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
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.
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.
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.)
Before shopping bags became mandatory I used to make or buy pretty ones and use them for the gift wrapping. Sometimes they'd come back and other times I'd see them being used. Definite bonus for both.
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 ❤
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.
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.
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.
I grew up in a frugal Yankee household where I learned to make do, or do without, and I agree! I will defend straws in general, though, as a disability aid: Grandma is struggling with her grip strength and a straw means she doesn't struggle to safely lift her glass or have it wobble.
My dad always wrapped my gifts in the brightly colored comics sections of the Sunday paper…still a favorite childhood memory. Plain newspapers with colored ribbons is so attractive ❤
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
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
@bruhzzer Your hands simply do not suffice in the shower. They will not scrub and exfoliate your body the same way. Loofah aren't good either since they are too harsh and build bacteria. An antimicrobial silicone scrub like the one in the video is the best.
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!
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.
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’m not Italian but I have it too and it’s my fav way of making coffee. Machine needs cleaning and this little pot requires way less upkeep. I take it traveling and camping.
@@cotus2 Though you are supposed to run it with just water every now and then... I don't think anyone in my Italian family has ever done that in their lives lol
I only use stainless steel Moca pot for years. Never going back. Add water, is coffee. Add milk, is latte. Froth cream, is cappuccino. Add nothing, is espresso. Having in car with a butane burner or induction pad & coffee kit is lovely on long car trip, stand still traffic or whatever, take a rest with my favorite coffee. Just need to wipe outside down & dry inside. Or not wipe outside, is ok. Yes, an Italian taught me.
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.
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
@@mstickney6612 I just add some to the softener tray, then about 1-2 cups to the basin. For whites & lights, or sweaty bras and undies, I'll use even more and let them soak for 15 min first.
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.
@@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.
Orange oil or even orange scented products can cause seizures in pets. Both my cats AND my Boxer had seizures that caused them to lose control of their bowels and bladders. It was the scariest weekend of my life and the vet was clueless after running expensive tests-could not find a reason. The next weekend, cleaning again..the Boxer (dog) reacted first--I had just sprayed a little of the cleaner on the hardwood floor to clean and he started vomiting. I stopped immediately and cleaned that orange based cleaner off the floor, took the trash outside. Started researching and omg-it's all over the internet. How did my vet not know? Now he does and I'm writing this looong post to share my experience with y'all. Also, just FYI-Europe does not allow essential oils in ANY product used on children because it turns out that they cause neurological problems and are toxic to children. Yeah. Do some research l.
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.
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
I live in Europe and all of those reusable products are the norm here. I had no idea you guys had mostly disposable version of these products. One use, disposable duster is something I never heard about 😮
Yes, America has sadly become a disposable-everything (incl kids, pets, families) society. And, much food sold here is not allowed to be sold in Europe. Keep those standards. Europe! We’ll keep working on fixing our society. Getting there! ❤
OMG SAME. im from México and i just use a cloth for dust and then some oil solution to protect the wood. I feel like that dust thing would just get the dust into the air and back on another surface. looooved her other tips for cleaning tools tho
As an American, I also didn't know there was a such thing as disposable dusters. Imo, the best thing to dust with is a damp duster. All the dust comes off right away and stays on the sponge rather than a lot of it flying into the air with a traditional duster.
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.
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.
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!
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 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!
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.
On wraping paper rolls: we have always stored them in a sewn up pants leg hung up in a closet or the garage, they are contained and dont unroll. That having been said, in my family I have taken to wrapping in whatever fabric feels right (we have a stock of quilting fabric) and only using paper for non-family.
