1. Ziplock bags- reusable ziploc bags(FYI amazon have them I use them personally and they are great and affordable) 2. Tea bag’s- loose tea 3. Spice blends- make your own diy spices 4. Paper towels- rags instead they absorb liquid better and are washable 5. Cleaning supplies- make your own diy cleaning supplies 6. Liquid Laundry detergent- pods 7. Tampons- period cup 8. Package lotion- buy lotion in bulks at whole foods bring your own jar 9. Bottle shampoo- bar shampoo 10.Disposable diapers- cloth diapers 11. Buying clothes- rent instead 12. Tooth paste - use tooth paste tablets Your Welcome🥰
I make my own dish soap and hand soap using a Dr. Bronner’s bar of soap. I grate with a cheese grater and dissolve the shreds in hot water on the stove. After it cools it turns into liquid soap. You can add more water to adjust the consistency. I also add a small amount of baking soda for the dish soap. Thank you for the video Janae! You are beautiful inside and out! 🦋🌺🦋
My local health food store will let you buy liquid bronners soap in bulk, they have giant bottles with a pump and you can fill a Mason jar or an old Dr. Bronner bottle, they also will pre weigh your containers so you don't pay for the weight of the Mason jar ect. Maybe this would be easier if you can find a place near you
I love that you're being so eco friendly! Some of my favorite swaps/brands have been: 1. Wool Dryer balls! use with a little essential oil for amaaaaaazing smelling clothes! 2. A bidet! I thought it might be a weird switch, but i feel so much cleaner and use less TP! 3. Bamboo or recycled paper TP, while we're at it. 4. Regrowing kitchen scraps! Like lettuce, green onions, etc! 5. Buying LESS! and using what I already have :)
I'm from South Africa, and teal towels have been the norm here for as long as I can remember, it's all I've ever known in our house. Paper towels are handy in other ways, if you want to wipe up an oil spill while cooking, something spilled on the floor, for which you would not want to use the cloth tea towels for. I guess both have their advantages...
Yeah, they do have their advantages. For spills on the floor I use a rag that I rinse after using and dry. That lasts a few days. I make the rags with old towels or tea towels when they get too raggedy 😆
Great tips! I don't use or buy lotion anymore. I mix natural oils (evoo, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil) with essential oils in a spray bottle, and while I'm still damp from the shower I mist my body and wipe down. Silky smooth.😍
Plus thinx period underwear are great they support women, are sustainable, and have a section for older women with bladder leaks & a teen daughter brand
I began my plastic free journey about 3 years ago. Since then I stopped using plastic grocery bags, buying paper towels, grains and beans, tofu and so much more. A lot of my food i can get from the bulk section at my local grocer using my own containers (including the tofu), bar towels (a Wal-Mart find) cut into 1/4s to replace the paper towels, and bring my own produce and shopping bags. It was hard getting all these funny looks from people when i started but now I get more compliments on the eco friendly ideas. So glad more people are doing this!
@@SweetPotatoSoul Edge of the Woods market in New Haven CT. Believe me, I know(about it being a dream). It was the first place I ever seen with something like that
It is so nice to know that someone I follow for other reasons also shares my interest in being low waste and low impact on the earth. I follow a lot of zero waste people on RUclips and a lot of vegan food type people but a lot of times they don't cross over. So, thanks for sharing! I have not bought stasher bags because of their cost, but I do have some silicone bowl covers that are helpful and very stretchy. I have literally been using the same Ziploc bags over and over again for many years. I have bought a few reusable ones that are not as nice as stasher bags but they do the trick. For those recommending the ones on Amazon, just beware. I got some on Amazon and they were terrible quality and would not stay closed. I found out later that they came from China and I wasn't able to return them.
@@opp17485 I dry my clothes in my tiny and cold apt, and I live in a damp country. I lived most of my life without one. It would be hard to believe that most people don't have room for a drying rack in their house. We would dry clothes in the living room, bathroom, attic, wherever. Just not the bedroom or kitchen.
Aaaah! Im so excited about the toothpaste bites because when I discovered that toothpaste packaging is NOT recyclable I was so discouraged & feel so bad buying conventional toothpaste. But also I was furious that the average toothpaste contains harmful chemicals including SLS!! Thank you for another helpful inspiring video 😁 yes share your clothe diaper journey!
I use baking soda for washing my hair and apple cider vinegar as a rinse and it works great. I make my own body lotion (coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter & essential oils), deodorant (coconut oil, baking soda essential oils, toothpaste (bentonite clay, baking soda & essential oil), mouthwash (water & essential oil), I recently started buying dish soap, cleaning vinegar and white vinegar in bulk.i use reusable mesh bags for produce when buying groceries. I bought a bread maker started making my own bread, I make my own mayo... in short, I make a lot of stuff at home 😆
I love keeping my old jars! I use them to store spices and bulk buy items like quinoa, nuts, oats and seeds etc. Since I’m a design nerd I always remove the labels and make my own by hand, and I have a good quality spray paint and to spray the tops of lids black so that everything matches :)
From what I understand the love beauty and planet brand is not actually sustainable or ocean friendly. I recommend using earth hero, instead of Amazon, to purchase your sustainable products as they vet each product to make sure that each material/ingredient is earth friendly and their own shipping materials are usually fully compostable .
Something I've been doing for years: I use reusable produce bags. I am not just talking about the big bags that carry your grocery shopping, but about the actual bags that carry the vegetables. I love them!! Another thing that I've had for the past 3 years is a bidet. You can buy them at Amazon for 70 to 90 dollars and they are simple to install. Much cleaner than toilet paper. I don't use toilet paper at home either. I do use flanelette cotton wipes. I throw after one use in the basket. I wash them all in the washer. Since you've already rinsed yourself with the bidet, nothing gets smeared on them. They basically just dry your bum....so, no it's not stinky or dirty or anything like that.
I'm so glad that you are so into the environment, especially considering how many subscribers you have. I have been doing many of these things for many, many years. I buy all of my spices and whatever else I can buy in bulk. My local natural food store even sells nutritional yeast in bulk! And buying flour in bulk saves soooo much money! I have thought about buying Stasher bags, but I feel like I have a lifetime supply of ziplock bags that I wash and reuse. I never buy them, but my in-laws are always giving me things (food and others) in them and I can't throw them away, so I just keep reusing them. If I ever run out, then I will buy some Stashers!
I recommend shopping at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Burke's Outlet, and other discount stores for reuseable bags for food storage bags. I found reuseable produce bags at Big Lots 6 for $7. Just some suggestions to try to help you or someone else that sees this comment or video.
I want to switch to buying spices in bulk. Where do you buy yours? My local sprouts grocery store has some spices in bulk but I don’t know how to go about buying them without using a ton of their plastic baggies so I haven’t.. are there options for reusable spice bags? And then how would you label them for the cashier?
Thank you! I hear you on the Ziplock bags. I never buy them, but I also have a stash of them that I wash and reuse until they tear. I wish they were studier. We could use them so much longer!
Hey y’all, I have been using a menstrual cup (specifically the sensitive Lena cup) for a year and I think it was worth it!!! It was fairly priced, has saved me money since, and is so convenient. Please do a little bit of research on all the available cups before you by one, each cup is made with a little different material and they come in different sizes, comfort and safety is priority.
I loved cloth diapering, but I admit, I used a diaper service for the first 16 months. After that, when she started potty training and using fewer diapers, we kept the soiled diapers in a huge wet bag in the bathroom cabinet and had to wash about once a week. Very easy. Always dump the poop in the toilet first (of course). To wash I'd first do a rinse with a few tablespoons of white vinegar. Then I'd add 1 cup baking soda and Sal Suds and wash on normal. The initial rinse with vinegar will really help neutralize the pee smells and the baking soda makes for a more powerful wash. The diapers were always so fresh when they came out of the wash and dryer!
