Bulk shopping is one of the best ways we can reduce our waste. Zero waste stores are becoming more popular but they're still not widely available for most people to shop at. If the store near you doesn't have what you need or you don't even have a bulk store close enough for you to shop there, it's still possible to bulk buy your supplies online and is arguably easier to do so. You can find everything from household supplies to beauty products in packaging you can recycle, compost, or sometimes even return for refill or reuse.
Buying in larger quantities requires more money up front and space to store the supplies so it isn't a viable option for everyone. If you can afford to do it and have the space, buying your supplies in bulk will help you to reduce packaging, save money, and make shopping easier. If you'd struggle to buy or store bulk products as an individual, it's worth asking friends, family, and neighbours if they'd like to split a large order between you.
I've been bulk buying my household supplies from shampoo to toilet rolls for a few years now. It makes shopping a whole lot easier because I don't have to carry heavy bottles back from the supermarket or make repeat purchases every week. I purchase my bulk supplies every 6-12 months, hide the excess away in a cupboard, and forget about it. Whenever I need to make a top-up order, I take advantage of sales and look for discount codes to make it even cheaper. These are the supplies I order in bulk, where I buy them from, and why I recommend them.
Bathroom Supplies
Shampoo and Conditioner
I've been using Faith In Nature for years and it's a fantastic option if shampoo bars don't work for you. I've found one 5L bottle between two people can last 14-16 months, maybe even longer. The reason I recommend Faith In Nature is because they are vegan-friendly, not tested on animals, and have a biodegradable formula. The bottles (which are the size most zero waste stores buy) are made from 100% recycled plastic that can also be recycled. I decant into a smaller bottle to keep in the bathroom. Alternatively, Faith In Nature do offer a shampoo bar.
Toilet Rolls
Who Gives A Crap is my choice of toilet rolls. Their rolls are made with either 100% forest friendly bamboo or recycled paper without any inks, dyes, or scents. I opt for the premium toilet paper and have found a box of 48 rolls last two people around 4 months. If you use my link, you'll receive £5 off your order and I'll receive the same plus delivery is free for orders over £20. Storage is the only tricky part - 48 toilet rolls doesn't seem like a lot until you have to store them all! I've worked with and before but I'm now a regular customer and highly recommend them.
Cleaning Supplies
Laundry Detergent
There are lots of options when it comes to cleaning your clothes but I haven't found any as good as a liquid laundry detergent. I use the unscented Bio-D Concentrated Non-Bio Laundry Liquid although there are a couple of scented options including Lavender and Fresh Juniper. It's effective at cleaning your clothes and leaving them smelling fresh without any fuss unlike alternatives such as the laundry egg or soap nuts. The 5L bottle can last up to 125 washes.
Fabric Conditioner
I don't use fabric conditioner but if you have a need for it, Bio-D offers a concentrated fabric conditioner free from fragrance, petroleum, and optical brighteners. Good for both washing machines and hand washing.
Washing Up Liquid
I've tried quite a few different eco-friendly washing up liquids and none of them foam or clean as well as the Bio-D Washing Up Liquid. There's a couple of scented options too - Pink Grapefruit and Lavender. I'd say we buy this every 6 or so months. The only issue I've found with this product is that sometimes the formula varies, it can be super runny or really thick, and you can end up wasting it if you're not careful.
Multi-Purpose Sanitiser
I don't believe we need multiple different products to clean our homes, one multi-purpose cleaner is enough (unless you have specific requirements). I'd been using the Bio D All-Purpose Sanitiser for years until I recently switched (accidentally) to the Bio D Multi-Surface Sanitiser, which is concentrated and a little more versatile when it comes to using it. Bio-D makes eco-friendly formulas that are never tested on animals and do not contain any nasty ingredients. I use the concentrated Multi-Surface Sanitiser on my floors, kitchen counters, bath and toilet, as well as window sills and dining table. You can dilute it into a spray bottle or use it neat for dirtier areas.
Kitchen Staples
There are lots of non-perishable food items that might be worth considering buying in bulk. Any staples your household eats regularly that can be stored easily without expiring is a good bulk buy. If you don't have a car, you can have these delivered by your local supermarket. My partner occasionally rents a car for work so we make use of it by stocking up on our bulk staples.
Things like rice, lentils, pasta, oats, and spices are great kitchen staples worth stocking up on. It can work out a lot cheaper and reduces waste. I buy these staples from a local zero waste store without packaging. But even if your only option is packaged from the supermarket, you'll still reduce waste overall because instead of buying lots of little packs, you're buying one big one.
