Our Top 10 Favorite Plastic-Free Swaps You Can Make in Your Home Today
Making the shift to a plastic-free lifestyle doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive. After years of testing products and refining our routines, we've identified our favorite swaps that deliver the biggest impact with the least hassle. These aren't theoretical changes that look good on Instagram but fall apart in real life; these are the products that have genuinely stuck in our daily routines because they work better than their conventional counterparts.
What makes these swaps particularly powerful is their ripple effect. Each one eliminates multiple plastic containers from your annual consumption while often saving money in the long run. More importantly, they prove that sustainable living isn't about sacrifice—it's about finding better solutions that happen to be better for the planet too.
Whether you're just starting your low-waste journey or looking to tackle the last few plastic holdouts in your home, these ten swaps represent the sweet spot of maximum impact with minimum effort. Let's dive in.
1. Toothpaste Tablets
Why make the swap: The average American goes through 4-6 tubes of toothpaste per year, each wrapped in non-recyclable mixed materials. Toothpaste tablets eliminate this waste entirely while often providing superior cleaning power due to their concentrated formulation.
The impact: This single swap prevents 4-6 plastic tubes per person from entering the waste stream annually. For a family of four, that's potentially 24 tubes avoided each year. The tablets also eliminate the need for plastic caps and the frustration of trying to squeeze out the last bit of paste.
How to make it easy: Start with a one-month supply to test the transition. Simply chew one tablet, brush with a wet toothbrush as normal, and spit. Most people adapt within a few days. Store tablets in a small glass jar in your bathroom, and they'll last just as long as traditional toothpaste while taking up less counter space.
Bonus Tip: If you’re traveling, toothpaste tablets won’t count as a liquid in your carry-on. They’re super popular with frequent travelers for a reason!
Fluoride-free toothpaste tabs (my fav) and tabs with fluoride.
2. Conditioner Bar
Why make the swap: Liquid conditioners are typically 80% water, which means you're essentially paying to ship water in plastic containers. Conditioner bars concentrate the active ingredients, delivering better results while eliminating plastic bottles entirely.
The impact: One conditioner bar replaces (at least) 2-3 bottles of liquid conditioner, preventing significant plastic waste while often lasting longer than traditional products. The concentrated formula means fewer purchases and less bathroom storage needed.
How to make it easy: Wet your hair, rub the bar between your hands or directly onto hair ends, distribute as you would liquid conditioner, then rinse. Store the bar in a soap dish or hanging soap bag to dry between uses. Start by using it once or twice a week while transitioning from liquid conditioner to let your hair adjust.
Hair-type specific bars and conditioner & detangler bars.
3. Lotion Bar
Why make the swap: Most commercial lotions contain 70-80% water, requiring preservatives and plastic packaging. Lotion bars deliver concentrated moisture without water, preservatives, or plastic waste, while lasting significantly longer than liquid alternatives.
The impact: A single lotion bar can replace 3-4 bottles of liquid lotion, dramatically reducing plastic consumption. The absence of water means no need for harsh preservatives, making these gentler on sensitive skin while reducing packaging waste.
How to make it easy: Warm the bar slightly between your hands, then rub onto skin like you would a bar of soap. The bar will melt slightly from body heat, spreading easily. Start with small amounts—a little goes a long way. Keep bars in a tin or wooden container, and they'll last months even with daily use.
4. Dental Floss
Why make the swap: Traditional dental floss is made from nylon or Teflon coated in petroleum wax, packaged in plastic containers. Sad face. Natural alternatives use silk or plant-based materials in refillable glass containers, eliminating plastic waste from your oral care routine.
The impact: This swap prevents multiple plastic floss containers from entering landfills annually while supporting your oral health with natural materials. Refillable options mean you only buy the container once, then purchase refill spools indefinitely.
How to make it easy: Use natural floss exactly like conventional floss—the technique doesn't change. Look for silk floss with natural wax coatings or plant-based alternatives like corn fiber floss. Many brands (like Joyful Jarra) offer starter kits with a glass dispenser and several refill spools to get you started.
5. Ecoslay Hair Gel
Why make the swap: Conventional hair gels come in plastic tubes and often contain synthetic ingredients that can build up on hair over time. Plant-based alternatives like Ecoslay use natural ingredients that provide hold without buildup, while coming in glass jars that can be reused or recycled.
The impact: Beyond eliminating plastic packaging, natural hair gels often work better for long-term hair health. The absence of synthetic polymers means less product buildup, healthier scalp conditions, and hair that looks better over time.