Hi Haley thanks for the suggestions. A few notes from my own experience: 1. Swedish dishclothes. I like the ones I have now (can’t remember exactly where I got them but I think Walmart?) but I had gotten some really cheap ones from Amazon and tjmaxx before that were junky. The Amazon ones shed and the tjmax ones bled dye which stained the counters for a bit! But now I have ones that are great but also a regular towel or rag is great too. 2. Coffee, as a barista my recommendations for at home coffee is either a pour over or a French press. A French press will give you a concentrated shot of coffee similar to espresso for lattes and such and pour overs more replace a regular brewed coffee. This is way cheaper than buying an espresso machine, will take up way less space, and is easier to use. And the result is still great. I actually know coffee shops that use French press for all their drinks instead of an espresso machine. If you want coffee that freshly ground, two options is if you already have a ninja blender they do sell a coffee grinder attachment that works well or groceries stores often offer coffee grinding so you can buy whole beans and grind each bag when you are ready to use. May not be as fresh as daily grinding but will still make a large difference to buying preground. Also lots of brands now a days make great instant coffee! 3. Scents, I’m not much of a scents person but another cheap option can be making a simmer pot with things you have on hand, like citrus or cinnamon etc. The best way to be eco friendly, minimal and cost effective is to use what you already own! 🫰🏼
I use cloth bags as gift bags - that way they are usable all the time (mainly for grocery shopping) - no need for huge storage as they are widely available and you can buy them whenever you need. Also: in my family (and now also workplace) we re-use paper gift bags as long as they look good BTW. I am Polish and never heard that "euro dishwash cloth" name o.O my grandma love it though and use clothes like this as long as I remember
Yes on the coffee!! We even started buying green coffee beans online in a 5lb+ bag for like $5 or less a pound instead of like $15 a pound at the store. Roasting coffee at home is super easy and quick and a fun process! Saves money and you’re not buying bags from the store so often.
your color coded cloth style is very smart. I have started to sort of do it since I moved out on my own, but at home I would just use old dog towels for whatever, and kitchen hand towels for any kitchen messes, but I find using the color coding helps me know. I use one color of clothes for bathroom cleaning, one for kitchen food messes, one for hardcore kitchen messes, and more colors for general surfaces, heavily touched surfaces and I just have one odd rag for cleaning my desk.
very cool video. picked up a tip or two along the way .... my only advice is to just let the clothes air dry instead of using the tumble dryer. It's free and most clothes don't need ironing these days. Just hang them out and let nature do the rest. + You save money on electricity, possibly space for the tumbler, and those balls too :)
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 🙌🏽
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.
Changed to fabric tissues. I have rhinitis, so I'm blowing my nose constantly. So I started using my childhood ones, and when my grandma passed away, I added hers to my "collection." I love it. Way less waist, less money spent, and I wash them in the machine. All good 😊
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.
As a swede, I love seeing more and more people discovering our clever dishcloths ☺️ so some stuff I already do naturally, but the cloth wrapping paper was completely new and I love it!
@@HaleyVillenaTbh, they've always been around for me, so I didn't even know they're washable and can be tossed in the organic bin 😅 the cloth wrapping takes away the stress of trying to wrap awkward shapes as well 😉 like say a teddybear
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!
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 😅)
Your video was in my recommended list, and I loved this. I already use essential oils mixed with sterile water and alcohol as a bathroom spray, and glass straws. I really liked the idea of the fleece dusters, but as I already have a reusable duster, I think I will try to make something similar for the floor mop, we have single use wet sheets for that, which I would like to change out.
I was doubting the usefulness of this video but damn, it saved me hours of research! I have every single problem you listed and was wondering how to change those things with something more natural and easy to clean! ❤ Thank you!
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.
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! 🤭
@@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. 🙂
That first one surprised me, it's standard here in Spain. That doesn't mean we don't use paper towels, but for cleaning it's generally some type of cloth.
Happy to say that I have also done many of the same swaps you showcase in your video with the exception of the Euro scrubby and the Swiffer swap - currently ordering the euro scrubby while putting on my trainers to run to the Salvation Army for a fleece hoodie to make my own Swiffer! I had purchased a microfiber duster and really don't like it (doesn't pick up, just pushes dust around) but feel guilty tossing it away. Love the video!
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.
@@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.
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.
