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Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.30 MoneySaving household hacks to avoid waste
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Why do we need all those wipes for this and wipes for that, they all end up in landfill anyway, so how is that good for the environment? My husband gets my cleaning cloths from Selco, cheaper and bigger than the ones from the supermarket, I have a good stash of them so they can get thrown in the washing machine regularly for cleaning. I buy good old Flash, bulk size from Makro or Costco and decant some into a spray bottle and top up with water for my general cleaning, bulk buy and decant bleach. That and a bit of limescale remover and glass cleaner and you’re set, no need for all the fancy stuff and not loads of different products cluttering the cupboards. There’s a great shop nearby where you can take your own containers and buy washing powder, cleaners etc ‘loose’ - brilliant!
I bought some net bags for buying my veggies loose, so no plastic waste. We compost our peelings and recycle pretty much everything else, I generally only have one actual rubbish sack a week collected by the council these days 👍🏻10 -
A tiny drop of Johnsons Baby Shampoo on a damp flannel/cloth will remove even waterproof mascara. No need to use throwaway wipes.Normal people worry me.7
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1. When filling a bath, put the plug in at the start so that cold water goes in first rather than wasting water at the end. This also saves heating the 'hot' water at the start (a little difficult to explain, but I hope you understand).
2. My dishwasher never dries the dishes very well. If you stop the cycle just before the drying; open the door and mop off the excess water on the tops of mugs etc.; then leave the door slightly ajar, you save the drying electricity and it all evaporates off very well.6 -
Birthday cards often cost £3+. Even the very cheapest are 99p. Make you own birthday cards very simply by printing out a funny photo . Personalise by using pictures you have taken yourself of an event with the Birthday girl/boy. Or use pet pics. Embellish with anything you like for example sick on eyes or moustache. (eyes £1.50 for 100 or small buttons, Anything fuzzy can make a moustache). If you can find coloured card or paper cheaply it makes good backing. Our work computer prints a dark red sheet between print runs. I can get about 10 red sheets a day for free as they just go in the bin. If you are really clever look at origami on You tube. Get the children to make them for family.6
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Re Wrapping paper. I know a warehouse where some of the cheap, Christmassy fabric is only £1 a metre. I buy this and use it for attractive, innovative wrapping "paper". It can be glued or stitched to cover the present.7
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When preparing vegetables, I don't throw away the bits (e.g celery leaves, cauliflower stalks etc) I freeze them and use them in home made soups.7
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I don’t get the bit in the soap ‘recipe’ about the ceramic tiles? Your soap bars are 6”x6”?6
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Hacks -
Cut a milk bottle into small strips for plant labels.
Veg stock from peelings, save in the freezer til you have enough.
Double cook and freeze half. Then you have good meals for when you're tired.
Thoughts -
I try and see things from the object's point of view for a fun way to get a different perspective... this is how it goes...
Things love to be maintained... cleaned, oiled, topped up!!!
Things are grateful if you use them til they're actually worn out and irreparable.
Clothes and textiles really want to last. They are joyful when mended and sing out from rag rugs and patchwork!
Things hate going in the bin. Sometimes, right at the point of peril hanging over the edge of the bin, they'll give you another idea.
Somewhere on one of these forums somebody put a very useful rhyme... "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"... which is my motto (thank you whoever you are)
My personal top tips -
-Take time to plan. I try to do a week-month-year scan every weekend, and a life scan on new years eve. Then you can identify and seize opportunities. It's not really a hack but it saves me more than any other single activity so I wanted to add it.
-Spend lots of time on these forums! The best online resource I've ever found. Thousands of knowledgeable people, sharing and helping each other out. Wonderful.A bit of grin and bear it, a bit of come and share it
You're welcome we can spare it, yellow socks10 -
When we have visitors and they go to make tea/coffee, when I look, the kettle is far fuller than needed. Our kettle has a level indicator, graduated in cups, so if there is just one of you, only put 1 cups worth in. Simples. My daughter was astonished - she normally put in 2 or even 3 cups worth when she was just making one cup and actually said "you mean it only needs that much?" Point is, 2 cups worth uses twice the electricity to boil, so if you just use 1 cups worth, then it uses half the electricity. My brother was worst - half fills or more the kettle (3-4 cups)!5
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After I have taken the brocoli florets off for our meal, I save the stalks in a plastic bag in the fridge, which I chop up and then add to a home made vegetable soup. If liquidising your soup, the little ones have no idea what vegetables they are eating, so win win !!7
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