How to make it easy: Apply to damp hair just like conventional gel, starting with less product than you think you need. Natural gels often provide more hold than expected, so build up gradually. The learning curve is minimal, and most people find their hair looks and feels healthier within a few weeks of switching.
6. Beeswax Wraps
Why make the swap: Plastic wrap and storage bags are single-use items that create enormous waste. Beeswax wraps can be reused hundreds of times, molding to cover bowls, wrap sandwiches, or store produce while keeping food fresh naturally.
The impact: A set of beeswax wraps can replace rolls of plastic wrap and countless storage bags over their 1-2 year lifespan. The natural antimicrobial properties of beeswax actually help food stay fresh longer than plastic alternatives.
How to make it easy: Use the warmth of your hands to mold wraps around food or containers. They stick to themselves and create an airtight seal. Start with a variety pack of sizes to handle different storage needs. Clean with cool water and mild soap, then air dry before storing flat or hanging.
7. Dishwasher Tablets
Why make the swap: Conventional dishwasher detergent comes in plastic bottles or plastic-wrapped pods, often containing harsh chemicals that can leave residue on dishes. Plastic-free tablets deliver the same cleaning power in compostable or minimal packaging.
The impact: This swap eliminates large plastic detergent bottles from your regular shopping, while often providing better cleaning results. Natural formulations are gentler on both your dishes and your home's water system.
How to make it easy: Simply drop one tablet in your dishwasher's detergent compartment as you would with conventional products. No measuring, no mess, and often better results. Look for tablets wrapped in water-soluble films or packaged in cardboard boxes rather than plastic containers.
8. Reusable Towels
Why make the swap: Paper towels represent a significant waste stream in most households, requiring constant repurchasing and generating ongoing trash. Reusable cloth alternatives handle the same tasks while lasting for years with proper care.
The impact: A set of reusable towels can eliminate the need for paper towels entirely, preventing rolls of waste while saving money over time. The upfront investment pays for itself within months, and the towels can last for years with proper care.
How to make it easy: Keep a stack of clean towels in your kitchen and designate a basket for used ones. Wash weekly with your regular laundry, and they're ready to use again. Start with versatile options like flour sack towels or bamboo cloths that handle everything from spill cleanup to window cleaning.
9. Veggie Bags
Why make the swap: Plastic produce bags are used for minutes but persist in the environment for centuries. Reusable mesh or cloth bags serve the same function while eliminating this waste stream from your grocery shopping routine.
The impact: A set of produce bags prevents dozens of plastic bags from entering your household waste each month. The bags are lightweight, don't affect produce pricing at checkout, and actually help vegetables stay fresh longer by allowing air circulation.
How to make it easy: Keep veggie bags in your reusable shopping bags so you never forget them. The mesh material allows cashiers to see contents for easy checkout, and the tear weight is negligible. Start with a variety of sizes to handle everything from bulk grains to individual apples.
10. Laundry Detergent
Why make the swap: Liquid laundry detergent requires large plastic containers and is mostly water, making it inefficient to transport and store. Concentrated alternatives—whether powder, tablets, or strips—deliver the same cleaning power in minimal or plastic-free packaging.
The impact: This swap eliminates large detergent bottles from your regular purchases while often providing better value due to concentration. Many plastic-free options come in cardboard boxes or compostable packaging, dramatically reducing your laundry room's waste footprint.
How to make it easy: Follow package directions for your chosen format—most work exactly like conventional detergents but require smaller amounts due to concentration. Store powder detergents in airtight containers if you live in humid climates, and consider starting with sample sizes to find your preferred brand and format.
Making It Stick: Your Plastic-Free Success Strategy
The beauty of these ten swaps lies in their proven track record. These aren't experimental products that might work—they're solutions that have stood the test of daily use in real households. The key to successful transition is starting with one or two swaps that address your biggest plastic pain points, then adding others as these become routine.
Remember, perfection isn't the goal—progress is. Each swap represents multiple plastic containers diverted from landfills while often providing better performance than conventional alternatives. You're not just reducing waste; you're upgrading your daily routines with products designed to work better for both you and the planet.
The ripple effects extend beyond your household too. Every plastic-free purchase sends a market signal supporting companies developing innovative alternatives while reducing demand for conventional plastic products. Your individual choices contribute to a larger shift toward sustainable consumer goods that prioritize both performance and environmental responsibility.
Start with the swap that excites you most, master that transition, then tackle the next one. Within a year, these changes will feel completely natural while delivering a measurable impact on both your household waste and your budget. That's the power of choosing better solutions that happen to be better for the planet too.