35 Eco-Friendly Products: Necessities for a Sustainable Household

This article was updated and republished on March 29, 2022.

Sustainability has become a hot topic lately, with 60% of Americans now saying climate change is a major concern — a 16% increase from 2009.¹ But what does sustainability mean, exactly, and how can you make it part of your lifestyle?

Sustainability essentially means a person or business meets their own needs without polluting the earth or depleting its natural resources, thus impeding on the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The practice can be applied to anything from eco-conscious manufacturing and an environmentally friendly supply chain to buying green cleaning products and recycling or composting at home.

Beyond the basic definition, sustainability can also mean goods are produced ethically. Which is to say, paying fair wages, supporting local farmers or artisans, and improving the economy.

Though much of the responsibility lies on businesses and the government, working toward global sustainability is still somewhat of a grassroots effort. With that said, there's a lot you can do right at home to help the planet today.

Ahead, tips for reducing waste, guidance on living a sustainable lifestyle and eco-friendly products for every room in your home.

Eco-Friendly Products for a Healthy Household

Sustainable household products are good for the environment because they're typically made with renewable or recyclable materials. Conversely, non-renewable resources don't grow back quickly and are generally hard to replenish, while non-recyclable items often end up in landfills.

Eco-friendly alternatives don't just benefit the environment. They're also good for your health. In most cases, green home products are naturally sourced and formulated without potentially harmful substances, making them gentler on your skin and unlikely to pollute the air you breathe.

So, where should you start? There are several sustainable swaps you can make in virtually every room of your home. Find suggestions and insights for the bedroom, bathroom, laundry room and kitchen below.

Eco-Friendly Products for the Bedroom

From bedding and window coverings to rugs and decorative accents, nearly everything in your bedroom can be replaced with a sustainable alternative. Here's what to consider.

What makes sheets sustainable? For one, they're typically woven from renewable materials, like organic cotton and European flax fibers. Cotton plants naturally replenish themselves less than a year after they’re harvested, and flax plants can grow as quickly as two inches per day.²

Various types of sustainable cotton sheets include brilliantly buttery brushed cotton, crisp and cool percale and silky-smooth sateen. Flax fibers are loomed into linen, a deluxe textile with laid-back elegance.

When it comes to the best organic bed sheets, you should look to ultra-cozy Oeko-Tex and GOTS-Certified organic cotton for guaranteed ethical manufacturing processes.

High-quality bedding doesn't just feel nice against your skin. Since you don't need to replace luxury sheets as often as low-quality linens, they're also sustainable because you'll end up with less waste.

Not sure which material to get? Check out our Guide to Bed Sheets: Choose the Right Fabric and Style for Your Bed.

Naturally sourced comforters (aka duvets) often have cotton shells and down fill. Down comes from the exceedingly soft and lightweight undercoats of geese and ducks. It's considered a sustainable product because it grows back in as little as six weeks.

The down-filled bedding inserts you'll find at Parachute are ethically sourced from humanely treated fowl. In addition to being an eco-conscious material, down is naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, insulating and resistant to mildew and dust.

Take a look at our Down vs. Down Alternative Comparison Guide for more insight.

Similar to sheets, sustainable duvet covers are woven from renewable plant fibers, namely organic cotton and flax linen. To take your eco-friendly lifestyle a step further, you might consider buying products made from organic cotton, which is sourced from crops grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

Our Guide to Duvets and Duvet Covers can help you narrow down your options.

Eco-friendly bed pillows are made with sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, ethically grown flax, recycled microfiber or humanely sourced down. In many instances, you can also count on eco bedding brands to use a fair supply chain and environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.

Not sure what type of pillow to get? See our Pillow Guide: How to Choose the Right Pillow.

When it comes to sustainable pillowcases, breathable fabrics like organic cotton, linen and natural silk³ are ideal. Since they promote airflow and wick away moisture, you're less likely to sweat or overheat while you doze.

These guides offer more detailed information to help you choose a pillowcase:

Pillowcase and Sham Guide: How to Choose the Best Options for Your Bedroom

Best Organic Pillowcases: What to Look For

Guide to Silk Pillowcases: Why Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase?

