By Victoria Pearson Entertainment 03.02.2026

These Are the Easiest and Most Affordable Ways to De-Plastic Your Home in 2026

Practical, low-effort (and renter-friendly) steps – straight from the founder of Seed & Sprout.

If you’ve ever Googled “how to reduce plastic at home” and immediately felt your jaw tighten or your shoulders rise to your ears, you’re not alone. Between hidden plastics, greenwashing, and alarming headlines, the path to a cleaner, low-waste home can feel impossibly complex.

The good news is, according to Sophie Kovic – the founder of eco-friendly lifestyle brand Seed & Sprout – the solution isn’t found in a shopping list. It’s found in starting small, and starting with what matters to you. And the best part? Many of the most effective changes are surprisingly affordable.

Below, Sophie shares the cheapest, most impactful ways to detox your home this year.

1. Start With the One Thing Stressing You Out

The easiest way to begin detoxing your home is to pinpoint the single habit or item that feels the most offputting. As Sophie puts it: “What’s the one thing that weighs on your mind the most?”

Maybe it’s whether you’re recycling correctly. Maybe it’s microwaving leftovers in old plastic containers. Maybe it’s the bottles lining your shower shelves. “Start with the thing that’s causing you the most anxiety and take one small step to change it… Just take action on the first thing and see how it feels.” This approach doesn’t just reduce waste – it reduces overwhelm, and helps you feel motivated to tackle more on your list.

2. Eliminate the Hidden Plastics You’d Never Expect

Some plastics practically announce themselves, while others slip under the radar entirely. But as far as under-the-radar plastics go, Sophie points to three major culprits: teabags (“teabags are a big one. They’re one of the biggest hidden culprits.”), sponges and plastic containers in the dishwasher (“They shed microplastics into the wash… you may unknowingly be coating your other dishes and products every time you run it.”). Easy, affordable detoxing starts here: switch to a plastic-free tea option (Sophie recommends Zoetic), a compostable sponge, and slowly phase out older plastic food containers.

3. Make These Three Budget-Friendly Swaps First

If cost is your biggest barrier, Sophie is clear about which swaps have the biggest impact for the smallest spend. “Swapping bottles [of dishwashing liquid, shampoo, conditioner, etc.] to bars is number one… they last so much longer and cost no more in the long run,” advises Sophie. “I will die on the hill of shampoo bars… one bar replaces around three and a half bottles.”

Silicone food pouches are another cost-effective swap – “You’ll never need to buy freezer bags again” – as are toothbrushes. Alternating for a bamboo toothbrush multipack is “such an easy swap, and saves countless plastic toothbrushes from landfill.”

Finally, if your budget allows: “A stainless steel lunchbox… you’ll save money over time compared to constantly replacing plastic ones.”

4. If You Rent or Live Small, Focus on the Kitchen

Most renter-friendly advice starts in the wrong place. Sophie says the kitchen is always the most efficient entry point. “Open your drawers and cupboards and do a quick audit. Where is the plastic piling up the most? Pantry storage and meal prep are usually the biggest areas.” A small set of glass containers – one you can take from house to house – is one of the simplest ways to improve both function and environmental footprint.

5. Aim for What’s Realistic

With so much conflicting information about microplastics, it’s easy to feel defeated. Sophie’s compass is simple: “I try to come back to what’s realistic and aligned with my values. It’s impossible to eliminate microplastics completely, so there will always be compromises.”

She gives an example: “I make a smoothie every morning with a stick blender… the convenience and health benefits make that compromise worth it for me.” But on other things, she draws a line: “I would never buy a plastic soda bottle again.”

6. Learn to Spot Greenwashing Fast

With endless “eco-friendly” labels on the market, Sophie stresses that it’s important to look beyond branding. “Look for high-quality materials and clear certifications like LFGB or FDA…” Products made from undisclosed materials are always a red flag, and the golden rule: “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

7. Change Is a Collective Movement, Not a Solo Responsibility

The shift in plastic awareness over the past decade has been enormous. “Consumers expect businesses to be doing the right thing as a baseline,” she says. “There’s much more pressure on brands to step up and lead real change.” And while we still have far to go, Sophie is hopeful: “The tide is turning, and I’m optimistic it will keep moving in the right direction.”