My Low-Waste Essentials!

Check out my list of my top 12 low-waste essentials for the home! These products have helped me become more conscious about my consumption and have helped me reduce my impact in the environment. 

We’re so lucky to live in a time where it’s becoming so easy to reduce our waste and consume more mindfully. There are so many reasons why we should take up the opportunity to be more mindful about the products and ingredients we introduce into our bodies, lives and homes. So below I’ve shared my top 12 low-waste essentials! If you’re new to experimenting with low-waste products, or if you’ve been on this journey for years, this list includes some of my favourite brands, products and stores which have helped make the switch so easy for me!

1. Shampoo Bar from Miabelle
For the longest time, I struggled to find the perfect shampoo bar. I personally really dislike the feeling of dirty hair, so for the longest time I’ve washed my hair every single day! And yes, I realise how bad that is for my hair. However, when I finally tried out a sample bar from Miabelle, I made the switch and I haven’t looked back! I now use the 'Adore Shampoo Bar' every second day and my hair feels so luscious, shiny and healthy. So if you too have been struggling to find a shampoo bar that lathers well and leaves you with that perfect clean hair feeling - this is the one for you.

2. Using Soap Bar instead of Body Wash & Hand Soap
I once read in an Aryuvedic handbook that we really shouldn’t wash our bodies head to toe with soap every time we bathe or shower. It’s super drying to our skin, and totally unnecessary. I switched out from using bottled body wash ages ago, and have used a soap bar in the shower ever since and only when and where it’s necessary. I also use bar soap to shave!

3. Sweet Peppermint Toothpaste by Maxwell & Mcintyre
This is a great place to start if you’re new to reducing waste in your bathroom. It’s a super easy switch that is rather easy to find these days. I buy the 'Sweet Peppermint Toothpaste' from Maxwell & Mcintrye. It’s been specially designed to help transition normal toothpaste users to a zero-waste alternative because it mimics the sweetness of regular toothpaste, but just without all the bad stuff. It comes in a glass jar, which is perfect to reuse once you finish it, and in a paste-like form. I recommend popping your toothbrush under water before dunking it into the paste - this helps it pick up onto your toothbrush better! This product leaves my mouth feeling super fresh and clean, only thing you have to get used to is that it doesn’t lather or froth as much as regular toothpaste!

4. Soap Savers
These are SUCH an essential. They’re perfect for shampoo, conditioner and soap bars and I have 3 of these hanging up in my shower. They make using bar products so much easier and are perfect for those small pieces of soap to prevent wastage or dropping.

5. Safety Razor 
​​This has been my latest transition. I always wanted to switch to a safety razor but they honestly terrified me. I finally took the plunge and I have no complaints. I’ll be honest - it took a little getting used to. I cut myself for the first few tries but they gradually figured out the right pressure to use. The blades are super easy to change and this brand allows you to send your used blades back to them for recycling - love that!

6. Low-Waste Deodorant
Once again, this is a really good starting point if you just want to dip your toes in. The scent of this product in particular is amazing. It’s really easy to use, leaves you smelling great and I didn’t have any trouble transitioning from a regular deodorant. 10/10 recommend! 

7. Reusable Silicone Baking Mat
For those who love cooking and baking, like me, this is a great way to reduce your usage of baking paper! I use this baking mat for cookies, vegetables and everything in between and find the clean-up process really easy too.  ​

8. Beeswax Wraps
These are definitely a must-have in the kitchen. They’re great for covering food for in the fridge and keeping food wrapped in your lunch box. It takes a little bit of trial and error to find a brand that you really love and that moulds nicely to your containers, but it’s totally worth the amount of glad-wrap you save!

9. Menstrual Cup & Reusable Pads
This is probably one of the transitions people might be hesitant about. As someone with endometriosis, I always felt like the heaviness and unpredictability of my cycle would put me off using any low-waste period products. But it’s honestly been significantly easier than I imagined. Menstrual cups are super easy to use (trust me!) and you can leave them in for significantly longer than a typical tampon (depending on your cycle of course). And pad wise, I love using reusable pads! They simply click in and out of your underwear and they’re machine washable. I recommend popping them through with your towels on a long hot wash and they’re good to go!
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10. Frank Green Drink Bottle
I’ve never been a single-use drink bottle kind of girl, so this switch was super simple. What I love the most about Frank Green products is how you can easily use it for both keeping your water cold and keeping you hot drinks warm! I often find myself filling it up with water and taking it along to our local coffee shop, by the time I walk there I’ve usually finished the water and I get my hot chocolate to-go in it. Keeps things hot/cold for ages - even in a warm car! Magical.

11. Low Tox Life
This book is full of so much fantastic knowledge and practical tips. When I became aware that I had oestrogen dominance, I realised that I have to be really careful of endocrine-disruptors in my environment. These are typical found in pesticides, plastics etc. This book has been amazing for helping me become aware and slowly transition all of these harmful chemicals out of my life. It’s a must-read!

12. Cleaning Products
​I’ve previously talked about this on my blog, but I think making your own cleaning products is such a great way to take charge of the chemicals you’re bringing into your home. It’s so unbelievably easy to make your own cleaning products, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Check out my blog post here which has some easy to use recipes! Once you have a few of the essentials in your home, like vinegar, baking soda, some old spray bottles, and perhaps a few essential oils you can happily wave good bye to all those nasty cleaning products. Did I mention it’s SO much more affordable too?

Found something you would like to try? Or have I listed one of your favourite products too? Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below.

From our home to yours,