Seven Easy Ways to Cut Costs on Everyday Household Items
Given that we’re all currently living at the mercy of inflation and gas price spikes, it’s good to know that there are still some easy ways to lower the cost of routine home purchases without skimping too much on convenience, if only to give us the illusion that we have any control over our financial destinies. By focusing primarily on reducing reliance on single-use items, we can save a lot of money and reduce the production of personal plastic waste to boot. Inspired by this TikTok video , I describe a few major categories of everyday items that you can swap out for cheaper, more sustainable alternatives.
Replace paper towels with reusable wipes
We’ve written about how Americans use an outrageous amount of paper towels — about 45.3 million Americans use eight or more rolls of paper towels every month , according to the US Census and the Simmons National Consumer Survey (NHCS). If those eight rolls cost, say, $11.50 a month , that’s almost $140 a year (and if you don’t pay more, they still might not absorb liquid well). Instead of wasting hundreds of years on paper you buy with the intention of throwing it in the bin, switch to absorbent reusable fabrics like flour bag towels (this pack of 12 28×28 towels can last for years and costs $15.99 dollars on Amazon). . Also consider: Kitchen cloths for the Dollar Tree mop or, depending on the use case, old T-shirts.
Replace Ziploc bags with reusable silicone bags.
There’s a much cheaper, more eco-friendly way to pack all those sandwiches and snacks for road trips, the pool, and kids’ school days: Instead of using a new Ziploc bag every time you pack a sandwich, invest in washable, reusable silicone. Top zipper bags to keep fresh. This pack of 10 freezer bags , sandwiches and snacks is on sale in the mega sale for $13.50 (usually $30) and will last for several years. Compare that to a 90-pack of Ziploc sandwiches for about $4, which, depending on how many kids or field trips you have in a given week, may need to be refilled every couple of months.
Replace fabric softener with distilled vinegar.
Once again, fabric softener is bullshit . Not only does it coat fabrics with a wax film that only gives the illusion of softness (while also reducing the fabric’s ability to absorb water, absorb moisture, and fire resistance), we have to pay the price of wearing out our clothes. Skip the strong-smelling Snuggle and simply add a quarter cup of baking soda or half a cup of distilled white vinegar directly into the washing machine drum during the rinse cycle for softer, brighter clothes. (For reference, regular white vinegar costs $2 for 64 ounces or 8 cups.) Or just go without it. As someone who has never used fabric softener, I can confirm that my entire family is fine and no one has ever complained about “tight” clothes.
Use drying balls, not drying sheets
We also pointed out the fact that dryer sheets suck . Their chemicals and fragrances have been proven to cause headaches and breathing problems , they leave residue in your car that can clog a fluff filter, and like fabric softener, they make your clothes and towels less absorbent. Also? They can only be used once (heavy loads sometimes require two). Instead, try wool dryer balls , which last much longer and actually cut down on the overall drying time; aluminum balls to reduce the adhesion of static electricity; or use the magic of distilled white vinegar again (add 1/4 cup to fabric softener dispenser or last rinse).
Replace the foil with silicone mats and baking mats.
If you want to make a big old messy tray of homemade meatballs, aluminum foil will definitely keep cleanup to a minimum. But the same can be said for non-stick silicone baking mats that can be washed and reused for years (here’s 2 packs for less than $12). Similarly, when it comes time to store food after meals, instead of using even more foil, grab a silicone baking lid ( a pack of 12 , including 6 different sizes, can be purchased for $15).
Swap commercial cleaners for DIY cleaners
Of course, you can (and most of us do) buy different cleaners for every surface and area of the house: Windex for $3, Kitchen Countertop Spray for $4, Toilet Bowl Cleaner for $2.50, Cleaner wood for $4 and stainless steel cleaner for $8. . However, we could save our noses and our wallets some trouble by simply making our own. White distilled vinegar mixed with lemon peel, orange peel, or pine needles is an excellent all-purpose cleaner; or fill a spray bottle with 2/3 vinegar, 1/3 water, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil for an overnight spray. You can even make your own glass, brass, and grease cleaners from basic household items.
Stop buying plastic water bottles
According to EarthDay.org , “Americans buy about 50 billion water bottles a year, averaging about 13 bottles per month for every US citizen. This means that by using a reusable water bottle, you can save an average of 156 plastic bottles per year.” Of course, if you buy in advance and buy in bulk, you can get 35 bottles of water for $6 , which translates to $27 per person over the course of a year. But let’s be honest, many bottled water purchases are made on the fly and cost an average of $1.50 each. It makes a lot more financial and environmental sense to break the habit of single-use water bottles and carry washable, reusable water bottles with you at all times.
An added savings bonus is that by reducing the amount of trash in the ways mentioned above, you will also reduce the amount of trash bags you need to buy, resulting in additional savings over time.