Every November, something happens in homes all over Westport. Someone looks around the living room, realizes the in-laws arrive in four days, and starts cleaning like the Queen is coming to visit. We’ve all been there. The vacuum comes out, the guest towels get rescued from the linen closet, and suddenly we’re scrubbing a baseboard nobody has looked at since 2019.

It’s a sweet ritual, really. All that effort is a way of saying “we’re so glad you’re here.”

This year, we’d love for you to try something a little different while you’re at it. As you clean, cook, and set the table, take a peek at how much plastic is coming along for the ride. You might be surprised. And you might find that the swaps are not only kinder to the planet, but also prettier, cozier, and a lot more satisfying.

No pressure to do it all. Think of this guide as a menu. Take what sounds good and leave the rest for next year.

Open the cabinet under your kitchen sink. Go ahead, we’ll wait.

If yours looks anything like ours, there’s a small crowd of plastic bottles in there. A spray for the counters, one for the glass, one for the bathroom, one you bought for a stain you can’t remember, and at least one that’s empty but still hanging around for sentimental reasons. Here’s the fun part. You can handle most everyday cleaning with just a few simple things:

• • • • • • A glass spray bottle or two. Buy them once and refill them for years. They look lovely sitting out on the counter, which is more than we can say for most cleaning products.
          • White vinegar and water. A half-and-half mix works well on glass, sinks, and lots of everyday messes. Add a few drops of essential oil or let some citrus peels soak in the vinegar for a week if you’d rather your kitchen not smell like a pickle. (One note: skip vinegar on marble, granite, and natural stone, and never mix it with bleach.)
          • Baking soda. Sprinkle it on, scrub, and wipe away. It’s great for stovetops, tubs, and that mystery ring in the bottom of the pot.
          • A bar of castile soap. Grate a little into warm water and you’ve got a gentle cleaner for almost anything.

When the store-bought bottles run out, you can refill them instead of buying new ones. Refill shops and concentrate tablets that you mix with water at home make this pretty easy. One small bottle on the shelf instead of six. Your cabinet will thank you.

Disposable wipes and paper towels are so convenient that most of us never think twice. But many wipes are made with plastic fibers, so they don’t break down the way we’d hope. And paper towels usually show up wrapped in plastic, roll after roll.

Instead, try:

• • • • • • Cotton or linen cloths. Cut up an old t-shirt or flannel sheet and you’ve got a free stack of cleaning rags. Toss them in the wash and use them again and again.
          • Swedish dishcloths. These are made from cellulose and cotton, soak up a ton, dry fast, and come in the cutest prints. They feel like a small luxury.
          • A little basket by the sink. Keep clean cloths in one spot and a small bin for used ones. Once it’s set up, you’ll stop reaching for paper towels without even trying.

A quick word on microfiber. Those cloths are great at picking up dust, but they’re made from plastic and can shed tiny fibers in the wash. If you already have some, keep using them. Just consider natural fabrics when it’s time to replace them.

The humble kitchen sponge is one of those things we don’t think about until it starts to smell. Most of them are made from plastic, and they don’t last long, so we go through a lot of them.

Some charming alternatives:

• • • • • • A wooden dish brush with natural bristles. Many have replaceable heads, so you just swap the top when it gets tired.
          • Plant-based or compostable sponges. They work just like the ones you’re used to.
          • A coconut fiber scrubber for pots and pans that need some extra muscle.

Lined up next to the faucet, these look like something out of a cozy farmhouse kitchen. Even if your kitchen is more “the toddler got into the flour,” it’s a nice touch.

This is where things get interesting. Some everyday products have plastic tucked inside them, and it’s not always obvious.

A few to keep an eye on:

• • • • • • Disposable wipes. As we mentioned, many contain plastic fibers. Check the label or just switch to natural fiber cloths.
          • Laundry and dishwasher pods. The film around them is a type of plastic made to dissolve, and scientists are still studying what happens to it afterward. Powders in cardboard boxes are an easy alternative.
          • Glitter. Festive, yes. But most glitter is tiny bits of plastic that stick around forever (as anyone who has ever opened a glitter card already knows).
          • Tea bags. Some are made with plastic mesh or sealed with plastic. Loose-leaf tea in a pretty teapot makes a lovely after-dinner moment anyway.
          • Paper cups and plates. Many are lined with a thin layer of plastic to keep them from getting soggy.
          • Vinyl tablecloths. Easy to wipe, but they’re plastic through and through. A cotton or linen tablecloth washes up just fine, and gravy stains build character.

You don’t need to throw anything away. Just use what you have, and when it runs out, choose something better.

Here’s a little secret. Guests don’t remember whether your plates matched. They remember how the table made them feel.

So bring out the real dishes this year. Grandma’s china, the set from your wedding registry, the mugs you picked up on vacation. If you don’t have enough, mix and match! A table full of different patterns has so much personality. Just call it “curated” and everyone will nod along.

A few more ideas:

• • • • • • Cloth napkins make any meal feel special. Thrift stores often have beautiful ones for a dollar or two.
          • Decorate with nature. Fall leaves, pinecones, little pumpkins, sprigs of rosemary, and branches from the yard look gorgeous on a table, and you can compost them when the party’s over.
          • Skip the plastic straws and stirrers. Real spoons stir coffee just as well.
          • Expecting a crowd? Ask a neighbor or relative to lend a few extra plates and glasses. It’s a sweet way to share in the celebration, and you return the favor next time.

And when your guests ask about the pretty glass spray bottle on the counter or the napkins tied with twine, tell them. This is how good ideas travel. One dinner party at a time.

Hosts do a lot of heavy lifting, but guests can be part of the magic too. A few ways to show up with style:

• Bring your dish in a reusable container. A casserole dish with a lid, a glass container, or a bowl covered with a beeswax wrap or plate. No plastic wrap required.
• Pack a few empty containers. Offer to take home leftovers in your own containers, and your host doesn’t have to scramble for bags. Trust us, they’ll love you for it.
• Think about your hostess gift. A jar of homemade jam, a potted herb, a beeswax candle, a bag of local coffee in a reusable tin, or a set of cloth napkins all make thoughtful presents. Wrap them in a pretty tea towel and you’ve given two gifts in one.
• Offer to help with the dishes. Not plastic-related, but always appreciated!

The end of a big meal always comes with the leftover shuffle. Who wants turkey? Who’s taking the pie? Where did all these containers go?

This year, try setting out a “leftover station” near the door. A few clean jars, some glass containers, and maybe a stack of beeswax wraps. Guests can fill up and head home with a little piece of the evening. Ask them to return the jars whenever they’re back, and the whole thing turns into a lovely little cycle.

Mason jars work especially well. They hold soup, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and they look adorable doing it.

If you take one thing from this guide, let it be this: you don’t have to get it perfect. Swapping one bottle, setting out one stack of cloth napkins, or sending home leftovers in one jar is already something to be proud of.

The holidays are about gathering, sharing, and taking care of each other. Taking care of the place we all call home fits right in.

So fluff those pillows, light a candle, and get ready to welcome your people. We hope your table is full, your home is warm, and your recycling bin is a little lighter this year.

Happy hosting, Westport.

UnPlastic Westport is a Sustainable Westport initiative to help our community cut back on single-use plastic. Have a favorite swap or hosting tip? We’d love to hear about it. Share it with us and tag @SustainableWestport so we can pass the idea along.