Natural Living: Kitchen Edition

 

“How sustainable are my household habits?” I looked around my home with that question in mind and noticed that my house could indeed use a sustainable makeover. Single use plastic, paper towels, and plastic bags filled my garbage cans, and my food waste generally went down the disposal. Individual waste continues to push our landfills to capacity and pollutes our landscapes, waterways, and fragile ecosystems.

I will admit, when I first started thinking about this, I quickly became overwhelmed. I wasn't sure where to start. I would recommend dividing your lifestyle into chunks and focusing on one thing at a time.  This edition will focus on the kitchen

Here are 5 kitchen swaps that will hopefully launch you into a more sustainable lifestyle. 

  1. Swap single use food wraps for beeswax wraps.  Beeswax wraps are a sustainable alternative to plastic wraps for storing food. They are made from cotton fabric coated in a mixture of beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil. These wraps are reusable, washable, and biodegradable. By switching to beeswax wraps, you reduce your reliance on single-use plastics, which helps to decrease plastic pollution and its harmful impacts on the environment, particularly marine life.
  2. Swap out your chemical kitchen cleaning sprays with a homemade version.  Many commercial kitchen cleaning sprays contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both the environment and human health. Making your own cleaning solutions using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils can be just as effective for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Homemade cleaners are typically cheaper, safer, and more eco-friendly than store-bought alternatives, as they reduce the use of harmful chemicals and plastic packaging.
  3. Recycle and use your bottles and jars. Recycling glass bottles and jars helps to conserve resources, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste sent to landfills. Instead of throwing away empty bottles and jars, rinse them out and reuse them for storing leftovers, bulk ingredients, homemade sauces, or as containers for DIY beauty or cleaning products. Reusing glass containers not only extends their lifespan but also reduces the need for new packaging materials.
  4. Swap out sponges and paper towels for reusable Swedish dishcloths. Swedish dishcloths are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional sponges and paper towels. Made from a blend of cellulose and cotton, these cloths are highly absorbent, quick-drying, and reusable. They can be washed and reused multiple times, reducing the amount of waste generated in the kitchen. By replacing disposable paper towels and synthetic sponges with Swedish dishcloths, you can lower your environmental footprint and save money in the long run.
  5. Swap out your teflon/aluminum for a more natural alternative.   Teflon and aluminum cookware can release harmful chemicals into food and the environment, especially when exposed to high temperatures. Consider switching to natural alternatives such as cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic, or glass cookware, which are more durable and safer for cooking. These alternatives are free from toxic chemicals and can be used for a variety of cooking methods. While they may require a bit more maintenance, they offer health and environmental benefits in the long term.

DIY Natural Degreaser

What you'll need: 

  • 36 drops organic lemon essential oil
  • 1 tsp. Castille soap (optional)
  • 3 oz. organic lemon thyme hydrosol

What you'll do: 

  • Add lemon essential oil and Castille soap to a 3 oz. bottle of lemon thyme hydrosol with a mister.
  • Shake well and use as needed.

Check out our blog for more DIY ideas and natural ways of living. 

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