- Cloth nappies (terry squares or prefolds) — replace single-use nappies; launder and reuse for years, cutting landfill waste.
- White vinegar for cleaning and descaling — stands in for bleach and most bathroom sprays; biodegradable, no toxic fumes.
- Traditional hard bar soap (olive, tallow, or castile) — supplants liquid hand-wash in plastic; longer lasting, minimal packaging.
- Cotton handkerchiefs — removes the need for paper tissues; washable, pocket-sized, and pulp-free.
- Refillable fountain pen and bottled ink — replace throw-away ballpoints; glass ink bottles recycle easily.
- Linen dusting cloth and beeswax polish — avoid aerosol furniture sprays; cloth washes clean, beeswax feeds the wood.
- Bicarbonate of soda — substitutes for scouring creams and deodorising powders; mild, food-grade, harmless to waterways.
- Outdoor line-drying or indoor airer — drops the energy use of tumble-dryers to zero.
- Seasoned cast-iron or carbon-steel pans — outlasts non-stick cookware (teflon is toxic); no flaking coatings and superior heat retention.
- Manual push reel mower — replaces petrol or high-wattage electric mowers; silent, emission-free, provides light exercise.
- Returnable glass containers — the only truly recyclable product.
- Jute or heavy canvas shopping bags — displace “bag-for-life” plastics; biodegradable fibres and repairable stitching.
- Stovetop pressure cooker — shortens long simmering or slow-cooker times; up to 70 % energy saved.
- Wool blankets and a hot-water bottle — reduce reliance on electric blankets and space heaters; natural insulation, no standby power.
- Wooden safety matches in a reusable tin — avoid disposable butane lighters; sticks are compostable, packaging recyclable.
- Cold-water washing with pure soap flakes — cuts 60 °C detergent cycles; modern machines clean effectively at 20–30 °C.
- Beeswax-coated cotton food wraps — replace cling film and sandwich bags; mouldable with hand warmth and refreshable.
- Hand-crank coffee grinder and French press — dispense with pod machines; no aluminium capsules, durable metal burrs.
- Cobbling: resoling quality leather shoes — counters fast-fashion footwear turnover; significantly extends shoe life and supports local trade.
- Air- fryer — clean and energy efficient.
- Ideal — sleeping temperature, 68 degrees Fahrenheit