environment.

34 – Use an airtube headset on your smart phone

investing in an air tube headset can be a safer alternative to wired headsets or in-ear Bluetooth headsets. Air tube headsets deliver sound through an air-filled wireless tube that reduces this emission of radiation.

35 – Limit EMF exposure with a defender shield

Research suggests the negative effects of EMFS from the cumulative effects of wireless devices are real and this source suggests over use of a wireless laptop may also be harmful. A popular option is to invest in a defender shield for your laptop, which can help reduce EMF exposure.

36 – Eat less meat

According to this source, if we all went vegan, the world’s food-related emissions would drop by 70% by 2050. Whilst that may be a bit of a stretch for most of us, meat production does has a huge carbon footprint. So reducing your meat consumption will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, plus it could be healthier too.

Eco Friendly Products – ‘On The Go‘

37 – Invest in a reusable coffee cup

Did you know most takeaway coffee cups aren’t recyclable? Investing in a reusable, eco friendly coffee cup made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, helps cut down on this waste. Many coffee shops also offer a discount if you use a a reusable cup.

38 – Switch to a glass water bottle

The health implications of plastic bottles leaching chemicals are well documented. So investing in a reusable glass water bottle not only ditches the plastic, it also reduces the need to buy bottles of water on the go. There are lots of eco friendly stainless steel bottles available too.

39 – Pop your lunch in plastic free containers

Using a stainless steel sustainable bento box is an eco friendly food option for lunch that avoids plastic. Beeswax food wraps is another eco friendly option for wrapping snacks. You could also try one of these plastic free food wrap ideas.

40 – Shop with a reusable shopping bags

Plastic bag waste is responsible for many marine animal deaths, plus plastic bags can take 100s of years to fully biodegrade. Switch to an inexpensive cloth or cotton reusable shopping bag for a more eco friendly option.

41 – Switch to eco friendly ‘poo’ bags

According to the ASPCA, it’s estimated there are 78 million dogs owned in the USA. That’s a whole lotta dogs and a whole lotta poo! Opting for biodegradable dog poo bags & a poop scoop helps keep cleaning up after your dog more sustainable.

Energy Saving Eco Friendly Products (& Tips)

42 – Use energy saving light bulb

According to Energy.gov, switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. Compact fluorescent laps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are both recommended as energy saving option.

43 – Unplug electrical appliances at night

Many appliances are still ‘energy vampires’ when on standby, or even switched off. So switch off appliances at night and, ideally, unplug them. You might also want to switch off your WIFI – it could mean better sleep.

44 – Turn down your thermostat

Turning down your thermostat by just 1 degree can help reduce your energy costs by 5%. So try popping on an extra layer before ramping up the thermostat again. Here are some more energy saving tips for the colder months.

45 – Use an energy efficient washing machine

If you have one, using the eco setting on your machine will conserve energy & save you money on bills long term. Or if you’re planning on buying a new machines, opt for an energy efficient one.

46 – Use a solar phone charger

Charging your cell phone with a solar charger is a an eco friendlier option for those endless hours of charging.

47 – Use a low flow shower head

Low flow shower heads are an inexpensive way to reduce the amount of water you use, as well as cut down on your monthly energy usage. Less water being used = less water being heated in the shower.

48 – Turn off the tap

According to Water Wise, leaving the tap on unnecessarily, wastes 6 litres per minute. So simple changes, such as turning the tap off, when brushing teeth, can mean big water savings. If you’re home uses a water meter it will save you money too.

Eco Friendly Products For The Garden

49 – Garden with biodegradable plant pots

If you have green fingers, why not go even greener with biodegradable plant pots & eco friendly garden accessories or natural plant fertilizers. You could even try recycling metal containers to hang plants in.

50 – Grow your own food

It’s estimated up to 40% of fruit & vegetables are rejected by supermarkets because they’re misshapen, lumpy or a bit weird looking!  A simple vegetable patch or raised bed is a great way to bypass this waste & embrace that nutritious but slightly wonky carrot. An allotment or square foot gardening are also options if you’re short on space.

51 – Dry your clothes naturally

If you don’t have one already, why not invest in an inexpensive clothes line for spring & summer? If you usually use a tumble dryer, you’ll save on energy costs, plus your clothes will smell naturally fresh.

Eco Friendly Products For The Home – Conclusion

From plastic free alternatives in the kitchen to sustainable bathroom & garden ware, switching to eco friendly products in the home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

In fact, some of the ways to go greener at home, such as composting & recycling, are completely free.

Start small & build up gradually & you could find going ‘green’ is a lot easier than you think.

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