7 easy ways to reduce the cost of everyday household items

Given that we are all alive now With mercy Soaring inflation and soaring gasoline pricesI’m glad to know that there is still Several easy ways to reduce your spending on regular household purchases Just to give us, without wasting too much convenience The illusion we have Management of our financial destiny.. By focusing primarily on reducing reliance on disposable items, you can save a considerable amount of money and reduce your personal plastic waste production with bargains...Inspired by This Tik Tok videoI outline Several major categories of everyday items that can be exchanged for cheaper and more sustainable alternatives.

Replace paper towels with reusable cloth

we Written before About the method Americans use a lot of paper towels —Some according to US Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey (NHCS) 45.3 million Americans Use 8 or more paper towels monthly.. 8 of them Roll cost, say $ 11.50 per monthIt’s almost $ 140 a year (and unless you pay moreAnyway you might suck to actually absorb the liquid).Instead of throwing away the paper for hundreds of years, buy it with the intention of throwing it in the trashSwitch to an absorbent reusable cloth, such as a flour sack towel (this 12 packs 28×28 towels can last for years It’s $ 15.99 on Amazon). Also consider: Dollar Tree Bar-Mop TowelOr depending on the use caseOld T-shirt.

Replace the Ziploc bag with a reusable silicone bag

There is a much cheaper and more eco-friendly way to package all these sandwiches and snacks for road trips, pools and kids’ school days. Instead of using a fresh Ziploc bag every time You pack sandwiches, invest in washable, reusable silicone bags that Zipper the top to seal the freshness..this 10 pack Freezer, sandwich, Snack bags are mega-sold for $ 13.50 (usually $ 30) and will last for years. Compare this to 90 packs of Ziploc sandwich bags for about $ 4. This depends on how many children you have in a particular week or on a short trip on the go., May need to Replenishment Every few months.

Replace fabric softener for distilled vinegar

Once again, we Re-Repeat it Fabric softener is bullshit..It’s not just about coating the fabric with the waxy film it provides Illusion of softness (also reduces the water absorption, hygroscopicity, and flame resistance of the fabric) payment Because our clothes deteriorate. Skip the fragrant snaggle, 1/4 cup of baking soda or Half a cup of distilled white vinegar Put directly into the washing machine drum during the rinse cycle to soften, Brighter clothes. (For reference, Generic white vinegar It costs $ 2 for 64 ounces. Or 8 cups. ) Or just go without.As someone who has never used fabric softener, I can prove The whole family is fine, And no one has complained about “hard” clothing.

use Not a dryer ball Dryer sheet

again, Dryer sheet sucks..Their chemicals and scents Induces headaches and dyspneaThey leave a residue on your machine that can clog the lint filter, and like fabric softener, they Reduces the absorbency of clothes and towels. Also? They can only be used once (and heavy loads sometimes require two). Instead, try Wool dryer ballWhich It lasts much longer and actually reduces the total drying time. Aluminum balls to reduce the adhesion of static electricity. Alternatively, use the magic of distilled white vinegar again (add 1/4 cup to the fabric softener dispenser or the final rinse cycle).

Replace tinfoil for silicone baking mats and pads

If you want to make a big old messy tray of homemade meatballs, you can minimize the cleanup with aluminum foil. But so is the non-stick silicone baking mat.It has been used for many years (this is 2 pack For less than $ 12). Similarly, when storing food after meals, get a silicone baking lid instead of using foil more than ever ( 12 packsAvailable for $ 15, including 6 sizes).

Replace off-the-shelf cleaners with DIY cleaning solutions

surely can (And most of us) buy different cleaning products for every surface and area of ​​the house: $ 3 Windex, $ 4 Kitchen Counter Spray, $ 2.50 Toilet Cleaner, $ 4 Wooden Cleaner, $ 8 Stainless Steel Cleaner. However, I was able to save the trouble of my nose and wallet just by making it myself. White distilled vinegar soaked with lemon zest, orange zest, or pine needles is an excellent all-purpose cleaner.Also For a nightly counterspray, put 2/3 vinegar, 1/3 water and 10 drops of lemon essential oil in a spray bottle.You can also make yourself Glass, brass, grease cleaner From the basic household staple food.

Stop buying plastic water bottles

according to EarthDay.org“Americans buy about 50 billion water bottles a year, and in the United States they buy an average of about 13 water bottles a month. That is, by using reusable water bottles, an average of 156 water bottles a year. You can save on bottles of books. “Sure, If you buy first and buy in bulk, 35 bottles of water For $ 6This means ovThat’s a total of $ 27 per person over the course of a year. But to be honest, many bottled waters are purchased on the fly, each costing an average of $ 1.50.It makes much more sense economically EnvironmentallyKick the habit of disposable water bottles And keep Washable, refillable bottle Always to you.

An additional cost reduction bonus is that you can also reduce the amount of garbage by reducing the garbage in the above way. bag You have to buy it and you can save even more over time.