We’re all spending a lot more time in our homes than perhaps we had planned at the start of the year, and we’ve all probably watched a lot more Marie Kondo than we’d openly admit. Marry the two together and you have the perfect task for lockdown – a window to declutter your home and make some more sustainable swaps.
But I don’t know where to look – we hear you cry, as we too have cried ourselves (just a bit). That’s why we’ve rounded up our favourite household brands to help free up some space in your home, and look like a bit of an eco champion whilst doing it.
Kitchen
Ever taken a look under your kitchen sink and thought: woah, I don’t even know what half these bottles do. Does Via-kills-everything even have a best before end? Well, we’re bringing out refillable glass bottles and non-toxic cleaning tabs that will not only revolutionise the way you clean but also...think about all the room you’ll have for under-the-sink activities.
Another week, another leftover cabbage lurking in the back of the fridge? Flat feeling full of clutter that you don’t know what to do with? Download Olio. Olio connects neighbours with each other and Food Waste Hero volunteers with local businesses, to share food (and other things, including furniture) rather than chuck them away. Another perk? You’ll feel great about yourself knowing that your items have been enjoyed/given a second life by somebody else.
Bathroom
Keeping it personal with period products, Dame is the first reusable tampon applicator that claims to be better for your body and better for the planet. Plastic pollution from period products has gained a lot of media attention recently, and rightly so, with many campaigning against the big brands pumping out single-use plastic applicators. Introducing Dame’s award winning applicator; is medical grade with self-sanitising technology. It's easy to use and 100% keepable.
Cotton buds were under fire not that long ago, due to their plastic middles (there’s surely a more technical term) with most brands switching to a more environmentally friendly alternative instead – paper. But the team at Last Object have come up with an even more environmentally friendly than the former; one cotton bud that lasts up to 1000 uses, perfect for even the waxiest of ears. Free your life from single-use cotton swabs, and ‘enjoy the warm feeling of being part of the solution!’ Sounds pretty dreamy.
Ever asked yourself the question: to bidet or not to bidet? Us neither, but thanks to Sonny, we now might ask just that. Regarding themselves as the portable bidet for the eco-conscious consumer, Sonny aims to redefine your bathroom hygiene and save forests at the same time. By removing the need to wipe with paper, you are no longer contributing to the 36+ million rolls of toilet paper used every year – that’s the equivalent of 15 million trees. Maybe to become more sustainable, you don’t need to get off your arse, you just need to clean it better.
Bedroom
Thrift+
Determined to get rid of that top you bought on a whim at Freshers Week in 2010 but just don’t have the time or energy to take it to the charity shop or figure out the best angles for Depop? The amazing team behind Thrift+ can help – they’ll send you a paper envelope through the post that you fill with your unwanted garms and send back to them for free; so you can donate your second hand clothes to your favourite charity. Nice.
We’ve all been there; first day of school at the start of the new year and swamped in a jumper that is obviously several sizes too large but that your parents insist is perfect because ‘you’re growing so fast, darling’. The team behind Petit Pli have started a sustainable childrenswear revolution, with clothes that grow. Sounds bonkers but it’s actually quite inspired. Made from recycled bottles and their signature patent-pending growth technology, it’s no wonder they’ve already won a bunch of awards.
There you have it. Some brands that we rate that’ll certainly help you sort out your space.
Have we missed any out? Let us know 👇
Love + Sense
Homethings