If you've been looking for eco-friendly products for your family but don't know where to start — you're in the right place. As a mom of three, I think about this stuff a lot. I want to leave this world better for my kids and (someday, no rush!) my grandkids. But I also know that searching "how to live sustainably" or "zero waste lifestyle" can send you into a spiral fast. 🫠
So here's my approach: start small, start at home, and swap one thing at a time. The eco-friendly products I'm sharing here aren't about being perfect — they're about making easy, practical changes that actually fit into real family life. Everything on this list is something we've personally used and loved. Some of these swaps will also save you money in the long run, which is a very nice bonus.
You don't have to overhaul your whole house. Pick one room, or even just one item. And you definitely don't need to throw anything out — use what you have first, then make the switch when you're ready. Small changes really do add up! 💗
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Eco Friendly Kitchen Products You'll Use Every Single Day
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Reusable Food Wraps: Swap plastic wrap for beeswax or silicone wraps. Not only will you cut down on waste, but silicone doesn’t leach chemicals like plastic does when heating and freezing food.
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Cloth Napkins and Towels: Replace disposable paper products with washable cloth ones. I love using these Geometry napkins (my code MKMMBI15 gets you 15% off your order) to make mealtime more fun and these Swedish dishcloths for wiping up spills in the kitchen or at the table. Fun fact: one Swedish dishcloth replaces 15 rolls of paper towels!
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Compost Bin: Start composting food scraps to reduce waste. Toss them in a small compost bin (these compost bags help!) if curbside pickup is an option where you live. Or you can do your own composting at home and use it in your garden beds to improve soil and keep plants healthy.
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Silicone Cupcake Liners: These reusable baking cups work so much better than paper liners! If you frequently bake muffins or cupcakes, you’ll find they pop out a lot easier. You can also use them to hold snacks.
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Reusable Baking Mat: An eco friendly alternative to foil and parchment paper! These silicone mats can be reused over and over for baking, roasting, or food prep.
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Oil Sprayer: This refillable oil sprayer reduces waste (and helps you save money) by eliminating the need for single-use aerosol sprayers. I use mine daily!
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Natural Sponges: These plant-based sponges are biodegradable and come in 100% recyclable packaging. They also dry quickly, making them less prone to growing bacteria, so they’ll last longer.
👉 Ali's Pro Tips:
- Throw your sponges in the dishwasher regularly — it kills bacteria and makes them last so much longer. Game changer!
- Buy oil in bulk for your refillable sprayer. You'll save money and never run out at the worst possible moment. 🤦🏻♀️
Sustainable Swaps for On the Go
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Reusable Water Bottles: Trade single-use plastic bottles for durable, reusable ones that will last for years. This Hydro Flask water bottle is my favorite one for kids.
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Travel Mugs: Did you know that 50 billion paper cups end up in landfills every year? And they take 20 years to decompose! Instead, bring your travel mug along if you need coffee on the go. Many coffee shops will also let you fill up for a discount!
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Eco Friendly Lunch Containers: Use stainless steel or BPA-free reusable containers instead of single-use plastic bags, which never fully decompose. I love these silicone snack bags — just one can replace 260 plastic bags! Or you can ditch all of the bags and put your entire lunch in these cute Bentgo boxes. These Bentgo kids lunch boxes are great for younger kids.
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Tote Bags: Carry reusable shopping bags for groceries and errands. Along with reducing plastic waste, they can hold more items and are more durable, so you only need 2-3 of them. This also makes bagging, carrying, and unloading a lot easier!
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Reusable Produce Bags: Just one reusable produce bag eliminates about 1,000 plastic bags in its lifetime. I like these mesh bags because they come in different sizes to hold any kind of produce, plus they’re easier to open and keep produce fresh for longer!
👉 Ali's Pro Tips:
- After emptying and washing your produce bags, pop them straight back into your reusable grocery bags so they're ready to go for your next trip. Future you will be so grateful.
- Keep your reusable bags somewhere you'll actually see them — by the front door, near your keys, or right next to you in the car. Out of sight really does mean out of mind with these!
Eco Friendly Home Products That Save Energy & Money
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LED Bulbs: Replace traditional light bulbs with energy-saving LED options. They’ll last longer, too!
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Eco Friendly Cleaning Products: Opt for non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners. I love Method’s all-purpose cleaner, particularly this grapefruit one! It smells good, it’s powerful, and it’s made with plant-based ingredients. The bottle is also made from 100% recycled plastic.
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Smart Power Strips: Did you know that plugged-in electronics and devices still drain power? Smart strips can detect when a device isn’t being used and will cut off its power to reduce energy consumption.
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Wool Dryer Balls: Replace single-use dryer sheets with wool dryer balls that can last for over 1,000 loads! Not only are they more economical, but they help clothes dry faster, too.
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Check out my Essential Cleaning Supplies post to see how you can use everyday kitchen items as alternatives to chemical-based cleaners.
