3 Disposable Products You Didn't Know You Could Stop Buying
76I shared before the top 5 disposable items you can stop buying to save money, but for the truly frugal there is still more you can give up. If you are really interested in giving up disposable products and saving some cash here are 3 things you might not have considered before.
Toilet Paper
I am sure several people just wrinkled their noses and clicked away,
but for those who were curious enough to read on you really can stop
buying toilet paper and save money. Many parents who cloth diaper know
about also using cloth wipes. This is simply a small cloth, wet with
water, and used in the place of disposable baby wipes. The same idea
can also be used in the place of toilet paper, in fact there are many
families who already do this.
A small pack of cloths such as
infant wash cloths, a reliable source of water, and a place to toss
your dirty clothes until washing are all that you need. A small,
plastic bucket with aclose-able lid can be easily stored behind your toilet and used to hold the dirty cloths. There are also special lined bags, called wetbags
, that many cloth diapering parents use for storing wet and dirty
diapers. The beauty of the bags is that they are washable as well,
meaning you can toss in the entire bag and wash everything at once.
If the smell becomes an issue, a dash of baking soda will effectively reduce that problem.
 | Amazon Price: $22.90 List Price: $39.59 |
Feminine Products
Women know that when it is that “special time” of the month there can
be costs involved. There are always products to buy, toss out, and buy
more of. However, people looking to stop their dependence on disposable
products can skip purchasing these things every month. There are many
reusable versions available that are getting rave reviews.
Diva
Cups and Glad Rags are two of the big names in reusable feminine
products. They are both durable, easy to use, and easy to clean. And
the best part is never realizing you are out just when you need them
the most.
Shampoo and Conditioner
You cannot actually replace shampoo and conditioner with a reusable option, but you can stop buying the over priced products in disposable bottles. Going shampoo free, or no poo, is a low cost way to get beautiful hair. The secret is to use a combination of baking soda and vinegar to clean and condition your hair.
The recipe for going no-poo is simple. Mix together one tablespoon of baking soda per one cup of warm or hot water. You can mix as much or as little as you will need based on how long or thick your hair is until it is right for you. Pour the mixture onto the roots of your wet hair and massage it in gently. Let this sit in your hair for a minute then rinse out with warm water. For a conditioner you can use a mix of two tablespoons apple cider vinegar and one cup water. Pour this over your hair, massage into scalp, then rinse off with cold water. Unlike store bought conditioners that need to be used after every wash, you will only need to use the vinegar rinse once every two to three days.
Conclusion
If we look around our lives we are certain to find dozen of disposable products that we could give up for reusable ones. These simple changes means less cost to us in the long run, less trash being tossed out, and maybe a few raised eyebrows along the way. Think back to a time when there were virtually no disposable items in the world. How did people then get through their day? With a little creativity and a willingness to get your hands dirty you might be amazed at what you can do.
Recommended Reading:
 | "Documenting a day in the life of the average North American consumer, Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things deconstructs the American Dream by unraveling the hidden costs behind the objects around us. From our morning cup of Columbian coffee to our South Korean-made sneakers, the book traces the environmental impact of the consumer decisions most of us make without thinking. Authors John C. Ryan and Alan Thein Durning of Seattle's Northwest Environment Watch tell us greenhouse gases produced in making one burger are equivalent to those emitted in a six-mile drive to the burger joint. Only occasionally verging on preachiness, this readable 88-page book is definitely worth the paper it's printed on." -- Mother Jones, September/October 1997 Amazon Price: $8.49 List Price: $14.95 |
 | "Voluntary simplicity" has become a catch phrase for what seems to be a yearning for a simpler, more self-sufficient and economical way of living in the late 20th century. This book, first published in 1981 and recently updated, was probably many folks' first in-depth exposure to the idea of a simpler life, making things by hand, and enjoying a stronger sense of control over personal budgets, home projects, and lifestyles. Hundreds of projects are listed, illustrated in step-by-step diagrams and instructions: growing and preserving your own food, converting trees to lumber and building a home from it, traditional crafts and homesteading skills, and having fun with recreational activities like camping, fishing, and folk dancing without spending a lot of money. This book will have you dreaming and planning from the first page! Amazon Price: $15.66 List Price: $24.95 |
 | Paper or plastic? Neither, say William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Why settle for the least harmful alternative when we could have something that is better--say, edible grocery bags! In Cradle to Cradle, the authors present a manifesto calling for a new industrial revolution, one that would render both traditional manufacturing and traditional environmentalism obsolete. Recycling, for instance, is actually "downcycling," creating hybrids of biological and technical "nutrients" which are then unrecoverable and unusable. The authors, an architect and a chemist, want to eliminate the concept of waste altogether, while preserving commerce and allowing for human nature. They offer several compelling examples of corporations that are not just doing less harm--they're actually doing some good for the environment and their neighborhoods, and making more money in the process. Cradle to Cradle is a refreshing change from the intractable environmental conflicts that dominate headlines. It's a handbook for 21st-century innovation and should be required reading for business hotshots and environmental activists. Amazon Price: $13.00 List Price: $27.50 |
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Top tips Summer M ;)
Not happening Summer! Sorry. This hub took courage though so I've got to give you a big thumbs up even if I can't take some of your advice.
I've lived on some really incredibly shoestring budgets before but while the toilet paper saver is a fair idea if it is absolutely necessary, the feminine products idea is just something I can't do. I'll have to try the shampoo one though. I buy in bulk and forget to replenish the shampoo all too often. Thanks for all the tips though, you never know who might need them.
I think these ideas are all really great! I've recently been trying to curb my dependence on disposable products to more reusable ones. I think some people tend to be quite ignorant about things like reusable bathroom whipes, the Diva Cup, hankies, or even cloth diapers, but really, I don't understand why they would gross people out so much. Washing and reusing items like these is just as sanitary as washing anything else, plus, you get the benefit of taking trash out of our landfills (not to mention the amount of money you'll save).
Kaabi 2 years ago
Wow, those are some really interesting tips, especially the one about homemade shampoo and conditioner. When I get my own place, I'll probably start using the toilet paper thing too.