Sorry, I used diaper service and cloth diapers, but also used plastic covering for protection from outer surfaces/clothes... I agree this is better for baby and definitely eco friendly but I never see these products anymore
I bought an Idavee Soymilk machine that is wonderful! Just add dry beans and water and 30 mins later its done! It makes other milks too, although I just use the vitamix for nut and oat milks.... No mystery ingredients or cargeenan to worry about, easy to clean!
I've had a menstrual cup for almost 4 years now and love it so much! Sooooo much less waste! Just bought cloth-pads now as well to try out on less flow days! I think the biggest environmental/sustainable thing I've done the last few years is for sure being so much more conscious of what I eat, buying less clothes and things in general, choosing good quality stuff that will actually last me a long time is also a big one for me right now. Thanks for this video and thank you for always delivering good vibes and positive energy
Why I still use paper towels: my son had to have a pic line for antibiotic infusion after surgery (about 20 years ago now) and when the visiting nurse came to show us how to administer the medicine, she said cloth towels harber LOTS of germs so that when you wash your hands you should use paper towels to be thrown away. I keep a roll in the kitchen and both bathrooms for hand drying after washing. I do use a clean flour sack towel for drying dishes, however. The rest of your tips are excellent. Thanks for sharing.
I have a bunch of different sizes of Stasher bags and I love them. I've been using the Bite toothpaste for almost a year and I absolutely love the system. I actually want to get into dropps once I need to get new detergent. I stopped buying dryer sheets awhile ago and love the wool balls which is something that I'd talked about getting with my mum before she passed. I reuse a lot of old jars as I avoid buying anything I can in plastic so I can can wash and reuse the jar. With that my brother and I stopped buying our milk in plastic jugs and instead buy glass that we then just clean out and once we fill a bag with about five return them to the store. Plus milk tastes so much better out of glass versus plastic. I just wish plant milks would start doing that as well because theres a brand of oat milk I love that would be amazing if I could get it in glass bottles and do it the same way that is done with dairy milk. It actually took a bit before my brother realized we weren't buying paper towels anymore and I was just using old shirts that I'd cut smaller to clean up.
It is so awesome seeing BIPOC talk about sustainability, not only because the culture of it started with BIPOC, but because BIPOC struggles with society not making products for their types of skin, hair etc., especially as a woman. Society does not lean in our favor as women so we are already at a disadvantage especially as far as body care, so finding products that suite us is essential. Especially in regards to Budget friendly, sustainable, and formulated to work well for the woman’s body! Thanks for sharing!
I occasionally buy a gallon to keep in my car and refill my thermos that I drink from when driving. Otherwise I refuse to buy the individual small water bottles. I just use hiking type water bottles to take with when i go somewhere. pls stop buying the little individual plastic, SO wasteful.
Me too ! When I was younger my parents always did that and we have a distributor of water (don't know how to say it in English). You put a big bottle of 18L on the top and you always have fresh water. When the bottle is empty you just have to go to the groceries store and refill.
Great video - thanks for sharing! Another replacement for paper towels is to use old, worn-out, flat or pre-fold cloth diapers. This may be weird to some people, but they are clean once you wash them and they work great for heavier jobs...think absorbency!
my daughter is 7 so its been a long time since she was in cloth diapers BUT I still think its worth it to do a video on cloth diapering because its such a huge source of waste and disposable diapers are just gross and toxic. I also loved that you mentioned cloth diapering being better at facilitating potty training! We practiced elimination communication with our daughter ( sounds crazy but its what human were doing for millions of years before the advent of diapers ) and it reduced diaper changes AND she potty trained very young because of it. If you haven't checked out elimination communication, IT IS SO WORTH IT!
You are such a breath of fresh air! I am 61 - used cloth diapers on all 3 of my kids. Always - during a time when disposables were encouraged. Guess I'm a green-freak, huh? Thank you for all your input!
I just want to say I LOVE YOU!! I’ve been watching you for a while maybe since your first days. Love you cook book too. You are amazing. New book soon? Perhaps you can speak about mental health or balancing being a new mom and stress. Love ya💗💗💗
I have a friend who used a period cup (exclusively) in the 1960s when she was in a part of the world that didn't have pads or tampons. Incredible device.
I don't use lotion. Cocoa butter or coconut oil. I do use shampoo bars. Also an electric shaver no disposable razors. We have been using Bar cloths for paper towels and cheap washcloths instead if of throwing away sponges. Just wash with all your other towels. Next I want to thrift some napkins so we don't use paper ones. I have the silicone bags but need to buy more. Also use plastic shower cap type covers instead of plastic wrap. Just wash and reuse. Also reuse jars for leftovers.
@@CreativeEricafilms I highly recommend the RUclips channel Put A Cup In It! I’ve learned SO much from them, and they helped me to be comfortable enough to try it
I use silicone cookie sheet liners instead of wax paper or parchment paper for baking- I LOVE it. We use it for everything and it's a snap to wash afterwards. I often bake 4-5 dozens at a time and this really withstands it! There's a many other things I do but that came to mind... am definitely intrigued by the shampoo bars- I've heard about it but always felt hesitant to try! Same with the toothpaste bits. Thanks for sharing!
Yesssss!! How are more people not talking about sal suds?? Super budget and very effective! I use it (diluted of course) for all purpose spray, laundry, dishes, and mopping - love it for all of the above!
Just bought some silicon bags yesterday. You can get some affordable ones on Amazon! Also just bought glassware too, they have a set at Sam's club for like $20 right now.
so great! I buy solid soap for doing the dishes (I don't use a dishwasher), I make my own all purpose cleaner, also make my laundry detergent and use old t-shirts to make cleaning cloth. I try not to use my tumble drier unless it's absolutely necessary, I usually hang to dry out in the sun. On toiletries: I make my own toothpaste and my parfume, use shampoo bar and also a soap bar for hands and body. I buy bulk hair conditiones and never use a hair dryer (I don't even have one). Love your videos and this one makes me admire and respect you even more. Thank you ;)
Awesome! You might even be able to save money on hair conditioner by rinsing with diluted unfiltered apple cider vinegar instead! There are lots of RUclips videos about it.
I stopped using pads and purchased reusable pads from Etsy. I did the same thing and stopped using tampons, except I use a menstrual disc because those cups just did not work. I buy bar soap and keep the little leftover pieces to melt and make more bar soap. I’ve also seen something called LastSwab and it’s a reusable cotton swab. Would be perfect for makeup or anything u currently use cotton swabs for. They have more on their site too. I just found your channel and I’m excited to learn more! Thank you!
Since you're frugal, instead of buying Bite for toothpaste, use baking soda, you already have it and it whitens your teeth. You can also use it as deodorant. Thanks for the tips.
That shower shot shows how beautiful you really are!!! Your skin is just so healthy and glows! I'm the consignment queen too. And I replaced all my plastic containers with glass. I love glass and save most jars... think mixing bowls, refrigerator storage, dry storage (staples, mixes, spices) it just lasts forever. (just thought, full disclosure, the lids to the glass bowls are plastic)
Love the video. My daughter introduced me to tooth tabs from Lush. She has been using them for years and they come in many different flavors. Also, during the stay at home orders I stopped buying paper towels and just use a regular towel for spills or my washable mop.
I use jars like crazy now for everything, which I love! I stopped using paper towels (including napkins) years ago! I don't buy cleaners, except toilet cleaner.