Good tips, I think I will incorporate some that I am not using yet😊 I never had a Kuerig , work had one I didn't like the quality of the brew. I used to use stovetop moka till it broke then got a French press. I'm very happy with the quality of the brewing of coffee in the French press, it is very smooth and full. Kuerig coffee stink. I used to clean professionally and some homes had swiffer products to use. I do not like any of them. I am sensitive to the fragrance of swiffer and it doesn't last long and flimsy design so didn't clean well. Instead of swiffer wet jet I used microfiber pad mop from dollar tree and spray bottle with gentle homemade cleaner and reusable dusters which work on static or a plain old fashion dust cloth made from old t-shirts. I did like the fleece ones you showed though, I may give that a look as well
Everyone should own a bidet! You can get a nice one that has a heated option and an air function for under 100 dollars. I live with 2 other people and we have guests over a lot so we spent about 40 dollars on toilet paper EVERY MONTH! After we bought a bidet, we save money and people love it!
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.
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 love this! I've always been ecologically conscious but find it difficult to reduce the amount of waste our household generates because we also want to enjoy modern conveniences. I didn't know about many of these alternatives!
i loved the video and the fact that you went through all this work and research even with a kid at home ❤ many times when I was younger and lived with my mom I tried to convince her to change some things and she would always say she had better things to think of and had no time for that
Hi Marianna, I appreciate your kind feedback. I think many people likely have the same thought process as your mom - changes like this can seem insignificant!
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.
We have been reusing swiffer dusters since I was very small, we just wash them and reuse them. they may not be as perfect as in the beginning but they still work fine
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!
@@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.
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.
I use some of these already, and learned some cool new ones to try! I also use washable mop heads instead of swiffer, silpat instead of foil for the oven, and blueland for soap (I'm sure there are other brands too). Another great option for wrapping gifts is using brown grocery bags. That's what our groceries come in anyway. Most of the year, we recycle them, but birthdays and Christmas I save them to use as gift wrap. They're really cute as is, or you could draw on or paint on them too. Not as reusable as fabric (which I use as well) but at least it gives the bags another use before recycling 🙂
I worked for a cleaning company for years. We used terry towels to clean, and one of the worker gals sewed a whole bunch of swiffer heads with fleece fabric that fit right on those swiffers.
I love flipping Trader Joes’s paper bags inside out and cutting them for wrapping paper! Paired with some twine from the dollar store, it makes for really elegant gifts. You can even draw a fun design if you so please. Great Video!!
I recommend using distilled water to refill your essential oil spray. Those swiffer duster heads are washable. I have only purchased one pack and have been rewashing them regularly. Thank you for all of the great tips.
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
for me its crazy not use paper towels in kitchen like to “dry” oil from fried foods but for CLEANING???????? WHO THE FUCK TRIES TO DRY WATER WITH PAPEEERRR 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Im going back to paper towels because it’s so humid here my clothes rot so fast, also it’s impossible to find good quality ones even if you want to pay for them. I buy non bleached, recycled paper.
Americans usually use paper towels as table napkins more than anything else, not really for cleaning up with. Using them as table napkins helps keep us from having to wash out cloth table napkins after every meal. Do you use washable cloths for your face at the table every meal?
Really useful video, thank you! I do the refillable K-cups with a compostable paper filter and love them. I work in an office that collects compost and processes it with commercial composting, so for work I buy the compostable coffee pods by San Francisco Bay Coffee or Cameron's. It costs more, especially more than the free pods the office provides, but I feel better about using it and the San Francisco Bay is better than any plastic K-Cup I've ever tried.
I haven’t made this swap myself yet because I don’t cook enough quite yet, but beeswax wraps are also an alternative to plastic wrap for food storage! They’re reusable and washable in cold water, you just need to know how to care for them!
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
For the reuse of materials, growing up we'd always use the Sunday Funnies for gift wrapping. Newspaper is fully recyclable (or you could turn it into firestarters) and then you'd get to read the comics again, or for the first time if you missed that week's paper
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 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
In our family the giftwrap is a part of the present! We open our gifts carefully and use our favourite pieces again and again. Can very much recommend! I makes gift wrappings so much more thoughtful, personal and "hyggelig" + also saves waste :)
It's amazing how we are now doing things the way grandma did - using rags etc. Just serge or zigzag around worn out towels instead of the swedish cloths which are a waste of money. Roll your own wool balls and use vinegar to soften clothes instead of products like downy.
