Maybe you are already eco-conscious but want to expand on your plastic-free swaps or maybe you're just someone who wants to live more sustainably but doesn't know where to start? Fear not! Here at Seep, we have curated our top eco friendly household tips, so that you can excel at sustainable living. Sound good? Then keep reading!
Food
We are so lucky in the UK to have any kind of food we like at our fingertips, but have you ever thought about where those lovely blueberries have come from that you’re eating each morning on top of your porridge in the winter? Knowing what you are eating, where it has come from and what happens to it when you’re done with it, is something we should all try and learn a bit about...
Stick with seasons: You would be surprised at the amount of food we consume which comes overseas, on planes or ships, and is most likely grown under intensive farming regimes. Becoming more aware of food seasonality will help you eat and shop more sustainably, as your food will have been grown in the UK. Click here to learn when your favorite fruit and veggies are in season.
Veg Box Crazy: We aren't saying everything you eat must be UK/locally grown, we know that isn’t easy for everyone. However, doing a little means a lot so by even just challenging yourself to eat two seasonal meals a week is a great habit to make. Subscribing to a weekly veg box such as OddBox, is not only less time-consuming than going to the shops but you’re fighting food waste as well as eating seasonally - all with the click of a button.
Leftover Lovers: Change your attitude to leftovers, think ‘ingredients’ not ‘leftovers’, turn dinner into lunch, or maybe even dedicate a night to leftovers once a week. Stale bread can be breadcrumbs stowed in the freezer, pop old veggies into soups, why not use your parmesan rind to add that extra zing to your cheese sauce? The possibilities are endless! Here are some tasty recipes you can use as inspo for your leftover creations.
Grab and go:If you haven’t heard of Too Good To Go yet, where have you been? Think delicious pastries from your favorite café or a bowl of pasta from your favourite restaurant all at a discounted price. Good food AND you’re saving the planet from needless food waste.
Kids
When it comes to sustainable family living, it is great to get everyone involved - including the kids! Your children will then develop lifetime habits that are better for the planet, it's a win-win.
Reuse: ‘They grow up so fast’ is a well-used phrase but they literally do grow up so fast. So keep that in mind when you are shopping for their clothes. When uniform shopping, think of them wearing it for a few years, not just until the end of the year.
Recycle:Then what, you ask? What to do with all of those well-loved, worn-out clothes your children have had years of fun in? Enter the Dotte donate + recycle scheme, at Dotte they will extend the life cycle of your clothes that you thought were beyond saving.
Hit the library: Rather than sitting on a mountain of toys, try a monthly trip to the library altogether. Here you can swap toys, books, and more rather than buying them new only for them to end up at the bottom of the drawer in a couple of weeks! Or try online at Toy Box Blub who even provide a subscription service.
Beauty
There are so many great eco products out there in the beauty industry, often they look nicer, and you can get them on a subscription plus it is such a simple sustainable swap to make because these are products you use every day.
Smoother shave and a happier planet: Estrid razors are vegan and cruelty-free, they are super sharp AND come in the most gorgeous pastel shades. Plus they donate 1% of all sales to Women for Women International.
A happy time of the month: Ohne cut to the chase when it comes to periods; shame-free, toxic-free, plastic-free periods. They have innovative ideas (they have just released their period pants) and they most certainly haven't scrimped on looks - their branding is fab. At Seep we think there isn’t anything not to love about Ohne.
Dirty Face Wipes: Did you know that most face-wipes are made from or contain non-biodegradable plastic and synthetic fibers such as polyester - yuck! Give your skin a bit more TLC with a facial cleansing oil, we recommend UpCircle's cleansing face balm, which melts away make-up. Made from by-products from the coffee industry, they are fighting waste alongside creating delicious-smelling skincare products.
Solid as a rock (deodorant): Swap your aerosols for solid deodorant, Wild knows that single-use plastic stinks so they have created a refillable deodorant. Their solid vegan and cruelty-free deodorants are made from 100% natural ingredients.
Fashion
Everyone has the time and money to make a difference with their clothing choices, it's just knowing where to start. Read these four simple tips and find out how you can transform the way you shop.
Upcycle: If an item of your clothing rips, it doesn't mean it is bin-worthy! Learn a new skill and repair your own clothes. Nobody got time for that? Use SOJO for your alteration and clothing repair needs.
Rent: Try renting your clothes from places such asOnLoan and HURR. Renting clothes not only saves you money and wardrobe space but significantly reduces the amount of fabric ending up in landfill each year. Plus, you will never run out of clothes to wear!