I was totally skeptical about shampoo bars and first, but they work really well on curly hair. Thanks for sharing your sustainable, money saving swaps 💕
For menstrual products, I love period cups, but sometimes at night sleeping with one is uncomfortable, so I use period undies and they’re a life saver! Whenever I don’t feel like feeling like I’m on my period, I use reusable period undies. I’ve only tried THINX but I really like them. :)
This is a great video -- keep those eco-friendly tips coming. I literally just acquired two bottles of Sal Suds today so I can make my own laundry detergent and house cleaners, and hopefully avoid buying any more huge plastic bottles in the future. I also saved two enormous cat litter buckets and I only buy litter in bulk now from a local pet store. I do a lot of mending and upcycling of my (mostly thrifted) clothing -- it's more fun and I don't care about being "on trend" as far as fashion goes. I get tons of compliments on my jeans that are covered in patches!
I have two cats and I switched to using pine pellets for their litter. The pine oil is baked out of the pellets so it is not toxic for them. A forty pound bag is $5.99 at my local Tractor Supply and lasts me four months. I just use the grated litter boxes from Arm and Hammer. There are videos here on RUclips that show how this system works. It’s so cheap and better for the environment than clay litter, which doesn’t biodegrade.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas and hacks that are eco friendly. I make my own dish sponges with rough yarn. I crochet them in circular shape size that i want and they are reusable and washable and they do work great in removing stuck on foods. ❤
I went back to waxed paper for a lot of food items. Obviously comes in sheet rolls but also bags and "deli-cut" sheets in a box. Or sometimes glassine bags. Planet friendly. Especially great for sending visitors off with a snack or trinket. I've tried a couple silicone bag brands but they were near impossible to snap closed. Thanks for great video.
My swaps: 1. I hand wash plastic ziploc bags (yeah it's not fun but it works) 2. I buy Nelly's dishwasher detergent. It comes in a tin and can be refilled at a refillery 3. Laundry detergent for soap berries that can be composted. I ran out so now I am using the laundry strips from Tru Earth who lucky for me, make them where I live (less transportations than soap berries) 4. I make some of my own herbal tea. I grow peppermint, chamomile etc in my tiny backyard and then dry them.
Solid Shampoo, conditioner and bar soap are the best. I started using them for travel storage reason then went full term due to downsizing my possession to use less space.
In the beginning of the pandemic I purchased a bidet and switched to washable toilet paper (it's basically a cotton cloth). So I no longer buy toilet paper. I also do a lot of what was discussing in the video but some were new so I will try it 😊
I keep all the bottles and jars that my husband's non-vegan food comes in and reuse them over and over. I freeze all my veggie stock, soups, stews, etc... in them. I make all my own tea blends and also store them in the jars. I was raised on a remote part of a glacier lake in Western Canada, so when you talk about frugal, my mother had to be because she had to do everything herself, everything. I learned so much from her. She was always singing and would spin me around after we finished a job. Her way of encouraging us to help was with playfulness and not "Do your chores."
Thank you so much for talking about Bite - I've been so curious! And I'm loving reusable cotton rounds; much like tea towels (but for your face 😁), it's wonderful to be able to cut back on my use of disposable stuff when I'm scraping the day off my face! The usual big online stores have them, but there are great etsy creators that make them too... And I like to support small businesses, especially right now. Great video, thank you so much!
Another great one is solid (face/body) cream. It is so much better than the usual one, comes in a paper box and lasts for two containers of normal face cream. I cannot use the menstrual cup, but there are great reusable washable panties or pads on the market, so I use those.
BlueLand is a great brand that has hand soap, laundry soap, and dishwasher tablets. Doterra is amazing for making your house smell good by diffusing oils and with that oils can be used for everything from scenting your shampoo, lotion, laundry, to cooking with it and killing aphids on the yard. Good luck everyone!!!!!! This is a passion of mine as well!!!!
Hello Janae ! I suggest you use Nellies detergent as it comes in a metal box that you can reuse and as a scoop to measure the amount you need And works wonders
I don’t buy laundry detergent anymore, I learned how to make it, and I’m a convert! I’ve also slowed down my q-tip consumption and got a reusable swab-I still use paper ones for nail polish removing, but a box lasts me FOREVER now.
I LOVE this video!!! You are a queennnnn thank you so much for putting these tips together! I would loove love love to see more videos like this centered on low waste ideas/things you actually do to reduce your families footprint. Thank you!!!! P.s I JUST TODAY used a menstrual cup for the first time(diva cup) and so far I really love it and feel so good about making this super easy switch!
I’m so glad I cloth diapered. Took a learning curve for the best process, but it ended up being such a good move. Cloth diapers helped my kid with potty training. ;)
@@ThePeacefulbutterfly there are diaper bags specifically made for holding dirties when you’re out and about. They are called “Wet Bags”. Just google ‘cloth diaper wet bags’ and you’ll see what I’m talking about. You’re able to wash the bag with your diapers. I always hung mine out in the sun so that the plastic lining didn’t get damaged in a dryer. :)
I have been making and using my own cleaning products I make with water, soap, an alcohol base, and essential oils. It works well. I've been doing this for about 2 yrs. I also make a daily cleaner w/o the oils. I used olive oil to remove a water stain. I love the idea to save the planet. I wish we had a place to compost closer to home. I have to drive to Mom's Organic to drop that off.
Also, I use toothpaste powder and have been for years. Eco Dent is the brand I use and I LOVE that the packaging is soooo much smaller than a traditional tube of toothpaste and you get a bunch more brushes out of it.
With the tea towels make sure they’re not plastic as many fabrics are as otherwise you are putting micro plastics into the ocean every time you wash them. Linen or organic Cotten are the best. No Tox life do a great solid bar for washing up. Marley’s Monsters do great eco no paper products including ‘no paper towel’.Lush sell some great no plastic products including shampoo bars. Also make use of refill shops. So many wonderful alternatives no. My favourite place is Plastic Freedom online store for all my zero waste needs along with Lush.
I was using Dropps for the longest and loved them but the little plastic casing still isn’t great for the environment. Blueland offers detergent tabs without plastic casing! Haven’t tried yet but when I finish dropps I will making the switch
I’ve started using toothpaste tablets too. It’s pricey but if you can afford it, it makes a huge impact on the environment. I also use reusable bamboo pads instead of cotton pads that get used once and thrown away. You can get a pack of 10 for super cheap online and they just get thrown in the washing machine after they’ve been used:
Great tips! I live in the DC area and sadly there are few bulk-selling stores. Whole Foods is a joke. You have to buy their plastic container or use their plastic bags. They say it's unsanitary to bring your own. Stupid! Even the organic market has a greatly reduced number of items and their pricing can be through the roof. It's a missed opportunity for sure. I think a bulk store here would be wildly popular and successful.
Thanks for this video. It helps lots. I wish I was more frugal with things but it never too late to learn. Thank you for sharing x. Loving all your content!!!
I'd love you to talk more about your experience with cloth diapers. I'm not planning having any children soon (indeed God/Allah is the best planner) but it's a very interesting topic😊 one thing I don't buy anymore is body lotion. I make my own nutty butter made from whipped sheabutter and coconut oil as the base and add anything I like. Argan or Olive oil, essential oils... and I also don't use lotion that much anyways. 👍🏼😊
I've been using Bite for the last few months and I love it. They also have vegan floss in a little glass jar, and mouthwash tabs also. Definitely will not go back to tube paste!
This is definitely one of the best sustainable list videos! I love the tips you gave - they were super useful and much more relatable than most. For example, I’m sick of hearing about super expensive eco-friendly products that you buy once in a blue moon (like sustainable mattresses or whatever), metal straws, and buying refillable coffee cups haha - I was low-income growing up and the thought of buying already-prepared drinks was not a thing, plus you could literally just stop using straws lol... Also, I watched an add by the bite toothpaste company before your video. Fingers crossed they sponsor you soon!
