Simple Swaps for a More Sustainable Summer Kitchen
Summer in Maine brings an easy rhythm… meals are simpler, the produce is better, and everything feels just a little slower. It’s also the perfect time to pause and look around the kitchen. So many of the things we use once and toss have better, longer-lasting alternatives. This season, I’m leaning into small swaps that help create a lower-waste kitchen. If you’re doing the same, here are a few beautiful and practical places to start.
🌿 Swap Plastic Wrap for Linen Dish Covers
Plastic wrap is the kind of thing we reach for without thinking. But those quick covers often end up in the trash… and stay there for decades.
Reusable linen dish covers are a simple, beautiful solution. Made with salvaged linen and a soft elastic edge, they stretch easily over bowls of leftovers, rising dough, or even a picnic pitcher that needs a little bug protection.
They breathe just enough to keep things fresh, and they wash up easily between uses. Once you start using them, you might find yourself wondering how you ever reached for cling wrap at all.
🌿 Trade Paper Towels for Linen Towels That Last
Paper towels are convenient, sure… but they go fast, and the cost (and waste) adds up. One well-made linen towel can take the place of dozens of rolls and still be going strong years later.
Keep a little stack folded on the counter or hanging by the sink. Use them for drying hands, covering baked goods, cleaning up spills, or wrapping produce on its way in from the garden.
The linen I use is sturdy but softens beautifully over time, and each towel is double-stitched for durability. It's the kind of everyday object that quietly elevates your space while doing its job, over and over again.
🌿 Skip the Plastic & Use Linen to Store Your Produce
It’s peak farmers market season, and that means armfuls of fresh fruits, veggies, herbs, and greens… most of which get packed into plastic bags by default. Instead, bring a few linen bags or dish covers with you.
Linen is breathable, which makes it especially good for storing produce once you're home. A small cover works perfectly over a bowl of strawberries. A large one can go right over a salad bowl or a pile of greens fresh from the garden.
They’re gentle, reusable, and easy to wash… plus, they look so much nicer than plastic hanging around your kitchen.
🌿 Host Summer Gatherings with Less Waste
Summer is made for hosting… simple suppers on the porch, picnics at the beach, impromptu lunches with friends. It’s also a season when it’s easy to rely on disposables.
But with a few reusable essentials, you can host beautifully and sustainably. Linen napkins instantly elevate even the simplest meals and are sturdy enough for casual outdoor use. Keep a towel or two nearby for spills and drips, and pop a dish cover over serving bowls when the bugs start buzzing.
Not only do these swaps cut down on waste, but they also bring a warm, lived-in beauty to your table that plastic just can’t match.
🌿 Care for Your Linens So They Last and Last
One of my favorite things about linen is how long it lasts when you treat it well. It’s a strong, natural fiber that holds up to daily use, but it thrives with a little gentle care.
Wash your linens on cool or warm with mild detergent. Avoid fabric softeners, which can coat the fibers and make them less absorbent. Tumble dry low, or better yet… hang them out in the sun. That’s how I dry everything in the studio, and linen loves a fresh breeze.
With regular use and proper care, your linen pieces will grow softer and more beautiful over time. They’re meant to last season after season.
Just Restocked for Summer
I just added a fresh batch of dish covers, towels, and napkins to the shop, including some limited-edition summer colors and prints. Every piece is sewn by hand in small batches using salvaged linen, so when a batch sells out, that’s it until the next one.
If you’ve been thinking of making the swap or need a few more pieces to round out your collection… now’s a good time.
Here’s to slower mornings, simpler routines, and a more sustainable season… one small swap at a time.