Donate: With Thrift all you have to do is send them your clothes and they will do the rest. In return, you gain credit to shop their online second-hand store or you can donate to a charity of your choice. You could even challenge yourself to do a 'one-in one-out' system where you only buy something else once you have donated.
Get to know your fave clothing brands:Support brands who are open about their supply chain. Lucy & Yak is a clothing brand who are 'responsibly new' which means their clothes are organic, recycled, and long-lasting, you can even find out exactly who made your item of clothing on their website (just to name just a few of the great things that they do!). If only all clothing brands were like them...
Eco Friendly Household Homeware
Don't rush into decorating your home, try and be mindful of what you are buying and think of it as a long-term investment rather than a quick fix. Remember, your home should improve your happiness and well-being.
Longevity: When you’re deciding to decorate or update your home try to invest in high-quality and ethically sourced items that are built to last. Bedfolk bedding, Coat paint, Sloane & Sons garden furniture, and Stitched curtains are amongst our favorites.
Vinterior:Have a day out at a local vintage market or vintage shop, vintage items can really add character to a space as well as being a lot of fun to find.
Neighborly love:Maybe that shelf you are looking for in the kitchen is closer than you think. Try searching on Next Door for some hidden gems in your neighborhood, or even sell some of your own items there. Or why not have a go at hosting your own 'swap party' with your friends and family?
Repurpose: Don't rush into replacing old items, update them! Upholster your saggy sofa, sand down wooden furniture, and paint it. Having a project to do brings focus and satisfaction too. Have fun with it.
Plastic-free:Make simple swaps with everyday products, such as your cleaning products. Seep sponges are 100% compostable and plastic-free (😉), pair with Delphis Eco who provide beautiful cleaning products made in the UK.
Every July, millions of people around the world take part in Plastic Free July™, a global movement encouraging us all to cut back on plastic waste for a month.
It's been going for 15 years, and the movement has achieved so much. We also think that perhaps it's time to evolve it. From an absolute pledge to remove all plastic items from your lifestyle (virtually impossible in our world) for one month, to reducing plastic every day of the year. Starting simply, room by room, looking at your routines and the products you buy.
So here are some tips from the Seep team.
What is Plastic Free July™?
Plastic Free July™ is a global movement that helps millions of people reduce plastic waste through simple, everyday choices.
It began in 2011 with just 40 people in Western Australia who wanted to challenge themselves to refuse single-use plastics for one month. Today, it has grown into the world's largest waste reduction campaign, with more than 174 million participants across 190 countries.
The aim isn't perfection. It's about becoming more aware of the plastic we use every day and discovering that many of those items have better, longer-lasting alternatives.
Every reusable bottle, refill, or compostable sponge helps reduce the demand for disposable plastic and brings us one step closer to cleaner streets, healthier oceans and less pollution in our homes and bodies.
How can you take part?
One of the best things about Plastic Free July™ is that anyone can take part, regardless of their lifestyle. Rather than trying to change everything overnight, focus on one swap each week. It's scientifically proven that small, realistic habits are far more likely to stick than an all-or-nothing approach.
Here are a few easy ideas:
Swap cling film for reusable silicone food covers or beeswax wraps.
Choose glass food storage instead of plastic containers where possible.
Carry a reusable coffee cup or water bottle.
Buy loose fruit and vegetables when you can.
Choose refillable household products like deodorant, cleaning sprays, and laundry detergents. There are some fabulous alternatives out there.
Choose natural fibres when buying clothing and avoid polyester and acrylic.
Switch to plastic-free cleaning essentials made from natural materials.
By the end of the month, you'll have made several simple changes that could last for years!
Does Plastic Free July™ really make a difference?
Absolutely. What started with just 40 participants has become one of the biggest environmental movements in the world.
Since 2011:
More than 174 million people have taken part.
The campaign has reached 190 countries.
Participants have helped avoid an estimated 15 million tonnes of plastic waste.
86% of people say the changes they made during Plastic Free July™ became permanent habits.
That's the real power of the movement. It's not just about one month of action - it's about creating everyday habits that reduce plastic waste long after July has finished.
Easy plastic-free swaps for your cleaning routine
The cleaning cupboard is one of the easiest places to reduce plastic. Many conventional sponges, scourers and cloths are made from plastic and shed microplastics every time they're used. Those fibres are washed down the sink and can eventually find their way into our rivers, oceans, and even our bodies.
Switching to plastic-free cleaning products is one of the simplest changes you can make. At Seep, we've designed everyday cleaning essentials using natural, renewable materials that work brilliantly without relying on plastic. From compostable sponge scourers to plastic-free cloths, these alternatives are just as effective and easy to use as the traditional products you're replacing.
