35 eco-friendly & sustainable swaps for products you use every day
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Every little change makes a huge difference over time.
By Sara Goldstein Updated Apr. 03, 2026
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Creating a better environment for our kids is always top of mind, but it hits a little different during April’s Earth Month. The good news? Sustainable swaps have come a long way — they’re easier to find, they actually work, and many of them cost about the same (or less) than what you’re already buying.
When you think about how many single-use plastic and paper products cycle through your household on any given week, it can feel like a lot. But you don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Even one small change — swapping plastic bags for silicone, or ditching disposable cotton rounds — compounds over time. And with eco-conscious retailers like Grove Collaborative, Thrive Market, and Zero Waste Store making it easier than ever to shop sustainably, you don’t have to sacrifice convenience either.
Here are 35 of our favorite eco-friendly swaps to work into your routine — start with one this week.
Best eco-friendly cleaning products
$11.19
Say goodbye to disposable hand soap containers and spruce up your bathroom (or kitchen) with this slick starter set from Method. The reusable aluminum bottle is infinitely recyclable (and safer than glass with kids around!) while the concentrate refills cut back plastic consumption by 96%.
$36.80
Your household cleaning supplies add up to a lot of plastic, and are usually made with toxic ingredients. Enter: Blueland. With their 4-piece Clean Essentials Kit you’ll get their best-selling Hand Soap, Multi-Surface Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, and Glass + Mirror Cleaner tablets and reusable bottles–each made with plant-based and eco-friendly ingredients. The formulas are effective (and smell good too!) and given how long they last, they’re a great deal as well. Just add tap water, wait for the tablet to dissolve and you’re ready to tackle cleaning day.
$11.49
If you’re like me, you go through a ton of paper towels each day. Recently though, I’ve switched to these Swedish dishcloths and unless I have to clean up something nightmarish, I’m never going back. They’re insanely absorbent, dry quickly so they never get smelly and each one can replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels. Each pack comes with two towels which are dishwasher and microwave-safe. They’re super helpful to have in the bathroom too!
$28.99
Traditional laundry detergent not only comes in a big old plastic jug, but shipping the bulky, heavy product wastes so many resources. We’ve tested a lot of eco-friendly laundry detergents that are working to reduce that footprint and have to say, the Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent is our favorite. The concentrated enzyme-powered formula cleans clothes as well–if not better than–traditional formulas with the added bonus of being completely plastic-free.
$22
Made with a bioenzyme that breaks down everything from period to pit stains, this hard-working, multi-purpose powder works just as hard as the competition. It works wonders when it comes to stinky laundry like pee-soaked sheets, taking odors out instead of adding gross perfumes to mask them. It also freshen and brighten whites and colors!
Best eco-friendly beauty products
$14.95
These convenient reusable bamboo pads will replace all of that extra stuff you use in the bathroom—cotton rounds for face toner, extra toilet paper for micellar water, paper towels for nail polish remover. And the best part is they work far better anyway. Each one has a little pocket for your fingers and they can even be wet and frozen as a refreshing little eye treatment. Once used, toss in the wash to reuse again. Bonus points for coming tucked in their own handy laundry bag!
$44
Made with 100% organic cotton, these towels will replace your makeup remover wipes for good. Simply soak with water and gently wipe away even the toughest makeup, or use with your favorite makeup remover balm. Once used a few times, toss in the wash.
$15.60
Many of us have swapped our traditional deodorant for safer, natural options because we’re worried about what goes on and in our bodies. Turns out, there’s also the planet to consider. Hit both the clean and sustainable marks with the absolutely divine Wild Deodorant. They come in two parts–a planet-friendly sustainable aluminum case and a compostable deodorant refill which you can mix-and-match. Each of the layered and bougie scents feel like luxury body care and the cases come in a variety of cool colors and seasonal prints that are almost too good to shove in a medicine cabinet. (Sadly my absolute favorite was a limited edition Fig scent but I’m crossing my fingers they bring it back in the fall.) Most impressively, it works better than any anti-perspirant without any of the nasties? I wear it through everything from tough workouts to summer days and never worry about stinking, even without reapplication. (Price is for the initial case and refill. Refills alone start at $7.20)
$14.99
These ties work just as well as your standard variety, but they’re so much better for the earth. These are plastic free and 100% biodegradable which means that when you’re done using them, you can throw them into the compost pile to easily break down.
$13.50
Say goodbye to your traditional shampoo and conditioner bottles, and hello to Lush’s product pucks. I love that they’re full of plant-based ingredients and essential oils and it’s such an easy swap to make in my routine. The bars equal the equivalent of two bottles of shampoo and conditioner so they last a super long time. Run your hands underwater, scrub the bar across your palm and lather away. Most impressively, there’s a formula for every hair type!
