Plastic alternatives

[knittedthrow]

Can we have a thread of plastic free alternatives for things we use in every day life. With brand name if possible for ease of amazon ordering

We want to make a real effort to cut out plastic in our house but the stuffs just everywhere and it's hard to easily find alternatives. I guess there's other families that feel the same.

Getting rid of wipes will be a big one for me. We no longer use wipes for sticky hands and faces (use a face cloth now), we also don't use kitchen and bathroom wipes anymore (re usable cloth with antibacterial spray).

I do use baby-wipes for DS bum though. I don't like the idea of washing pooey cloths tbh.

So for the first suggestion can anyone suggest plastic free wipes that are completely biodegradable? Do they exist?

Is cotton wool completely plastic free?

Cotton wool does contain plastic yes.

I use reusable nappies and cloth wipes (it’s incredibly easy, x1 wipes per poo bum change, into a wet bag. I have a wet bag in my changing bag with anything dirty, it’s zipped, no smells escape).
I try to avoid plastic packaging in super markets and use cloth bags for shopping

@myself2020 even when they were in nappies?

@knittedthrow let me know if you need a referral code, its £3 off I think.

My last order was delivered in a cardboard box with compostable things that look like cheesy puffs. No plastic packaging.

The refill pouches come in a cardboard box and fit through your letterbox.

theneverendinglaundry could I please have the Splosh code as well?

Also-I'm a keen baker but hate using single-use baking paper so I have some silicone baking mats - they are plastic but reusable and easy to wash by hand or in the dishwasher. I have used them a lot and they are in perfect condition and will last for many more years I hope.

I also got reusable circles of greaseproof fabric for lining cake tins in Sainsbury. These are fantastic and I use them at least weekly (I bake a lot).

Lush shampoo bars are excellent. Tried their conditioner but didn;t get on with it. Soap comes from anywhere and everywhere, I'm not fussy!

We have these sandwich wraps : re-wrap-it.co.uk/

My reusable coffee cup is from Oxfam. www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/sourced-by-oxfam/home-and-gift/kitchen/widdlebirdy-ecoffee-cup-hn502186

We also use Splosh for things like washing up liquid and cleaning products as all of their bottles can be refilled. www.splosh.com/

On the splosh refills - they come in a cardboard box which fits into your letterbox.

The refills look like those pods you use in the washing machine. You pop them into the bottle, top up with water and give it a good shake. The coating of the "pod" dissolves, and the water mixes with the concentrate to the right consistency. It's very easy.

@knittedthrow for dealing with pooey wipes. Part technique part set-up:
When removing nappy, smear (not envy) as you pull the top bit back so as to wipe most of the poo away.
Wet cheeky wipe and rub on bar of soap. Do a couple at least. When used (and therefore pooey) place in net bag which hangs on front of baby's cupboard handle. Every few days zip net bag up, place in washing machine, then in tumble dryer if raining/ pushed for time / disinclined to hang up 20 tiny cloths on line.

Tadaa! No handling pooey cloths. They also are great for making sinks and taps, shower chrome etc all shiny and smear free.

I hang my wipes on sock airer, dry within couple of hours. They are such a game changer

Here's the Splosh code @elfrideswancourt and anyone else that wants to use it!

ATFVNFDZK1

@knittedthrow I'm new to splosh so haven't ordered any refills yet but from what I understand they are posted through the letterbox in biodegradable pouches that you can give a quick rinse and then return free post. Splosh reuses the pouches. Hope this helps. There's lots of info on their website

According to my bottle o meter on my splosh account I've saved 52 bottles from landfill!!! Unbelievable. And I don't really get through many cleaning products.

Thanks @theneverendinglaundry

@knittedthrow yes reusable pads are absorbent, if you get the right ones. I am heavy and I change them far less frequently. I've tried a few brands but honour your flow are amazing, and they do enormous night ones that never leak (they're rather unflattering but so comfy)

Do any shops sell shampoo and conditioner that you can put into your own bottles? Do the Body Shop still do that? Does Lush?

@HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo l'occitane sell 500ml refills of shampoo and conditioner

How are the l'occitane refills packaged? Can that be recycled?

@HariboLectar it's hard to find a definite answer online. Will report back once I've read the packaging for myself.

@HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo our local organic/dry goods shop does refills of Faith in Nature toiletries (also purchasable on amazon) I really like the tea tree shampoo and conditioner.

HariboLectar Currently out of stock but thank you, intriguing site.

I don't use dishcloths I brought white face cloths.. So different color to our use ones. They last years.

Cloth nappies and wipes
Cotton dish cloths
Fabric detergent in a cardboard box
Household products from Splosh
Dishwasher tablets in a cardboard box
Shampoo bar
Bamboo toothbrushes
Who Give A Crap toilet paper
Cat food in tins not pouches
Cloth make up wipes
Refillable mascara
Natural deodorant

@knittedthrow yes, of course. i used some oil wit h it in the newborn stage, but from about 3 months t loo paper. and a damp cloth wipe once there is no poo left. Wetwipes really are not necessary

The DC take water to school. They have had these for the last 6 years www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BHEMWSU/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 instead of plastic bottle. Very hard wearing.

It's not an everyday thing I guess, but i just use brown paper and string for all presents now. It's always received well. We really cut down last year and although some things I've let slip again ( take away coffee cups 😬) lots of things like that have stayed with me.