Every small swap adds up
Plastic Free July™ isn't about being perfect. It's about progress.
One reusable bottle won't solve plastic pollution. One compostable sponge won't clean up the oceans. But when millions of people each make one small change, those choices quickly add up.
So this July, choose one thing to swap. Next week, swap another. Before long, you'll have built a home that's a little lighter on plastic and taken a step towards a cleaner future.
Looking for an easy place to start?
Explore Seep's range of plastic-free cleaning essentials and discover how everyday swaps can make a lasting effect on your home and the planet.
Meet the new Seep. Brighter, bolder and designed to make everyday cleaning feel a little better. The same plastic-free products you know and love, but now with a fresh new look that's made to bring a little joy to your sink, kitchen and cleaning routine.
Why we’ve changed
Our motto 'Feel Good Cleaning' has always been at the heart of everything we do since day 1. We’ve always been determined to shake up the dusty cleaning category, and freshen it up with feel-good alternatives. Not just cleaning essentials that feel good for the planet, but cleaning essentials that feel good to use and look at, and that are better for you, your home, and your health too.
We get it - cleaning isn’t for everyone. But we think it can be more fun and exciting, and that’s why we’re shouting louder about it. We strongly believe cleaning can feel good. Cleaning should feel good.
What’s changed
Our Packaging
To embody our new brand spirit, we freshened up our packs with lighter tones and more playful messaging. Our current packaging is navy, functionality-focused, and all about the planet. Our new packaging is bright turquoise with hints of yellow and navy, emotive-focused, and focused on being microplastic-free.
(Do note you may not see our new packs for a while, as things take a while to roll out… so don’t worry if you receive our current packaging right now!)
Our Look & Feel
We’ve levelled up our look and feel across our website, social media channels, and email platforms. You'll start to see new bold colours (think bright pinks, pops of yellow and more), slightly new fonts, and bold imagery that instantly makes you feel good about cleaning. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Our Mission
Our original mission was to ‘eliminate 1 billion plastic cleaning tools from landfill by 2030’, but things have changed. Currently, only 5% of waste goes to landfill. So, we've decided to shift focus and look at the deeper, long-term impact that goes beyond the environment. We're now focusing on something that can impact individuals in their homes - microplastics. Therefore, our new mission is to ‘wipe away microplastics from cleaning essentials in 10 million homes by 2035’. We want to prevent the problem (microplastics), not just be there when it has already happened.
Fancy giving our feel-good cleaning essentials a try? Try our Starter Kit or our best-selling Sponge Scourers.
The UK has seen quite a few hot days this year, and even more heatwaves are expected, especially now that summer has officially started. While we love a bit of sunshine, most British homes aren't built for it. High temperatures can quickly make your house feel stuffy, uncomfortable and difficult to sleep in.
The good news? You don't need expensive air conditioning to solve this little big dilemma. Here's a few tips to keep your home cooler during a heatwave.
3 steps to a cooler and calmer home
1. Prevent heat from getting in
The easiest way to cool your home is to stop it heating up in the first place.
Close blinds or curtains on windows that get direct sunlight, especially south-facing rooms.
Turn off appliances you're not using, like ovens, tumble dryers and even electronics.
On the hottest part of the day, keep windows closed if the air outside is warmer than indoors. Opening them too early can actually let more heat inside.
A little planning during the morning can help keep your home noticeably cooler by the afternoon.
2. Maximise airflow and ventilation
Fresh air is your best friend, but timing matters.
Open windows early in the morning or later in the evening when the outside air is cooler.
Create a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home. This helps flush out warm air and pull cooler air through the house.
If you have internal doors, leave them open to help air circulate more freely.
A natural draught can make your home feel much fresher without using any extra energy.
3. Cool your body
Sometimes it's easier to cool yourself than the room around you.
Place a cold, damp flannel or cooling compress on your wrists, neck or forehead.
Pop your pillowcase in a sealed bag and place it in the freezer for around 30 minutes before bed.
Spend time on the ground floor, as heat naturally rises and upstairs rooms are often much warmer.
Pro tip: if you have a Seep sponge, you can freeze it and then use it as an ice pack to cool your body!
Stay comfortable during the heatwave
Heatwaves don't have to mean sleepless nights and overheated homes. By blocking heat during the day, making the most of cooler air when it's available, and finding simple ways to cool your body, you can stay much more comfortable throughout the hottest weather.
Looking after your home doesn't have to come at the planet's expense either. Small changes like closing blinds, using natural ventilation and reducing unnecessary appliance use are all simple ways to stay cool while using less energy.
Stay safe, stay hydrated, and enjoy the sunshine where you can ☀️