It's crucial for baby bedding to be breathable to minimize the risk of suffocation.⁴ That’s why linen and cotton are top choices — extra points if it's organic. Kiddos under the age of two are particularly sensitive to chemically treated textiles, as their skin is 20% thinner than an adult's.⁵

For a deeper dive into this topic, check out our baby sleep guides:

Newborn Sleeping Habits: Sleepytime Tips for Your Baby

Baby Pillow and Blanket Guide: When Can Newborns Sleep With a Pillow and Blanket?

Why organic? Instead of extracting water from the earth and depleting the natural resource, organic farming usually relies on rainwater. The crops are also unlikely to disrupt biodiversity and have a notably minimal impact on climate change.

Bedding made from organically grown cotton is typically free of chemical softeners, synthetic dyes, GMOs and other potentially harmful substances. Besides being better for the environment, sustainable bedding may reduce your chance of developing a skin rash, an allergic reaction or respiratory issues.

Find out more about organic bedding in our article, Are Organic Sheets Worth It? What to Look for in Organic Bedding.

Woven baskets are considered eco-friendly products because they're often handmade by artisans with jute, sisal or other renewable plant fibers. Baskets are great catch-alls for the bedroom, offering a place to toss extra pillows, blankets, slippers, you name it.

For useful basket storage tips, explore the Basket Decor & Storage Ideas Around the House guide.

Like natural down, wool is a sustainable animal-sourced textile because the fleeces of sheep regrow exceptionally fast. Placing a hand-woven wool area rug underneath your bed will add warmth and sound absorption while tying together the rest of your decor.

Looking for more inspiration? These 17 Rug Styling Ideas will help get your wheels turning.

Window coverings can really make or break a room. Linen curtains are among the best eco-friendly products for bedrooms, as they're long-lasting, timeless and sustainably sourced. Also keep the black curtain rod in mind as a stylish curtain hardware option.

What else do you need for your sleeping quarters? Take a look at these 27 Bedroom Essentials for Creating a Relaxing At-Home Oasis.

If you want your dog to sleep sustainably but would prefer to not to share your bed, consider a Canvas Dog Bed made from pet-friendly fabrics and not containing toxic chemicals like bromine found in cheaper dog bed materials.

Eco-Friendly Loungewear

Fast fashion is characterized by cheap, trendy and generally low-quality apparel. Since it doesn't last long (or goes out of style quickly), it contributes to more waste. By investing in well-made, versatile, long-lasting pieces, you can live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Jogger sets are the perfect wear-anywhere ensemble — well, almost anywhere. You can rock your organic cotton sweatpants and matching organic crewneck pullover while working from home, running errands or hanging out on the weekend.

Whether you're partial to oversized sleep shirts, pajama pants, nightgowns or PJ sets, cotton or linen are your best options. Not only are the fabrics eco-friendly, but they're also breathable, which is crucial for sleeping.

Naturally sourced textiles are also ideal for bathrobes. When you browse the collection from Parachute, you'll find linen, cloud cotton, waffle weave, classic Turkish cotton, and organic cotton robes.

Learn more about the best bathrobe fabrics in the Guide to Cozy Loungewear and Bathrobes and via our Choose Your Robe Quiz.

When buying house shoes, booties or indoor clogs, look for eco-friendly materials like shearling (wool) or cotton. Not only do sustainable slippers make your feet feel good, but you can also feel good about wearing them.

Get more details about the organic loungewear collection in our article, Best Organic Cotton Clothing: What to Look for in Sustainable Clothes

Eco-Friendly Products for the Bathroom

There are lots of opportunities to make your bathroom more sustainable too. Think organic toiletries, biodegradable grooming essentials, ethically sourced bath linens and other eco-friendly products.

What makes shampoo and conditioner sustainable? A few things. For one, the container can be recyclable, made from recycled materials or biodegradable. Some brands forgo the container altogether by way of brilliantly designed shampoo bars. Additionally, the formulas are typically septic-safe, biodegradable or otherwise earth-friendly.

Organic body soap isn't just good for the planet. Lathering up with an earth-sourced formula chock full of natural butters, plant oils and botanicals is an incredibly luxurious experience.