Good points. The only thing I really need straws for are when I drink water with lemon or apple cider vinegar to avoid the contact with my teeth and then also straws are good for smoothies but not necessary
If you wear your hair in protective styles like box braids... A BOMB ! super simple & cheap , environmentally kind, all natural scalp cleaner is : 3-4 Tsp organic apple cider vinegar, a few drops of tea tree oil, approx 1/4 c of warm distilled water, 1 or 2Tsp of a organic, fair trade oil . The oil can be- coconut, olive oil, shea butter ...whatever oil you like. To mix the ingredients the oil needs to liquify ( so if it's coconut melt it before you mix the other ingredients) . I part my hair into sections and smear a bit of the mixture on my scalp. I let it sit for approx. 8 min. Then I get a fine tooth comb and gently scrap the scalp . Then rinse with warm water. Any itchy crust is gone. My scalp feels tingly and fresh. Unless there's product build up, I don't need to shampoo. I pat my hair with a towel and while it's still damp I spray a leave in conditioner ( I like Raaw Roots by Hairobics - it's all 100% natuarl and no animal testing or ingredients and price is right too) and let it air dry. Takes less than 30 mins :)
Great tips! Thank you for sharing. I would love a video on cloth diapering. I am due in May with our rainbow baby and have been slowly building our cloth stash.
Hi, I was born in 1979 in South Africa and grew up with cloth diapers. Disposable diapers were getting trendy in those days, and I know my mom used them with my younger brother and sister. Of course cloth diapers are better for the environment, but I know from living in those times that they are a bitch to clean, and it's really involved (sterilization, etc...)and time consuming, especially as a new mom with a small baby consuming all her energy. I'm not advocating using disposables, but would advise to do proper research before diving into this adventure...
@@tillievantonder And babies mess up a whole lot of diapers so unless a mom has a ton of time to constantly wash/clean/sterilize the things or the money to spend upfront to have a decent stock of them stashed away, they're definitely taking on a lot of work.
I love your vids. I remember when disposable diapers became the norm back in the 80s. I simply couldn't afford them nor could this frugal gal have ever justified their usage. I love to make my pennies scream bloody murder. I once read a statistic that each child's disposable diapers if stretched end to end would reach around the circumference of the earth. The environmentalist game wasn't mainstream back then. However, this frugal, hippy-mama realized that homemade cleaning products, cloth diapers, tea towels, and all that not only saved me money but also didn't contribute to pollution. Win-Win for SuzyQ.
Have you ever heard of BlueLand products? They sell little tablets that you can drop I’m any reusable bottle to make soap, all kinds of cleaners, and laundry detergent. I absolutely love them and it’s way cheaper and more eco friendly than buying single use plastic all the time
Also with blue land they don’t wrap their tablets in plastic the way the pods like the ones shown here do. So it’s even more eco friendly! Highly encourage everyone to check them out
6:00 I feel you sista… I stopped buying soy milk, soy yogurt, tofu and tofu mayonnaise that I make myself. I also make flax seed gel, so I don’t buy commercial ones.I usually buy grains, beans and pulses in bulk. I also stopped buying paper towel (recently) and tampons (decades ago). I recently bought waxed fabric to replace Saran Wrap. Most of the time I like thrift shopping clothes rather than buying them new. I recently joined a bartering community, so I throw away less and buy less too. I did try shampoo bars but it wasn’t for me, I use very little shampoo anyway : I dilute about a tablespoon in a cup of lukewarm water to wash my hair and it’s enough. I do all this mainly for myself but it is try that it feels nice to produce less waste. ❤️
What really helps with shampoo bars is rinsing with unfiltered apple cider vinegar. After rinsing out the shampoo with water, rinse with ACV diluted in at least 3 parts water. So like 1/4 cup ACV in 1 cup or more water. I pour about 1/4 cup ACV into a 16-ounce plastic cup. (Yes, plastic. Too dangerous to have glass in the shower.) When I’m ready, I fill up the rest of the cup with shower water. I pour about half of it over my hair with my head tilted back, then I bend over and pour the rest on the underside of my hair. You can also run a comb through your hair to help distribute it. You can experiment with rinsing your hair again or just wringing it out and towel drying without rinsing the ACV to see which gets the best result. It makes my hair so silky! You might be able to use ACV in place of conditioner! If you still need conditioner, you can try the ACV before or after using conditioner to see which way works best. Of course, you want to avoid getting it in your eyes, but if you do, just rinse your eyes thoroughly with water. Also, the ACV makes the shower floor a bit slippery. There are several RUclips videos about rinsing hair with ACV.
I am very interested in the cloth diapers! Me and my partner are planning to become parents in the next few years, and the possible waste of the diapers bothers me already. How many do you have and how often do you wash them? Is there a brand and/or material you would recommend? Love the video!
I'm surprised you haven't implemented Sea Moss into your regimen. Incorporating it into mine cut my period down 1day&1/2. I was shook. Hopefully, there won't be a need for pads or a cup at all soon!
1. Ziplock bags- reusable ziploc bags(FYI amazon have them I use them personally and they are great and affordable)
2. Tea bag’s- loose tea
3. Spice blends- make your own diy spices
4. Paper towels- rags instead they absorb liquid better and are washable
5. Cleaning supplies- make your own diy cleaning supplies
6. Liquid Laundry detergent- pods
7. Tampons- period cup
8. Package lotion- buy lotion in bulks at whole foods bring your own jar
9. Bottle shampoo- bar shampoo
10.Disposable diapers- cloth diapers
11. Buying clothes- rent instead
12. Tooth paste - use tooth paste tablets
Your Welcome🥰
Toilet paper -- use family cloth
@HI HEY HELLO nobody 'needs' chemicals 🙄
So is this to avoid watching the entire video? She has reasons, so despite the "list" it's important to hear why she did it. Don't you agree?
@@ardishafdahl8296 u could have kept this comment to yourself don’t you agree?
@@V3ganBr33 Then nothing would exist. Everything is chemicals. Lol but I get what you mean.
I was just sitting here thinking how can I live more eco-friendly and go fully vegan and here comes this ... right on time.
Perfect!! Good luck :)
It’s a sign girl! Do it!!!!
@Nicholas Milan AWSOME
Thank you!!!! Glad you're joining us
I make my own dish soap and hand soap using a Dr. Bronner’s bar of soap. I grate with a cheese grater and dissolve the shreds in hot water on the stove. After it cools it turns into liquid soap. You can add more water to adjust the consistency. I also add a small amount of baking soda for the dish soap. Thank you for the video Janae! You are beautiful inside and out! 🦋🌺🦋
That is so cool. Do any of the dr bronners bar soaps work?
Really? Thank you for sharing. I want to try that :)
Thanks, Tamara!
Is that a savings vs. buying Bonners liquid in bulk?
My local health food store will let you buy liquid bronners soap in bulk, they have giant bottles with a pump and you can fill a Mason jar or an old Dr. Bronner bottle, they also will pre weigh your containers so you don't pay for the weight of the Mason jar ect. Maybe this would be easier if you can find a place near you
I love that you're being so eco friendly! Some of my favorite swaps/brands have been:
1. Wool Dryer balls! use with a little essential oil for amaaaaaazing smelling clothes!
2. A bidet! I thought it might be a weird switch, but i feel so much cleaner and use less TP!
3. Bamboo or recycled paper TP, while we're at it.
4. Regrowing kitchen scraps! Like lettuce, green onions, etc!
5. Buying LESS! and using what I already have :)
I'm from South Africa, and teal towels have been the norm here for as long as I can remember, it's all I've ever known in our house. Paper towels are handy in other ways, if you want to wipe up an oil spill while cooking, something spilled on the floor, for which you would not want to use the cloth tea towels for. I guess both have their advantages...
