The Ecological Minimalist’s Guide

We often start there, because that’s where we accumulate the most. A plastic shampoo bottle lasts a few weeks but takes 400 years to disappear. Switching to solid shampoo means dividing waste, saving space in the bathroom, and discovering fragrances that don’t give you a headache. Our Lavender & Tea Tree Solid Shampoo (CHF 12.-) is the equivalent of two conventional bottles, cleanses gently and fits easily into carry-on luggage. One gesture, three benefits.

This one we hold between our fingers every morning. Plastic models end up in the garbage can every three months – and then spend centuries in our oceans. Our Swiss beechwood toothbrush duo (CHF 12.40) offers a more noble alternative: a handle made from local, sustainable wood that can be composted once used. Same gesture, same cleanliness – but infinitely less plastic. And an aesthetic bonus: they look great on the edge of the sink.

Deodorant is one of the products most often applied to the skin. As much as it respects the body, it also respects the planet. Our Natural Deodorant Sans (CHF 18.-), which contains no aluminum salts or superfluous plastic packaging, does what it’s supposed to do – without masking, irritating or leaving white marks. And its delicate fragrance reminds us that a skincare product can also be a little pleasure.

Takeaway meals require a lot of packaging: film, trays, disposable cutlery and napkins. There are plenty of alternatives. The Binibox – Hermetically sealed Lunch Box (CHF 29.90) replaces several layers of disposable packaging. It’s dishwasher-safe, and keeps fresh salads and sauces in their place. A habit to adopt for school, the office or weekend picnics.

A single product, no plastic, and longevity that makes most commercial washing-up liquids pale: that’s the promise of our Cake Vaisselle (CHF 22.50). Two to three months of daily use in a small, reusable tin. The foam is generous, surfaces stay clean, and under the sink, space returns. Less to buy, less to recycle, less to think about.

We use it a lot, often without thinking about it. Yet a washable alternative exists, just as practical – and so much more beautiful. Our Washable paper towel squares (from CHF 5.-), designed in collaboration with Swiss artists, can be hooked onto a classic roll and machine-washed. They absorb, clean and dry quickly. And they make the kitchen look more like a workshop than a supermarket.

Ecological minimalism also means stopping collecting sprays. Our Clay Stone (CHF 14.90) cleans hobs, sinks, taps, white shoes, even tarnished jewelry. A single box under the sink that lasts for months, replacing five or six different products. It saves space, money and mental simplicity.

Conventional WC products are among the most irritant-laden. There are gentler – and just as effective – alternatives. Our WC Pastilles Pastilles (CHF 14.50) sparkle on contact with water, clean, refresh and leave a light, natural fragrance. Zero plastic, zero aggressive residue, and that rare impression of an interior that really smells “clean”, not “produced”.

If we had to keep just one, it might be him. The Organic Alcohol Vinegar 8% (CHF 3.90 per liter) descales the kettle, shines windows, softens laundry, disinfects surfaces and neutralizes odors in the fridge. One liter costs less than a coffee on the terrace, and replaces an entire wardrobe of specialized products. Minimalism at its best: one product, a thousand uses.

Ecological minimalism isn’t just about products. It’s also about slowing down. Lighting a candle, filling the bathtub, pouring a handful of our Lavender Bath Salts (CHF 25.-), and put your phone in another room. Twenty minutes, nothing else to do. Because taking care of the planet also means taking care of ourselves – and one feeds the other.