20 Easy DIY Zero-Waste Products To Make

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ByWendy Graham updated on

Want to go waste-free without breaking the bank? These 20 easy DIY zero-waste products can be made at home – many using items that you already have.

Zero-waste products sure do look pretty, but some can be expensive to buy new. Thankfully, a whole host of people across the internet have kindly shared their time and skills to show you how to make some amazing zero-waste and plastic-free items at home. These will help you to give plastic the old heave-ho from your life.

Whether it’s reusable teabags or plastic-free shower poufs, it turns out there’s a zero-waste DIY for just about anything!

Easy DIY Zero-Waste Products To Make

Food stored in plastic-free beeswax wraps and fabric bags, with a blue text box that reads easy DIY zero-waste household products to make today.

Ready to get crafting? Here are twenty of my favourite plastic-free and zero-waste products to DIY. For each item, I’ve included what materials you need to get started. That way, you can see if you have any craft supplies already on hand that you could use.

Use the quick links to jump to a particular DIY or keep scrolling for the full list of ideas.

Reusable Snack Pouches

Three reusable snack bags in colourful patterned fabric, with pretzels and crisps spilling out of them.

Reusable snack pouches make for a great zero-waste alternative to freezer bags. Whilst you can pick them up at many eco-friendly shops, Julie at the Wholefully blog has a handy tutorial to make reusable snack bags. These can be put together quickly, with a set of three taking just 30 minutes to whip up.

You Will Need

  • Cotton fabric
  • Waterproof food-safe fabric
  • Velcro
  • Coordinating thread
  • Seam gauge

Beeswax Wraps

beeswax food wrap diy

Looking for a green alternative to clingfilm? Try my beeswax food wraps DIY. It’s an incredibly easy zero-waste product to DIY. There’s absolutely zero sewing, crocheting, or knitting here. All you need to do is cut some fabric and pop it in the oven with some beeswax pellets. Job done!

You Will Need

  • Fabric scraps
  • Beeswax pellets
  • A silicone basting brush

Reusable Kitchen Roll

reusable kitchen roll diy

If you’re looking to give disposable kitchen rolls the boot from your kitchen, then there’s no need to buy any new products. This reusable kitchen roll DIY from A Beautiful Mess is easy enough for those with basic sewing machine skills to whip up. Alternatively, opt for other sustainable alternatives to kitchen roll.

You Will Need

  • Cotton terrycloth fabric
  • Cotton flannel
  • Straight pins
  • Mesh canvas sheet
  • Snaps and snap setter

Zero-Waste Bowl Covers

Two bowls covered in zero-waste fabric bowl covers, and a glass bowl next to a fabric bowl cover.

Whether you are looking for a plastic-free way to store leftovers, or a zero-waste way to cover bread dough, then try this fabric bowl cover tutorial from See Kate Sew. These can be washed and stored again and again, and make for a great sustainable alternative to cling film.

You Will Need

  • Cotton fabric and optionally oilcloth
  • Elastic
  • Safety pin
  • Thread
  • Puffy fabric paint, optional to make the covers non-slip

Crochet Makeup Remover Pads

crochet pads

For a sustainable way to remove your makeup, try this makeup remover pad crochet pattern. These are quick to put together and can be used and reused time and time again.

You Will Need

  • A UK size 4 crochet hook. If you are outside the UK, a UK-size 4 hook corresponds with a 6.00mm hook or a 10/J hook.
  • Around 8 metres of the cotton yarn of your choice.

Reusable French Market Bag

Blue French crochet market bag filled with citrus fruit.

Most of us have a tote bag of seven stashed away that we can use for shopping. However, if you’re looking for something fancier – perhaps to give as a homemade zero-waste gift – then this French market bag DIY from the Two Of Wands is for you.

You Will Need

  • 3 skeins of cotton
  • A UK size 8 crochet hook. If you are outside of the UK, this corresponds with a G/6 or 4mm crochet hook.
  • Stitch markers
  • Tapestry needle

Zero-Waste Reusable Produce Bag

Two floral zero-waste reusable produce bags filled with green peppers and yellow squashes.