$8
Chances are, you’ve got a small army of hair products packaged in single use plastic kicking around your bathroom. There’s a sustainable alternative for that! Along with their collection of shampoos and conditioners, Plaine Products offers a texturing Sea Salt Spray and Sage Styling Gel all packaged in aluminum bottles which are both returnable for free for reuse or locally recyclable. We also love that you can opt for shipping them with or without a pump. Prices start at $8.
$49
On a mission to eliminate as many single use items from your bathroom as possible, LastObject makes reducing and reusing easy and stylish. The Danish-designs are all completely brilliant, but our allergy-addled faces make the most use of the LastTissue box. Tucked inside the minimalist silicone box are 18 tissue-sized cloths that can be washed over and over again, saving nearly ten thousand single use tissues. Just stuff your used one in the bottom to keep clean and dirty separate and drop them in the washing machine when they run out!
$34
Honestly, it just so happens that one of our favorite body creams also happens to come packaged sustainably. Nopalera’s Cactus Cream is nourishing and silky in a way that others just aren’t, thanks to effective ingredients like Mexican prickly pear oil, and vitamins E and K which help with inflammation. It’s rich without being greasy and doesn’t irritate even when applied right after shaving. But my favorite part is definitely the grounding, earthy but sweet scent that’s nothing short of luxurious.
$38
For extra-parched skin, the Inbar + Co Body Butter is fast earning a place in my regular rotation. The rich, oil-based body butter sinks right into wet skin right out of the shower, making skin soft and supple for hours on end. (Just a little goes a long way!) It’s got a layered, spa-like scent I totally adore, which is both bright and citrusy and deep and woody at the same time. And in addition to plastic-free packaging, it’s also vegan, cruelty-free and free of petro-chemical-based ingredients.
$25
Coffee truly is a magic elixir. And not just in your cup, my friend! The organic face serum from UpCircle Beauty is formulated with caffeine from upcycled coffee oil along with Vitamin C to hydrate, nourish and protect your gorgeous skin. It’s super hydrating and gentle, and works wonders on cuticles as well. Not only does it give you an enviable glow, but the brand’s sustainable efforts have salvaged over 400 tons of coffee grounds that would have otherwise sat in landfills.
$89
If you’re using multiple disposable razors each year, this is an easy swap to make to lessen plastic use. Made with absolutely zero plastic, Leaf’s pivoting safety razor is honestly the last one you’ll ever have to buy. New to safety razors? No problem. It’s designed to be one of the easiest to use and thanks to a pivoting head, there’s very little learning curve. Yes, it’s pricey out of the gate but at .20 cents per blade (vs. the typical $4.00 cartridge refill), the savings add up pretty quickly.
$45
And it’s not just your razor that can get a sustainable upgrade–your shaving cream can too! Ditch the can for the luxurious Shave Bar Starter Set from the mother and daughter-owned Lola Arnao. The super-concentrated shave bar (which replaces two cans of conventional cream) is made from a nourishing blend of natural oils and botanicals to give you a smooth, soft shave without irritating sensitive skin. It’s so moisturizing you barely need to slather on lotion afterward! (Though their divine cocoa butter lotion bar makes the perfect post-shave indulgence.) In addition to the shave bar, the plastic-free set includes a bamboo rest, brush for lathering up and a cotton bag for traveling.
$37.95
Swap bottles of body wash for Public Goods best-selling body wash refills. The sulfate and paraben-free formula is hydrating and scented with essential oils like orange, geranium, and vetiver to give it that fancy hotel feeling. And while you can buy it in a bottle to start, we’d go straight to the refills and use a bottle we already have at home.
Best eco-friendly home products
$9.89
One way to ensure your trash sticks around long after you do? Wrap it up in another layer of plastic. Ugh. Or you could opt for these durable and 100% compostable trash bags which are designed to break down in 6-12 months.
$9.59
These bags are worth every penny. Made of non-toxic silicone, they have a secure seal (trust me, I’ve tested with liquids) and are safe for the dishwasher and microwave. Even better, they’re safe to use in the freezer, in the oven or in boiling water for sous vide.
$54.95
Whether they break or just become too riddled with gross smells or stains, many kid-safe food containers eventually meet their end. But not these fabulous lidded bowls from Silipint! Made from 100% safe, food-grade silicone they’re totally indispensable and guaranteed for life. (And if you should ever decide you’re done with them, you can ship them back to be melted down, refined, and reused!) Complete with a snug fitting lid, they’re perfect for storing hot or cold foods on the go or at home and since they can be put in the freezer, microwave and even the oven, they’re likely to become the most used bowl in the house. The 20 ounce size is great for lunches and the 10 ounce version with an attached lid is our favorite for toddler snacks.