I keep a set of rags that are used for really messy spills all from leftover old shirts or towels or sheets to use instead of paper towels
Yeah, they do have their advantages. For spills on the floor I use a rag that I rinse after using and dry. That lasts a few days. I make the rags with old towels or tea towels when they get too raggedy 😆
Great tips! I don't use or buy lotion anymore. I mix natural oils (evoo, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil) with essential oils in a spray bottle, and while I'm still damp from the shower I mist my body and wipe down. Silky smooth.😍
Plus thinx period underwear are great they support women, are sustainable, and have a section for older women with bladder leaks & a teen daughter brand
Totally! I've bought some of them :)
Cheap Tip!
Those reusable ziolock bags were 3 dollars at Target in the dollar section!!!
👀👀👀 ya don't say... thanks
@@TheSoraTruth I grabbed the last one at my location!
I just saw a few at my local TJ Maxx in the clearance section. Two packs for four bucks, not too shabby!
I added a 4pack to my pick up order at target. They had the 4 pack for 30% off
I have also found them at the 99 cents store for 2 dollars
I began my plastic free journey about 3 years ago. Since then I stopped using plastic grocery bags, buying paper towels, grains and beans, tofu and so much more. A lot of my food i can get from the bulk section at my local grocer using my own containers (including the tofu), bar towels (a Wal-Mart find) cut into 1/4s to replace the paper towels, and bring my own produce and shopping bags. It was hard getting all these funny looks from people when i started but now I get more compliments on the eco friendly ideas. So glad more people are doing this!
Love that! Where do you live with bulk tofu? Sounds like a dream!!
@@SweetPotatoSoul Edge of the Woods market in New Haven CT. Believe me, I know(about it being a dream). It was the first place I ever seen with something like that
It is so nice to know that someone I follow for other reasons also shares my interest in being low waste and low impact on the earth. I follow a lot of zero waste people on RUclips and a lot of vegan food type people but a lot of times they don't cross over. So, thanks for sharing! I have not bought stasher bags because of their cost, but I do have some silicone bowl covers that are helpful and very stretchy. I have literally been using the same Ziploc bags over and over again for many years. I have bought a few reusable ones that are not as nice as stasher bags but they do the trick. For those recommending the ones on Amazon, just beware. I got some on Amazon and they were terrible quality and would not stay closed. I found out later that they came from China and I wasn't able to return them.
Perks of living close to the alps : you go hiking in the mountains and freshly pick your tea herbs 👌
Arnika tea anyone? 😉
Arnica is amazing! I bruise easily and keep arnica gel around. What are the benefits as a tea?
@@CS-nw9si It tastes good and sweetens other herbs.
Wow!! Sounds magical 🌿
Or my garden
I no longer buy dryer sheets. I use dryer balls instead. 🥰♻️
Aluminum foil wadded into a baseball size reduces static in the dryer.
Smart!!
What about just not using a dryer?
@@barbarar5869 Outdoor line drying is the best but in a city like Los Angeles the air is very dirty/dusty.
@@opp17485 I dry my clothes in my tiny and cold apt, and I live in a damp country. I lived most of my life without one. It would be hard to believe that most people don't have room for a drying rack in their house. We would dry clothes in the living room, bathroom, attic, wherever. Just not the bedroom or kitchen.
Aaaah! Im so excited about the toothpaste bites because when I discovered that toothpaste packaging is NOT recyclable I was so discouraged & feel so bad buying conventional toothpaste. But also I was furious that the average toothpaste contains harmful chemicals including SLS!! Thank you for another helpful inspiring video 😁 yes share your clothe diaper journey!
I use baking soda for washing my hair and apple cider vinegar as a rinse and it works great. I make my own body lotion (coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter & essential oils), deodorant (coconut oil, baking soda essential oils, toothpaste (bentonite clay, baking soda & essential oil), mouthwash (water & essential oil), I recently started buying dish soap, cleaning vinegar and white vinegar in bulk.i use reusable mesh bags for produce when buying groceries. I bought a bread maker started making my own bread, I make my own mayo... in short, I make a lot of stuff at home 😆
I love keeping my old jars! I use them to store spices and bulk buy items like quinoa, nuts, oats and seeds etc. Since I’m a design nerd I always remove the labels and make my own by hand, and I have a good quality spray paint and to spray the tops of lids black so that everything matches :)
From what I understand the love beauty and planet brand is not actually sustainable or ocean friendly. I recommend using earth hero, instead of Amazon, to purchase your sustainable products as they vet each product to make sure that each material/ingredient is earth friendly and their own shipping materials are usually fully compostable .
Something I've been doing for years: I use reusable produce bags. I am not just talking about the big bags that carry your grocery shopping, but about the actual bags that carry the vegetables. I love them!! Another thing that I've had for the past 3 years is a bidet. You can buy them at Amazon for 70 to 90 dollars and they are simple to install. Much cleaner than toilet paper. I don't use toilet paper at home either. I do use flanelette cotton wipes. I throw after one use in the basket. I wash them all in the washer. Since you've already rinsed yourself with the bidet, nothing gets smeared on them. They basically just dry your bum....so, no it's not stinky or dirty or anything like that.
I'm so glad that you are so into the environment, especially considering how many subscribers you have. I have been doing many of these things for many, many years. I buy all of my spices and whatever else I can buy in bulk. My local natural food store even sells nutritional yeast in bulk! And buying flour in bulk saves soooo much money! I have thought about buying Stasher bags, but I feel like I have a lifetime supply of ziplock bags that I wash and reuse. I never buy them, but my in-laws are always giving me things (food and others) in them and I can't throw them away, so I just keep reusing them. If I ever run out, then I will buy some Stashers!
I recommend shopping at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Burke's Outlet, and other discount stores for reuseable bags for food storage bags. I found reuseable produce bags at Big Lots 6 for $7. Just some suggestions to try to help you or someone else that sees this comment or video.
I want to switch to buying spices in bulk. Where do you buy yours? My local sprouts grocery store has some spices in bulk but I don’t know how to go about buying them without using a ton of their plastic baggies so I haven’t.. are there options for reusable spice bags? And then how would you label them for the cashier?
Thank you!
I hear you on the Ziplock bags. I never buy them, but I also have a stash of them that I wash and reuse until they tear. I wish they were studier. We could use them so much longer!
@@kaylawaters2691 thank you, will do.
Hey y’all, I have been using a menstrual cup (specifically the sensitive Lena cup) for a year and I think it was worth it!!! It was fairly priced, has saved me money since, and is so convenient. Please do a little bit of research on all the available cups before you by one, each cup is made with a little different material and they come in different sizes, comfort and safety is priority.
I also use ACV as a clarifying shampoo. My hair has definitely held more moisture and the ACV is a versatile product
I would love to hear more about cloth diapering, maybe a wash routine?
I loved cloth diapering, but I admit, I used a diaper service for the first 16 months. After that, when she started potty training and using fewer diapers, we kept the soiled diapers in a huge wet bag in the bathroom cabinet and had to wash about once a week. Very easy. Always dump the poop in the toilet first (of course). To wash I'd first do a rinse with a few tablespoons of white vinegar. Then I'd add 1 cup baking soda and Sal Suds and wash on normal. The initial rinse with vinegar will really help neutralize the pee smells and the baking soda makes for a more powerful wash. The diapers were always so fresh when they came out of the wash and dryer!
@@SweetPotatoSoul sorry to pop into someone else's post. Would you use this same routine for cloth pads?
Where to find rubber pants? To cover cloth diapers
Sorry, I used diaper service and cloth diapers, but also used plastic covering for protection from outer surfaces/clothes... I agree this is better for baby and definitely eco friendly but I never see these products anymore
@@SweetPotatoSoul thank you! ❤️
I bought an Idavee Soymilk machine that is wonderful! Just add dry beans and water and 30 mins later its done! It makes other milks too, although I just use the vitamix for nut and oat milks.... No mystery ingredients or cargeenan to worry about, easy to clean!
