What types of environmentally friendly things do you do that also save money?

[StephMK]

Just looking to share and get ideas for some additional things we can do to practice "green living" that also may or may not save money. (to keep on topic) We don't do much yet but I am hoping to expand what we do.

We recycle and also save our glass, which we have to take to a recycling place. We are trying to garden but have not been particularly successful in that so far.

This year, I really want to use a rain barrel to help water the garden & save some money on our water bill. I am also making seed starters from cardboard tubes and using plastic fruit containers for mini-greenhouses. I love Pinterest!

I try to look at Goodwill if I need certain things before I buy new and looking into more natural cleaning products a little bit.

So what do you like to do that helps? Do you have any favorite sites for ideas?

 

[Lizzybean]

Clean with vinegar.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Lemon juice and water heated on high for 3 minutes is great for cleaning the microwave.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[bookgirl]

Refillable water bottles.

If you don't like your local water invest in a tap filter or a filter pitcher. Saves me a ton on individual water bottles and lot less plastic in the trash.

 

[ldo]

I let towels air dry, same with bulky comforters, sweatshirts, etc., then pop in dryer for about 20 minutes to get fluffy.

 

[Arkansan]

I most often wash clothes in cold water. Some loads I wash in warm, but always rinse in cold. I dry only socks, underwear, towels, sheets, and pajamas all the way. Everything else gets about 10 min. On low and is air dried. I used to have a clothesline before we began living in neighborhoods with HOA. I LOVE sheets dried on the line!

I use a lot of vinegar to clean. I also use some natural cleaners and laundry products. They are very concentrated, so I only need about half an ounce instead of much more.

 

[brennicksmom]

We stopped using paper towels/napkins for cleaning and during meals. We bought cloth napkins and microfiber towels for cleaning. I just have an extra load of laundry occasionally.
My only exception is pet messes.

We also use real plates. I haven't bought paper plates for about 4 years. I bought plastic plates for use outside on our deck, easier than having to clean up broken dishes if one gets dropped.

 

[supergoofy]

Add a blanket to the bed and keep a pile in the living room. We have ceiling heat that is electric so its expensive and not very effective.


And come summer open the windows at night and close them come morning. Trap the cold air in the house.


I plan on making some home made air coolers using a small fan, 5 gallon bucket and a frozen milk jug.

 

[msquoted]

When the kids were younger, we used cloth diapers. I don't even know how much $$ we saved not having to buy disposables (I also breastfed which saved us tons of money as well being "green" - no packaging, factory to make the formula, etc.)
I use the keeper instead of buying tampons/pads (won't go into details here because I am sure not everyone wants to hear about it but if anyone wants to know more, feel free to message me Cheaper, healthier and no disposable products )
I tend to follow the motto, 'Mend it, fix it, make do, or do without." Instead of buying new things all the time, if something is broken I fix it or evaluate if it is something I really need to begin with.
I don't use "one-time-use" products but instead use real napkins, washcloths, towels, etc.
I use Norwex cleaning cloths which, while costing more upfront, has saved me money on disinfectants and cleaners.
I don't buy many convenience foods which cost more money and come and more packaging than meals made from scratch.
Even though we do have two vehicles, my husband either bikes to work or takes the bus (the bus is free because his company pays for it.)

I'm sure there is more but that is what was on the top of my head

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Last fall I got a Brita water pitcher and stopped buying bottled water.

I use Scott Naturals tube-free TP. I guess you COULD flatten the tubes and toss them in the paper recycling but I never did so now there are less cardboard TP tubes ending up in the landfill.

No more paper plates, plastic utensils, or plastic or paper cups.

Almost all of our laundry is washed in cold water.

 

[olecow]

We use almost exclusively CFL and LED lightbulbs in our home. We also installed low flow showerheads in all of our showers, along with a high efficiency washing machine and dishwasher. I actually don't notice much of a difference between the low flow showerhead and our old "normal" showerhead. I was afraid I would.

 

[LJSquishy]

I make my own hand soap (2Tbsp Castile soap liquid, 8oz boiled water, 4-6 drops jojoba oil [for moisturizing] and 3 drops essential oil, I like Mandarin Orange).

I use vinegar to do a lot of cleaning. For toilet cleaner I either use vinegar & baking soda or I use liquid Castile soap (Dr Bronner's).

Instead of conditioner I use raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (1 part vinegar to 8 parts water).

I wash and reuse ziplock bags a few times as long as no meat was in them. We mostly use reusable containers, though.

I make my own chicken stock instead of purchasing cans or cartons of it. I freeze it in pint wide-mouth mason jars. I also freeze food scraps/ends from carrots, onions, and celery to use in the stock later on.