Looking to skip fresh produce wrapped in plastic? Fabric bags make for an easy zero-waste way to do your food shopping. This useful reusable produce bag DIY from Spoonflower talks you through all the steps needed to whip up your own bags in no time.

You Will Need

  • 1 fat quarter of gauze per bag
  • 1 yard of twill tape, ribbon, or other coordinating tie material per bag
  • Small safety pin

Reusable Cutlery Wrap

Cream and red striped cutlery wrap filled with wooden cutlery

Looking for a zero-waste solution for on-the-go? Julia from Simply Living Well has a fantastic guide to making your own reusable cutlery roll. Use any scrap fabric you have, and grab some cutlery from your own kitchen drawer or your camping kit to avoid having to buy anything new.

You Will Need

  • Pre-washed cotton fabric 
  • Thread
  • Straight pins 
  • A chopstick or knitting needle
  • Fabric pencil or marker
  • 1/4 inch cotton twill tape (or whatever you can upcycle for the ties)

Zero-Waste Handkerchiefs

Bundle of homemade handkerchiefs.

Ditch the little plastic-wrapped packets of hankies or the tissue boxes lined with plastic with Aboderie’s easy guide to whipping up homemade handkerchiefs. You can use old cotton clothes, and leave them plain. Or if you’re feeling extra creative, you can add fun embroideries.

It’s a fun and easy zero-waste product to DIY that really comes into its own in cold and flu season.

You Will Need

  • Soft cotton fabric of your choice
  • Pins, thread, and your usual sewing supplies

Homemade Cleaning Wipes

Clip jar filled with cleaning wipes, next to various laundry supplies.

Disposable cleaning wipes may be convenient, but they come wrapped in plastic. For a plastic-free and zero-waste alternative, it’s incredibly quick and easy to make your own cleaning wipes solution. Here’s how I make my own homemade cleaning wipes solution, to make cleaning my kitchen and bathroom a breeze.

You Will Need

  • A 750 ml jar or similar airtight container
  • White vinegar
  • Lemon essential oil
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Lemongrass essential oil
  • Washing-up liquid
  • Reusable cloths

Zero-Waste Twine Scouring Pads

Person holding a zero-waste scouring pad made from twine, next to a pot filled with water.

Most scouring pads are made from plastic. For a zero-waste alternative try this DIY for twine scouring pads from Cashmere & Plaid. These can take on all your dirty dishes with ease and then can be composted when they are done.

You Will Need

  • Twine
  • A compostable sponge
  • Size 3 circular knitting needles
  • A needle

Homemade Cloths

Three crocheted dish cloths in green, rust and cream.

If you can crochet, then you can make your own washing-up cloths with this fun DIY from TL Yarn Crafts. Grab a cup of tea and whip these up whilst watching something cosy like the Great British Bake Off for the perfect evening in.

You Will Need

  • 1 skein of cotton
  • A UK size 7 crochet hook (equivalent to a 4.5mm or G7 crochet hook)
  • Tapestry needle
  • Blocking supplies

Soap Saver Pouch

Bar of soap inside a pink knitted soap saver pouch.

I have a lot of love for soap savers for two main reasons. First of all, you can hang a new bar of soap in it and it doesn’t get all gooey sitting in a soap dish full of water. And secondly, you can put any leftover slivers of soap inside it that would otherwise go down the drain – making your soap last so much longer.

If you’re looking to make your own, Kneedles & Life has a handy soap-saver pouch DIY that’s worth checking out.

You Will Need

  • Cotton yarn
  • 5.0mm knitting needles
  • Stitch marker
  • Tapestry needle

Reusable Sandwich Bag

Sandwich wrapped in a reusable and zero-waste floral homemade sandwich bag.

If you need a zero-waste way to transport your lunch to work, then Better Homes & Gardens has a fairly involved DIY for reusable sandwich bags. It’s perhaps best for more intermediate sewists. However, it’s worth it as the end result is both pretty and practical.

