Sometimes the price tags on eco friendly products can be SHOCKING! And honestly one bad episode of sticker shock can give it all a bad rep. A reputation that sustainability equals expensive! But don’t believe the rumors- there are so many earth friendly lifestyle changes that you can make that not only aren’t more expensive…they actually are money saving in the long run.
So stay with me and keep reading as we chat about these simple sustainability focused sways we can make in your home. Swaps that are budget helping too!
Let’s get into it-
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8 Earth-Friendly Home Swaps That Will Actually Save You Money
Budget friendly sustainable lifestyle changes:
Hold on, before we get into this I actually want to remind you that what you are trying to do here is awesome! prioritizing household products and lifestyle changes that benefit the earth is a huge thing and you are making a difference!! Keep at it and remember that no one is perfect but together we can make a difference and help our budgets out in the process.
Enough rambling let’s actually get into the first earth friendly home swap-
Eco swap 1: Swap Paper Towels for Reusable Cloths
Let’s be real with each other guys… paper towels are way too expensive for something you use once and immediately toss in the trash. If you’re constantly buying roll after roll, it’s basically like throwing money away!!
Instead, switch to reusable cloths or “unpaper” towels. And you have options- you can buy cute ones, repurpose old t-shirts, or even use those mismatched dish towels you already have. They last forever, clean better than flimsy paper towels, and save you at least $100 a year on disposable rolls. Or more if you have a lot to clean up!
This was one of the first swaps I made and it is genuinely so much better. Reusable cloths clean a million times better than paper towels and throwing in one extra load of laundry is totally worth it!
Eco swap 2: Switch Plastic Wrap for Beeswax Wraps
Cling wrap is annoying, wasteful, and overpriced. It also never sticks properly when you need it to (or maybe that is a personal vendetta but too many desserts have been ruined by plastic wrap in my experience), but somehow manages to fuse itself into an inseparable ball when you’re trying to store it neatly.
Instead, try beeswax wraps which are also so much more fun. But mainly they’re washable, reusable, and last for about a year.
Plus, they actually cling to bowls and wrap food properly, unlike their plastic counterpart. You’ll never have to buy plastic wrap again, which means less plastic waste and more money in your pocket.
Eco swap 3: Swap Disposable Water Bottles for a Reusable One
If you’re still buying packs of bottled water, let me introduce you to a life-changing upgrade: a reusable water bottle. A good one will keep your drinks cold all day, save you hundreds of dollars a year, and keep thousands of plastic bottles out of landfills and oceans.
Fill it up before you leave the house, and you’ll never have to pay $3 for a bottle of water at the gas station again. Bonus: Many coffee shops even give discounts when you bring your own cup!
ALSO- personally I swear by my filtering water bottle. Not only is it reusable but it also provides an additional layer of filtering to help keep any bacteria in the water away when you’re traveling or just not at home. Ive used this adorable pink one from Brita for YEARS and love it.
Eco swap 4: Ditch Dryer Sheets for Wool Dryer Balls
Dryer sheets only really provide you with a delightful smell but here’s the thing you use them once and then throw them away. Plus, most of them are coated in chemicals that aren’t great for your skin or the environment either.
And that my friends is where the swap happens, wool dryer balls: they soften your clothes naturally, reduce static, and cut drying time by 25-30%. Since they last for years, you’ll save hundreds of dollars by never buying dryer sheets again. If you miss the scent, just add a few drops of essential oil!
Here are the cutest ones that are also from a small business. Shopping small goes hand in hand with helping our planet 🙂
Eco swap 5: Replace Plastic Grocery Bags with Reusable Bags
Many stores are now charging for plastic bags, and while a few cents per bag doesn’t seem like a big deal, it adds up fast.
Invest in a few sturdy reusable shopping bags, and you’ll never have to deal with flimsy plastic bags breaking right as you’re carrying in the groceries. Andddd many stores offer small discounts when you bring your own bags, making this swap even more of a money-saver.
Plus for those of us that have a parking situation where you have to carry the bags for a while these are a lifesaver on your hands and arms.
Eco swap 6: Swap Liquid Soap for Bar Soap
Liquid soap might feel fancy, but it’s mostly water, comes in plastic packaging, and runs out ridiculously fast. Good bar soap, on the other hand, lasts way longer, costs less per use, and doesn’t come in wasteful plastic bottles.
If you find regular bar soap too drying, look for natural, moisturizing options AND they work just as well and won’t leave your skin feeling like sandpaper. Bonus: You can even switch to shampoo and conditioner bars, which last 2-3x longer than bottled versions.
Again, I won’t claim to be perfect. I am still working through old stashes of soaps before finishing this swap and that is okay!! Progress over perfection any day.
Eco swap 7: Switch to LED Light Bulbs
If you’re still using old-school incandescent bulbs, you’re literally paying more for less. LED bulbs use 75% less energy, last up to 25 times longer, and cut down your electricity bill significantly.
Yes, they might cost a little more upfront, but since they last years instead of months, they pay for themselves multiple times over. Just one LED bulb can save you $100+ over its lifetime.
Eco swap 8: Replace Paper Napkins with Cloth Napkins
If you’re still using paper napkins for every meal, here’s a super easy way to save money: switch to cloth napkins.
Cloth napkins might seem a little over the top, but they’re so much better than paper. They last forever, feel way nicer, and keep you from constantly running out of paper napkins right when you need them most. Just toss them in the laundry with your regular wash, and they’re good to go again.
By cutting out wasteful, single-use products and replacing them with long-lasting, eco-friendly alternatives, you’ll spend less, waste less, and simplify your home all at the same time.
So go ahead and make the switch and both your wallet and the Earth will thank you!!
Korra-Shay
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