I've had a menstrual cup for almost 4 years now and love it so much! Sooooo much less waste! Just bought cloth-pads now as well to try out on less flow days! I think the biggest environmental/sustainable thing I've done the last few years is for sure being so much more conscious of what I eat, buying less clothes and things in general, choosing good quality stuff that will actually last me a long time is also a big one for me right now. Thanks for this video and thank you for always delivering good vibes and positive energy
Yes! I’d love to learn more about cloth diapering.
It's not nearly as scary as it seems.
For paper towels, I use the reusable bamboo option. I've washed them numerous times and they work great.
Why I still use paper towels: my son had to have a pic line for antibiotic infusion after surgery (about 20 years ago now) and when the visiting nurse came to show us how to administer the medicine, she said cloth towels harber LOTS of germs so that when you wash your hands you should use paper towels to be thrown away. I keep a roll in the kitchen and both bathrooms for hand drying after washing. I do use a clean flour sack towel for drying dishes, however. The rest of your tips are excellent. Thanks for sharing.
I have a bunch of different sizes of Stasher bags and I love them. I've been using the Bite toothpaste for almost a year and I absolutely love the system. I actually want to get into dropps once I need to get new detergent. I stopped buying dryer sheets awhile ago and love the wool balls which is something that I'd talked about getting with my mum before she passed. I reuse a lot of old jars as I avoid buying anything I can in plastic so I can can wash and reuse the jar. With that my brother and I stopped buying our milk in plastic jugs and instead buy glass that we then just clean out and once we fill a bag with about five return them to the store. Plus milk tastes so much better out of glass versus plastic. I just wish plant milks would start doing that as well because theres a brand of oat milk I love that would be amazing if I could get it in glass bottles and do it the same way that is done with dairy milk. It actually took a bit before my brother realized we weren't buying paper towels anymore and I was just using old shirts that I'd cut smaller to clean up.
It is so awesome seeing BIPOC talk about sustainability, not only because the culture of it started with BIPOC, but because BIPOC struggles with society not making products for their types of skin, hair etc., especially as a woman. Society does not lean in our favor as women so we are already at a disadvantage especially as far as body care, so finding products that suite us is essential. Especially in regards to Budget friendly, sustainable, and formulated to work well for the woman’s body! Thanks for sharing!
Pretty sure this is extremely common and I did this a WHILE ago.. but I got a water filter and stopped buying bottled water.
I occasionally buy a gallon to keep in my car and refill my thermos that I drink from when driving. Otherwise I refuse to buy the individual small water bottles. I just use hiking type water bottles to take with when i go somewhere. pls stop buying the little individual plastic, SO wasteful.
Me too ! When I was younger my parents always did that and we have a distributor of water (don't know how to say it in English). You put a big bottle of 18L on the top and you always have fresh water. When the bottle is empty you just have to go to the groceries store and refill.
We purify our water with a Berkey unit and take covered glass water bottles out with us.
Bk soda plus vinegar in the toilet to clean; reuse foaming bottle for hand soap -- refill with castille soap and water. Goes a long way.
Great video - thanks for sharing! Another replacement for paper towels is to use old, worn-out, flat or pre-fold cloth diapers. This may be weird to some people, but they are clean once you wash them and they work great for heavier jobs...think absorbency!
my daughter is 7 so its been a long time since she was in cloth diapers BUT I still think its worth it to do a video on cloth diapering because its such a huge source of waste and disposable diapers are just gross and toxic. I also loved that you mentioned cloth diapering being better at facilitating potty training! We practiced elimination communication with our daughter ( sounds crazy but its what human were doing for millions of years before the advent of diapers ) and it reduced diaper changes AND she potty trained very young because of it. If you haven't checked out elimination communication, IT IS SO WORTH IT!
You are such a breath of fresh air! I am 61 - used cloth diapers on all 3 of my kids. Always - during a time when disposables were encouraged. Guess I'm a green-freak, huh? Thank you for all your input!
I just want to say I LOVE YOU!! I’ve been watching you for a while maybe since your first days. Love you cook book too. You are amazing. New book soon? Perhaps you can speak about mental health or balancing being a new mom and stress. Love ya💗💗💗
Dropps is so good! We've used them for a couple years now. All of your tips here are so solid!
I have a friend who used a period cup (exclusively) in the 1960s when she was in a part of the world that didn't have pads or tampons. Incredible device.
Had no idea they were around that early
I don't use lotion. Cocoa butter or coconut oil. I do use shampoo bars. Also an electric shaver no disposable razors. We have been using Bar cloths for paper towels and cheap washcloths instead if of throwing away sponges. Just wash with all your other towels. Next I want to thrift some napkins so we don't use paper ones. I have the silicone bags but need to buy more. Also use plastic shower cap type covers instead of plastic wrap. Just wash and reuse. Also reuse jars for leftovers.
My menstrual cup has changed my life!!! I so wish I had tried it sooner!
The thought scares the hell out of me. Will watch some videos on how to use them though!
@@CreativeEricafilms I highly recommend the RUclips channel Put A Cup In It! I’ve learned SO much from them, and they helped me to be comfortable enough to try it
Seriously!! What a great invention!
I use silicone cookie sheet liners instead of wax paper or parchment paper for baking- I LOVE it. We use it for everything and it's a snap to wash afterwards. I often bake 4-5 dozens at a time and this really withstands it! There's a many other things I do but that came to mind... am definitely intrigued by the shampoo bars- I've heard about it but always felt hesitant to try! Same with the toothpaste bits. Thanks for sharing!
Also with pre-made spice blends a lot of the bulk is just taken up by cheap ingredients like salt or sugar.
Making your own is better value for money
That's so true!!
Yesssss!! How are more people not talking about sal suds?? Super budget and very effective! I use it (diluted of course) for all purpose spray, laundry, dishes, and mopping - love it for all of the above!
Sal Suds is wonderful!
Just bought some silicon bags yesterday. You can get some affordable ones on Amazon! Also just bought glassware too, they have a set at Sam's club for like $20 right now.
I did the same! Bought a couple different brands and sizes on Amazon, along with glass storage containers and mesh fruit/veggie bags!
Good luck! I’ve tried them for a year and they SUCK to wash
Nice!! Sam's and Costco are really the best for glassware deals.
@@SweetPotatoSoul I will check them out too! Recently got a Sams membership. Costco is a bit further away but worth considering ☺️ Thank you
so great! I buy solid soap for doing the dishes (I don't use a dishwasher), I make my own all purpose cleaner, also make my laundry detergent and use old t-shirts to make cleaning cloth. I try not to use my tumble drier unless it's absolutely necessary, I usually hang to dry out in the sun. On toiletries: I make my own toothpaste and my parfume, use shampoo bar and also a soap bar for hands and body. I buy bulk hair conditiones and never use a hair dryer (I don't even have one). Love your videos and this one makes me admire and respect you even more. Thank you ;)
Awesome! You might even be able to save money on hair conditioner by rinsing with diluted unfiltered apple cider vinegar instead! There are lots of RUclips videos about it.
I stopped using pads and purchased reusable pads from Etsy. I did the same thing and stopped using tampons, except I use a menstrual disc because those cups just did not work. I buy bar soap and keep the little leftover pieces to melt and make more bar soap. I’ve also seen something called LastSwab and it’s a reusable cotton swab. Would be perfect for makeup or anything u currently use cotton swabs for. They have more on their site too. I just found your channel and I’m excited to learn more! Thank you!
Another advantage of using loose leaf tea is that you can make your own blends. I blend green tea with lemon myrtle ( I'm Australian).
Absolutely!! So fresh :)
Since you're frugal, instead of buying Bite for toothpaste, use baking soda, you already have it and it whitens your teeth. You can also use it as deodorant. Thanks for the tips.