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.
in Indonesia, we have a duster called "Kemoceng" which basically a feather duster. We never need to change it unless the feather fall out. I don't really know how to clean it since I mainly just "smack the dust out" or soak it in water with drops of dish soap. Hope it can helps~ (Sorry for my crappy english)
I use every tip you had on this list except I haven't switched to a silicon body scrubber yet. The hardest thing for me to get over is that NOTHING is 100% reusable. We will always have to replace. I started the rabbit hole with reusable bags replacing ziploc bags but after a year of use they would stop sealing as well. I was 'over' them and wanted to switch back to ziploc...but then I realized the amount of money I saved in that year not buying ziploc nor my contribution to landfills was worth it and of course they wouldn't seal forever. If youre not enjoying the product, swap to another or replace yours if it is no longer working. Once I got into the mindset of replacing is okay I have thoroughly enjoyed my changes more.
Nothing is sustainable in life even plastic is degenerating over years. So nothing will be in the place where it was. Just keep good quality products in check but i know it is a struggle to afford a decent product. Like me when i search for some things that are "sustainable" they charge you over 3-4 or even more times the regular price.
Hello came across your channel today. I often declutter, as I get older I truly believe less is more. I'm decluttering today and seeing these items will be added. I always felt that way about paper towels and i only have them for guest. Will be purchasing the swedish one's. I stop buying harsh chemicals cleaning supplies like bleach, I make my own laundry soap, no aerosol air freshners, I use wax candles which don't run out quick.Long of the story I'm more on the DIY chic ❤ I plan to purchase these items. I literally just picked up my mason jars with glass straws from Amazon. FYI if you never used the Amazon pick up lock box its the coolest thing. ❤
I definitely agree with the Swedish dish cloths! We have similar sponge cloths in India and they work wonders! So easy to use and maintain✨ And for gift wrapping, instead of wrapping them, I just use a fancy paper bag that can be reused and looks good while giving, will try the cloth idea as well.
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'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.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
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.
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.)
Mine are all recycled Sari silk. I get them on sale and give the gift recipient a card explaining how to re-use it.
Before shopping bags became mandatory I used to make or buy pretty ones and use them for the gift wrapping. Sometimes they'd come back and other times I'd see them being used. Definite bonus for both.
I used this as a sustainable way to wrap products and been a fan of it ever since ❤
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
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. :)
Yes, paper towels for cleaning gross things like toilets & can throw away.
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.
Sameeee
I grew up in a frugal Yankee household where I learned to make do, or do without, and I agree! I will defend straws in general, though, as a disability aid: Grandma is struggling with her grip strength and a straw means she doesn't struggle to safely lift her glass or have it wobble.
@@elisabethjewell4029 copper straws , corm starch, hemp or bamboo (biodegradable) 👍.
Why leave this info as a comment? Turn it into a video! At least a short
real, me puse a ver este video pensando encontrar algo bueno y simplemente son problemas de gringos
My dad always wrapped my gifts in the brightly colored comics sections of the Sunday paper…still a favorite childhood memory. Plain newspapers with colored ribbons is so attractive ❤
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.
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!
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.
@bruhzzer Your hands simply do not suffice in the shower. They will not scrub and exfoliate your body the same way. Loofah aren't good either since they are too harsh and build bacteria. An antimicrobial silicone scrub like the one in the video is the best.
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 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’m not Italian but I have it too and it’s my fav way of making coffee. Machine needs cleaning and this little pot requires way less upkeep. I take it traveling and camping.
@@cotus2 Though you are supposed to run it with just water every now and then... I don't think anyone in my Italian family has ever done that in their lives lol
Moka pots are pretty popular in America too.
I only use stainless steel Moca pot for years. Never going back. Add water, is coffee. Add milk, is latte. Froth cream, is cappuccino. Add nothing, is espresso. Having in car with a butane burner or induction pad & coffee kit is lovely on long car trip, stand still traffic or whatever, take a rest with my favorite coffee. Just need to wipe outside down & dry inside. Or not wipe outside, is ok. Yes, an Italian taught me.
