Many readers have shared their eco-friendly, wallet-friendly tips for saving money while reducing their environmental impact. From homemade cleaning products to reusable kitchen cloths, these swaps help cut costs and waste.
DIY Cleaning and Kitchen Swaps
Several readers make their own household cleaning products. One anonymous reader recommends a homemade spray: “In a spray bottle, add a tablespoon of white vinegar, a teaspoon of [eco] washing-up liquid and shake. It costs pennies and is really effective.”
Carol Wilkinson avoids disposable kitchen cloths by making her own reusable ones. “I crochet or knit them using pure cotton yarn from places such as Søstrene Grene. There are plenty of patterns available online. Making dishcloths is also an excellent way to learn for new knitters,” she says. Reader Desirée prefers Swedish cloths, which she says “work better than other kitchen cloths.” Another reader, Gina, notes that a “regular tea towel” is more environmentally friendly and just as effective as kitchen roll.
Bulk Buying and Refill Shops
Gavin Millar buys cleaning products in larger or recyclable containers to reduce plastic waste. He purchases “washing soda, baking soda and citric acid crystals in cardboard packaging, white vinegar or distilled malt vinegar in five-litre plastic containers or glass bottles, as well as rubbing alcohol or surgical spirit.” He also shops for eco washing-up liquid in “returnable five-litre plastic containers from companies such as Bio-D.”
Many readers take mason jars to refill shops to reduce packaging waste. Desirée buys meat in bulk from Costco, splits it up, and freezes it in silicone bags. She also gets a weekly produce box of rescued excess or imperfect items and, where safe, eats past best-before dates to avoid food waste.
Bathroom and Food Savings
Gina bought a yoghurt-maker to cut down on plastic pots. “I splurged on a Seb Multidelices one because the French know their yoghurt. Mine came with six little glass pots that are exactly the right size; there’s also a 12-pot model. The yoghurt itself is so much better. You can play around with flavours, types of fruit and sweetness levels, and a lot of machines can also make vegan yoghurts and cream cheese.”
Soap bars are another popular money-saver. “Not only are the bars wrapped in paper, but they also last far longer than a bottle of shower gel,” says Stuart Mayes. “I use ones by Nesti Dante, which produces soap free from petrochemicals, synthetic surfactants and microplastics. It uses vegan and, where possible, organic ingredients and sustainable energy to produce the soap.”
Mark switched to a metal safety razor thirty years ago. “It’s a Merkur 25C that uses traditional double-edge blades. It’s not just about not having a plastic razor, but never having to buy those expensive, throwaway, nonrecyclable plastic cartridge blades. I also use a shaving block, rather than shaving foam aerosols.”