That shower shot shows how beautiful you really are!!! Your skin is just so healthy and glows! I'm the consignment queen too. And I replaced all my plastic containers with glass. I love glass and save most jars... think mixing bowls, refrigerator storage, dry storage (staples, mixes, spices) it just lasts forever. (just thought, full disclosure, the lids to the glass bowls are plastic)
I swapped disposable makeup remover wipes for microfiber makeup remover towels and they work so much better! Plus no more burning 👀
Love the video. My daughter introduced me to tooth tabs from Lush. She has been using them for years and they come in many different flavors. Also, during the stay at home orders I stopped buying paper towels and just use a regular towel for spills or my washable mop.
I use jars like crazy now for everything, which I love! I stopped using paper towels (including napkins) years ago! I don't buy cleaners, except toilet cleaner.
I was totally skeptical about shampoo bars and first, but they work really well on curly hair. Thanks for sharing your sustainable, money saving swaps 💕
What do you do for conditioning your hair? My daughter has beautiful ringlet curly hair and if I do not use conditioner on it is frizzes.
For menstrual products, I love period cups, but sometimes at night sleeping with one is uncomfortable, so I use period undies and they’re a life saver! Whenever I don’t feel like feeling like I’m on my period, I use reusable period undies. I’ve only tried THINX but I really like them. :)
This is a great video -- keep those eco-friendly tips coming. I literally just acquired two bottles of Sal Suds today so I can make my own laundry detergent and house cleaners, and hopefully avoid buying any more huge plastic bottles in the future. I also saved two enormous cat litter buckets and I only buy litter in bulk now from a local pet store. I do a lot of mending and upcycling of my (mostly thrifted) clothing -- it's more fun and I don't care about being "on trend" as far as fashion goes. I get tons of compliments on my jeans that are covered in patches!
Your local pet store sells litter in bulk? Genius!
@@lizzzarduh It's a lifesaver! I mean, those buckets are HEAVY when they're full but it's worth it.
I have two cats and I switched to using pine pellets for their litter. The pine oil is baked out of the pellets so it is not toxic for them. A forty pound bag is $5.99 at my local Tractor Supply and lasts me four months. I just use the grated litter boxes from Arm and Hammer. There are videos here on RUclips that show how this system works. It’s so cheap and better for the environment than clay litter, which doesn’t biodegrade.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas and hacks that are eco friendly. I make my own dish sponges with rough yarn. I crochet them in circular shape size that i want and they are reusable and washable and they do work great in removing stuck on foods. ❤
I went back to waxed paper for a lot of food items. Obviously comes in sheet rolls but also bags and "deli-cut" sheets in a box. Or sometimes glassine bags. Planet friendly. Especially great for sending visitors off with a snack or trinket. I've tried a couple silicone bag brands but they were near impossible to snap closed. Thanks for great video.
My swaps:
1. I hand wash plastic ziploc bags (yeah it's not fun but it works)
2. I buy Nelly's dishwasher detergent. It comes in a tin and can be refilled at a refillery
3. Laundry detergent for soap berries that can be composted. I ran out so now I am using the laundry strips from Tru Earth who lucky for me, make them where I live (less transportations than soap berries)
4. I make some of my own herbal tea. I grow peppermint, chamomile etc in my tiny backyard and then dry them.
Solid Shampoo, conditioner and bar soap are the best. I started using them for travel storage reason then went full term due to downsizing my possession to use less space.
Thank you. I have switched to TruEarth laundry detergent. The packaging is even less than the box you showed for Drops.
I do have the zip lock bags, they do work very well. Thank you this was very helpful.
In the beginning of the pandemic I purchased a bidet and switched to washable toilet paper (it's basically a cotton cloth). So I no longer buy toilet paper. I also do a lot of what was discussing in the video but some were new so I will try it 😊
Great job! I’ve stopped buying paper towels about 6 months ago, and I also use tea towels! 😍
I keep all the bottles and jars that my husband's non-vegan food comes in and reuse them over and over. I freeze all my veggie stock, soups, stews, etc... in them. I make all my own tea blends and also store them in the jars. I was raised on a remote part of a glacier lake in Western Canada, so when you talk about frugal, my mother had to be because she had to do everything herself, everything. I learned so much from her. She was always singing and would spin me around after we finished a job. Her way of encouraging us to help was with playfulness and not "Do your chores."
Thank you so much for talking about Bite - I've been so curious! And I'm loving reusable cotton rounds; much like tea towels (but for your face 😁), it's wonderful to be able to cut back on my use of disposable stuff when I'm scraping the day off my face! The usual big online stores have them, but there are great etsy creators that make them too... And I like to support small businesses, especially right now.
Great video, thank you so much!
Another great one is solid (face/body) cream. It is so much better than the usual one, comes in a paper box and lasts for two containers of normal face cream. I cannot use the menstrual cup, but there are great reusable washable panties or pads on the market, so I use those.
For zero waste/sustainability, check out my faves:
Shelbizleee, Sustainably Vegan, and Gittemary Johansen ☺️
Yes 🙌🏽 I follow them all
I also watch all 3 xD
Love Shelbizlee!
BlueLand is a great brand that has hand soap, laundry soap, and dishwasher tablets.
Doterra is amazing for making your house smell good by diffusing oils and with that oils can be used for everything from scenting your shampoo, lotion, laundry, to cooking with it and killing aphids on the yard.
Good luck everyone!!!!!! This is a passion of mine as well!!!!
I love the way Sal Suds smell! A bottle last me forever.
Hello Janae ! I suggest you use Nellies detergent as it comes in a metal box that you can reuse and as a scoop to measure the amount you need And works wonders
I don’t buy laundry detergent anymore, I learned how to make it, and I’m a convert! I’ve also slowed down my q-tip consumption and got a reusable swab-I still use paper ones for nail polish removing, but a box lasts me FOREVER now.
I LOVE this video!!! You are a queennnnn thank you so much for putting these tips together! I would loove love love to see more videos like this centered on low waste ideas/things you actually do to reduce your families footprint. Thank you!!!! P.s I JUST TODAY used a menstrual cup for the first time(diva cup) and so far I really love it and feel so good about making this super easy switch!
Aw you're amazing! I already use most of those sustainable things. Love it! Thank you for spreading the word 😁
I’m so glad I cloth diapered. Took a learning curve for the best process, but it ended up being such a good move.
Cloth diapers helped my kid with potty training. ;)
@Desert Rat I was thinking about going this route too. I am curious to know how you stirred dirty diapers when out in public.
@@ThePeacefulbutterfly there are diaper bags specifically made for holding dirties when you’re out and about. They are called “Wet Bags”. Just google ‘cloth diaper wet bags’ and you’ll see what I’m talking about. You’re able to wash the bag with your diapers. I always hung mine out in the sun so that the plastic lining didn’t get damaged in a dryer. :)
Yes to a cloth diaper video with instructions how to wash them etc., I would love to know more about them!
I have been making and using my own cleaning products I make with water, soap, an alcohol base, and essential oils. It works well. I've been doing this for about 2 yrs. I also make a daily cleaner w/o the oils. I used olive oil to remove a water stain. I love the idea to save the planet. I wish we had a place to compost closer to home. I have to drive to Mom's Organic to drop that off.
Also, I use toothpaste powder and have been for years. Eco Dent is the brand I use and I LOVE that the packaging is soooo much smaller than a traditional tube of toothpaste and you get a bunch more brushes out of it.
With the tea towels make sure they’re not plastic as many fabrics are as otherwise you are putting micro plastics into the ocean every time you wash them. Linen or organic Cotten are the best. No Tox life do a great solid bar for washing up. Marley’s Monsters do great eco no paper products including ‘no paper towel’.Lush sell some great no plastic products including shampoo bars. Also make use of refill shops. So many wonderful alternatives no. My favourite place is Plastic Freedom online store for all my zero waste needs along with Lush.
