[5-6 minute read]
If you've seen Plastic Detox on Netflix, you might be feeling that mix of concern and overwhelm — and not sure what to actually do about it. That's exactly why I wrote this.
Whatever you think of the documentary's approach, the fact is that plastic is a fairly recent addition to human life (it only became mass-produced after the 1950s), and we can all agree that a synthetic substance made with thousands of toxic chemicals can’t be good in our bodies. The most recent research points to microplastics triggering inflammatory responses — our immune system flags them as foreign invaders, much like a virus — and that chemicals in plastic mimic or block hormones, throwing our reproductive systems off balance.
Rather than debate the documentary, I want to give you something useful: a guide to the swaps I've personally made in my daily routine, organized by category, with an honest rating of how easy each one was, in hopes of helping you reduce plastic exposure in your everyday life.
A few things before we dive in:
• This is a journey, not a checklist. Don't try to do everything at once. I suggest pick one routine, try one or two swaps, get comfortable, then move on.
• If something doesn't work for you, that's okay. One product that misses isn't a reason to give up — it just means that particular one isn't your fit.
• Don’t be intimidated by the list, the good news is that most swaps listed here are Easy. You might be surprised at how painless — and how much better — many plastic-free alternatives actually are.
Rating Guide for Swaps
🟢 Easy — Minimal adjustment, similar or better experience
🟡 Medium — Requires a bit of getting used to, and good experience
🔴 Hard — Learning curve; takes time and practice — but worth it
Jump to: Dental Care // Shower & Hair Care // Skin Care // Shaving // Feminine Care
Laundry // Dishes // Food Prep // Food Storage // Cleaning // Outdoors
🦷 Dental Care
Floss → Bamboo floss [🟢 Easy]
One of my favorite swaps. Floss made from bamboo and charcoal fiber is sturdy and has just enough grit to clear food without hurting my gums.
Toothpaste → Toothpaste tablets [🟡 Medium]
Chew the tab, brush, spit. Less foam than traditional paste, but cleans and polishes just as well, and fairly easy to get used to. Great for travel.
Mouthwash → Mouthwash tablets [🟡 Medium]
Same idea — chew, add a sip of water, rinse and spit. Less intense than the burning-blue stuff, but it works. Great for on-the-go.
🚿 Shower & Hair Care
Shampoo & Conditioner → Solid bars [🟡 Medium]
I’ve tried a few but I like DIP bars because they work well for everyday use across most hair types. Rub the bar on wet hair a few times, then rinse as normal. They last a surprisingly long time.
Body Wash → Bar soap [🟢 Easy]
I favor locally-made soap — local makers tend to use better ingredients. Just make sure it's not wrapped in plastic.
Shower Loofah → Natural fiber washcloth [🟢 Easy]
Plastic loofahs harbor bacteria and are nearly impossible to clean well. A sisal (cactus fiber) washcloth exfoliates nicely and lasts much longer.
✨ Skin Care
Deodorant → Glass or cardboard-packaged deodorant [🟡 Medium]
Non-plastic packaged deodorants tend to be more natural. Different body chemistries react differently to natural deodorants— some trial and error is normal. An Underarm Detox soap can help ease the transition from conventional deodorant.
Lip Balm → Non-plastic packaging [🟢 Easy]
Since your lips are in constant contact with food and drink, it’s important to avoid smearing them with artificial chemicals. I have sensitive lips, and I find that Poppy & Pout works really well for me. Their cardboard push tube is wide enough that you can actually apply it.
Facial Sponge → Konjac sponge [🟢 Easy]
Konjac sponges are incredibly soft when wet so you get a gentle exfoliation when washing your face. Squeeze out the soapy water after each use; mine lasts 4–5 months. BTW, Konjac is a root vegetable, so the sponge is compostable.
Body Brush → Brush made with natural materials [🟢 Easy]
I think this bamboo and boar hair body brush provides a much nicer experience than the plastic kind with nylon (ie. plastic) bristles. Let it dry between uses and it should last a long time.
🪒 Shaving
Razor → Safety razor [🔴 Hard]
Intimidating at first, but genuinely better. Less razor burn, fewer ingrown hairs. There is a learning curve — treat it as a reason to slow down and be intentional.
🌸 Feminine Care
Tampons & Pads → Menstrual cup or disk [🔴 Hard]
The hardest swap I've made — took me a few months to get comfortable and I almost gave up. I did get the hang of it and now I use a Diva cup; my partner prefers a menstrual disc. I still bring tampons when I'm traveling or won't have clean toilet access – this is an example where I give myself grace.
