Modular Vegan Sofas and Armchairs (grow with your family)

Instead of just plonking a sofa in front of the TV with an armchair either side, interior designers say that to encourage conversation, it’s far better to arrange items in an L-shape (with a coffee table between you, so you can still see the TV, but it’s not the focus of everyone’s attention.

Habbio is England’s first vegan-certified sofa (the company also makes armchairs and sofa-beds, including refurbished ones for people on a budget). These items are modular. So if your family expands (or you move to a bigger house), you don’t have to buy a new sofa. Just ‘add to it’ with a new piece.

You can dissembles the sofas (no tools required) so it’s easy to move house with them, and are delivered in a box that squeezes through doorways (and goes upstairs without your swearing!)

They use sustainably-sourced wood and fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles (if laundering, use a microfiber filter). You can also buy loose replacement covers, in case you have a red wine accident!

Sold with a 15-year guarantee, these sofas are made in Derbyshire by artisans from a family with 70 years experience in making furniture. Their workers are paid at least 20% more than the living wage, with no zero hour contracts.

This company uses 90% fewer chemicals than other sofa makers, and chooses nontoxic and biodegradable alternatives where possible (tomatoes have more formaldehyde!) You can even order collection of your old sofa for recycling.

Can’t afford a new sustainable sofa?

New sofas are very expensive. There are places where you can buy used sofas (the laws are usually pretty strict on fire tags, just check before purchase that your new sofa and armchairs are safe:

• Many local charity shops sell old sofas, with free delivery (avoid big shops like British Heart Foundation, that test on animals). Fund humane research instead to cure heart disease.
• Sofalistic is an online marketplace (many £1000 sofas in good condition are on sale here for around £100).
• Emmaus shops nationwide are staffed by homeless people who get a home, job and income to do up donated goods. So you get a bargain and help someone to a better life.
• Reuse Network has shops nationwide. People donate quality sofa, armchairs and furniture, and these are sold on at low cost (people on benefits get extra discounts).

How to clean sofas and armchairs

Shake out cushions each week and hoover any crumbs underneath. If you can’t wash covers, mix a teaspoon each of unscented dishwash liquid, white vinegar, baking soda and warm water, to froth up. Apply to stains with a plastic-free sponge, rinse and leave to dry.

Also read how to polish wood furniture, naturally.

Simple eco-friendly pet hair removers

This sustainable cat hair remover is made from sustainable premium bamboo and durable metal, a reusable lint roller alternative to keep clothes, furniture and carpets free from pet hair.

Just glide over soft surfaces, and watch as the grooved metal bar lifts hairs. Ethically made, it’s also available in a dog-hair removing design!

Zero waste coasters

It’s good to use coasters to protect your coffee table. They have many benefits, if you’ve always got a cup of tea or coffee on the go. Hot mugs and teapots can scorch wood and cause paint to bubble, and even cold drinks can cause water rings, due to condensation in humid envirnoments.

Usingcoasters helps to catch drips and absorb moisture, and avoid permanent stains on furniture. Absorbent coasters also prevent the bottoms of cups getting slippery, which reduces the chance of accidental spills. And placing a coaster on top of your glass, works as a ‘quick lid’ to prevent dust or insects getting inside.

These coasters are made from leftover cement!

Why choose zero waste coasters?

Because unlike recycled plastic clothing (which releases microplastics from washing machines into the sea), coasters are a great safe way to use up the immense amount of trash that would otherwise go to landfills). Artisan can great really creative here, using upcycled plastic to cork, in unique designs.

Coasters made from upcycled ocean plastic

These ocean plastic coasters are made from plastic that was collected by hand, from the Cornish coast. So good for marine creatures too! Sold in sets of two or four, the colours are naturally derived from whatever is collected (fishing nets, water bottle tops, buckets and spades).

Due to being plastic, these coasters are strong and waterproof, and should last you years. By supporting this brand, you can leave a legacy of cleaner oceans in Cornwall, for years to come.

Coasters made from upcycled newspapers

These upcycled newspaper coasters are sold as a set in their own holder. Handmade by a social enterprise in Sri Lanka, they help to reduce the amount of global waste. Although newspapers break down in landfill, this causes thr release of methane (a greenhouse gas). So upcycling newspaper helps to reduce climate change.

These matching recycled newspaper bowls can be used to stash keys or anything that could get lost. You could even use them as tip trays for small shops and restaurants.

Don’t put sweets or chocolate in them, near young children or pets.

Millions of homes across England contain aerosol cans of furniture polish, often sprayed onto furniture around the home with a yellow duster, wiped off and forgotten about.  What what do these polishes contain? And do we really need to polish everything in sight? No!

This table is made from reclaimed wood from Hastings pier!