Simple Swaps

What we choose to have in our homes is as important as the food we eat and the products we put on our skin. Reducing VOCs, potential endocrine disruptors and PFAS from harsh, toxic chemicals is better for our health, our families and helps us to tread lightly on the planet.

Here are some ideas for simple swaps with far reaching impact.

OUT: NON-STICK FRYING PANS
IN: OUR MORETON CAST IRON PANS

Non-stick frying pans are typically coated in PTFE (Teflon) to create the slippery surface that prevents food from sticking to it. It is widely documented that using scratched pans, cooking with pans at high heat or heating empty pans can cause PTFE to break down into food or fumes to be released. Older pans can be coated in PFOA (a harmful PFAS which has now been phased out).

Our Cast Iron Moreton range is made with a non-toxic enamelled coating. Prized for its ability to retain and evenly distribute heat, it provides a chemical-free surface that’s non-stick, easy to clean and care for. Designed for longevity, our cast-iron pans are durable and reassuringly sturdy. 

OUT: PLASTIC CHOPPING BOARDS
IN: OUR HENRY WOODEN CHOPPING BOARDS

Plastic chopping boards release microplastics with use; tiny plastic particles which can transfer to food. Bacteria can also live or multiply in knife grooves made on plastic boards, where pathogens such as salmonella and E.coli can thrive.

Our Henry Chopping boards are made from FSC Certified oak. Wood has natural antibacterial properties, and its natural compounds help to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Softer on knife blades than plastic, increasing their longevity, wooden boards can be sanded and oiled to prolong their life. When choosing a wooden chopping board be sure to buy one that’s free from toxic glue such as our Henry Chopping board.

OUT: MICROFIBRE CLEANING CLOTHS
IN: OUR 100% ORGANIC COTTON CLEANING CLOTHS

A high-tech plastic textile, designed for superior cleaning performance, microfibre cleaning cloths are primarily made of polyester and polyamide (nylon) which are fused and split into incredibly fine fibres (often 100 times finer than human hair) to effectively grip and trap dust and dirt. They are widely believed to shed tiny microplastic particles throughout their lifecyle. When used, the action of cleaning surfaces causes microscopic fibres to break off. When machine washed, friction releases their fibres into the wastewater system in miniscule particles. These end up in our rivers, oceans, other ecosystems and our food chain.

Our Daily Cleaning Cloths are woven in Japan using 100% organic cotton, plant and mineral dyes from nature. The intelligent multi-layered weave is absorbent and durable, drying quickly after use. Versatile for a range of household tasks, they can be machine washed and become more supple with time, improving with age and use. Cleaning without leaving any unwanted residues behind, they are safe to use in our homes and for the environment. When washed, the primary residue from cotton is cellulose microfibres which are biodegradable in wastewater and aquatic environments.

OUT: SINGLE USE SHOPPING BAGS
IN: OUR REUSABLE TOTE BAGS

The UK Government estimates that between 400-500 million single use plastic bags are used annually in the UK each year. While single use plastic bags can be recycled at specific drop off points to be made into new products, most end up as litter in landfill sites as they are unable to be recycled with regular household waste. Taking hundreds of years to degrade, they eventually break down into harmful microplastics that end up in our oceans, rivers and food chain, polluting marine life.

Functional and spacious, our range of reusable tote bags are made with sustainability in mind. Available in a range of designs and colours, some are made using GOTS certified organic cotton, others in sturdy cotton canvas, as well as baskets woven in sustainable seagrass and palm leaves. Designed to be versatile and durable, they are useful for shopping trips, picnics and trips to the beach and to be used time and time again. The larger size bags are also useful for home storage.

OUT: MULTIPLE CLEANING PRODUCTS
IN: OUR MULTI-SURFACE CLEANER

We’ve come to believe that we need a different cleaning product for each job in our home. Multiple plastic bottles, multiple formulas, leaving potentially harmful chemical residues in our homes and in our waterways, they lead to increased waste to transport and are often not fully recyclable.

Our Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner is a hard-working formula which multi-tasks as a degreaser and streak-free glass cleaner throughout the home. Formulated to clean with 99% ingredients of natural origin, the formula is 93% organic, 100% biodegradable and free from phthalates, petrochemicals and parabens. Its dark amber bottle ensures the efficacy of the product over its 3-year shelf life by protecting the contents from UV light. Tested extensively to ensure the power botanical ingredients can tackle a wide range of household cleaning tasks effectively without chemical residue, it can be refilled with our low impact, recyclable packaging.