That bag of rubbish you throw away daily might not seem like much, but when you take into account all the households in the nation, it adds up to a frightening amount of waste – a whopping 18.2 million tonnes of waste were generated by Singapore households in 2021.
Apart from the waste we’re throwing out, there’s the invisible pollution as well, which takes the form of microplastics and harmful chemicals that are being washed into the waterways daily. This doesn’t just happen at the household level, but also at the manufacturing level when we make purchases.
As individuals, we might feel like our actions don’t make much of a difference, but as a collective whole they do. One of the ways we can be kinder to the environment is by considering our purchases carefully, opting for sustainable materials and minimal packaging when we can. Here are seven eco-friendly household products to start you off.
With all the convenience of a laundry pod, but none of the microplastic pollution, these eco-strips save both space and the environment. Simply tear off a strip to put into your washer and you’re good to go! If you’re washing a smaller load, you can cut the strip in half. These convenient laundry strips are hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals and artificial brighteners, plus they come in zero-waste compostable packaging.
Retails from $19.90 here.
These kitchen sponges are made of natural, undyed hemp – a low-impact and sustainable crop that is anti-bacterial, resistant to mould, and of course, biodegradable. They’re a great alternative to most commercially-available sponges, which often contain microplastics that are washed into the waterways with every use. The sponges are effective at removing caked dirt and grease, but gentle enough to use on nonstick surfaces like your frying pans.
Retails for $18 here.
Refresh your fabrics and compact spaces with this room and linen spray, made with a blend of essential oils that uplift the mood. With ethyl alcohol and distilled water as the only other ingredients, you can be sure this spray is free of harmful chemicals and other irritants.
Retails for $22 here.
Natural sisal bristles are great for firmly but gently removing stubborn stains, as it turns out. The body of this brush is made of bamboo, and features a detachable head if you’d like to exert more pressure when scrubbing.
Retails for $5.90 here.
Prefer to handwash your clothes? Instead of liquid detergent, reach for this 200g laundry bar, which contains probiotics and is specially formulated for baby clothes and delicates. Made with natural plant-based oils, the soap’s natural ingredients break down more quickly in the environment so it minimises impact on marine life.
Retails for $12.95 here.
Get the dirt out from your shoes with this finely-crafted brush, made from beech wood and natural silk, which is gentle enough for cleaning leather and fine fabrics without abrasions. There are two sides with different hair lengths that enable you to clean out dirt from even the smallest of corners.
Retails for $25 here.
Containing 100% natural magnesium, these pyramids offer a new way to do laundry without using detergent. Simply pop these two in with your laundry load, and they’ll remove odour from your clothes during the wash! This works due to magnesium’s ability to release hydrogen when in contact with water, forming ionised alkaline water of pH10.5 (the same as conventional laundry detergent). These two pyramids can last up to 300 washes, and can be used for pre-soaking clothes as well. Simply put them out to dry afterwards.
Retails for $59.90 for a pair here.
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Text: Melody Bay/Home & Decor