Timeless Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Practices from Our Grandmothers

Women make the majority of household purchasing decisions, meaning they can prioritize eco-friendly products, reducing waste and carbon footprints. Women play a significant role in household sustainability, influencing daily habits, consumption choices, and eco-friendly practices that benefit both their families and the environment. Their contributions extend from managing resources efficiently to promoting sustainable lifestyles in their communities.

Many common household cleaning, personal care, and home maintenance products contain harmful chemicals that can negatively impact women's health. Women, often being the primary users of these products in the household, may be more exposed to their toxic effects. These chemicals can affect reproductive health, hormone balance, respiratory function, and even increase cancer risks.

Long before the modern sustainability movement, our grandmothers practiced eco-friendly living as a way of life. They lived in harmony with nature, conserving resources, reducing waste, and making the most of what was available. Their traditional knowledge holds valuable lessons in sustainability, many of which we can still apply today.

Waste-Free Kitchens & Sustainable Cooking

1. Our grandmothers had a deep respect for food, ensuring nothing was wasted. They instinctively followed principles of zero-waste cooking and mindful eating.
2. Using Every Part of Ingredients – Vegetable peels were turned into chutneys, curries, or broths, and even composted for gardening.
3. Cooking with Seasonal & Local Produce – Homegrown vegetables, fresh dairy, and locally available grains were staples, reducing carbon footprints.
4. Preserving Food Naturally – Instead of refrigeration, they sun-dried fruits, grains, and pickles, extending their shelf life without chemicals.
5. Homemade Staples – Ghee, yogurt, spice blends, and even sweets were made at home, avoiding processed foods and excess packaging.
6. Serving in Natural Utensils – Banana leaves, clay pots, and brass plates were commonly used, promoting sustainability and health benefits.

‍

Their sustainable kitchen habits not only reduced waste but also ensured that food remained fresh, nutritious, and chemical-free.

Sustainable Clothing & Fashion Practices

Unlike today’s fast fashion, our grandmothers valued quality, durability, and reuse over excessive consumption.

1. Durable & Handwoven Fabrics – Sarees, cotton, khadi, and silk clothes were made to last for decades.
2. Hand-Me-Down Culture – Clothes were carefully maintained and passed down through generations or creatively altered for reuse.
3. Upcycling Old Fabric – Worn-out sarees and dhotis were repurposed into quilts, cushion covers, and kitchen cloths.
4. Natural Dyeing & Hand Washing – Clothes were dyed using plants like turmeric and indigo, and washing was done in rivers or with soap nuts, reducing water and chemical pollution.
5. Minimal Wardrobe – Instead of excessive clothing, they owned only a few well-maintained pieces suited for different occasions.
6. Their mindful approach to clothing ensured a low-waste and chemical-free lifestyle while promoting sustainable craftsmanship.

‍

Eco-Friendly Household Management

Grandmothers believed in using what they had and making household resources last longer.

1. Minimal Plastic Usage – They relied on brass, copper, and clay utensils instead of plastic containers.
2. Homemade Cleaning Solutions – Soap nuts, ash, tamarind, and vinegar were used for washing clothes, dishes, and floors, avoiding chemical detergents.
3. Reusing & Repurposing Items – Old bottles, metal tins, and cloth bags were constantly repurposed instead of being discarded.
4. Sun-Drying & Natural Preservation – Instead of using electrical dryers or chemical preservatives, they sun-dried clothes, grains, and spices.
5. Handcrafted & Natural Home Decor – Homes were decorated with locally sourced materials like wood, bamboo, and handmade crafts rather than mass-produced plastic items.

‍

These practices ensured homes remained efficient, non-toxic, and self-sufficient.

Natural Beauty & Personal Care

Self-care in the past was deeply rooted in natural remedies and Ayurvedic traditions.

1. Herbal Skincare – Turmeric, sandalwood, rosewater, and aloe vera were used for glowing skin.
2. Natural Haircare – Hibiscus, amla, coconut oil, and soap nuts replaced chemical-laden shampoos and conditioners.
3. Minimal Water Waste – They bathed with a single bucket of water rather than long showers.
4. Homemade Soaps & Oils – Instead of commercial cosmetics, they relied on homemade herbal soaps, essential oils, and natural perfumes.

Their approach to beauty was chemical-free, sustainable, and gentle on the environment.

Community-Centered Living & Resource Sharing

Sustainability was not just about the environment—it was also about people and community living.

1. Bartering & Sharing – Instead of excessive consumerism, people exchanged goods, services, or borrowed from neighbors.
2. Community Water Sources – Shared wells and ponds ensured mindful water usage.
3. Festivals & Feasts – Large meals were prepared for communal gatherings, reducing food waste and fostering unity.
4. Repair Over Replacement – Clothes, tools, and household items were repaired and maintained instead of being discarded.

‍

Their sense of community and resourcefulness strengthened social bonds while minimizing environmental impact.

Home Gardening & Natural Farming

A self-sufficient lifestyle often began in the backyard or terrace garden.

1. Kitchen Gardens – Fresh vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants were grown at home, reducing reliance on store-bought produce.
2. Seed Saving for the Future – Seeds were preserved for replanting, ensuring biodiversity.
3. Organic Fertilizers & Pest Control – Neem, cow dung, and compost replaced harmful pesticides and fertilizers.
4. Rainwater Harvesting – Stored rainwater was used for irrigation and household needs.

‍

By practicing natural farming and gardening, they ensured a healthy, chemical-free food supply while protecting biodiversity.

Honoring Tradition, Embracing Sustainability

Our grandmothers lived in harmony with nature, not as a trend but as a way of life. Their resourcefulness, wisdom, and deep respect for resources offer invaluable lessons for us today. Whether you are a working professional managing a packed schedule or a homemaker creating a nurturing space for your family, embracing these sustainable practices can be empowering, practical, and deeply fulfilling.

But remember—sustainability is not about being perfect. You don’t have to change everything all at once. This is a journey of rediscovering our natural respect for resources, frugality, and empathy. Even the smallest step—choosing natural materials over plastic, reusing what we have, or cooking with local produce—brings us closer to a more conscious, eco-friendly life.

🌿 Join the Movement!
Start where you can. Pick one simple habit—whether it’s making your own natural cleaner, switching to reusable utensils, or upcycling an old fabric—and celebrate your progress. Share your journey with us and inspire others to take small but meaningful steps toward sustainable living.

💬 What’s one sustainable habit you learned from your grandmother? Email to oes@organo.co.in to include it in our next web article and let’s celebrate their timeless wisdom together!

Worksheets 1: How to make your own multipurpose cleaner at home (Bioenzyme)

‍

About Organo Et School (OES)‍‍

‍Organo Et School empowers people to embrace eco-living mindsets, behaviors, and habits. We recognize that for any positive impact to be sustainable, it must be long-term and inter-generational.

Organo Et School is a learning initiative set up by Organo in 2017 and has been facilitating field visits and workshops for Schools and Interest Groups. Organo Et School, an experiential learning initiative by Organo since 2017, has impacted over 8000 students, 2000 adults,1250 community residents, and 500 corporate employees.
‍

Join us on our journey toward sustainable living by subscribing to our channel and following us on Instagram for the latest updates.

Email us at at oes@organo.co.in  or call us at 91541 00775

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVe5InTKtgyGsGgNVNZ5sOw

Follow OES news on our Website: https://www.organoetschool.co.in

Follow OES on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organo_et_school/?hl=en