How to | Make Easy Eco Switch Ups

Photography by Sophie April Photography

Moving to a zero waste lifestyle is as easy as taking one small step

We all want to do a bit more to look after our planet but it can feel a little overwhelming. Perhaps you don’t know where to begin or maybe you’ve already made some eco changes and want to do a bit more. Possibly you’re an eco queen already, looking for the next switch to really make a difference. Wherever you are on your eco journey, there’s a switch that’s achievable for you. Why not pick one of the ideas below this month? Your local zero waste store should have a good stock of buys to help.

First step switches

You might think everyone must be on top of the basic eco measures we should all be taking now but it’s easy to overlook the obvious. If you don’t have one yet, how about a really good water bottle and reusable coffee cup so you never again have to throw one in the bin?

We like: Circular and Co. 12oz Reusable Coffee Cup, £15.95

Switches to level up your eco game

Swapping wipes and kitchen towel for reusable cloths is an instant way to reduce your landfill. While you’re in the kitchen drawer, how about switching from cling film to reusable beeswax wipes? 

We like: Queen Bee Wraps Beeswax wrap variety pack, £15

Ready for the next stage switches

One area that’s often forgotten when considering eco changes at home is the bathroom. Next time you finish your shampoo or shower gel, instead of replacing it, consider a refillable bottle, which you can take back to the store and refill rather than buying a new one. You could even think about solid shampoo bars (like soap) rather than liquid shampoo, so you don’t need a bottle at all! 

We like: Lush Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo Bar, £9

Next level eco switches

If you reckon you’ve covered most of the basics, try looking at areas of your life you might have overlooked. How about lunches out? Getting together a zero-waste lunch kit to keep in your bag means you’ll never have to put a plastic sandwich packet or fork in the bin. A sandwich bag, set of reusable cutlery and food flask means that even if you don’t make your lunch at home, you can get a cafe to serve your lunch straight into your reusable packaging. 

We like: Keep Leaf Reusable Sandwich Wrap, £7.95

Eco Queen switch-ups

Ready to really make a change for the better? How about going packaging free for your entire weekly shop? Zero waste stores are popping up everywhere now, offering food without the plastic. This takes a fair bit of organisation and a little investment at first, but then you’ll be able to shop straight into your own reusable packaging and never find your bin full up after unpacking the weekly shop again. 

We like: Wild & Stone Reusable Mesh bags, £10.95 for 5

If you’re keen to know more about zero waste stores, don’t miss our ‘My Living’ feature on them in our November issue, where we meet two owners of zero waste shopes, including the lovely
Zero Waste Pantry in Wrington, Somerset, pictured above.

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More eco wins…

More from our November issue…

Make | Homemade Cleaning Wonders

Kitchen table potions to make spring cleaning feel that little bit more lovely

A good spring clean always makes us feel better. And, while no one is pretending cleaning and chores are anyone’s favourite way to spend their time, having some gorgeous-smelling homemade cleaning products to hand definitely makes the job more enjoyable. These wipes and all-purpose surface cleaner can both be made in an afternoon, ready to help you scrub, polish and shine your way to a freshly scented, sparkling home.

All-Purpose Surface Cleaner

Choose a scent that you really like for kitchen worktops, sinks and other surfaces. Maybe not your bed, though…

You will need:

500ml bottle with a spray nozzle

25ml Castile soap (we used

Dr Bronner’s with a rose scent)

Fill your bottle with tap water and add the soap (be sure to add the soap after the water, otherwise the mixture will become foamy). Attach the nozzle, spray the surface and wipe with a damp cloth.

Reusable Cleaning Wipes

Upcycle old bathroom towels into microfibre cloths. Hey presto! Use-again eco-wipes.

You will need:

125g distilled white vinegar

1 tbsp washing-up liquid

10 drops of essential oil of your choice

6 textile squares (approx

20cm x 20cm)

Glass container or jar with lid

1 In a bowl, stir together 250ml water with the vinegar, washing-up liquid and essential oil, then set aside.

2 Fold your cloths and place in the jar – you can add more cloths if it’s not enough to fill it. Pour the cleaning solution into the container – making sure all the cloths get covered and are damp – then screw on the lid.

Note: The wipes will last for about one week in an airtight container. Once they’ve all been used, you can simply wash them and repeat the process again and again.

These makes are just two of the ideas from our weekend project, ‘A Fresh Start’ by Louise Gorrod. You can find the other natural cleaning makes, including Toilet Fizzes, Oven Cleaner and Bathroom Cleaner in the March issue, which is out now, or you can buy it from our online store.

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More ways to clean naturally…

More from our blog…

Make | Homemade Cream Cleanser

A good spring clean always gives us a bit of a lift, and making your very own, natural products will add an extra level of satisfaction

This fresh-smelling DIY cream cleanser tackles stubborn shower scum and helps lift rust from stainless steel. It makes around 230g

180g bicarbonate of soda
20 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
3 tbsp pure liquid castile soap, plus more if needed

Equipment: Medium bowl, mixing spoon and an airtight jar

1 In a mixing bowl, combine the bicarbonate of soda and essential oils. While stirring, slowly pour in the castile soap and mix until it becomes a smooth paste.
2 Transfer to a small airtight jar or similar container to store. It can dry out over long periods, if that happens, add a little more castile soap and mix.

