Eco-Friendly Body Care Checklist

At Wasteless Pantry, we believe that reducing waste starts with simple daily habits—and your bathroom routine is a great place to begin. By swapping out products that come in single-use packaging and contain harmful chemicals, you can create a sustainable, eco-friendly body care routine that is better for both you and the planet.

Here’s how you can transform your bathroom into a zero-waste haven with a few simple changes.

What Should Be in Your Zero Waste Bathroom?

  1. Biodegradable Shampoo and Conditioner
    • Opt for eco-friendly, biodegradable hair products that you can refill in your own reusable containers. This reduces plastic waste and ensures you’re using products that are gentle on the environment.
  2. Palm Oil-Free Soap
    • Look for soap that’s free from palm oil and comes without plastic packaging. Refilling at stores like Wasteless Pantry ensures you’re not contributing to deforestation caused by palm oil production.
  3. Bamboo Hairbrush & Toothbrush
    • Switch to sustainable bamboo alternatives for your hairbrush and toothbrush. These items are compostable and break down naturally, unlike their plastic counterparts.
  4. Forest-Friendly Toilet Paper
    • Choose recycled or sustainably-sourced toilet paper. Many eco-friendly options come without plastic wrapping, ensuring you’re reducing waste even in the smallest details.
  5. Epsom Salts for Relaxing Baths
    • Buy Epsom salts in your reusable container for a zero-waste spa day. Epsom salts help to relax muscles, making them an eco-friendly addition to your bath time routine.
  6. Eco-Friendly Bubble Bath
    • Refill your own container with soap-free, eco bubble bath to make bath time fun for the little ones—without harming the planet.

DIY Eco Body Care Options

For those who like to keep things simple and DIY, here are a few easy homemade body care recipes to try.

  • DIY Deodorant
    • Mix equal parts of bicarb soda and coconut oil, adding a few drops of essential oils like lavender or chamomile for fragrance. This all-natural deodorant is free from harmful chemicals.
  • DIY Toothpaste
    • A simple option is to use bicarb soda on its own as toothpaste, but you can also mix it with coconut oil and peppermint oil for a more traditional feel.
  • DIY Moisturiser
    • Coconut oil works wonders as a natural moisturiser—it’s hydrating, simple, and effective.
  • DIY Cleanser
    • Mix 1 part bicarb soda with 2 parts coconut or olive oil for a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Scrub lightly and rinse off with water for a natural glow.
  • DIY Body Scrubs
    • Combine equal parts salt, sugar, quick oats, or coffee grounds with oils like coconut or olive oil. Add honey, essential oils, or even spices like cinnamon or vanilla for a luxurious feel. These scrubs also make fantastic homemade gifts!

Why Buy From Wasteless Pantry?

At Wasteless Pantry, we make sustainable living easy. Bring your own containers and refill them with eco-friendly products like shampoo, conditioner, soaps, and even Epsom salts. Shopping in bulk and using refills helps reduce single-use plastics and packaging waste, contributing to a healthier planet.

By following this Eco Body Care Checklist, you can simplify your daily routine, reduce waste, and care for your body in a way that’s better for the Earth. Visit Wasteless Pantry to refill your essentials or try out some of our favorite eco-friendly body care tips.


Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Hot Cross Buns are a traditional Easter favorite, but sometimes the thought of tackling a long ingredient list can be overwhelming. This Easy Hot Cross Buns recipe is perfect for those days when you want a delicious, fresh bun but don’t have the time to start from scratch. The secret? Using a bread mix as your base!

At Wasteless Pantry, we offer a variety of bread mixes—crusty or soft—and even gluten-free options for those who need them. You can customize your buns with different flavor additions to suit your cravings, making this recipe quick, easy, and perfect for everyone.

