Vintage tea towels and crochet washcloths
Do you ever feel like your trips to the store result in buying the same disposable products over and over? Me too. By never buying disposables again, not only will you save money, but it’s one of many easy ways to go green and begin eco friendly living.
Check out our comprehensive list of how to never buy disposable products again.
1. Paper Towels – Tea towels are a great alternative to paper towels in the kitchen. I like to buy vintage tea towels, and can find them at low as $.50. Target’s kitchen towels are just as cute and almost as affordable. Another option is microfiber kitchen towels, which can be purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Amazon.
2. Sponges & Dish Wands – My mother has always used store bought washcloths instead of sponges, and her dishes sparkled. My aunt uses this dish cloth crochet pattern to make her own, and they are the greatest. I also kind of love this adorable Norpro Dish Brush
3. Coffee Cups – There are a ton of reusable coffee cups on the market, from traditional a ceramic mug to a Starbucks Stainless Steel Tumbler. The trick is to remember to bring it!
4. Toilet Paper – Reusable toilet paper, really? Stick with me on this one. More and more people are using cloth wipes instead of paper. Stack perfectly sized squares in a basket on the back of the toilet, and leave a bin (like a diaper pail) beside the toilet for used squares. If that doesn’t sit well, bidets are very common in Europe, and require no need for paper.
5. Plastic Wrap – Say goodbye to plastic wrap by storing food in reusable containers (like Tupperware), or if you will be eating the food in the next 24 hours, simply place food in a bowl and cover with a reusable food cover
or plate.
6. Trash Bags – Washable pail liners are a great way to avoid buying plastic trash bags. You can also make your own composter to eliminate most food scraps, and then place the rest in a large garbage can without a bag or liner for pick up.
7. Water Bottles – According to the Container Recycling Institute, 86% of plastic water bottles used in the US end up in landfills. Since many of us have drinkable tap water, alternatives like the Contigo reusable water bottle are well liked.
8. Tampons & Pads – I don’t know about you, but reusable feminine products never crossed my mind until now. With products like The Diva Cup and GladRags, think of the money you will save, the chemicals you won’t be putting in your body, and the trash you will be eliminating by never buying pads and tampons again.
9. Takeout containers – Purchase reusable food containers or cloth lunch sacks to bring with you to a restaurant or the office.
10. Diapers & Baby Wipes – Washable cloth diapers are becoming more popular and easy to manage. Buy cotton diapers online and specialty stores or make your own cloth baby wipes.
11. Newspapers & Magazines – With smartphones, e-readers, and computers, online newspapers and digital magazines are a great way to save money and coffee table space.
12. Mops & Vacuum Bags – Washable microfiber mop heads and bagless vacuums make cleaning quick, easy and affordable.
13. Batteries – Kids, gamers and TV watchers go through batteries on the regular. Avoid buying expensive throw away’s by purchasing quality rechargeable batteries, saving significant money in the long term.
14. Cotton Swabs – Reusable Q-Tips? Not exactly, but products like a washable ear cleaners
ear pick or Japanese bamboo wax removers
15. Beer Bottles – For those of you that live close to a microbrewery or craft beer store, a refillable beer growler is a fun way to try different beers and get rid of glass bottles. Check with your local bars and restaurants to see if they offer this option. At the very least, recycle your bottles and cans, or give them to someone who homebrews.
16. Wrapping Paper & Gift Bags – I was at my third baby shower of the month and was appalled at the giant mounds of discarded wrapping paper. That’s when I discovered wrapping cloth and fabric gift bags. Not only will they stand out amongst the other gifts, they can be reused and passed from friend to friend.
17. Zip-locs & Sandwich Bags – Store food in reusable containers and send your child’s lunch to school in any one of these reusable snack and sandwich bags.
18. Hair Products – Salons and companies are popping up everywhere offering refillable hair products. If you are crafty, try making a homemade shampoo bar or DIY body wash.
This list may seem intimidating at first, but take it one shopping trip at a time and you will eliminate buying disposable products in no time!
What disposable products have you stopped buying?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I will go without a lot of things,but not toilet paper!ewwww
@Michelle LOL… I also won’t give up my toilet paper, but I’m all for No. 8. You may recall my post about saving money during that time of the month: http://bargainbabe.com/saving-money-during-that-time-of-the-month/
@Megan Regarding No. 14… cotton swabs should not be used in ears, according to a doc who scolded me recently. They cause more damage than good. If you need to remove wax, try a couple drops of hydrogen peroxide or mineral oil. I’m dealing with an ear infection — it sucks!
@Yazmin, so funny you bring that up because I was just chatting with my docs about this. While my PCP tells me no cotton swabs in the ears, my Eastern Medicine Doctor tells me that it is imperative to physically remove the wax with a pick or ear candle. Either way, just be careful!
@Megan _ Your “Eastern Medicine Doctor” needs to go back to “Eastern Medical School” or wherever. Very poor advice!
I disagree with everyone! I use cotton swabs all the time and have for years. It’s only dangerous if you stick it too far in your ear. Not hard to use cotton swabs correctly.
@BB ~ Unless someone’s system produces an overabundance of wax, it is gradually swept out. Ear wax actually serves a protective purpose.
@Michelle – that one is NOT for the faint at heart! 🙂
Cloth kitchen towels instead of paper towels? We buy our paper towels in bulk at Costco. I don’t know how many cloth towels would be the equivalent of, say, one roll of paper towels. Then, to launder these, would that change my load from large to extra large, which also means more water, detergent, and time in the dryer? (Clothes lines and hanging devices are not practical in our townhouse.) Intuitively, I’d have to say no to this idea.
@Diane, I use only cloth towels in my kitchen and it works great! I make my own detergent for pennies and line dry my towels, so the cost works in my favor. It all comes down to what works for your situation. Thanks for reading!
We are the same way, Megan. No paper towels in the kitchen. Now to get my husband to kick his sponge habit. I think if we invest in the scrubber that you said your Aunt used, and buy a few reusable quick-dry towels, it will take care of all our washing needs. Plus, I love that you can wash the quick-drying towels to get rid of the smell. With sponges, you basically have to toss them!
When I remember, I toss a damp or wet sponge (never dry) in the microwave for about 1 minute. The “yuckies” are killed from the heat, and the sponge no longer has an odor. Have read to do this in several articles.
For number 8, try New Moon Pads instead of GladRags. They are high quality with custom fabrics, and they have a nearly water-proof wool liner to keep you from bleeding through. GladRags bleed through, which is just disgusting!
http://www.newmoonpads.com
@TrulyJulie, thanks for the feedback! I have a friend who swears by GladRags – different strokes for different folks!
I´m only from one country in Europe – Portugal – and it´s true that we use bidets. Actually it´s very unusual to find a Portuguese house without one (I don´t have it in my house, but only for lack of space). But we do not use it as an alternative to toilet paper, rather an extra cleaning (if needed) or a quick wash of private parts or feet.
Thanks for your insight, @Christina! I personally, have never used one!
I’m surprised no one mentioned using handkerchiefs instead of kleenex. I’ve been using them for years. They’re easier on the nose than paper tissue, especially if you have a cold, and they never disintegrate while you’re using them. I find them at thrift stores all the time and would never go back to using tissue.
@Caithlin I’m so glad you brought this up! I’ve been wanting to switch from paper tissues to cloth hankies for years! But I can never find them for sale (and I get lazy and forget). I will add them to my thrift store shopping list!
You want to be sure and look for soft cotton hankies. Polyester is not absorbent enough!