To use: Add 1 tsp or more to a clean cloth. Run the cream over the surface to be cleaned, lightly scrubbing until any dirt and grime comes away. Rinse or wipe the surface clean.

This project is taken from Home By Natural Harry: DIY Recipes for a Tox-free, Zero-waste Life by Harriet Birrell (Hardie Grant). Photography: Nikole Ramsay and Ed Sloane. We’ve featured more of the recipes in our March issue, including a glass cleaner and a stain remover.

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More from our March issue…

More spring cleaning inspiration…

One small change | lose cling film

Little changes you can make to create a big difference for the planet

Here at The Simple Things we’ve been trying to make one small change to our lifestyles each month - things we know we should be doing, like switching to refillable soap and cleaning products, using cloths instead of throwaway wipes. This month, inspired by our Cups of Tea feature with the co-owner of The Beeswax Wrap Company, Fran Beer, we’re hoping to try getting shot of cling film.

Let’s be honest, cling film is super-convenient. But it’s plastic, it’s not (very) reusable and there are much more attractive options. Here are a few swaps you could make to bring a little more joy and a little less wrappy plastic to your life…

Leftover cake

Use a pretty tin instead. If you don’t already have a dedicated cake tin, you need to practise a little more self-care anyway.

Cheese

Beeswax wraps (above) are ideal for odd bits of cheese. Get a pack of different sized wraps and you’ll have enough for your large wedge of brie or your knob-end of parmesan.

Lunchtime sandwiches

Wax or cloth wraps work well for sarnies, too, but a reusable sandwich box will save it from getting squished in your bag.

Half a tin of soup, beans (or anything)

Reusable can lids (like the ones they sell for pet food) work a treat and just pop in the dishwasher after use ready for next time.

Half used veg

If pre-chopped most veg can be kept from spoiling by putting it in a bowl of water in the fridge (good for carrot sticks, scrubbed potatoes etc). Otherwise, store cut veg like peppers and cucumber in the salad drawer. In all honesty, the cut side gets a little dry whether wrapped in cling film or not so you’re best not bothering and just slicing off a thin bit of the exposed edge before you next chop some off.

Bread

Get a bread bin. See our self-care note above re cake tins. It’s just wrong not to have one.

Homemade biscuits

Don’t be silly. Just finish them off, for goodness’ sake!

Get hold of your copy of this month's The Simple Things -  buy, download or subscribe

More from our June issue…

More ways to live well…

Make: your own clean, green oven gel

Oven looking a little tired and emotional after a big Easter gathering of friends or family? This oven cleaning gel tackles your least favourite job without the caustic fumes of conventional cleaners

Makes 1-oven’s worth

1 tsp xanthan gum

2 tsp glycerine

2 tsp washing-up liquid

300ml just-boiled water

1 tsp salt

5 tbsp soda crystals

1 Put the xanthan gum and glycerine in a large bowl and stir well to combine. Add washing-up liquid and stir again. 2 Put the just-boiled water in a jug and add the salt and soda crystals. Stir until the crystals dissolve. 3 Pour the warm solution into the bowl with the gum mixture and use a hand-held blender to pulse for 1 min, until fully combined. Use immediately.

How to use

1 Switch off your oven at the socket and remove the racks from the inside. Wearing rubber gloves, use a sponge or scrubbing brush to apply the gel liberally to the surfaces of your oven, including the door.

2 Leave the gel on overnight. In the morning, again wearing rubber gloves, use a scrubbing brush to give your oven a thorough clean. If burnt-on spots remain, sprinkle over some bicarbonate of soda to give you extra scouring power.

3 When you’re satisfied, wipe the oven down with a clean, damp cloth, rinsing the cloth in fresh water as necessary. You can use this solution on the oven racks and trays, too, but avoid use on aluminium surfaces.

Recipes taken from Fresh Clean Home by Wendy Graham (Pavilion). Photography: Rachel Whiting.

 Get hold of your copy of this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More from our April issue…

More kind cleaning ideas…

Guide to eco cleaning

Green alternatives to environmental and health damaging chemical-based cleaners

For doing the dishes: 
Method’s Pomegranate washing-up liquid is free from chlorine and phospates and smells delicious; £2.25 for 523ml, biggreensmile.com

For floor mopping: 
Dr Bronner’s Organic Liquid Castile soap is free from synthetic dyes, fragrances and preservatives and is as good for floors as it is for bodies; £10.50 for 473ml, ethicalsuperstore.com

For kitchen cleaning: 
Kinn Living’s Eco Friendly Kitchen Cleaner’s essential oils disinfect naturally; £4.25 for 500ml, kinn-living.com

For scrubbing dirty plates: 
LoofCo washing-up pad is made from natural loofah and coconut fibres and is biodegradable; £2.75, greenbrands.co.uk

For cleaning glass: 
Good for Glass, harnesses the cleaning power of lemon oil to bring the sparkle back to glass and mirrors; £5.60 for 500ml, mangleandwringer.co.uk

For cleaning the toilet: 
US company Seventh Generation’s Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner smells sweetly of cypress and fir;
£3.83 for 946ml, evitamins.com

Turn to page 115 of the March issue to read more on our love for a clean and pleasant house.

Get hold of your copy of this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

View the sampler here.

More from the March issue:

More homemade remedies: