9 PRODUCT SWAPS I made to SAVE money + REDUCE clutter
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- Affordable swaps that you can make to cut down on your monthly bills, get rid of clutter in your home, and reduce household waste!
00:00 // how much does it all cost?
00:28 // how these swaps have helped us
00:45 // you don't actually need paper towel...
03:31 // a better way to shower
04:47 // the best scrubber you'll ever use
06:42 // why are we still using these?
08:10 // calling caffeine lovers
10:43 // simple but impactful drying
11:44 // a special way to wrap gifts
14:01 // refreshing air
Not all essential oils are safe for children and pets. Please use essential oils responsibly and check for allergies in your household before diffusing or misting them into the air!
15:20 // a swap in progress
17:06 // have you made any of these swaps? comment below!
📦 DECLUTTERING MINI SERIES
Episode 1 - • Decluttering and Organ...
Episode 2 - • Decluttering our MESSI...
Episode 3 - • Kitchen Declutter, Org...
🍴 MY QUICK & EASY MEAL PLANNING ROUTINE
• a PRACTICAL way to mea...
🌱 MINIMALIST HABITS ANYONE CAN BENEFIT FROM
• 6 Minimalist Habits Th...
🔗 LINKS
swedish dishcloths: amzn.to/3vdi9De
body scrubber: amzn.to/4a7dJwu
euroscrubby: amzn.to/3Tl1l59
straws: amzn.to/3TEhSTf
reusable k-cups: amzn.to/3TOCeJH
dryer balls: amzn.to/3wUELZM
spray bottle (suggestion): amzn.to/3PkcyBF
fleece dusters: go.magik.ly/ml/210jo/
➝ LTK: www.shopltk.com/explore/haley...
➝ Amazon Favourites (CA): www.amazon.ca/shop/haleyvillena
➝ Amazon Favourites (USA): www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
💌 CONNECT WITH ME!
haleyvillena@gmail.com
This video is not sponsored; however, the products listed above are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I'll earn a small commission, which helps to support my work on this channel.
product swaps, save money, reduce clutter, declutter, sustainable living, budget friendly, shop intentionally, quality over quantity #savingmoney #minimalism - Jak na to + styl
Have you made any of these swaps in your home? 🧼
we use those swedish dish cloths a lot here in germany, they're actually most common in bars and restaurants! and we tend to use them for years, not just months
and instead of glass straws i've found a pack of silicone straws which are great! these also last forever and can be cleaned easily, but you don't have to worry about accidentally dropping and breaking them, and they don't get super hot either
I have seen people use silicon zipper bags that are washable and reusable. Been thinking about trying those out since I use a LOT of gallon ziplocks for food storage
Awesome tips.... some I have already implemented and some I will be the first chance I get.
I used to use a diffuser and I got a super nice one. But then I learned that essential oils are poisonous to cats, even in the air. So unfortunately, I can’t use it anymore. I’m just glad that I learned that fact at least. I just use incense now.
Careful with glass straws, I heard of someone who put it in the drink, and the bottom part of the straw hit the bottom of the drink and shattered without her knowing. The top was intact. She sucked up and swallowed a mouthful of glass. I won’t ever use them after seeing her posting about it and the process to try and get the shards out of her throat.
Just use a metal straw then. Those don't shatter.
Bamboo straws are also great!
I always wonder that; I prefer stainless steel
Honestly I love my translucent plastic straws. I can see if they are actually clean, they’re still reusable, they won’t bang against your teeth, and they don’t transfer as much heat or cold as metal ones
Silicone straws?
My grandfather was physically unable to open a gift without carefully peeling each piece of tape, keeping the whole paper intact, then folding it up to be reused. It drove me nuts as a kid. Now it makes my heart swell with nostalgia ❤
I'm your grandfather, I'm Nana. ❤
My grandmother used to do this too, she was born in the 1930’s so she was extremely thrifty and resourceful with everything. I do this now and everyone always likes to give me grief for it but I just smile because it reminds me of my loved one
Did he grow up in the 1930s? My grandmother would thoroughly enjoy each Christmas card received, then she would carefully tear them at the crease or cut the front out and use it with some cardstock to make a new outgoing Christmas card.
@@leafm5375 yes indeed, and my grandmother did the same thing :)
I had an aunt that was the same way
Japanese have been using furoshiki for eons. Fabric wrapping gifts (they return the furoshiki after removing the gift), is a tradition. Furoshiki are also used to carry things in myriad of ways depending on how they are tied. So clever and eco friendly.
I had no idea - thank you for sharing this!
Furoshiki are great--they come in tons of patterns and sizes, and if they are returned to you (as they should be) they are almost endlessly reusable. Plus, there are so many decorative ways to tie them on gifts, and they can also be made into purses with a handle (no sewing.)
I buy paper towels to clean really gross things, that way I can throw them out. For example if there is dog poop on someone’s shoe or if I have to wipe out the vacuum canister, just the really yucky stuff. I don’t use them often so cost stays low but i feel it is necessary to have some on hand for emergencies.
Totally understandable!
I understand that 100%, but I started cutting up old t-shirts, one that already has holes in it, and using them as paper towels.
@@doubleleterlady Good way to save on money, thanks for the tip 👍🏼💕
If i get paper towel I like to get plastic free packaging paper towel that's not made with trees to make the impact smaller too. :)
What happened to using washcloths for, you know, washing with? They're abrasive enough to make you feel like you're really clean, but not too scrubby. They help you to use less soap or shower gel because they produce plenty of suds, and after use, you just let them dry and pop them in the laundry basket. There's a reason why they've been around for centuries - they just work!
If they work for you then that's great!
Absolutely. Wash cloths are super simple, and if they get too worn down you can use them for cleaning around the house instead. Easy to make your own as well if you wanted to get even more economical
@@bestlaidplans2024Correct. You can recycle them until there's nothing left, and they're not plastic, so they won't hang around for centuries before they degrade.
I’m a wash cloth girl. However I discovered nylon netting exfoilating wash clothes which are very nice. I switch back and forth - I’ll use a wash cloth for months and then get tired of them and go to the nylon netting for months and back and forth.
@@avagrego3195 there are agave netting versions too. They do wear out, but dry quickly and are compostable.
For some of theses you can just use what poor folks have been using for generations - rags/cloths. Wash rag for cleaning your body with. Just set it on the sink to dry before tossing it in the hamper. Then a dish rag for washing dishes/ wiping counters with. You can set it on the middle section of the kitchen sink to drip dry, and they can be washed and reused
Thanks for sharing!
yeah being poor I just use old clothes for everything, I didn't know what a duster was until my sister got one after she got married, we just used the one old t-shirt and threw it to wash after. also the coffee and the straw thing made me incredibly mad.
also loofas (I have no idea how to spell it) I only ever saw these at the store, I knew they had something to do with showers but you have hands ffs
third edit: drier sheets, there's the sun outside, why use a drier? the sun also kills basically all of the bacteria while driers are most likely full of them
Yeah some of these sound like the creator is coming from a more privileged lifestyle (which is fine) but literally just cut up an old t-shirt or buy some washcloths
When I was raising my four young children, I had a hamper just for wets and whites. It was all going to get bleached. I did not use paper towels or those nasty baby wipes, that hurt their skin. I had a lot of rags and wash cloths.
As Latin american leading my home, i will list how i solve these issues with no additional expenses: 1. Old 100% cotton tshirts. 2. I reuse fabric nets arriving when purchasing vegetables. 3. No need to use straws. We use glasses. 4. Old fashioned coffee brewers. We appreciate the artisan version of coffee. 5. We air dry. Living on a 4th floor has the advantage of not having to load a lot of clothes through the stairs. 6. We do not wrap gifts. 7. Nope. Asthmatic pets. 8. Microfiber cloth.
For coffee lovers, in Italy almost everyone has a Moka pot in which you put water and ground coffee that you can buy in packs similar to the coffee beans ones she was showing in the video. It could be “time consuming“ because you have to do it yourself since it’s not an automatic machine, but it’s way cheaper than buying the machine. Hope this helps! (coming from an Italian born and raised in Italy🇮🇹)
I agree with you. I was brought up in the 50’s/60’s and my parents did not have a lot of stare money. No paper towels just kitchen cloths that my mum use to soak in bleach every week to sanitize. No fancy gadgets, home made clothes, home made gifts, brown paper and string to wrap gifts. I could go on . We were very happy growing up and I still use certain tricks my mum taught me. Now I have seen this video I am going to look at other ways I can cut back on stuff
Such a simpler time - and one that I find myself taking a lot of inspiration from as well when it comes to living more sustainably and slowly!
Yes, wrapping in brown paper that was decorated by the giver. Or, carefully unwrapped regular gift wrap can be stored and reised.
Our parents went thru the great depression. They saved everything. Our children and grandchildren didn't.
I am currently using the Swedish dish cloths and am going to implement your color coding system!
There are still times that I don’t want to wash a towel and would like to be able to throw it out after 1 use - vomit, pet accident, even wiping down my cast iron pans with oil, etc.
For these occasions I keep a stash of cotton t shirt rags. When our tshirts are stained/in disrepair I cut them up into “squares” (approx 10”) with pinking shears to reduce fraying.
They absorb and do the job and get one more use before going into the trash.
Fair enough! I like the idea of reusing old t-shirts - such a great way to repurpose the item.
I do the same with old stained shirts and old, frayed, stained towels! I use them as rags. I learned that from my mom -- they come in handy when there's a big mess to clean.
Many essential oils are not pet safe. In fact, very few are safe for cats
I was going to comment on this as well.
Yep, and you have to be aware of what you use, how often. Some people are also quite sensitive to it. It's nice that the young folk discovers old methods but rarely they do the proper research.
I mean also they are a scam
@@leonardo9259 they’re not a scam if you’re buying them for what they are - aromatherapy and scented additives for homemade soaps etc. if you buy them for magical properties sure, but it’s just like crystals aren’t a scam if you’re just buying a pretty rock because it’s pretty and makes a nice display or trinket.
Nice! We do use the swedish dish clothes and ground coffee
and well, I want to share another ways to save money too:
1. Thick straws:
i think they're plastic but are so thick, we have them for years, they're good and easy to clean.
2. Paper gift bags:
We reuse them a lot, I can say we have a several 7 years old paper gifts bags. When we receive one, we use it for give another gift for someone else.
3. Microfiber cloth:
You can use it for the dust and we also use it for cleaning glass and another to clean the bathroom, they last years and you can wash them easily, they dry fast (well where I live we always have hot weather so it dries in 15 mins)
4. Refill with water the shampoo:
When we're about to be out of product or even when it's half full we can add water and extend its life hehe. Tha'ts a way to clean the bottle and use the entire product.
5. Reuse the plastic bottles:
When we're out of any product in bottle, a good way to recycle is to use that bottles and fill them with liquids for cleaning the house or another liquid thing you need to store (except what has to do with food).
6. Reuse plastic boxes and plastic bags:
Ice cream boxes, we use them as a plastic container (for food or even sewing tools, whatever you want). Plastic water bottles or plastic juice bottles we fill them with homemade juice or as a water jug if its large or if its medium or small as a personal water bottle hehe. And the plastic bags can be used to carry wet things or carry plastic containers with food, this prevents the smell of the food inside from coming out, or we can use it as a garbage bag.
7. Reuse damaged clothing:
We can use them as a cleaning cloth or even for drying your feet.
(Sorry if i got writing mistakes, this is not my native language 😅)
Dusters: my child loved the sheep wool duster but it got dirty and wet. I looked up how to clean it, did those steps and now I have a good as new duster that I know how to maintain. So what did I trade; no disposables, no plastic handle, used something already bought, learned a new skill. That's several Pat on the Backs in my book!
Another tip 💥💥
A bit of vinegar added to the wash. Can be used on colors as well as whites, act as a stain remover, disinfectant as well as a fabric softener... for tougher stains or if your water is hard add some baking soda
Yes I do this as well!
Cleaning vinegar is always in stock at my house! And ammonia. Use less detergent, no fabric sheets (plus I use wool balls in the dryer)
I have not used paper towels since the 1990s. I just use dishcloths for all my cleaning needs, they last years not months. I put my glass straws in the dishwasher. I use a french press for making coffee. I have manual coffee grinder that gives me a micro exercise. Of course I don’t use a dryer at all, it uses extra energy and is rough on the fabric. I get a headache from essential oils and perfume so my home has been perfume free for decades now.
Thanks for sharing these!
I recently made the switch from using a plastic loofah. I was on the hunt for a soft yet exfoliating wash cloth and finally found it! It’s the Quince waffle weave wash cloth in case anyone is also looking for one 😊
As for the duster, you can just use a damp microfiber cloth!
Thank you for sharing what’s working for you!
I grew up with my family using the Swedish dish cloth. Forgot about that, and never knew what it was called. The gift wrap idea is lovely! Thanks for a lot of great ideas!
I've made most of those swaps, with a couple of differences. The wool dryer balls are expensive and, as you note, have to be replaced every so often. I got the plastic ones, and they seem to work just as well, seem to last forever, and cost much less. I do line-dry most things, though, so they don't get a ton of use. They're possibly harsher on clothes but not by much, and I do suspect they are better at getting dog hair off of stuff than a wool ball would be, and I have a lot of that to deal with.
Years ago, I bought one of those big packs of sponges from Costco -- 24 or 30 sponges -- and am still working my way through them very slowly. I just sanitize the sponge every day in the microwave -- wet and a bit soapy in a saucer of water for 2-1/2 minutes on high. One sponge will last me several months.
I've made washable, reusable substitutes for Swiffer sheets by cutting down to size the large yellow microfiber cloths that Costco sells in bulk. They work quite well for both dusting and light mopping. Those are also great for dusting, washing windows, and many other uses.
For room sprays I mix the cheapest Vodka with essential oils, it is much better than using water. ;-)
That’s so interesting, I’ve never heard of using vodka! 😮
@@HaleyVillena yes, the nice smell of essential oils is stronger with Vodka. You can then also use it as a perfume for yourself. Or on your pillows if you use Lavender and Sandalwood for your Spray. 🙂
Wow thank you so much for sharing this. I’m definitely going to try it out! Love those scents as well 😍
Oil dissolves much better in alcohol than in water (or not at all) so this makes sense
Euro scrubby!! That's what it's called! I'm so grateful I watched this video. About a year and a half ago I found those at tj maxx and loved them but I have never been able to find them since. I didn't know what they were called. The closest thing I found was the Swedish dish towel but I love the euro scrubby for dishes best. Thank you!
Oh goodie!! Glad this was helpful for you! Happy scrubbing 😉
Since I sew, I make my own cleaning cloths from old bath towels. They work well for a multitude of quick-ups, and I use smaller ones as coasters, which prevent me from having to wipe away droplets on my kitchen counter.
I've been using metal straws for years. I was afraid to try glass straws for fear of breakage. Regarding coffee, I stopped using all caffeinated drinks.
Great idea! We use coasters on our coffee table too.
Me too. I do some garment sewing so eventually I invested in a serger/overlocker. It just gives such a nice finish, quickly, to seams, etc. Encouraged by a friend one of my 1st projects was converting a worn beach towel into cleaning cloths. Sewing for the win!
Flour sack towels are my favorite swaps for paper towels.
Where do you find them?
Great video! Funny enough, my family has been saving gift bags for holidays/birthdays since I was a kid (almost 30). I’d say we keep paper & bags for about 7/8 years. A lot less wasteful since we don’t really do wrapped gifts any other time of year.
We haven’t used dryer sheets in years since we’ve switched to dryer balls 😊 we use microfibre cloths for wiping surfaces and dusting, but we do have paper towels still for wiping our mouths so we need to switch to cloth napkins (for saucier meals) after we run out - we still have so much paper towel 😅 I have a euroscrubby and cloths to hand wash dishes. I never bothered with loofas since I use a gentle exfoliating body wash.
For removing dust I higly recomend damp duster from a company scrub daddy. Probably it's not made of eviromental friendly materials, but you only need one and you can use it FOREVER.
I made a list of the regular consumables for the household and included brand name, usual store bought from and frequency for replacement. It helped me to: determine budget, ask questions like do we need tbis? Can we reduce use? Do we have something else to use that is just as effective but costs less or is more readily available? Eye opening exercise. Wish I had done it years ago. I broke the list down by space (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) And keep it on my phone. If I clipped coupons it would come in handy to limit coupons collected, too.
Really great idea. You've motivated me to do this for our household too!
I made a similar list for about 100 items I like to shop for meals just so I know what I have/don't have. I put it in Google Keep and use the check list for things I am shopping for. I basically make all meals using the same things depending on seasonal availablity. It has saved me from buying things then not preparing them or getting them eaten or frozen in time. Part of zero waste for me is limiting how much I send to the landfill. Also, you can't budget properly without knowing what you are spending money on...Wishing your family much health and happiness!@@HaleyVillena
Very interesting video!
1) Already use them, they last ages!
2) Viscose mittens for the win
3) I already use those sponges who scrub and don't absorb water, but your ones look interesting and even more eco friendly!
4) Never used them
5) I make moka coffee so totally with you
6) I don't use the dryer, but interesting item!
7) I usually use cute (and sturdy) paper bags that can be reused, cloth gift wraps looks cool too
8) Used them once... I still have them after years. If the house is clean you wouldn't need deodorant. I use essential oils if some bad smell comes in my house from the outside through the windows, tho
9) Microfiber works pretty good for me! But I stull use the single use sheets I bought like 5 years ago to clean up the remainings, because after using microfiber they don't get dirty and last like 10-15 times 😂
I was just thinking that I needed to cutdown on my paper towel use. Thank you for the Swedish towel tip. I will definitely be purchasing some!
Absolutely! Hope you like them 🤭
You can also use dish cloths which can be cheaper.
I purchased fleece Swiffer type duster heads on Amazon. They fit the Swiffer handle well.
Good to know - thank you for sharing!
I have some of those, but still use the swiffer sheets as well for now because I have to wait to wash the fleece ones with the rags, and since I go to the laundromat, washing a few things at a time can get expensive. I would hand wash, but I really want those to get CLEAN before I use them again!
I keep the gift bags from gifts I’ve gotten for reuse in a huge shopping bag. With my friends we also use other stores bags for the gift. It’s a way to recycle them and not just throw them away
Thank you for the video. I do some of these already but it’s always nice to see people’s journey of becoming consumer conscious. Another tip I’d love to add is a bidet. They definitely save on toilet paper in the long run. That or a tabo, but we got our biget for $35 and have already saved hundreds.
A word of advice: the euroscrubby does NOT last 2 years, or even 1 years!
It is just a more abrasive sponge and it has a usefulness separate from the normal sponge.
Your best choice is to use the dishwasher- it is more efficient with water than your hands can ever be. Unless you need a dish right away, your cheapest option is to use the machine.
It seems like "cheating" but nobody says this about the microwave when their grandparents used an oven)
I know several people who have been using theirs for that amount of time - I think it depends on how they're being used/taken care of. We do use our dishwasher religiously too - but do not put our non-stick, plastic or delicate dishware inside to prolong their lifespan. I'm all for the dishwasher when it's applicable!
And I just realized the other day, I hardly use my oven, frozen pizza and baking cookies or bars. Pressure cooking a microwave does it all.
@LancesArmorStriking. My scrubby has lasted a year so far. I use it on everything.
No plastic wrap, can use a lidded container or put a plate on top of the bowl/cup or lid on pan and stash in fridge for next meal
No special soap in a pump, buy foaming soap dispenser and refill with home mix of concentrated soap and water (use distilled water to make it more hygienic), if you need it to be anti bac add some Hibiclens and mix it well. We buy unscented and add our own choice of essential oil for variety
Repurpose items you would normally throw out to get extra life out of them: cut up old clothes and reuse exhausted wash clothes/cut up towels to use as rags to clean up. We have a substantial stash so if they get wet, rinse, wring out and grab another for next use. We dry them out on a wire clothes rack and throw them in to the wash when we have a load to do.
If we use anything with artificial fibers we wash those items in laundry bags to reduce the plastic particles going into the water system.
Buy things used when possible to reduce footprint.
Make your own bread, muffins, cookies, crackers or do without
I use a moka pot and have been very happy with the espresso results. Easy to clean. Now that I have a little garden space I have a place to throw the used coffee grounds. Otherwise it would go into community compost which is a little drive away.
Thanks for making the time to share your swaps and show how you are reducing purchases and storage.
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing these 🤗
I make my own liquid soap by chopping up leftover bits of soap and microwave with water. The boiled water is sanitized.
@@sct4040 ive tried that too. 1 hotel size bar made at least a gallon of concentrate! Which when diluted with water and used in foaming soap took over a year to burn through. Your mileage may vary.
I don't get why people even need straws. Just drink from a glass.
i hate tasting the cup and if there’s ice in the drink it just gets in the way
I have trouble drinking water so the straw makes it fun and it tricks my brain into drinking even if I am not as dry as a desert.
I have had my swedish dish cloths for 4 years now, still good!
I use the antibacterial silicone brush love them. I swapped the dryer sheets for wool balls & will never go back. I don’t drink coffee, but my father does. He’s retired & was complaining about the cost of k cups. I got him 2 reusable k cups & he has used them daily for years now. I ‘ve used glass straws dry food storage containers, & Tupperware I hated the food stains & they had to be replaced too often. Highly recommend. I’ve seen the wool duster heads but have procrastinated on buying them. I’m excited to try the Swedish dishcloths & euroscrubby. I hate sponges & replace them monthly to limit bacteria growth. The euroscrubby may be a life saver.
I keep gift boxes,tissue paper,giftbags,wrapping paper, if in good shape.fold everything flat and store in christmas storage bag.keep tape,ribbon,labels,holiday cards,pair of scissors in bag too. Fits on top shelf in closet,compact and ready to use
This is so helpful! Made me realize how much space I could save... Thank you for making this!!
I collect colorful bandanas for many uses around the house....as well as gift wrap.
That's a fantastic idea! I'm sure those gifts turn out looking lovely with the different patterns too.
Loofahs are degradable, silicone is not
Synthetic loofahs are not degradable - we now use a silicone scrubber because it is reusable 🤗
you can use old cotton clothes as your dusters they work perfectly fine
Great ideas!! Love the color coded system for the cloths. I’ve even heard of people using fleece socks from the dollar store for dusting!
Thanks! The colour coding has been a game changer for sure. What a fantastic idea, I bet they’d even fit on the top of my dusting stick perfectly - may just have to do this instead! 🤭
I use old socks with holes for dusting.
When my son's socks wear out, he bags them up and brings them to me. I cut them open to make a flat cloth. They always last until he stocks up again
i love my dryer balls! they're eco friendly but it's such an upgrade for laundry days would recommend to everyone.
i buy the dollar store versions of the "handy wipes" that usually come several in a pack. 1/4 to 1/2 of one sheet will last a month or two to hand wash dishes. when it gets ratty, ripped or stained, or I wipe something with it that is highly greasy or whateva, I don't feel bad throwing that small piece of it out. I also make air freshener with using 91% rubbing alcohol, diluting it to 70-80% and adding cheapie body sprays (about 10%) and find it works great. the concept behind spraying alcohol, not oil and water, is to sanitize the air (like a catalytic lamp but no burning involved). Great ideas on your episode. regards,
A cotton dish cloth for kitchen, wash cloth for bathroom, last longer and washable. I don’t usually use a straw, they give you wrinkles around your mouth. Dryer sheets also leave a film in your dryer. Sheets cut up and hemmed and old pillowcases and old clothing make good gift wrapping. Fleece and yarn dusters are nice and can be washed many times.
Just wanted to say what a great video! Really informative and very easy to watch and understand. Defo gonna be making some of these swaps, thanks!
Thanks for the kind feedback Bianca! 🫶🏽
I have senior dog and cat that often times have little accidents that involve soft poop, pee and blood. I'd love to not use so much paper towels but on the other hand i don't think it's very hygienic to use a Swedish dish cloth and then throw it in the washing machine or dish washing machine. Thoughts?
I can totally see why you use paper towel for this purpose. I think it comes down to what you’re most comfortable using/cleaning up but I’ve seen that some people repurpose old clothing by cutting it up into rags - maybe that could work for you.
Try to deworm your dog and cat more, look for dewormer that contain albendazole, niclosamide and lavamisole
Give every 3 months at least (once a month is ok),
Remember to give twice (1 more after 5 days later)
Really helped my senior dog when he waa having bloody urine and can't hold it as normal
Never has those accidents again
@cristinad5398. Prior to pampers we put full baby diapers into the toilet to rinse out the poop and then in a bucket by the toilet with a little water and some antibacterial liquid and when full washed them.
For kcups, ive seen several composable pods. San Francisco coffee company (i think) on amazon makes compostable kcups. The price per coffee is most definitely higher than just a good ol coffee pot but if you love kcups and you hate cleaning out the plastic reusable pod, compostable pods might be worth looking in to.
Like all these suggestions in the video and in the comments. Its a personal choice depending on lifestyle, preferences, finances, etc that determine what (or if) they are willing to swap over to more "sustainable" items. Sometimes out parents (or grand parents) ways are thr most sustainable in just using what we have on hand.
Very insightful 😊 absolutely love this video. Will definitely be saving this so I can reference back to when I make the switch ❤
Glad to hear it 🤗
So glad I clicked on this video!
I already do most of what you say, like we have never used coffee capsules as we drink drip coffee or Turkish style. But the idea for dishwashing cloths is great, however I think I won’t buy them, but just kinda upcycle my old towels. I will keep the paper towels though, for drying up meat or cleaning cross things, we usually use just 1 roll per month, so it’s not such a big deal.
I have been using microfiber dusting cloths for years. Thank you for sharing this ❤
Thanks for sharing!
Enjoying your satisfying essentials vlog! ❤
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for all your great tips ! As I too research everything I will be purchasing those dish clothes many thanks !❤️🦋💫🙏🏻
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy the dish cloths 🤗
Yes , I enjoyed some of these , thx girl 💁🏽♀️
You’re welcome 😊
Silicon body scrub and euroscrubby look very useful. Thank you.
I use an Aeropress for coffee. It is the best and least expensive coffee maker I have ever used. i recommend it to people who like a great cup of coffee and prefer not to buy bulky appliances for the kitchen. It is also easy to travel with!
I saw this as an option when researching coffee making methods! Thanks for sharing, sounds like it checks all the boxes ☺️
@@HaleyVillena I'm excited about the silicone body scrubber! It looks like a great option for sensitive skin like mine. A lot of the natural ones are too rough and get smelly.
I hope it works for you! Feels quite nice even though it’s gentler.
My husband has become very sensitive to coffee. We used to use a cafetière (French press?) but even that was effecting him. The aero press however is ok. He still can only have one or two, but the aero press is a game changer and is much easier to clean than the cafetière so saving lots of water - bonus.
For gift wrapping, between my husband and myself I’ve been using the same 8 sheets of beautiful mulberry paper, held together with the same reused lengths of twine instead of tape for years now. Nothing goes in the trash after. Highly recommended for all situations in which you have control of gathering all the paper and twine back up for reuse and where young ones won’t be ripping it apart.
For gifts that get sent out, I use basic recycled brown craft paper, also held together with twine instead of tape. It makes for an elegant presentation as well.
I feel like if I were sending people fabric wrapped gifts, that fabric would just end up in the trash as well. At least with the craft paper, it can be easily recycled, more likely to be reused by the recipient or often, the kids are enamored with using it for their crafts. This craft paper option can still end up being wasteful for those sending many gifts each year though, but still better than all that dyed, laminated wrapping paper that is likely un-recyclable.
I’m also gifting more “experiences” instead of things that need wrapping to begin with.
i've had a glass straw for a long time now and i love it. unlike metal straws it doesnt affect the taste of the drink and unlike silicone it's not flimsy. the only other type of straw i have is the hard plastic straws like the ones you would find in starbucks cups. my boba straw is also glass. another good thing about glass straws is its very easy to clean
Thanks for sharing 🤗
Just one thing not all essential oils are safe for pets. But most of your tips I'm either already using or haven't needed to replace in the first place. However, the last one is definitely something I was needing. Thank you
Noted - thanks for sharing! Awesome that you’re using most of these already.
@@HaleyVillena thanks for sharing they are good tips and yes I can say from my own experience (the once I already use) they definitely save money and reduce clutter as you described.
AMAZING SWAPS
I didn’t even realise single use dusters existed!!! I’m happy you’re getting a reusable option, my mum has had the same one since I was a kid and it still works perfectly! Recently I got myself proper lint brushes. I have a soft one for more delicate fabrics and one of the metal ones for tougher fabrics. Those sticky rolls that you have to replace never worked as well for me anyway
That’s awesome - no need to swap for you then! Thanks for sharing your swap idea. I also love the reusable lint brushes, I bought one for “pet hair” that can be pushed back and forth to self clean - it’s been a game changer 🙌🏽
@@HaleyVillena A self cleaning one sounds amazing!!! That’s such a good find
For paper towels, we use cloth napkins & “unpaper towels” ~ I prefer the ones without the snaps. We do have some Swedish dish cloths but I prefer my cloth/unpaper towels. We’ve had an old fashioned espresso machine my hubby found used & we grind our own coffee ~ hubby’s got his own grinder & I have my own grinder lol ~ he’s more bougie in his taste of coffee & I prefer to be able to dr mine up with Jordan’s flavored syrups… but as I also love tea, I LOVE being able to make my own dirty chai latte & not have to go anywhere else to get it!
I do use a loofah like material but it’s a synthetic version that you can throw in the washing machine. It’s softer on the skin & it’s like a shower ball but without being all tied up in a ball… it’s long & easy to get your back without having a problem & you can just toss it into the washing machine. Can’t remember what they are called but they are the SOFTER version (not the scratchy ones) that will actually sloth off the dead skin cells on you but not literally try to skin you alive. I have used the duster cloths for at least 4-5 years & love them. We used to use the wool balls but no longer do, mainly because our dog thinks that they are for him & as soon as one bounces out of the dryer, it’s already in his mouth. 🙄🥴 So now we just use our dryer as needed &/or hang our clothes on a clothing “tree” do dry naturally ~ which especially helps our dry skin in the winter because it’s putting moisture into the air as we hang inside because of our allergies…. We are allergic to pretty much everything that is in nature… especially all the trees & grass & hay in Oklahoma. 🤦♀️
We use cloth napkins too - much softer than paper! I have seen those "unpaper towels" before and am unsure they'll work in our household as we do not have in-unit washers/dryers. Do you find you need to frequently wash them, or do they dry quickly after a rinse in the sink? Agreed, being able to enjoy a delicious beverage *at home* is awesome.
Sounds like a fantastic body scrubber you're using! Thanks for sharing your experience with these swaps - you inspire me! 🫶🏽
The only thing I didn't like from your suggestions was gift wraps. Gift wraps are magical, both in that it's awesome for someone to tare it open or for another to carefully peal it and save it.
I've kept intact wraps from my grandma safely tucked in an envelope and I will never give them up for some cloth.
As an italian simply just use the Moka if u want to not spend a lot and get good coffee wuickly with ground coffee.
Also if you want room sprays that purify only with essential oils here we use puressentiel its a very good brand I recommend it
Really loved this video!
I’ve taken it a few steps further… I use cloth menstrual pads and menstrual cups, installed a bidet and have cloth “toilet paper” (just for drying 😅), I use a Thai crystal deodorant (which I like better and basically lasts forever), the same muslin cloths I use for cleaning I use to sugar wax my legs, I use old ugly hair dye stained towels for cleaning spills, I have reusable cloth pads for my swiffer, I have a filter on my sink that I use for drinking instead of buying bottled water.
WOW you are killing it with the waste reduction!! I just Googled Thai crystal deodorant and I’m super intrigued - I just hate the process of purging toxins before it starts working but hey, if it does what everyone says it does I’m willing to go through it!
I'm from Germany, most of the things you show to swap away from have rarely been in my or my parents's home (roomspreay, loofas, sponge, dusters). And as of now, I don't use a single (of the "bad") things in your video - for example I switched to keeping printed sheet music (was necessary for exams) I don't want to keep and use those for wrapping. Mostly after having printed on both sides.
I've swapped out buying shampoo and conditioner liquid in bottles to now using shampoo and conditioner soap
I've returned to old fashioned hand soap and am gradually using up the bottles of liquid hand soap I already had and when I do I will either just have a small amount for guests or just have the soap - I now prefer the soap = I found some good soap dishes that are like little drainers that contain the water that is easy to tip out and keeps your sink looking good
It is so satisfying when you make a good swap out - great clip - I've used rags or cloths instead of paper towels though will use your recommendation for that and instead of microfibre towels when I can as I have just learned that they are harmful to the environment as they have microplastics
I learned a thing or two, thank you.
similar to reusable dusters: O-cedar mops instead of swiffer! you can fill it with whatever liquid you prefer and the mop part is cloth so just throw it in the wash when it gets dirty
Thanks for sharing this! 🤗
Love your thoughts
Ah! I spot the Duchess Cookbook
i also have the sweedish cloth and use it for cleaning stuff. But i don't agree with not having paper towels bcoz u can use it for something else like use it in the bathroom instead of using a cloth to wipe your hands especially when you have other guests.....i agree with u for the wool dryer ball. i got mine at Trader Joe's and yeah, it's perfect!
I also swapped cotton rounds, wash cloths instead of wipes, kitchen towels to dry hands, I’m starting to purchase hand soap in the bags instead of bottles, stacher bags and thinking of trying beeswax paper yo wrap food. One thing I wish I could find in my city is those stores where you take your own jars and buy by filling them up. Some grocery stores have dry goods like that but not everything.
I knew as soon as I seen the coffee pods/ maker come out how wasteful it looked! I'm so glad I have never had one. I use compostable liner or a moka pot or french press. I need to swap out my fiances sponges lol. I hate sponges. And I need more cloths in kitchen. We do have paper towel, i sometimes can reuse - if I just dry fruit or lettuce ill let the paper towel dry then use it to wipe up a spill or something. We definitely need to stop using those can sprays too!
I change out our sponges everyday and wash and boil them every Sunday. I put them in the dryer with our kitchen dish towels (which I also change daily) to dry. I also got in the habit of using Swedish dish towels too just because they are so efficient. I don't know about GLASS straws thugh........ouch! I'm too clumsy.😂
very helpful 🎉
as a non-american the paper towels culture has always made me so confused and upset, reusable washable cloths are the way!!
I finally found a good reusable k cup and paper filters. I still use my keurig but I don't buy k cups, just put good quality, freshly ground coffee in the reusable pod. Or do a pour over using a melitta and small cone filter. Depends on the size I want. Keurig for no more than 8 ounces or shots, pour over for anything larger. Coffee grounds and filters go in the compost. The melitta and k cup get washed and used endlessly.
Awesome advice, thanks for sharing!
great effort for doing your part for the environment:-)
Thanks for the encouragement!
I have been using metal straws for years -- I don't drink hot drinks with a straw, and almost all the glass straws I have have gotten broken by my kid (thankfully not while in use)! I also have a couple of swedish dishcloths to wipe stuff up and use regular dishcloths to wash dishes, not a sponge. Just bought some dryer balls, so I'll use those soon. I still use disposable wrapping paper, but also rely heavily on gift bags, and reuse those as much as possible. Trying to cut down on waste slowly but surely.
Thanks for sharing how you’ve made swaps in your home! It is definitely a slow process - I’m in the same boat, still learning and just doing what I can where I’m currently at!
Another tip 💥💥
Essential oil and Epsom salt mixed and placed inside a glass bowl or cup. You can add a few cloves to spice things up as well. Add a diffuser clarinet Reed if you'd like.
Thanks for sharing!
I cut my kitchen sponges in half....I get twice as many! I use peroxide to sanitize them frequently. The smaller sponges dry completely overnight.
I do this too. My dear ol dad used to work at 3M so we would get a ton of cleaning scrubbies. When he retired, I started cutting off small pieces to make my limited supply last longer. Still have my stash. Which is a good thing since some have never been sold in stores. I like your idea of periodically sanitizing. I will start doing that. Thanks!
I just use a handled dish scrubber. It hangs over the side of the sink to dry, and every few days, I chuck it in the dishwasher for extra sanitisation.
I just realized I've been always saving money without knowing it 🤣
I use microfiber cloths…easy to use and wash. And they clean with just water. For difficult cleaning use baking soda.
Microfiber cleans great but adds to pollution of oceans,when washed small fibers leach into water.
Good to hear that we are already doing the right thing. Instead of paper towels we use thick kitchen towel rolls which can be washed upto 15 times and the roll has about 80 pulls, i bought the roll in December and it's still not halfway through so that's a good option too
Thank you for sharing!
Watch out with the glass straws. My cup was knocked over and the straw shattered. After cleaning the area multiple times, tiny slivers of glass remained for my feet to find.
Oof sorry to hear that happened to you! Ours have dropped a couple of times but have never shattered thankfully.
I never use metal straws either - seen too many stories of people getting impaled on them. I use reusable plastic straws, made of hard plastic. I suppose there's still a danger of impaling, but they're probably more likely to break than a stainless steel straw, and they probably won't shatter into tiny pieces like glass. They come with a long skinny brush, so you can wash them, or you can just put them in the dishwasher. You can't use them with hot beverages, but I've never in all my life used a straw to drink a hot beverage.
Wanted to switch to glass straws but the fear of glass shards i dont notice kept me from doing it🙈
Decided to try "Softy straws" and im honestly super impressed the silicone tip fits on super nice on the stainless steel straw - if they make larger sizes i am 100% buying more but that is my only gripe
I can see metal straws but not glass. Way too risky.
I hate those silicone body scrubbers, they're rough on my skin and not at all eco-friendly between the product itself but also how much liquid bodywash you have to use in order to get any sort of lather. I love using soap bars in a sisal bag. Depending on the soap you get a moderate lather and you can throw the bags in a wash cycle between bars to sanitize them. I just keep usuing the bag until there's a hole in it, then replace it. Old bags typically aren't home compostable but they are commercially compostable.
Could you use concrete fill for taping. I can get proset but apparently that doesn't tape as good
I like the new coffee "pod" machines that work with coffee without an aluminium capsue. It's basically a ball of coffee. No idea how good the coffee is. I have a second had nespresso and only use about 2 pods a week on average (I mainly have it for guests). I think this doesn't add negatively to my environmental balance, as I don't have children, drive a car or fly. But I 100% agree for people who drink loads of coffee, the pods might not make sense environmentally and financially.
I have hand washed the swiffer dusters and they come out clean and work almost as good as mew if not the same. They only last one or two washes but it does cut down on the waste if you still use them.
This is very good to know! Thanks for sharing ☺️
I think you can get those silicone scrubbers that stick to the wallet the bottom of the shower for scrubbing your back and feet real well 🥰
Great idea!!
I love our little $150 espresso machine. It doesnt make the BEST espresso in the world, but it is so good (I like it better than French Press and Drip), we drink it almost every day.
if you want to give your air freshener a little more omph for the toilet you can add a little alcohol ! rubbing or drinking alcohol, cheap vodka. i use mine as deodorant toom 😊 great tips!
Target has some nice fluffy dusters that have a nice long handle. Machine wash, air dry.
Thanks for the recommendation!
I use cotton shop towels cut into 6 inch squares, after use I throw them in my washing machine so they get cleaned with the next wash. they last forever. Room spray I have used orange flower water (edible - it is used in drinks) mixed with cheap vodka.
absolutely love glass straws much more than metal ones since I can see if they're clean but my issue with thme is that they break so fast!! maybe I am just clumsy but one single fall is always fatal
Wrapping gifts in cloth is a thing in Japan! I feel like I've also seen cloth wraps in Korea too but it's less common.
The Japanese are way ahead of us 🤭