Get Ecologico with all Eco-friendly products this Winter

Hi, I’m Ruth,

I’m a North-East mum of three and mental health and wellbeing consultant by day, and eco-warrior the rest of the time, trying to do my bit to be kinder to my kids, mind, body, home, purse and the planet!

When I couldn’t see anyone else out there like me trying to go green, I decided to start Ecologico to share our journey with other families, via our social media, blog, podcast, and online eco-store and it snowballed into a mission to help others find out about frugal family-friendly eco-living.

Now Ecologico’s ethos is spreading the word to customers and followers across the UK and beyond that eco can be easy, even for frazzled families like ours with a few simple tweaks and we love knowing that others are embracing sustainability without the stress!

Let’s Start at the very Beginning… Our Eco Swaps Made Easy

Eco is a big topic right now, and there are so many ways we can incorporate Eco products into our lifestyle and home. By simply removing plastic or switching our laundry detergent we can make a big difference for the environment.

Did you know that 42% of people say that sustainability is important when it comes to day-to-day purchases? But even though lots of us think that we don’t know where to start. It may sound like a costly task but there are some really affordable, easy swaps that can reduce the amount of plastic you buy and subsequently recycle or bin.

Here is a beginner’s guide to getting started, with love from Ecologico.

It all comes out in the wash…

Did you know that detergent can be easily replaced?

Soapnuts, essentially, are berries that can be reused before being composted. They don’t come in plastic and are more eco-friendly than washing powder. There are also products like Ecoeggs; although these are made of plastic, they come with a 10-year guarantee and are fully recyclable and refillable, so they will cut out lots of unnecessary plastic and save money.

When it comes to the kitchen choose to reuse!

In the Kitchen you can use wraps or pouches instead of bags or cling film. Plastic-free, reusable and possibly best of all they come in pretty patterns! Otherwise, save old tubs, pots and jars for your food. You can even buy reusable kitchen towels that can be washed and used again!

Scourers release microplastics and are typically thrown in landfill; one alternative would be a coconut brush which lasts longer, is naturally antibacterial, and can be composted once you’re finished.

Or how about a durable and effective Unsponge that can be washed and reused?

There are loads of cost-efficient alternatives which will have less impact on the planet. We’ve also switched to washing-up bars for a totally plastic-free washing-up experience, but you can even get refillable liquid in a glass bottle!

If you haven’t yet invested in a reusable coffee cup or water bottle, now’s the time! Those cold winter days need a coffee cup to wrap those hands around. You can pick them up easily and, in most cases, they will save you money over time. Your local café will even serve your drink in it, and there are increasingly free water stations.  I use an insulated bottle to save multiple kettle boils and save energy too! (Perfect for saving money on energy bills this winter).

Bath time Bliss

In the bathroom, shampoo and conditioner bars are a great alternative; they tend to last longer than bottled versions too so are better value for money. Try ours this Christmas, our bestseller would make a lovely little present this Christmas.

Switching to soap bars is also another simple yet effective swap. If you really can’t manage with bars, consider using liquid refills which will cut out the need for lots of packaging. There’s bound to be options that suit you!

If you use a manual toothbrush you may want to switch to one that is biodegradable as shockingly 80% of plastic ones end up in the sea! Bamboo or beechwood toothbrushes are a good swap as the handles can be composted. Use an electric toothbrush? We have toothbrush heads that are accepted back and recycled by the manufacturers.

Personally, we also use toothpaste and mouthwash that comes in glass and aluminium; it does take a little bit of getting used to but there are some fantastic alternatives to traditional tubes out there.

Do you use disposable razors? Switching to a safety razor can save you money as well being more environmentally friendly. They look a bit scary, but they’re called safety razors for a reason!  We have a gorgeous bamboo-handled razor that has a longer handle for extra grip and offers a close, clean shave.

Finally, did you know that period products are up to 90% plastic? They will sit in landfill for hundreds of years, but cloth pads or menstrual cups are an excellent way to reduce the number of disposables you use. They are made of bamboo, cotton, and silicone so these will last decades, reducing so much waste and saving you a fortune!

Reduce your Plastic Output

From babies to surfaces and even makeup if you want to cut plastic, save money and reduce waste, I highly recommend switching to reusable wipes or cloths. These come in a range of materials, sizes, and even colours but there really is something for every situation!

Of course, the best advice is to use what you already have; the most sustainable item is the one you already own so use, reuse, repurpose, recycle, then if you’re ready to make some switches we have you covered.

Visit Ecological and get Eco swapping today.

Thanks for reading,

Ruth.