My Top 3 Eco Swaps for your Kitchen

The easiest most effective swaps for your kitchen - all taken from the same innovative, energetic, company, who spotted a big problem and decided to change it.

Eco Swaps is here to make your eco journey as easy as possible. To that end, I have selected three of my absolute favourite (top) swaps for the kitchen. To make it into the top swap list you have to be easy to implement, easy to sustain, effective, affordable and have a big impact on the environment. I'm sure there will be other swaps that you are all doing and please drop me a line to tell me about them. I might even cover them in future blogs, once they have been thoroughly tested out.

Swap # 1 - The Cleaning Spray Kit by HOMETHINGS

What's the problem?

The HOMETHINGS team realised that the typical cleaning spray is 95% water packaged in a plastic bottle and only 5% cleaning agent. We are literally shipping water around the world. What’s more, the bottles are designed to be useless after one use. Have you ever tried to unscrew your Vanish spray bottle after using it? You can’t; it will snap. Bonkers!

What's the solution?

Not only has HOMETHINGS reduced the number of cleaning products you need, but they've also made the bottles reusable. You can refill them using a HOMETHINGS tab (delivered to your doorstep) and water from your tap! Once you've made the initial investment of buying the bottles, the refill boxes (containing 3 tabs) are just £6.50 and are automatically delivered through your letterbox. This is cheaper than most supermarket brands and means you never have to shop for cleaning products again. I have been using these cleaning products for four years now. Although it takes a bit of time to get used to the fact that you have three cleaning sprays under your sink not forty, they have never let me down on the cleaning front.

Swap #2: Dishwasher Tabs by HOMETHINGS

What’s the problem?

Most popular dishwasher tablets contain high levels of a chemical called phosphate, which, to cut a long story short, ends up in our rivers and oceans, causing an oxygen imbalance, and ultimately kills marine wildlife. In addition, most of them are either wrapped in plastic or in a plastic container.

What’s the solution?

HOMETHINGS dishwasher tablets are entirely plant-based, highly effective, and all-in-one, including rinse aid and dishwasher salt. They're conveniently delivered right to your letterbox. Subscriptions on the HOMETHINGS website are easy and super flexible, and they're well worth your while. This is especially true for the Dishwasher Tabs, as they bring the price right down and make it more competitive with supermarket brands

Swap #3: Sponge by HOMETHINGS

What’s the problem?

It never even occurred to me to think about what my sponge was made of until I met these guys. Common sponges found in supermarkets are made from oil-based plastics such as polyurethane. This means they release micro-plastics into the environment and could take up to 1,000 years to decompose! Add to that the fact that 400 million sponges are thrown away in UK, ending up in landfill, each year, and you’ve got yourself a major issue.

What’s the Solution?

Compostable, long-lasting, cellulose sponges. I love these sponges. They come through your letterbox, compact and flat as a pancake. You pop them in the water, and you have yourself a highly effective sponge. And they really last a long time, I can confirm that. I am still using a sponge from 6 months ago - although, don't worry, it is no longer on washing up duty.

If you're ever used HOMETHINGS share your experience, let me know if there are products out there you prefer.

Remember, these are just my top swaps - the easiest to implement, use, and maintain. You might be wondering where the washing up liquid is, the answer is coming up. Check out my next blog...