It may seem overwhelming to consider making changes to your environmentally conscious practices in your home. The eco friendly products identified in this article outline how easy it can be to make small changes with a big impact in going green in your kitchen. It is not the responsibility of our governments, leaders, or the manufacturers to make changes to protect the health of our planet. That responsibility rests with us, the consumers.
This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For additional information, please view the site Disclaimers here.
The signs of the poor health of our planet are all around us. With super-storms, rising global temperatures, and the extinction of over 200 species every year; it is becoming hard to ignore the fact that we all have a responsibility to change our habits of consumption to promote the health of our planet. Go a little greener with these environmentally conscious products for your kitchen.
Reusable Mesh Produce Bags
Reusable produce bags are a great way to reduce your single use plastic consumption. The average family brings home 1,500 plastic shopping bags annually, which plastic produce bags are a contributing force to this number. Mesh produce bags will help your budget, helping fruits and veggies stay fresh longer and are kinder to mother Earth.
Beeswax Reusable Wraps
Beeswax Reusable Wraps help to replace the use of plastic wrap in the kitchen. Plastic cling wraps contain Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which can contribute to birth defects, skin diseases, and cancer. It is highly toxic to the environment, so the elimination of this product from your kitchen benefits the planet and your family! Beeswax wraps are amazing! Use them to cover containers in the fridge, wrap sandwiches, fruits and veggies. The warmth of your hands creates a seal to keep food fresh and they clean up easily with cool water and soap to be used again and again.
Bamboo Towels- Reusable & Washable
Reusable paper towels can help to save our planet! It requires 17 trees to create 1 ton of paper towels and the United States disposes of 3000 pounds of paper towel waste a day. Decomposing paper towels produce methane gas, the largest contributor to global warming. These Bamboo towels can replace your traditional paper towels, one roll will last you 6 months! They can be washed in a washing machine to be used up to 100 times.
Loofah Sponges
Using a natural option for a kitchen sponge helps to eliminate additional plastic from your kitchen. Traditional sponges are made of polyurethane, a petroleum-based ingredient. Selecting a loofah sponge ensures a greener clean in your kitchen!
Block Dish Washing Soap
Using soap in a block form will help to eliminate plastic bottles used to store dish washing soap. Choosing options to reduce your plastic consumption one bottle at a time can truly make a difference. Block soap can have more uses than just washing your dishes, a stain treatment for your clothes and remove labels off of jars, truly versatile and zero waste!
Reusable Food Storage Bag
The use of plastic food storage bags contributes up to 500 plastic bags per person each year. While they contribute a small amount of waste by weight, they can take up to 1,000 years to decompose! Reusable, silicone storage bags can help to completely eliminate this waste. Stasher bags are the best brand to choose, coming in multiple sizes and easily open and seal closed without any additional pieces.
Glass Storage Containers
Glass storage containers are a bit more costly than the cheap plastic storage containers that are found in so many kitchens. Containers made of glass are safer for your family, chemicals from plastic can seep into your food from containers and may be linked to metabolic disorders and reduced fertility. Opt for completely plastic free glass containers such as these.
Reusable Drinking Straws
If there is one disposable plastic product that you eliminate from your life, let it be plastic drinking straws. Straws are attributed to the deaths of a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals each year according to National Geographic. Straws are a convenience and making the decision to cease use is a conscious decision to be more mindful in how you consume plastic products. However, once you make that decision it is easy to plan ahead and have a reusable straw at the ready when ordering drinks out or to use in your reusable water bottle. Silicone straws are a great option, the metal ones are difficult to drink cold beverages from and can be dangerous if you fall on it. These eco friendly products option of reusable straws comes with a storage bag and a cleaning brush.
Fabric Cleaning Cloths
Another place to eliminate the use of paper towels is in you cleaning habits. Replacing paper towels with reusable cloths such as these can benefit your home in so many ways. Using cloths designed to clean without chemicals can leave your home sparkling clean but without harsh dangerous chemical residue. The glass cloth is amazing and leaves windows spotless without the use of glass cleaner spray, only water! Your budget will fair better as well, as cleaning supplies and paper towels can really add up. Machine washable to be used multiple times making these cloths incredibly eco friendly products.
Homemade Cleaning Spray
When it comes to keeping your home clean, you want to make the best choices in eco friendly products for your family. So many common household cleaning products are bad for the environment and your health. Moistened cleaning wipes can use antimicrobial pesticides which can trigger asthma and allergies. These wipes can also contain plastics that do not biodegrade quickly.
Traditional cleaning sprays also have harmful side effects for you and the environment. These sprays leave residue that can get into your foods, contributing to asthma, allergies, or even cancer. The harsh chemicals also end up in the environment and the plastic bottles contribute more waste.
Making your own cleaning spray ensures a healthy environment in your home and for the planet. Using glass spray bottles such as these can allow you to mix up an amazing home cleaner with the simple recipe below.
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
Making your own all-purpose cleaner is easy with these ingredients and Robber’s Relief essential oil. Robber’s Relief is similar to Thieves and OnGuard essential oils, just much more affordable. This blend is delicious smelling, with Clove Bud Oil, Cinnamon Bark Oil, Lemon Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and Rosemary Oil. It will leave your home fresh and cinnamon-y. The blend of oils are reported to have disinfecting qualities and tales tell that robber’s used this blend to avoid the plague when stealing from plague victims.
Essential Oil Cleaner Spray Recipe
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Robber’s Relief Essential Oil
Instructions
In a glass spray bottle, combine 2 parts water to 1 part white vinegar. This combination can be adjusted to your preference, more vinegar offers better cleaning power, but can leave a more of a vinegar order behind. Add 20-25 drops of Robber’s Relief essential oil. This ratio can also be adjusted to your liking. This ratio ensures a wonderful smell, but no oily residue. Use this spray in your kitchen, bathrooms, and to dust. It is a truly versatile and delicious smelling cleaner that leaves your home a healthy clean. These eco friendly products are easy on the wallet too!
Going green in your kitchen is really easier than you thought with these great environmentally friendly products. Making small changes to your routine in shopping, cleaning, and food storage can have a huge impact. If every family made these small changes, imagine the impact we would have. Manufacturers go where the money is…let your money speak for the environment by purchasing reusable, earth-friendly products.
