How do you use less (making things go further)

calleyw · 19 April 2005 at 12:11PM

It was the thread about using less washing up liquid that got me thinking on this subject.

But what and how do use less of.

for me it is:

I use face wipes (I know wasteful)I cut them in half as they are way too big. I keep a pair of scissors in the bathroom for this. So I get 60 day supply from a standard 30 wipe packet.

Water down washing up liquid and fabric conditioner.

Measure out the washing powder with a smaller scoop that came with a hot chocolate drink. And only use two little scoops.

Make sure that I always do a full load of washing. As we are on a water meter and every little counts.

Fill the kettle right up boil and then keep the rest in a flask.

Use tea bags more than once.

If I am getting to the bottom of the milk and neither have any more in or waiting for it to defrost. Put a little bit of water in and shake.

Water down shower gel and bubble bath. And use a body puff to use less showergel.

Wear clothes for two days. Apart from underwear and socks.

If you using tuna/cornbeef/egg and find you don't have enough for everyone. Mix it with a little marg/Butter/Mayo add a little pepper and spread on bread for sandwiches. Means a little goes a lot fruther.

Can't think of any more at the moment.

So what do you do?

Yours

Calley

Lucie_2 · 19 April 2005 at 12:34PM

Only use one washing powder tablet instead of the recommended two.

Cut J-cloth type dishcloths in half

Snap dishwasher tablets in half, unless it's a very full, very dirty load.

elona · 19 April 2005 at 12:35PM

Calley

Any efforts that I make are offset by darling daughters who try something on for 15 seconds - throw it on floor - then leave it till it is chucking it down with rain - then tell me they need items for tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Instead of ironing liquid - I use water in a spray bottle with a few drops of essentail oil added.

Use white vinegar in conditioner drawer of washing machine and as rinse aid in dishwasher.

Add value powder to more expensive stuff - add soda crystals and mix.

squeaky · 19 April 2005 at 12:38PM

I know it's not recommended but I use the microwave for single cups of coffee. It's cheaper to run than the kettle and you don't heat any extra water.

If you overheat water in a microwave and put sugar in it can boil over and spit.

So for a mug of water, heat on high for about 1min 30 secs then add coffee, sugar, and milk. Take a sip and test for temperature. If it's too hot - take ten seconds off next time. If it's too cool - put it back in for ten seconds. When the temperature of your coffee is just right - that's the timing you use next time.

Curry_Queen · 19 April 2005 at 12:44PM

squeaky wrote:

I know it's not recommended but I use the microwave for single cups of coffee. It's cheaper to run than the kettle and you don't heat any extra water.

If you overheat water in a microwave and put sugar in it can boil over and spit.

I used to do that a long time ago but found my coffee didn't taste quite right

BTW, proper coffee doesn't have sugar or milk in it

MATH · 19 April 2005 at 12:53PM

BATHROOM

Use a mousser type bottle and you can dilute shower gel. I use 1 part gel to 3 parts water.

Keep scissors in the bathroom for cutting open toothpaste and other tubes. There's always loads left in them.

Stand bottle upside down for a day to get an extra 'serving'.

Put body lotion onto damp skin a little goes much further.

KITCHEN

Dilute full cream milk to make semi-u-like giving twice as much semi for the same price.

Your house is full of free dishcloths waiting to be cut down, why buy Jcloths?

Swill out cook-in sauce jars with a bit of milk or water.

Always spray cleaning products onto your cloth and not the surface. You use much, much less this way.

Multi task your cleaning products. If you are bleaching the sink also chuck in dish cloths and stained mugs and get three jobs out of one bleach splosh.

Save oil used for roasting potatoes in a cup in the fridge to use for roasting again. Roast tatties are even better in once used oil.

GENERAL

Use cotton hankies rather than tissues and face cloths rather than cosmetic wipes. Enviromentally friendly, cheaper, and kinder on the skin.

Split tissue layers for lipstick blotting etc.

squeaky · 19 April 2005 at 1:55PM

Curry_Queen wrote:

I used to do that a long time ago but found my coffee didn't taste quite right

BTW, proper coffee doesn't have sugar or milk in it

squeaky · 19 April 2005 at 1:59PM

Turn things OFF

TV's in particular use a fair amount of power when on standby. As much in its standby time (say overnight) than it does in the (few) hours you are watching it. So don't just hit the remote button - go hit the switch.

kingshir · 19 April 2005 at 2:53PM

I know this sounds silly, but if I turn my tv off at the plug will it lose the settings for the channels - in other words would I have to retune it ?(like I did when it was brand new)

ET03 · 19 April 2005 at 2:56PM

I always cut facial wipes in half too
and if using a wetwipe to quickly clean bathroom will just use one and rewet it under tap

squeaky · 19 April 2005 at 3:07PM

kingshir wrote:

I know this sounds silly, but if I turn my tv off at the plug will it lose the settings for the channels - in other words would I have to retune it ?(like I did when it was brand new)

Nope.

But no need (normally) to turn off at the plug. Just turn the proper switch off on the tv itself instead of using the remote button.

Old video's might need resetting (although there's usually a short cut to re-use previous settings) same for stereo's. If these are a pain, fine, don't do them. But tv, computer, printer...

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

How do you use less (making things go further)

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free