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!
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)
@@asideofaioli4630Do you use ammonia on laundry? I‘m curious about how
@@mstickney6612 I just add some to the softener tray, then about 1-2 cups to the basin. For whites & lights, or sweaty bras and undies, I'll use even more and let them soak for 15 min first.
Vinegar destroys washing machines unfortunately.
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.
Orange oil or even orange scented products can cause seizures in pets. Both my cats AND my Boxer had seizures that caused them to lose control of their bowels and bladders. It was the scariest weekend of my life and the vet was clueless after running expensive tests-could not find a reason. The next weekend, cleaning again..the Boxer (dog) reacted first--I had just sprayed a little of the cleaner on the hardwood floor to clean and he started vomiting. I stopped immediately and cleaned that orange based cleaner off the floor, took the trash outside. Started researching and omg-it's all over the internet. How did my vet not know? Now he does and I'm writing this looong post to share my experience with y'all. Also, just FYI-Europe does not allow essential oils in ANY product used on children because it turns out that they cause neurological problems and are toxic to children. Yeah. Do some research l.
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
I live in Europe and all of those reusable products are the norm here. I had no idea you guys had mostly disposable version of these products. One use, disposable duster is something I never heard about 😮
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT. I was like her "hacks" are just normal behaviour 😂
Yes, America has sadly become a disposable-everything (incl kids, pets, families) society. And, much food sold here is not allowed to be sold in Europe. Keep those standards. Europe! We’ll keep working on fixing our society. Getting there! ❤
OMG SAME. im from México and i just use a cloth for dust and then some oil solution to protect the wood. I feel like that dust thing would just get the dust into the air and back on another surface. looooved her other tips for cleaning tools tho
As an American, I also didn't know there was a such thing as disposable dusters. Imo, the best thing to dust with is a damp duster. All the dust comes off right away and stays on the sponge rather than a lot of it flying into the air with a traditional duster.
the only useful info for me is the dish sponge swap, I've never bought other items mentioned in the video lol
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 😉
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 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!
Microfibre is bad for fish - it’s breaks down 😢
This is true - however, there are these bags called “guppyfriend washing bags” that can be used in the washer!
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.
Flour sack towels are my favorite swaps for paper towels.
Where do you find them?
@@annade2094 I found some on Amazon!
I believe craft stores; also catalogs that sell embroidery threads and other related needle work items. 🌺
On wraping paper rolls: we have always stored them in a sewn up pants leg hung up in a closet or the garage, they are contained and dont unroll. That having been said, in my family I have taken to wrapping in whatever fabric feels right (we have a stock of quilting fabric) and only using paper for non-family.
Hi Haley thanks for the suggestions. A few notes from my own experience: 1. Swedish dishclothes. I like the ones I have now (can’t remember exactly where I got them but I think Walmart?) but I had gotten some really cheap ones from Amazon and tjmaxx before that were junky. The Amazon ones shed and the tjmax ones bled dye which stained the counters for a bit! But now I have ones that are great but also a regular towel or rag is great too. 2. Coffee, as a barista my recommendations for at home coffee is either a pour over or a French press. A French press will give you a concentrated shot of coffee similar to espresso for lattes and such and pour overs more replace a regular brewed coffee. This is way cheaper than buying an espresso machine, will take up way less space, and is easier to use. And the result is still great. I actually know coffee shops that use French press for all their drinks instead of an espresso machine. If you want coffee that freshly ground, two options is if you already have a ninja blender they do sell a coffee grinder attachment that works well or groceries stores often offer coffee grinding so you can buy whole beans and grind each bag when you are ready to use. May not be as fresh as daily grinding but will still make a large difference to buying preground. Also lots of brands now a days make great instant coffee! 3. Scents, I’m not much of a scents person but another cheap option can be making a simmer pot with things you have on hand, like citrus or cinnamon etc. The best way to be eco friendly, minimal and cost effective is to use what you already own! 🫰🏼
I use cloth bags as gift bags - that way they are usable all the time (mainly for grocery shopping) - no need for huge storage as they are widely available and you can buy them whenever you need. Also: in my family (and now also workplace) we re-use paper gift bags as long as they look good
BTW. I am Polish and never heard that "euro dishwash cloth" name o.O my grandma love it though and use clothes like this as long as I remember
you can use old cotton clothes as your dusters they work perfectly fine
Or old “singleton” socks
Yes on the coffee!! We even started buying green coffee beans online in a 5lb+ bag for like $5 or less a pound instead of like $15 a pound at the store. Roasting coffee at home is super easy and quick and a fun process! Saves money and you’re not buying bags from the store so often.