Ingredients for the Bread Base:

  • 500g bread mix
  • 7g dried yeast
  • 250g lukewarm water

Optional Add-ins:

Traditional Hot Cross Buns:

  • 65g sultanas
  • 65g currants
  • 10g mixed spice

Chocolate Lovers:

  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 50g chocolate chips
  • Use melted chocolate for the cross

Choc Cherry:

  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 50g chocolate chips
  • 65g glace cherries

Apricot & Almond:

  • 125g diced apricots
  • 125g sliced almonds

Date & Walnut:

  • 125g chopped dates
  • 125g walnuts
  • 7g ground cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Dough: Mix the bread base ingredients—500g bread mix, 7g dried yeast, and 250g lukewarm water—until a smooth dough forms. Add any of the optional ingredients to customize your buns.
  2. First Proof: Cover the dough with a damp tea towel and let it proof for 10 minutes.
  3. Shape the Buns: Knock down the dough, then form it into 6-8 evenly sized buns. Place them approximately 1cm apart on a greased tray.
  4. Second Proof: Cover the buns with a damp tea towel and let them proof for 40-60 minutes until they’ve risen.
  5. Add the Cross: To make the flour paste for the cross, mix 1/2 cup plain flour with 4 to 5 tablespoons of water. Pipe the mixture across the top of the buns in a cross shape.
  6. Bake: Bake the buns in a preheated oven at 180-190°C for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Glaze: Brush the warm buns with a sugar glaze made by mixing 1/3 cup water with 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Why Buy Your Ingredients at Wasteless Pantry?

When you purchase your bread mix, dried fruits, nuts, and spices from Wasteless Pantry, you’re not just making delicious Hot Cross Buns—you’re also contributing to a zero-waste lifestyle. By refilling your containers with our bulk ingredients, you help reduce packaging waste while still getting high-quality, fresh items for all your baking needs. Plus, we offer a range of gluten-free and alternative options to suit any dietary requirements.

This Easy Hot Cross Buns recipe is perfect for when you’re short on time but still want to create a delicious Easter treat. Customize it with your favorite flavors, and enjoy a batch of warm, freshly baked buns in no time!


Eco-friendly Kettle Cleaner

Everyone loves a clean kettle, but not everyone loves the idea of scrubbing away at built-up limescale and grime. Luckily, keeping your kettle sparkling clean doesn’t require harsh chemicals or plastic packaging. With just a few simple ingredients for eco-friendly kettle cleaner that you can refill at Wasteless Pantry, you’ll have a squeaky-clean kettle in no time!

Here are two eco-friendly kettle cleaning methods that are quick, effective, and completely waste-free.

Method 1: Lemon Power

Got a used lemon hanging around after cooking or making a drink? Don’t throw it away! You can put it to good use cleaning your kettle.

Steps:

  1. Fill your kettle with water and toss in your used lemon (no need to waste a fresh one!).
  2. Boil the kettle and let the water sit for about 30 minutes to loosen any mineral buildup or grime.
  3. Once the kettle cools down, rinse it out thoroughly. Your kettle will be clean and refreshed without any hard scrubbing.

Method 2: Citric Acid Cleaner

For a faster option, citric acid is a powerful, natural cleaning agent that works wonders on kettles. The best part? You can refill your container with citric acid at Wasteless Pantry, making this method entirely waste-free!

Steps:

  1. Fill your kettle with water and add 1 tablespoon of citric acid.
  2. Boil the water.
  3. Rinse the kettle after boiling, and you’re ready to brew your next cup of tea or coffee without the wait!

Benefits of Buying from Wasteless Pantry

When you purchase your cleaning supplies like citric acid from Wasteless Pantry, you’re doing more than just cleaning your kettle. You’re supporting a zero-waste lifestyle by refilling your containers and reducing packaging waste. Plus, natural cleaners like lemon and citric acid are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for both you and the environment.

Whether you choose the lemon or citric acid method, both are quick, effective, and completely eco-friendly. With these sustainable cleaning hacks, you can enjoy a clean kettle while helping the Earth, one cup of tea at a time!