Lil's top 10 Kitchen tips for a cleaner conscience, sea and worktop

Welcome to our top 10 tips for a Lil Kitchen. We’ve pulled together a special bundle of goodies to help kickstart your plastic-free, happy-sea kitchen. Let us know @DoLilThings or in the comments below if we’ve missed something that’s made a Lil difference to your kitchen. Watch this space for those of you looking to tackle the whole house room by room… x

They call it Ocean?

1. Pick up a generic kitchen cleaner (see pic) in the supermarket and look at the small print: “Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects”. How is that OK? And do the others do the same but just not say it so clearly? Get refillable cleaning products that are better for the seas, better for your household, and still get the job done. (We have this pretty one!). If you do end up with containers, please recycle them.

2. Food waste: if it were a country, food waste would be the third biggest carbon emitter. Plan meals, stick to a shopping list, eat up or freeze leftovers, use your food waste bin/compost.

3. You are what you eat: choose real food, that’s seasonal, local and quality. Lil offers plastic free pantry items, and our partner Phantassie Organic Produce provides Organic and low-plastic fruit, veg and eggs.

4. Cut the Cling Film: when this roll finishes, see how long you can go  without ‘needing’ to buy a new one. Try Beeswax wraps, plates over bowls, recycled foil, your existing containers, compostable baking parchment, reusable snack or freezer bags or tea towels instead.

5. Tea: Most generic tea bags contain plastic. It’s everywhere! Choose plastic free bags (eg Clipper), or loose tea in a suitable pot, reusable tea bags or baskets.

6. … and Coffee: If you must go for a coffee pod, you can get reusable or compostable ones, or choose loose, traceable beans & means (cafetiere, espresso pot, etc).  

7. Hot Water: Heating water takes lots of energy. Fill pots and kettle with ONLY what you need, use lids on pans.

8. Fizzy water: Spark your own with a soda machine maker. This cut Lou’s household recycling by about 60%. Even better if you can nab one second hand.

9. Dishes: washing with plastic cloths puts microplastics straight to waterways. Choose natural options. Swap your washing up detergent for an eco-friendly version too. Choose plastic free, happy sea dishwasher tabs.

10. TLC for your equipment and appliances. What you have is the best option, look after it; but if you really need another then choose carefully, find second hand if at all possible (try Freecycle, local Facebook groups or Freegle). Aim for an A++ energy rating. We love ethicalconsumer.org and if it’s a new stove, remember induction hobs are the way to go – foodies love them too.