I make my own whole wheat hamburger buns, English muffins, and tortillas...MUCH cheaper, tastes way better, and no packaging! Also no weird ingredients or preservatives.

We have an espresso machine and use dishcloths instead of paper towels to clean the group head and wipe up any drips/grounds. We still use paper napkins and paper towels (maybe one roll every month) but I plan to switch to cloth napkins and cloth "paper towels".

I also wait as long as I can before blow drying my hair so I use less energy.

 

[theelfqueen]

Packing low-waste/waste free lunches for my kids - we use washable reusable zipper bags (we use repac because I like the zipper instead of velcro, plus some Disney ones I got from DMR) and a variety of tupperwares. Camping type sporks instead of disposable silverware. Lunchbags/boxes instead of brown bags, etc.
I was worried at first that my kids would accidentally throw these out. But they do quite well.

 

[jessica52877]

I make my own hand soap (2Tbsp Castile soap liquid, 8oz boiled water, 4-6 drops jojoba oil [for moisturizing] and 3 drops essential oil, I like Mandarin Orange).

I use vinegar to do a lot of cleaning. For toilet cleaner I either use vinegar & baking soda or I use liquid Castile soap (Dr Bronner's).

Instead of conditioner I use raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (1 part vinegar to 8 parts water).

I wash and reuse ziplock bags a few times as long as no meat was in them. We mostly use reusable containers, though.

I make my own chicken stock instead of purchasing cans or cartons of it. I freeze it in pint wide-mouth mason jars. I also freeze food scraps/ends from carrots, onions, and celery to use in the stock later on.

I make my own whole wheat hamburger buns, English muffins, and tortillas...MUCH cheaper, tastes way better, and no packaging! Also no weird ingredients or preservatives.

We have an espresso machine and use dishcloths instead of paper towels to clean the group head and wipe up any drips/grounds. We still use paper napkins and paper towels (maybe one roll every month) but I plan to switch to cloth napkins and cloth "paper towels".

I also wait as long as I can before blow drying my hair so I use less energy.

Would you mind posting your recipes for the whole wheat items.

 

[MillauFr]

I ride my bike to work instead of taking the bus or driving. I've driven my truck 500 miles in the last year. I always walk or ride my bike instead of driving.

 

[crisi]

Homemade cleaning products

Wash in cold

Line Dry

Put a "blanket" on your water heater

Turn down the theromostat (turn it up in Summer). Wear a sweater in winter and learn to use your homes own airflow in Summer if you can

Combine trips - go to work, run your errands on the way home from work. Drop the kids off for soccer, go grocery shopping, pick up your kids. Keep the "I'm just running out for milk" to a minimum.

Grocery shop close to home if possible - getting deals is great - driving all over town to use certain coupons may be more expensive than just buying in close by - and certainly is worse for the environment.

I can't use a "keeper"- I use cloth pads - google "Party in your Pants" - the initial investment is pretty heavy, but mine have held up for years.

 

[hsmamato2]

I use the keeper instead of buying tampons/pads (won't go into details here because I am sure not everyone wants to hear about it but if anyone wants to know more, feel free to message me Cheaper, healthier and no disposable products )

not to steal the thread, but keeper vs. Diva cup,which one,and why? I have had the Diva for years

 

[ElenaRN]

Hubby & I usually wear our clothes twice before we wash them. I wash only in cold water. I make my own powdered laundry detergent.

I reuse Ziplocks. I keep separate ones specifically for meat.

I don't buy any snack sizes or 100 calorie bags of treats. I buy the bigger sizes and do it myself. Not only are the snack sizes more expensive but also use a lot of packaging. I only buy juice boxes or pouches if we are having a party.

Just started making my own baby wipes. Not sure yet if this is cost effective.

Breastfeeding is the biggest $ saver.

I water down a lot of stuff- Shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, juice.

 

[hsmamato2]

hmmm, I always do these things, and never thought about them 'saving' anything.... wash in cold water, make my spray cleaner (1-1 ratio of alcohol,water,and vinegar)use cloth napkins and dishtowels,keep a towel by the sink for hand drying...

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I clean with baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda removes soap scum very easily, it brightens whites. I dropped yellow mustard on my favorite white shirt and did not notice it until it was dried on. I sprayed Shout on it and washed it. It did not come out. The next time I washed it, it still didn't come out. On the third try I added baking soda to that washer and the stain is completely gone!!! Baking soda actually makes your soap work much better.

I uses vinegar to wash my window/mirrors, my floors - it is an antibacterial agent and no need to rinse the floor, I use it instead if new soft in the washer.

I buy baking soda and vinegar at Sam's club is a lot cheaper there. I get a
13 lb bag of baking soda for $5. and the vinegar is 1.32 gallons for under $4.00.