5 Easy Eco-Friendly Swaps for Busy Mums (That Actually Save You Time & Money!)

Let’s be real—mum life is busy. Between school runs, cooking from scratch, cleaning all the things, and maybe squeezing in a hot coffee before it goes cold (wishful thinking, right?), who has time to overhaul their whole lifestyle?

But what if I told you that living more Eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive? In fact, some of the best swaps I’ve made over the past few years have not only reduced our household waste—but actually saved us time and money.

And the best part? They connect me to my Transylvanian roots, where life was slower, simpler, and we reused everything. So let me share 5 of my favorite Eco-friendly swaps that any busy mum can make—starting today!

1. Ditch Paper Towels for Reusable Cloths

I used to fly through rolls of kitchen towel like there was no tomorrow. Spills, sticky fingers, crumbs everywhere. Sound familiar?

Now I keep a stack of reusable cloths in a drawer—cut-up old t-shirts, microfiber cloths, and a few pretty ones for guests. They’re softer, sturdier, and I just toss them in the wash.

🌱 Affiliate Pick: I love these colour-coded reusable cloths on Amazon – easy to grab, wash beautifully, and great for different rooms!

💚 Also read: How I Keep My Small Kitchen Tidy Without Losing My Mind

2. Switch to Homemade Natural Cleaners

This one is close to my heart. Growing up in Transylvania, my grandmother never used store-bought cleaners. Her go-to? Vinegar, lemon, and a handful of herbs. I still remember the way her kitchen smelled—fresh, not fake.

Now I make my own all-purpose spray with vinegar, citrus peels, and essential oils, and it works like magic on countertops, mirrors, even the bathroom!

🧼 Affiliate Pick: Glass spray bottles with labels – they look lovely on the shelf and help reduce plastic waste.

3. Reusable Sandwich Bags & Snack Containers

Plastic cling film and ziplock bags used to be regulars in our lunchbox routine. Now, I’ve switched to reusable silicone bags and bento- style containers. They’re leak-proof, easy to clean, and cut down on waste big time.

Bonus: my kids love the colourful containers, and it helps me portion healthy snacks more easily!

🥪 Affiliate Pick: Set of reusable silicone snack bags – perfect for school lunches or freezing fruit for smoothies.

4. Go Bulk & Refill Where You Can

Where we live, the refill options aren’t always local—but when I do a big monthly shop, I make the most of it. Buying dried beans, pasta, rice, oats in bulk saves money, reduces packaging, and keeps my pantry stocked (especially helpful when cooking from scratch!).

🛒 Affiliate Pick: Oats, lentils, and pantry staples in paper packaging – ideal for eco-conscious meal planning.

5. Eco-Friendly Toiletries: One Swap at a Time

We’ve started swapping out plastic-heavy toiletries for gentler, greener versions. Think: bamboo toothbrushes, refillable shampoo bars, washable makeup pads (or a simple flannel—like my mum used growing up!).

You don’t have to change everything overnight. Just replace one item at a time as it runs out.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Kind to Yourself

Being an eco-conscious mum isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making small, meaningful changes that work for you. And honestly? Every little step counts.

So start with one swap this week. Maybe it’s vinegar spray instead of your usual bathroom cleaner. Maybe it’s packing your child’s snack in a cute reusable pouch. Each choice is a vote for the kind of world we want our children to grow up in.

And as someone who grew up in the hills of Transylvania, watching my grandmother make everything from scratch—I can promise you, simple living is powerful.

You’ve got this, mama. 💚

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Have you made any of these swaps? Got more eco-friendly tips? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

With love and cloth nappies,
Krisztina 💛