Easy and eco-friendly swaps to make in your home in 2022

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Now more than ever, people are making small changes to minimize their waste. Figuring out how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle may seem overwhelming at first. To help begin your journey to becoming more eco-friendly, eco expert Candice Batista shared three easy and sustainable swaps that you can implement this year. 

In the Kitchen 

Swap paper towels with Swedish towels 

Swedish towels are the perfect eco-friendly alternative to disposable sponges and paper towels! They are shockingly absorbent, picking up 15 times their weight, and reusable. These towels are great for the kitchen and the bathroom, plus they are quick-drying and naturally antibacterial. 

SHOP: SUPERSCANDI Swedish Dish Cloth 6 Pack; $21.95 at Amazon

Compost, compost, compost 

Do you currently compost at home? It's one of the best ways to fight food waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When food ends up in the garbage it goes right into the landfills. As the food breaks down, it creates methane gas and those gases contribute to global warming. So, eat your leftovers and compost whenever you can. 

SHOP: 8 litres / 2 Gallons Indoor composter; $29.99 at Amazon

DIY cleaning products

Making your own cleaning products can reduce the amount of plastic packaging you are bringing into your home. Using old bottles is a great way to store your DIY cleaners too. Watch the video clip above for Candice's ultimate DIY cleaner recipe! 

In the Bathroom

Toothbrush and toothpaste

There are so many sustainable swaps you can make in the bathroom. Instead of a plastic toothbrush, try a bamboo one instead. TIP: When you're done with it, you can compost the handle, just make sure to remove the synthetic bristles and place those in the garbage! Plastic toothbrushes are not recyclable, which makes bamboo a more sustainable option. 

Instead of plastic toothpaste tubes, try toothpaste tabs. They are so easy to use, just pop it in your mouth, bite down and scrub. You will get that fresh feeling, without the extra packaging. 

SHOP: Burt’s Bees Bamboo Toothbrush with Charcoal Infused Bristles; $3.97 at Walmart | Fresh Mint Toothpaste Bits; $48 at Bite

Shampoo and teodorant 

It’s no secret plastic stinks, so what could be better than finding a plastic-free deodorant to keep yourself from stinking, too? Try to go for a paper tube deodorant product. 

We all need a good wash now and then—but it doesn’t always have to be from shampoo in a bottle. More and more, brands are releasing plastic-free alternatives like shampoo bars, that are as eco-friendly as they are effective at giving us shiny and smooth hair.

SHOP: Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo Bar; $12.96 at Lush | ATTITUDE Natural Baking Soda Free Deodorant for Sensitive Skin; $14.99 at Amazon

In the laundry room 

Did you know that some synthetic materials from your clothes can break off tiny bits of microplastics? When you wash these items, the fabric breaks down and the little bits are washed out right into our waterways. Using a washing bag can capture those little bits. Simply put your clothes in the bag and toss them in the machine. 

Another great eco-friendly swap you can make in the laundry room is to use laundry strips rather than detergent. 

The laundry detergent you use should be as sensitive to your skin as it the environment. Using laundry strips can eliminate water waste, plus it makes laundry washing more economical. Tru Earth laundry strips are packed with ultra-concentrated, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly cleaning power, plus every 32-load package eliminates one plastic jug from potentially ending up in landfills and oceans

Also, consider using dryer balls instead of single-use dryer sheets that can't be recycled. Dryer balls will help to reduce drying time and actually save you money. If static is an issue, you are probably letting the dryer go for too long, so try to get the clothes out as soon as the machine lets you know they are dry. 

SHOP: Washing Bag; $34.95 at Guppyfriend | Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent 32-Load Pack; $19.99 at Tru Earth Wool Dryer Ball Set and Laundry Blend; $25 at Saje