Honey, this kitchen’s the heart of the home!
When folks around the South say, “Honey, this kitchen’s the heart of the home,” they aren’t kidding. Our kitchens aren’t just where we fry the chicken, cool the pies, and pass the sweet tea—it’s where generations of traditions live on. And as it turns out, many of those old-school Southern kitchen habits are downright sustainable, long before “eco-friendly” became a buzzword.
Here’s a sweet tea–strong truth: Southerners were practicing sustainability before it had a name. Whether it was Grandma reusing jars, Mama saving bacon grease, or the whole family tending a backyard garden, we’ve been doing eco-friendly living as naturally as breathing.
Here are a few eco-friendly habits inspired by good Southern sense and passed down through generations.
1. “Use What You’ve Got, Honey.”
Before buying something new, check your drawers.
Most waste comes from buying duplicates.
2. Cloth Towels Over Paper Anything
Grandma had a stack of cloths for every task: wiping, drying, dustin’, and polishing.
Herringbone Turkish Hand Towel – Blackwater Express
Classic Turkish Hand Towel – Blackwater Express
Essential Stripe Turkish Hand Towel – Blackwater Express
Turkish Towel Bundle Set of 3 – Blackwater Express
Cotton Kitchen Towels, Set of 4 – Blackwater Express
Swedish Dishcloth – Blackwater Express
3. Glass Jars for Everything
Leftovers, spices, dried beans — she saved every jar.
Three Seventeen Scent Coconut Wax Candle – Blackwater Express
Ocean Driftwood Scent Coconut Wax Candle – Blackwater Express
Toes in the Sand Scent Coconut Wax Candle – Blackwater Express
Fresh Pine Scent Coconut Wax Candle – Blackwater Express
Beachside Orchid Scent Coconut Wax Candle – Blackwater Express
Nutcracker Glam 17oz – Blackwater Express
Candy Cane Holly 17oz – Blackwater Express
4. Shop Local & Seasonal
Brooks Dockside Seafood – The Doockside Experience
Yankeetown Traders Gifts and More | Yankeetown FL | Facebook
Tony's Produce Market, 454 NE 3rd St Crystal River, FL 34429.
Fresh produce from down the road? Always better.
5. Let the Sun Do the Drying
Nothing beats air-drying linens on a sunny breeze.
6. Natural Cleaning Basics
Vinegar, lemon, salt, baking soda and a brush — that was her toolkit.
Bamboo Pot Brush – Blackwater Express
7. Buy Quality, Not Quantity
“Mend it, fix it, or choose it right the first time.”
Bib Apron with Pockets – Blackwater Express
Bistro Apron with Pockets – Blackwater Express
Turns out, Grandma wasn’t just sweet — she was sustainable before it was cool.
These simple habits make your kitchen cleaner, greener, and filled with that warm Southern charm!