Finally a video with actually great tips and that are sustainable. Thank you for this video. It’s very organised, clear and interesting!
your color coded cloth style is very smart. I have started to sort of do it since I moved out on my own, but at home I would just use old dog towels for whatever, and kitchen hand towels for any kitchen messes, but I find using the color coding helps me know. I use one color of clothes for bathroom cleaning, one for kitchen food messes, one for hardcore kitchen messes, and more colors for general surfaces, heavily touched surfaces and I just have one odd rag for cleaning my desk.
very cool video. picked up a tip or two along the way .... my only advice is to just let the clothes air dry instead of using the tumble dryer. It's free and most clothes don't need ironing these days. Just hang them out and let nature do the rest. + You save money on electricity, possibly space for the tumbler, and those balls too :)
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
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.
Changed to fabric tissues. I have rhinitis, so I'm blowing my nose constantly. So I started using my childhood ones, and when my grandma passed away, I added hers to my "collection." I love it. Way less waist, less money spent, and I wash them in the machine. All good 😊
Great swap idea!
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.
As a swede, I love seeing more and more people discovering our clever dishcloths ☺️ so some stuff I already do naturally, but the cloth wrapping paper was completely new and I love it!
As a Canadian, thank YOU 😅 Have so much wrapping your next gifts! I particularly love floral and green accents added between the bow.
@@HaleyVillenaTbh, they've always been around for me, so I didn't even know they're washable and can be tossed in the organic bin 😅 the cloth wrapping takes away the stress of trying to wrap awkward shapes as well 😉 like say a teddybear
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!
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 😅)
Very helpful 👏🏼
#4 Be careful doing this. As soon as you add water to a product, it will start growing bacteria.
My darling, you write better than most native speakers I’ve seen on RUclips 🤗.
Your video was in my recommended list, and I loved this. I already use essential oils mixed with sterile water and alcohol as a bathroom spray, and glass straws. I really liked the idea of the fleece dusters, but as I already have a reusable duster, I think I will try to make something similar for the floor mop, we have single use wet sheets for that, which I would like to change out.
I have fleece/towelfabric rounds to replace the cottonpads for make-up removal! Saved me several hunderds of cottonpads..
I was doubting the usefulness of this video but damn, it saved me hours of research! I have every single problem you listed and was wondering how to change those things with something more natural and easy to clean! ❤ Thank you!
OMG my favourite dishwashing "scratchy" clothes!!! Yes they are made here in Poland, and they are just perfect!!!
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.
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
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
I love this video and already have the Swedish dish cloths but was not educated on them, so haven't been utilizing them well. Thank you!
That first one surprised me, it's standard here in Spain. That doesn't mean we don't use paper towels, but for cleaning it's generally some type of cloth.
Happy to say that I have also done many of the same swaps you showcase in your video with the exception of the Euro scrubby and the Swiffer swap - currently ordering the euro scrubby while putting on my trainers to run to the Salvation Army for a fleece hoodie to make my own Swiffer! I had purchased a microfiber duster and really don't like it (doesn't pick up, just pushes dust around) but feel guilty tossing it away. Love the video!
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.
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.
