When you cook for a big family, the kitchen goes through a surprising amount of plastic: sponges, paper towel, cling wrap, zip bags. Going plastic-free overnight isn't realistic for most of us. What works is swapping one thing at a time, starting with the items you replace most often.
Here's the order I'd suggest, with what each swap replaces.
1. A sisal dish brush instead of a plastic sponge
Kitchen sponges wear out fast and are hard to keep fresh. A refillable sisal dish brush handles plates, pots and the sink, and it dries between uses. When the bristles wear down, you replace just the head and keep the bamboo handle. You'll find one in the Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Kit.
Care: rinse after use and stand it up to dry.
2. Swedish dishcloths instead of paper towel
Swedish dishcloths are made from plant cellulose and cotton. They soak up spills, wipe counters and dry quickly, and you can wash them in the washing machine or dishwasher. Ours are home compostable when they finally wear out. Read the full guide: How to use and care for Swedish dishcloths.
3. Beeswax wraps instead of plastic cling wrap
Beeswax wraps mould around a bowl, half a lemon or a block of cheese with the warmth of your hands. Rinse in cool water and reuse. See how to use beeswax wraps for what to wrap and what to avoid.
4. Beeswax bags instead of plastic zip bags
For bread, snacks and produce, beeswax food bags come in medium and large sizes and fold closed. They're breathable, which suits bread and fruit.
5. A sisal and palm pot scrubber for the tough jobs
Baked-on lasagna pans need something firmer. A sisal and palm pot scrubber gives you scrubbing power without a plastic scourer. It comes in both the Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Kit and the Pot Cleaning Ultimate Kit. For step-by-step tips, read how to clean pots and pans without plastic.
6. A solid dish soap bar instead of a plastic bottle
Once the daily swaps are done, the soap bottle is next. A solid dish soap bar on a draining bamboo dish lathers onto a brush or sponge and leaves no plastic bottle behind. Find both in the Pot Cleaning Ultimate Kit.
Prefer it all in one place?
The Plastic-Free Kitchen Kit brings together the Plantish cleaning kits, Swedish dishcloths, beeswax wraps and beeswax bags.
What each swap replaces
| Swap | Replaces | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sisal dish brush | Plastic sponges | In the Ultimate Kitchen Cleaning Kit, $54.99 |
| Swedish dishcloths | Paper towel | From $16 |
| Beeswax wraps | Cling wrap | $12.99 |
| Beeswax bags | Zip bags | $22.99 |
| Sisal and palm pot scrubber | Plastic scourers | In both cleaning kits |
| Solid dish soap bar | Plastic soap bottles | In the Pot Cleaning Ultimate Kit, $68.99 |
Questions
Do I need to replace everything at once?
No. Use up what you have, then swap as each item wears out. That's the least wasteful way to go plastic-free.
Are these swaps hard to keep clean?
Most simply need rinsing and air-drying. Swedish dishcloths can go in the washing machine or dishwasher. Beeswax wraps and bags need cool water and mild soap, never hot water.
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