Great video! Thank you for always spreading amazing information
I was using Dropps for the longest and loved them but the little plastic casing still isn’t great for the environment. Blueland offers detergent tabs without plastic casing! Haven’t tried yet but when I finish dropps I will making the switch
I’ve started using toothpaste tablets too. It’s pricey but if you can afford it, it makes a huge impact on the environment. I also use reusable bamboo pads instead of cotton pads that get used once and thrown away. You can get a pack of 10 for super cheap online and they just get thrown in the washing machine after they’ve been used:
Great video! Try Tru Earth laundry strips and Change Toothpaste, great replacements!
I love ethique shampoo bar! It makes my hair feel great and I love that it comes in cardboard.
My doctor is one of your subscribers and now I am to. Your skin , your beauty and your channel are beautiful.
Thanks for sharing...
Much love from Switzerland
Great tips! I live in the DC area and sadly there are few bulk-selling stores. Whole Foods is a joke. You have to buy their plastic container or use their plastic bags. They say it's unsanitary to bring your own. Stupid! Even the organic market has a greatly reduced number of items and their pricing can be through the roof. It's a missed opportunity for sure. I think a bulk store here would be wildly popular and successful.
Thanks for this video. It helps lots. I wish I was more frugal with things but it never too late to learn. Thank you for sharing x. Loving all your content!!!
Newborn and infant prefolds make great kitchen towels too.
I'd love you to talk more about your experience with cloth diapers. I'm not planning having any children soon (indeed God/Allah is the best planner) but it's a very interesting topic😊 one thing I don't buy anymore is body lotion. I make my own nutty butter made from whipped sheabutter and coconut oil as the base and add anything I like. Argan or Olive oil, essential oils... and I also don't use lotion that much anyways. 👍🏼😊
I've been using Bite for the last few months and I love it. They also have vegan floss in a little glass jar, and mouthwash tabs also. Definitely will not go back to tube paste!
This is definitely one of the best sustainable list videos! I love the tips you gave - they were super useful and much more relatable than most. For example, I’m sick of hearing about super expensive eco-friendly products that you buy once in a blue moon (like sustainable mattresses or whatever), metal straws, and buying refillable coffee cups haha - I was low-income growing up and the thought of buying already-prepared drinks was not a thing, plus you could literally just stop using straws lol... Also, I watched an add by the bite toothpaste company before your video. Fingers crossed they sponsor you soon!
Good points. The only thing I really need straws for are when I drink water with lemon or apple cider vinegar to avoid the contact with my teeth and then also straws are good for smoothies but not necessary
If you wear your hair in protective styles like box braids... A BOMB ! super simple & cheap , environmentally kind, all natural scalp cleaner is
: 3-4 Tsp organic apple cider vinegar, a few drops of tea tree oil, approx 1/4 c of warm distilled water, 1 or 2Tsp of a organic, fair trade oil .
The oil can be- coconut, olive oil, shea butter ...whatever oil you like. To mix the ingredients the oil needs to liquify ( so if it's coconut melt it before you mix the other ingredients) . I part my hair into sections and smear a bit of the mixture on my scalp. I let it sit for approx. 8 min. Then I get a fine tooth comb and gently scrap the scalp . Then rinse with warm water. Any itchy crust is gone. My scalp feels tingly and fresh. Unless there's product build up, I don't need to shampoo. I pat my hair with a towel and while it's still damp I spray a leave in conditioner ( I like Raaw Roots by Hairobics - it's all 100% natuarl and no animal testing or ingredients and price is right too) and let it air dry. Takes less than 30 mins :)
David’s toothpaste is the best! Eco friendly, sustainable packaging and non toxic, super yummy toothpaste flavors.
Great tips! Thank you for sharing. I would love a video on cloth diapering. I am due in May with our rainbow baby and have been slowly building our cloth stash.
Hi, I was born in 1979 in South Africa and grew up with cloth diapers. Disposable diapers were getting trendy in those days, and I know my mom used them with my younger brother and sister. Of course cloth diapers are better for the environment, but I know from living in those times that they are a bitch to clean, and it's really involved (sterilization, etc...)and time consuming, especially as a new mom with a small baby consuming all her energy. I'm not advocating using disposables, but would advise to do proper research before diving into this adventure...
@@tillievantonder And babies mess up a whole lot of diapers so unless a mom has a ton of time to constantly wash/clean/sterilize the things or the money to spend upfront to have a decent stock of them stashed away, they're definitely taking on a lot of work.
I love your vids. I remember when disposable diapers became the norm back in the 80s. I simply couldn't afford them nor could this frugal gal have ever justified their usage. I love to make my pennies scream bloody murder. I once read a statistic that each child's disposable diapers if stretched end to end would reach around the circumference of the earth. The environmentalist game wasn't mainstream back then. However, this frugal, hippy-mama realized that homemade cleaning products, cloth diapers, tea towels, and all that not only saved me money but also didn't contribute to pollution. Win-Win for SuzyQ.
I'm on the frugal bus with you sis 😭❤
The menstrual cup was my game changer! Been using them for 4 years now.
Have you ever heard of BlueLand products? They sell little tablets that you can drop I’m any reusable bottle to make soap, all kinds of cleaners, and laundry detergent. I absolutely love them and it’s way cheaper and more eco friendly than buying single use plastic all the time
Also with blue land they don’t wrap their tablets in plastic the way the pods like the ones shown here do. So it’s even more eco friendly! Highly encourage everyone to check them out
6:00 I feel you sista…
I stopped buying soy milk, soy yogurt, tofu and tofu mayonnaise that I make myself. I also make flax seed gel, so I don’t buy commercial ones.I usually buy grains, beans and pulses in bulk. I also stopped buying paper towel (recently) and tampons (decades ago). I recently bought waxed fabric to replace Saran Wrap. Most of the time I like thrift shopping clothes rather than buying them new. I recently joined a bartering community, so I throw away less and buy less too. I did try shampoo bars but it wasn’t for me, I use very little shampoo anyway : I dilute about a tablespoon in a cup of lukewarm water to wash my hair and it’s enough.
I do all this mainly for myself but it is try that it feels nice to produce less waste. ❤️
What really helps with shampoo bars is rinsing with unfiltered apple cider vinegar. After rinsing out the shampoo with water, rinse with ACV diluted in at least 3 parts water. So like 1/4 cup ACV in 1 cup or more water. I pour about 1/4 cup ACV into a 16-ounce plastic cup. (Yes, plastic. Too dangerous to have glass in the shower.) When I’m ready, I fill up the rest of the cup with shower water. I pour about half of it over my hair with my head tilted back, then I bend over and pour the rest on the underside of my hair. You can also run a comb through your hair to help distribute it. You can experiment with rinsing your hair again or just wringing it out and towel drying without rinsing the ACV to see which gets the best result. It makes my hair so silky! You might be able to use ACV in place of conditioner! If you still need conditioner, you can try the ACV before or after using conditioner to see which way works best. Of course, you want to avoid getting it in your eyes, but if you do, just rinse your eyes thoroughly with water. Also, the ACV makes the shower floor a bit slippery. There are several RUclips videos about rinsing hair with ACV.
I’ve used bite for the past year and love it! I also put them in a bottle to make mouthwash
I am very interested in the cloth diapers! Me and my partner are planning to become parents in the next few years, and the possible waste of the diapers bothers me already.
How many do you have and how often do you wash them? Is there a brand and/or material you would recommend?
Love the video!
I'm surprised you haven't implemented Sea Moss into your regimen. Incorporating it into mine cut my period down 1day&1/2. I was shook. Hopefully, there won't be a need for pads or a cup at all soon!
What do you do with sea moss?