Good tips, I think I will incorporate some that I am not using yet😊 I never had a Kuerig , work had one I didn't like the quality of the brew. I used to use stovetop moka till it broke then got a French press. I'm very happy with the quality of the brewing of coffee in the French press, it is very smooth and full. Kuerig coffee stink. I used to clean professionally and some homes had swiffer products to use. I do not like any of them. I am sensitive to the fragrance of swiffer and it doesn't last long and flimsy design so didn't clean well. Instead of swiffer wet jet I used microfiber pad mop from dollar tree and spray bottle with gentle homemade cleaner and reusable dusters which work on static or a plain old fashion dust cloth made from old t-shirts. I did like the fleece ones you showed though, I may give that a look as well
👏👏 Excellent information, thank you!👏💯🌿. I use all of your suggestions but didn’t know about the euroscrubby, thanks👌🏻🏃🏼♀️
Everyone should own a bidet! You can get a nice one that has a heated option and an air function for under 100 dollars. I live with 2 other people and we have guests over a lot so we spent about 40 dollars on toilet paper EVERY MONTH! After we bought a bidet, we save money and people love it!
We definitely need more videos like these. The earth needs it!!
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 ☺️
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.
0:45 I use paper towels instead of pouring grease down a drain (absolute no-no if you don't want a clog) so what do you use for that kind of clean up?
We pour the oils/grease into a glass dish, let it harden a bit and then put it into our compost bin!
I love this! I've always been ecologically conscious but find it difficult to reduce the amount of waste our household generates because we also want to enjoy modern conveniences. I didn't know about many of these alternatives!
i loved the video and the fact that you went through all this work and research even with a kid at home ❤ many times when I was younger and lived with my mom I tried to convince her to change some things and she would always say she had better things to think of and had no time for that
Hi Marianna, I appreciate your kind feedback. I think many people likely have the same thought process as your mom - changes like this can seem insignificant!
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.
We have been reusing swiffer dusters since I was very small, we just wash them and reuse them. they may not be as perfect as in the beginning but they still work fine
I have been using microfiber dusting cloths for years. Thank you for sharing this ❤
Thanks for sharing!
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.
LOVE my AeroPress
I use some of these already, and learned some cool new ones to try!
I also use washable mop heads instead of swiffer, silpat instead of foil for the oven, and blueland for soap (I'm sure there are other brands too). Another great option for wrapping gifts is using brown grocery bags. That's what our groceries come in anyway. Most of the year, we recycle them, but birthdays and Christmas I save them to use as gift wrap. They're really cute as is, or you could draw on or paint on them too. Not as reusable as fabric (which I use as well) but at least it gives the bags another use before recycling 🙂
I worked for a cleaning company for years. We used terry towels to clean, and one of the worker gals sewed a whole bunch of swiffer heads with fleece fabric that fit right on those swiffers.
I love flipping Trader Joes’s paper bags inside out and cutting them for wrapping paper! Paired with some twine from the dollar store, it makes for really elegant gifts. You can even draw a fun design if you so please. Great Video!!
the content is original and high quality, so it’s very helpful. thank you!
I recommend using distilled water to refill your essential oil spray. Those swiffer duster heads are washable. I have only purchased one pack and have been rewashing them regularly. Thank you for all of the great tips.
Wow! Awesome video! Think I’ll be adopting the body scrubbers, glass straws & fleece dusters :)
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 🤗
as a non-american the paper towels culture has always made me so confused and upset, reusable washable cloths are the way!!
for me its crazy not use paper towels in kitchen like to “dry” oil from fried foods but for CLEANING???????? WHO THE FUCK TRIES TO DRY WATER WITH PAPEEERRR 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Im going back to paper towels because it’s so humid here my clothes rot so fast, also it’s impossible to find good quality ones even if you want to pay for them. I buy non bleached, recycled paper.
What about cleaning things like vomit and feces?
Americans usually use paper towels as table napkins more than anything else, not really for cleaning up with. Using them as table napkins helps keep us from having to wash out cloth table napkins after every meal. Do you use washable cloths for your face at the table every meal?
@@lettttttshhh Good Lord, calm down. It's not worth your tears and panic.
it’s so impressive how much work and research and knowledge you put into your videos!