👉 Ali's Pro Tips:
- If you can, pair your LED bulbs with dimmer switches — it reduces energy use even further and extends the life of the bulbs too. Double win!
- For more non-toxic cleaning ideas, check out my Essential Cleaning Supplies post. You probably already have some great alternatives sitting in your kitchen right now.
Non-Toxic & Eco Friendly Products for Kids (and You)
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Wooden or Recycled Toys: Choose sustainable toys made from wood or recycled materials. Unlike plastic, wooden toys last longer and are biodegradable. Plus they encourage more imaginative play!
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Non-Toxic Bathtub Drops & Bath Bombs: These fizzy tablets make bathtime fun and are a great natural alternative to bath bombs. But if you kids love bath bombs like mine do, these natural ones are a great option.
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Snack Cups: We all know toddlers love to snack! These BPA-free and spill-proof snack cups are perfect for snacking at home or on the go without a huge mess.
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DIY Crafts: Use recyclable or upcycled materials for kids’ crafts, such as paper, cardboard, magazines, and glass jars. Another fun idea is to go on a walk and collect sticks, leaves, and more to create nature art.
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Secondhand Clothes: 100 billion items of clothing are produced each year — and 60% or more of it ends up in landfills. Buy only what you need and shop thrift stores or organize clothing swaps with friends. As a bonus, you’ll save a lot of money and find cute, unique clothing!
👉 Ali's Pro Tips:
- Fewer toys = more play. It sounds counterintuitive but it's so true — kids actually engage more when they're not overwhelmed with options. Check kids' consignment stores, Facebook Marketplace, and your local Buy Nothing Group for sustainable toys at a fraction of the price.
- If thrift shopping feels overwhelming, start by decluttering first so you know exactly what you have and what you actually need. Online options like ThredUp or Poshmark are also great if you want to skip the in-store experience entirely.
Eco Friendly Bathroom Swaps Worth Making
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Bamboo Toothbrushes: Replace plastic toothbrushes with bamboo ones, which are biodegradable.
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Refillable Soap Dispensers: Reduce your use of single-use plastic by opting for refillable hand soap bottles, using bar soap, or making DIY soap.
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Reusable Makeup Removers: Use washable cotton rounds or a makeup eraser cloth instead of disposables.
- Bamboo Cotton Swabs: Switch from single-use plastic cotton buds to bamboo cotton swabs.
👉 Ali's Pro Tips:
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth — this one simple habit saves up to 8 gallons of water a day. It adds up fast!
- Don't skip recycling your empty bottles and containers! Rinse them out first, then remove any pumps or lids before tossing. Most people don't realize that step matters.
A Few More Ways to Live More Sustainably
If you’re looking for other ways to be eco-friendly, here are a few more ideas:
- Bike, carpool, or take public transit when you can
- Turn off lights and avoid letting water run unnecessarily
- Shop farmer's markets for locally sourced food — or start a small garden with your kids (we love this in our house! 🌱)
- Look into local recycling services like Ridwell for hard-to-recycle plastics
- Mend clothes before replacing them — and teach your kids to do the same
Making Sustainable Swaps Easy: FAQs from One Mom to Another
What are the easiest eco-friendly swaps to start with?
While everything listed above is relatively easy, the key is to start small. Ditch plastic bottles and opt for a high-quality reusable one. Swap paper napkins and paper towels for reusable ones and replace single-use plastic baggies with durable, washable silicone bags. Every time a light bulb goes out in the house, replace it with an LED bulb.
Do eco friendly products really save money?
Yes! Despite higher upfront costs, eco friendly products can actually save you money in the long run. They’re designed to be more durable, reusable, and sustainable, which means less waste and fewer replacements. Even small swaps can make a difference! Start with what makes sense for your lifestyle and, over time, these choices will add up to noticeable savings.
How can busy moms make sustainable choices without stress?
Sustainability doesn’t have to be overwhelming! For busy moms juggling kids, schedules, and endless to-dos, the key is to start small, keep it simple, and focus on what fits your lifestyle. My recommendation is to make one swap at a time. I love to involve my kids. Let them pick out a cool new reusable water bottle. Next time you bake with your kids, use a silicone baking mat or silicone baking cups instead of disposable kitchen items.
Are eco-friendly products safe for kids and babies?
This is such a good question. Most of the products on this list are specifically chosen because they're non-toxic and BPA-free — silicone, bamboo, and plant-based materials are all much safer than conventional plastic, especially for little ones. I always check before recommending anything, and everything here has passed my mom test. 👀
What's the difference between eco-friendly and non-toxic products?
Great question and easy to mix up! Eco-friendly refers to a product's impact on the environment — think biodegradable, reusable, or sustainably sourced materials. Non-toxic refers to what's safe for your family — no harmful chemicals, BPA-free, food-safe, etc. Many products on this list are both, which is the sweet spot for families. 🙌
Have a swap your family loves that I didn't mention? Drop it in the comments — I'd love to hear what's working in your house! And if you're looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day with your kids, check out my Earth Day Activities for Kids post next. 🌍
