The truth is, we often purchase items we don’t really need. In this era of excessive consumption, reducing our habits proves challenging. However, minor adjustments in our everyday lives can significantly impact both our wallets and the planet.
To conserve resources and cut costs, I opted out of purchasing these everyday household items. I have started substituting regular items with greener options—such as using reusable snack pouches instead of disposable plastics, opting for Swedish dishcloths rather than paper towels, and choosing refillable multi-purpose cleaners in place of plastic containers.
❌ Single-use storage bags
When saving extra food in the refrigerator or preparing school lunches, a box of plastic bags can get depleted fast. However, I discovered an alternative method: transferring leftovers into glass storage containers and carrying portable treats in washable reusable bags. Afterward, everything gets placed in the dishwasher for cleaning so it’s available for reuse multiple times.
WHAT I PREFER: Stasher storage bags
❌ Bottled cleaning products
Several years back, I decided against purchasing cleaning products packaged in plastic spray containers. Instead, I opted for reusable glass bottles which are not only eco-friendlier but also simpler to cleanse each time I refill them. Plus, these glass bottles have an appealing aesthetic; I like having a multipurpose cleaner displayed on my countertop as decor. They're quite convenient too. make your own cleaners , but I usually keep plenty of concentrated solutions on hand because they require less storage space.
WHAT I PREFER : Clean the concentrated solution and the glass spray bottle.
❌ Plastic wrap
I seldom use plastic wrap and often forgot to purchase more when needed, thus removing it from my grocery list altogether. When dealing with leftovers, I typically opt for reusable containers or beeswax wraps as alternatives to cover dishes or foods effectively. Additionally, I have experimented with silicone covers, finding them quite useful since they’re safe for microwaves and dishwashers.
WHAT I PREFER: Beeswax wrap and silicone lid covers
❌ Disposable lint rollers
My dog is permitted on both the couch and my bed; however, finding hairs scattered around makes me uncomfortable. That’s why I frequently relied on regular lint rollers before discovering the ChomChom lint roller via TikTok. This product has proven incredibly effective at removing pet hair from various items such as chairs, sofas, blankets, carpets, and much more. When it comes to clothes, I prefer using the Steamery lint roller .
WHAT I PREFER: Reusable lint roller
❌ Paper towels
Sure, okay—I continue purchasing paper towels, yet Swedish dishcloths have considerably reduced my waste. These versatile cloths serve multiple purposes such as cleaning countertops, tidying up inside the refrigerator, mopping up spills on the floor, and many other tasks. A single cloth typically lasts around one year. To maintain hygiene, I place them in the dishwasher periodically every few days. Currently, I only resort to using paper towels for substantial messes, like sanitizing surfaces post-handling uncooked meats.
WHAT I PREFER: Swedish dish towels
❌ Plastic containers
Good food storage containers Are essential items. Plastic containers technically qualify as reusable – which is beneficial; however, glass containers generally have a longer lifespan. Glass containers also offer superior ease of cleaning since they do not retain stains and smells as plastics might. Additionally, they provide greater flexibility, being suitable for use in microwaves, ovens, and freezers.
WHAT I PREFER: Glass food storage containers
❌ Bottled laundry detergent
I opted to switch from big jugs of laundry detergent to a lighter and handier option: laundry sheets. One reason I enjoy using them is their ease of transportation; since I go to the laundromat, this makes things much simpler.
WHAT I PREFER: Detergent sheets
❌ Makeup wipes
Aside from their adverse effect on the environment, I discovered that many makeup wipes tend to cause irritation for me. Instead, I opt for using a cleanser along with The Original MakeUp Eraser to effectively take off tough makeup residue. Reusable cotton rounds They are also an excellent choice, particularly when you want to apply toner.
WHAT I PREFER: The Original MakeUp Eraser
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