🧺 Laundry
Dryer Sheets → Wool dryer balls [🟡 Medium]
Dryer sheets are made with plastic and undisclosed chemicals that can irritate skin. Wool dryer balls work by tumbling with your clothes, creating space for hot air to circulate more effectively - which means faster drying and less static. They last up to 1,000 loads (my first set lasted 6+ years). Pro tip: Use 3-6 per load, and add a few drops of essential oil directly on the balls for a subtle, natural scent.
Laundry Detergent → Laundry powder [🟢 Easy]
Just swapping liquid for powder. Meliora's formula is clean, simple, and just as effective. Pro tip: more soap doesn't mean cleaner clothes — excess detergent doesn't fully rinse out.
Stain Remover → Solid stain remover stick [🟢 Easy]
Rub on the wet stain, rinse, repeat. I've gotten red wine out of beige carpet with this. No plastic, no harsh chemicals, and safe around pets and kids.
🍽️ Doing Dishes
Dish Sponge → Plant-fiber sponge [🟢 Easy]
One of my first swaps and one of the easiest. Plant-fiber sponges perform just as well, last just as long, and are less prone to that gross sponge smell. This loofah sponge has good scrubbing surface, while this cellulose sponge is great for delicate things like wine glass. For scrapping messy or stuck food off pots and pans, this bamboo scrapper is your best friend.
Dish Brush → Coconut or cactus fiber brush [🟢 Easy]
Actually more effective than plastic brushes — the natural bristles are stiffer and more durable. Pro tip: make sure to let the brush drain and dry with bristles down so the water doesn’t accumulate in the wood.
Dish Soap → Solid dish soap bar [🟢 Easy]
Rub your wet sponge or brush on the soap bar a few times and wash as normal. I’ve tried half a dozen solid dish soaps and this handmade one is by far the best, and it lasts roughly the equivalent of 2 liquid bottles.
🍳 Food Prep & Cooking
A few simple swaps here that are mostly Easy:
• Cutting boards → wood or bamboo
• Plastic cooking utensils → wood, bamboo, stainless steel or ceramic
• Teflon pans & pots → stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic not coated with Teflon (Teflon contain forever chemicals) -- this one is Medium to Hard
For a deeper dive on plastic-free cooking: Zero Waste Chef's guide
🫙 Food Storage
Zip-Lock Bags → Reusable silicone storage bags [🟡 Medium]
Stasher bags seal well, are durable, and wash easily. I rated it Medium only because they do need washing (unlike disposables) — but they're absolutely worth it.
Plastic Cling Wrap → Silicone bowl covers [🟡 Medium]
These stretchy silicone covers cling to a variety of containers better than plastic cling wrap. I use them on everything from bowls to half-cut avocados and melons. I still reach for cling wrap for the odd baking pan, but for everyday leftovers, silicone covers win.
🧹 Cleaning
Paper Towels → Swedish dishcloth [🟢 Easy]
One of my favorite swaps. Super absorbent, handles real cleaning tasks (unlike thin paper towels), and wallet-friendly - 1 cloth replaces up to 17 paper towel rolls! Machine washable. Pro tip: Air-dry only, and use it slightly damp for peak absorbency.
Cleaning Brush → Bamboo + natural bristle brush [🟢 Easy]
Works just as well as plastic for household cleaning tasks. To disinfect, soak the bristles (not the wooden handle) in a half water, half vinegar solution. Dry bristles down.
Scrubbing Agent → Natural cleaning powder [🟢 Easy]
Meliora's scrubbing powder — baking soda, soap powder, and essential oils — handles kitchen sink, tub, shower, and toilet without any plastic or artificial ingredients.
🌿 Outdoors
Bug Spray → Aluminum-packaged bug spray [🟢 Easy]
Aluminum and glass-packaged bug sprays tend to use more natural formulas. This one from Badger has an effective formula without any noxious chemical smell.
Sunscreen → Mineral sunscreen in aluminum tin [🟡 Medium]
Mineral (natural) sunscreen avoids the hormone-disrupting chemicals found in many conventional SPFs. I prefer cream over liquid — it spreads easily and a little goes a long way.
Most of the products mentioned above are available through my small sustainable business at usefullco.com. Every product I recommend is something I’ve personally vetted, researched, and use. I genuinely stand behind all these products.
Don’t worry about perfection, just take a step
These swaps are not all-or-nothing. And it’s not about perfection. Remember that it’s a journey, a process that is progressive, additive, and that you can do entirely at your own pace. Encourage friends or family to try some with you – just like a gym buddy – it’s easier when you know you’re not doing it alone. Every small swap counts, and they add up faster than you think.
One last thing, if the full documentary feels like too much right now, this short TedEd video is a great 5-minute overview of how plastic affects human health: watch here.
What other products or routines would you like me to talk about? Let me know in the comments!