I love the duster head swap idea! Will have to try this out
Really useful video, thank you! I do the refillable K-cups with a compostable paper filter and love them. I work in an office that collects compost and processes it with commercial composting, so for work I buy the compostable coffee pods by San Francisco Bay Coffee or Cameron's. It costs more, especially more than the free pods the office provides, but I feel better about using it and the San Francisco Bay is better than any plastic K-Cup I've ever tried.
I already do most of these but the reusable duster head got my attention, I'll have to look into purchasing one
Your channel is such a discovery for me. Thank you for these great tips ❤
I haven’t made this swap myself yet because I don’t cook enough quite yet, but beeswax wraps are also an alternative to plastic wrap for food storage! They’re reusable and washable in cold water, you just need to know how to care for them!
Hi there - we use these and love them! One of the best products out there.
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! 🤗
I love that all the swaps are things that are widely used in europe and taken for granted.
For the reuse of materials, growing up we'd always use the Sunday Funnies for gift wrapping. Newspaper is fully recyclable (or you could turn it into firestarters) and then you'd get to read the comics again, or for the first time if you missed that week's paper
thank you for making a video like this, I'm going to make some swaps today!
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
Silicon body scrub and euroscrubby look very useful. Thank you.
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
In our family the giftwrap is a part of the present! We open our gifts carefully and use our favourite pieces again and again. Can very much recommend! I makes gift wrappings so much more thoughtful, personal and "hyggelig" + also saves waste :)
I have had my swedish dish cloths for 4 years now, still good!
TRUE. I have silicone straws! 😊
It's amazing how we are now doing things the way grandma did - using rags etc. Just serge or zigzag around worn out towels instead of the swedish cloths which are a waste of money. Roll your own wool balls and use vinegar to soften clothes instead of products like downy.
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!
Thank you for sharing 😍 Would just suggest to make your essential oils freshener with alcool instead of water, to avoid spraying mold.
in Indonesia, we have a duster called "Kemoceng" which basically a feather duster. We never need to change it unless the feather fall out. I don't really know how to clean it since I mainly just "smack the dust out" or soak it in water with drops of dish soap. Hope it can helps~ (Sorry for my crappy english)
Thanks for sharing!!
I use every tip you had on this list except I haven't switched to a silicon body scrubber yet.
The hardest thing for me to get over is that NOTHING is 100% reusable. We will always have to replace. I started the rabbit hole with reusable bags replacing ziploc bags but after a year of use they would stop sealing as well. I was 'over' them and wanted to switch back to ziploc...but then I realized the amount of money I saved in that year not buying ziploc nor my contribution to landfills was worth it and of course they wouldn't seal forever.
If youre not enjoying the product, swap to another or replace yours if it is no longer working. Once I got into the mindset of replacing is okay I have thoroughly enjoyed my changes more.
Nothing is sustainable in life even plastic is degenerating over years. So nothing will be in the place where it was. Just keep good quality products in check but i know it is a struggle to afford a decent product. Like me when i search for some things that are "sustainable" they charge you over 3-4 or even more times the regular price.
Hello came across your channel today. I often declutter, as I get older I truly believe less is more. I'm decluttering today and seeing these items will be added. I always felt that way about paper towels and i only have them for guest. Will be purchasing the swedish one's. I stop buying harsh chemicals cleaning supplies like bleach, I make my own laundry soap, no aerosol air freshners, I use wax candles which don't run out quick.Long of the story I'm more on the DIY chic ❤ I plan to purchase these items. I literally just picked up my mason jars with glass straws from Amazon. FYI if you never used the Amazon pick up lock box its the coolest thing. ❤
I definitely agree with the Swedish dish cloths! We have similar sponge cloths in India and they work wonders! So easy to use and maintain✨
And for gift wrapping, instead of wrapping them, I just use a fancy paper bag that can be reused and looks good while giving, will try the cloth idea as well.
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'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.
Target has some nice fluffy dusters that have a nice long handle. Machine wash, air dry.
Thanks for the recommendation!
They are great. I use 4 and can dust my entire house in one go.