You Will Need

  • Cotton fabric for the outer
  • Foodsafe waterproof liner fabric
  • Thread
  • Fabric pen (optional)
  • T-shirt transfer paper (optional)
  • A small amount of fabric glue (optional)
  • Kirby grips
  • Velcro tape

Homemade Dryer Balls

Three homemade dryer balls in a washing basket with white towels.

Say goodbye to those chemical-coated tumble dryer sheets, with this DIY for homemade dryer balls from Live Simply. They reduce drying time, whilst softening your laundry and helping to reduce clothing wrinkles.

You Will Need

  • A skein of 100% wool roving yarn
  • A crochet hook
  • A pair of old tights

Upcycled Tote Bag

Before and after of a yellow t-shirt turned into a zero-waste no-sew shopping bag

If you have a t-shirt that no longer fits or you no longer wear then it’s time to get creative with it! Sophie Benson has an ingenious DIY to make a shopping bag from a t-shirt. And the best part is it requires absolutely no sewing skills whatsoever. If you can tie a knot then you can make this bag!

You Will Need

  • An old t-shirt
  • Chalk or a washable marker

Reusable Hand Warmers

Stack of three checked flannel handwarmers next to a lit candle

Looking for a zero-waste alternative to plastic-based or single-use hand warmer products? Then try this reusable hand warmer DIY from The Simple Homeplace.

You could make these from old flannel shirts, to make it truly zero-waste. And then, when you need to use them, just pop them in the microwave to warm them up, and keep your hands toasty on a cold day.

You Will Need

  • Flannel fabric 
  • Cotton thread
  • Uncooked rice

Reusable Mop Pads

A green handled mop with a homemade mop pad made from an old towel.

Disposable mop pads can be quite wasteful and microfibre options can shed microplastics when you wash them. For a truly zero-waste option, try this reusable mop pad DIY from Hello Sewing. Here you could use an old towel to make your pads, and then just put these in the washing machine when you’re done, ready to be used again.

You Will Need

  • Free downloadable pattern (access to printer and paper required)
  • Towel fabric
  • Cotton fabric
  • Two pairs of 3″ long velcro straps.
  • Matching thread
  • Sewing clips

Reusable Teabags

Homemade zero-waste teabag made from muslin and twine, next to various loose tea products.

Some teabags come wrapped in plastic, while some teabags are made from plastic. If you want to sidestep the whole issue, loose tea is a good alternative.

If you don’t have a tea strainer, then there’s no need to buy anything new. Easy Things To Sew has a handy guide on how to make reusable teabags from muslin fabric and baker’s twine.

You Will Need

  • Unbleached muslin fabric
  • Baker’s twine
  • Coordinating thread
  • Sewing clips

Plastic-Free Crochet Shower Pouf

Zero-waste and plastic-free crochet shower pouf in pink with a white hanger.

Finally, if you are looking for homemade zero-waste products for the bathroom, then try this free crochet shower pouf pattern from Thorseby Cottage. It’s a great way to avoid plastic, is super practical, and looks lovely in your bathroom too!

You Will Need

  • A UK size 8 crochet hook. If you are outside of the UK, this corresponds with a G/6 or 4mm crochet hook.
  • Two cotton yarns in contrasting colours – one to make the hanging loop and the other to make the pouf.

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Wendy Graham

Wendy Graham is a sustainability expert and the founder of Moral Fibres, where's she's written hundreds of articles on since starting the site in 2013. She's dedicated to bringing you sustainability advice you can trust.

Wendy holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Geography and an MSc (with Distinction) in Environmental Sustainability - specialising in environmental education.

As well as this, Wendy brings 17 years of professional experience working in the sustainability sector to the blog.

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2 Comments

  1. Im a big fan of crafting, but can’t always think of things to make that won’t clutter up the house so i was very excited to see your article about things that can be made at home. Can’t wait to crochet myself a new non plastic shower scrunchy and tea bags!

    Reply