$21.99
The best reusable grocery bags are the ones you can’t forget to bring. BeeGreen’s small but mighty nylon bags are easy to stash in your purse or diaper bag so they’re always on hand whether it’s a planned grocery run or a spontaneous dash into Target.
(Price is for a 10-pack)
$138
Another option? My favorite reusable shopping bag of all time. The organized, stylish and oh-so-efficient Caraa Market Tote has a clever place for everything–an insulated zip pocket for cold groceries, four vertical bottle pockets, a roomy inside, a botanical strap and a zipper pocket for her essentials. Every single time I breeze through Trader Joe’s someone asks about this wonder of a bag. Not only does it make me feel like an expert packer, but I can sashay to the car without even having to bring the cart with me. (It’s also a Farmer’s Market must bring!)
$25
Those big ol’ stainless steel water bottles are great, but they’re no help when you forget it at home. Instead, do yourself a favor and toss one of the genius Stojo collapsible silicone sport bottles in your bag. Expanded, it holds up to 20 oz. of hot or cold liquid. When you’re done, it folds right back up without taking up space. Who’s ready for anything? You are.
$3.99
Paper straws are utterly useless and reusable straws require too much work to clean. The best option we’ve found are compostable ones from Repurpose. They look and feel just like the plastic kind but won’t litter the planet for the rest of time. Tah-dah!
Of course the most sustainable and economic way to refill your spice jars would be via the bulk bins at your favorite grocery store. But serious home chefs might have trouble locating some of the more obscure spices out there. That’s where The Spice House knocks it out of the park. They offer dozens and dozens of varieties from Ajowan Seeds to Za’atar in both glass jars and paper-based flatpacks to elevate literally every meal. Prices vary.
$29.95
Coffee snob-approved, the Carter Slide mug features a ceramic coating inside to keep flavors intact. Combined with the ease of cleaning, temperature regulation and ability to fit all cup holders it really is soooo much better than a paper cup.
$16.64
With tons of pretty patterns, you’ll love using these beeswax wraps to wrap around half-eaten food, cover bowls or hold sandwiches. Once used, just wash with cool water and soap and hang to dry.
$229
Boll & Branch uses sustainable raw materials, recycled packaging and works with Fair Trade farmers to provide living wages (keeping them debt-free) and safer standards. Their sheets are super-soft, hold up well over washes and the perfect blend between cool and cozy.
Best eco-friendly clothing products for families
$120
It’s no secret that fast fashion is a big contributor to the stress of our planet. Buying less and buying thoughtfully is more important than ever. So when it comes to denim, we’re all about Oliver Logan. Not only are their styles the perfect way to step outside your skinnies comfort zone, they’re sustainably manufactured with reclaimed fibers and super transparent about their processes. Want to know the exact environmental impact of each product? It’s there right on each product page. Our favorite style, the Crosby Relaxed Taper (which we’re seriously living in right now)? It saves 281.6 days of drinking water versus a conventionally produced equivalent.
Best eco-friendly baby products
$9.99
Pumping and storing that liquid gold just got an eco-friendly upgrade! The reusable breastmilk storage bags from Haakaa not only keep thousands of plastic bags out of landfills, but they also make storage so much easier. The food-grade silicone bags stand upright, are freezer, dishwasher and heat-safe, and endlessly reusable.
$70
If there’s one item you go through as a parent, it’s disposable diapers. If you’re open to swapping to cloth, you can save on spending and help the environment. This beautiful set has everything you need to get started on cloth diapering.
$30
Healthybaby diapers are as safe for baby bottoms as they are for the planet. As the only EWG-verified disposable diaper on the market, they’ve replaced petroleum-based materials with plant-based materials wherever possible and manufactured in a sustainable facility.
$40
Save money, reduce clutter and help the planet all at the same time? Yes please. With a Play Pals Toys subscription you can refresh your little one’s toy shelf every couple months with a curated collection of high quality, age-appropriate toys. They carry a wide selection of brands we love like Kiwi Co., Plan Toys, and Green Toys for babies through age five–all from brands that are committed to reducing the environmental impacts of their products.
Best eco-friendly period products
$39
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: The average woman will use 9,600 tampons in her lifetime. That’s a LOT of waste. (Not to mention thousands of dollars💸) Swapping to a menstrual cup eliminates that completely while also making life so. much. easier. (Full disclosure, I’m a big fan.) Cora offers two sizes and comes in a super-chic case, but what’s more, each purchase gives health education and pads to girls who need them. What’s not to love about all of that?
$18
If you prefer the pad route, there’s an eco-friendly option for you too! The absorbent reusable pads from LastObject are made with three non-toxic, chemical-free layers (in three absorbencies) to keep you feeling dry and fresh even on your heaviest days. They come with their own waterproof pouch for storage and can simply be washed in the washing machine between uses. We love them for teens, too!
A version of this story was published April 15, 2021. It has been updated.
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