Hey there, my eco-conscious friends! Ready to embark on a journey to design yourself a plastic-free home? As a wellness design professional and your friend, I’m here to help you transform your living spaces into havens of natural beauty and sustainability.
I am also here to help you detox your interiors from off-gassing and/or harmful chemicals by strategically eliminating the biggest offending culprits in your home, one-by-one.
Let's first tackle the 5 areas of the home where we are most vulnerable to the negative impacts of plastic.
1. Ditch those Polyester Sheets Today
We begin in the bedroom – your sanctuary of rest and rejuvenation. These days, a substantial portion of standard bed linens are made from polyester or other comparable plastic fibers. These sheets may start off looking great and come at an affordable price, the overall cons far outweigh the price benefit. Let's do a quick tally:
PROS: price competitive, good aesthetic (in brand new condition)
CONS: leaches chemicals into your bloodstream as you sleep, releases micro plastics into the ocean as it degrades the aesthetic with each laundry cycle, will not fully biodegrade for centuries and cannot be recycled. Yikes!
The bed is our most sacred space, a retreat from the world, and where we can be our naked selves and at our most vulnerable. This is why I urge my design clients to upgrade their bed linens as the first step in detoxing your home from plastics.
Embrace Natural Fiber Alternatives
Opt for sheets made from natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, bamboo, or hemp. These materials are breathable, hypoallergenic, and oh-so-comfortable. Imagine sinking into a bed dressed in soft, crisp linen sheets after a long day. It's like a hug from Mother Nature herself. Plus, they’re more durable and get better with every wash. Talk about beauty sleep!
While we are at it, if you do not sleep nude, it may also be time to say goodbye to those poly-pajamas and hello to some cute new PJs made from the same breathable natural fibers mentioned above. Visit Etsy for some budget friendly options. Treat yo' self.
2. Investigate your Pillows
Now, let’s talk pillows – both the ones you sleep on and the decorative kind. Many pillows are stuffed with synthetic fillers (eg: "down alternative") and wrapped in polyester covers, which are all petroleum-based. Given that we are often resting our heads on pillows and breathing the air near pillows, it is especially important that this indoor air quality be toxin-free.
Opt for Natural Fillings
Switch to pillows filled with natural materials like organic cotton, feathers, buckwheat hulls, or natural latex. These alternatives are not only more eco-friendly but also provide better support and comfort. Natural latex pillows, for example, are great for keeping your spine aligned and reducing neck pain for some. Trust me, if your head doesn't thank you, your immune system certainly will, as prolonged exposure to off-gassing chemicals can lead to serious health issues such as hormonal imbalances, asthma, and even cancer.
3. Replace your Plastic Carpets + Area Rugs
Next up, let’s tackle those plastic-based carpets and area rugs. Synthetic carpets are not only made from plastic but also treated with a cocktail of chemicals. Not exactly what you want your kids crawling around on, right? Sorry, Ruggable, your washable area rugs do not meet our standards for human or planetary care, as they release extra ordinary amounts of micro plastics in the water ways with each wash and they are made from synthetic, plastic fibers and pads that off gas chemicals into your home.
Go Natural with Jute, Cotton, Hemp, + Wool
Replace your area rugs and carpets with stunning, natural fiber alternatives such as jute, cotton, hemp, and my personal favorite, wool. Wool rugs are naturally flame-resistant, hypoallergenic, and incredibly cozy. They also help regulate indoor humidity, making your home more comfortable. Whereas synthetic carpet fibers will abrade or crush with time and use, resulting in a flattened or badly worn carpet, wool carpets, in contrast, will slough off a micro top layer with use, there by revealing a new layer of fresh natural fibers below. The result is a lovely bounce back when it comes to the aesthetic lifespan of your rug or carpet. Plus, have you seen how stunning a handwoven wool or jute rug looks in a living room? Instant boho style upgrade!
4. Detox your Self-Care Spaces
Your self-care space, whether it be a zen den, yoga space, meditation corner, or fitness studio, should be sanctuaries free from off-gassing plastics. Additionally, when it comes to workout and yoga spaces specifically, these are places where we often find ourselves breathing deeply (pranayama) and sweating, making us exceptionally porous and susceptible to plastic's negative impacts on our bodies.
Choose Plastic-Free Yoga + Fitness Equipment
Instead of filling your gym or studio up with plastic yoga mats and yoga blocks, opt for superior, plastic-free alternatives like Balsa Wood yoga blocks and cork or natural rubber yoga mats. Cork mats are non-toxic, antimicrobial, and provide excellent grip. Plus, there’s something incredibly grounding about practicing yoga on a natural surface. It’s like bringing a piece of the earth into your home and a sense of peace into your practice.
5. Phase Out (most) Plastic from your Kitchen
Finally, let’s tackle the kitchen – the heart of the home and, unfortunately, a harmful plastic hotspot. Think about it: plastic wrap, containers, utensils, cutting boards, and even those sneaky plastic-lined to-go containers and coffee cups. But don’t worry, I've got you covered with some stylish and sustainable alternatives.
Swap Out Plastic Tools + Containers
Swap out your plastic wrap for beeswax wraps or silicone lids – they’re reusable and keep your food fresh without the guilt. Ditch those plastic containers for glass or stainless steel ones; not only are they better for your health, but they also make your leftovers look gourmet. Replace plastic utensils (not convinced that silicone is safe to cook with) and cutting boards with their bamboo or wooden counterparts – they’re durable, chic, and give your kitchen a warm, natural feel. And for the coffee lovers, invest in a French press or a metal pour-over coffee dripper to avoid those single-use plastic-lined coffee pods. Similarly, for the tea drinking folk, you will want to avoid the brands that use nylon tea bags. By making these simple swaps, you’ll transform your kitchen into a haven of natural beauty and sustainability, and I promise, you’ll never look back!
There you have it – an easy 5-step guide to going plastic-free in your home, or at least getting the process started. Embrace these changes, and you’ll not only create a healthier living environment for yourself, and possibly your family, but also contribute to a more sustainable planet. Happy trails on the plastic-free living journey!
