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Returns 20 Sustainable Lifestyle Hacks That Save Money & Prevent Waste
Sustainable living can sometimes feel like it's just for the muesli munching middle classes, people with the time and money to afford sustainability. However here at Cheeky, we don't believe that living sustainably goes hand in hand with breaking the bank.
In fact, making eco-friendly choices can actually help you save money! From reducing energy bills to cutting down on everyday expenses, small changes can lead to big savings in the long term.
Here at Cheeky Wipes we have been all about 'Simple Reusables' since we launched our bestselling reusable wipes kit back in 2008.
Our mission is to reduce single use items and replace them with reusables which can be used over and over again. Not only will that make a difference for the planet, reducing your carbon emissions but you'll save money too.
Let’s explore some awesome life hacks that will make your wallet and the planet a little happier. Here's our list of easy sustainable lifestyle hacks that save money & prevent waste:
- Reuse & repurpose
- Use reusable wipes
- Upcycle old clothes
- Repair instead of replacing
- Reuse jars & containers
- Use reusable water bottles & cups
- Cut down on cleaning waste
- Save energy
- Switch to LED light bulbs
- Seal windows & doors
- Turn thermostat down
- Investigate green energy tariffs
- Conserve water
- Collect rainwater
- Install low flow shower head
- Wash on cold
- Reduce food waste
- Plan meals
- Repurpose veg scraps
- Avoid ultra processed foods
- Buy local, seasonal produce
- Grown your own
- Compost at home
Reuse & Repurpose
One person's trash can totally be another's treasure! Reusing and repurposing items not only cuts costs but also decreases the amount of waste we send to landfills. Here’s how you can get creative:
Use Reusable Wipes
Ditch single-use paper towels and kitchen roll for reusable wipes. They’re perfect for cleaning up messes, wiping down surfaces, and they can be washed and used again and again, saving you money and reducing your waste.
Reusable wipes can also be used instead of single use toilet wipes and baby wipes, which is a massive cost saving of around £500 over a couple of years.
Upcycle Old Clothes
Don't just take your old clothes to charity shops or to textile recycling. Transform those old tees and jumpers into cleaning rags, tote bags, cushions or even cosy quilts. It’s a fun way to give new life to clothes that would otherwise end up in the trash.
You can also use old clothes, tights and pillowcases to make great draught excluders....see our section on saving energy!
If you're handy with a sewing machine, old tees can make great reusable wipes too.
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Use Reusable Water Bottles & Cups
If you like a cheeky cuppa when you're on the go, pack your reusable mug. Not only will you be reducing your waste, you'll also probably save a little bit of money every time you get a cuppa. In Pret a Manger for example, they offer 50p off a hot drink if you use your own reusable cup. Even Greggs offer 25p saving which adds up!
This reusable mug from Amazon is our holy grail of reusable mugs:
- it doesn't leak
- keeps your drink at the right temperature but not too hot!
- is super easy to clean
Top tip: for cleaning tea stained mugs. A scoopful of washing powder detergent, plus hot water left in any stained mug overnight will make any tannin mankiness simply melt away. SO satisfying!
Repair Instead of Replace
Got a wobbly chair or a leaky tap? Try fixing it before you throw it out. Often, a simple repair can extend the life of a product, saving you money on replacements. Youtube is a fantastic source for dining out how to fix things if you're short of know-how yourself.
Repurpose Jars & Containers
This is a favourite one here at Cheeky. Empty jars and containers make great organisers for small items, planters for herbs, or even as DIY candle holders. An empty jam jar with a lid makes a fantastic portable cocktail holder for picnics in the park! And empty jamjar is also the best way to mix and store a homemade vinaigrette - so if you're looking to cut down on UPF's, make your own!
Cut Down On Cleaning Product Waste
Everyone likes a clean house, but cleaning products in plastic bottles create a fair bit of waste. White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are multi purpose cleaners. Our articles on how to clean a soiled mattress and how to get rid of the urine smell in pants are two great examples of using bicarb around the house.
We also love the eco cleaning products from Purdy and Figg. They smell blooming amazing, work brilliantly and come in refillable bottles, you simply get a subscription of the concentrates delivered when you need it.
Save Energy
Reducing your energy use is another easy way to reduce your outgoings and help the environment. Here are some easy adjustments:
Switch to LED Light Bulbs
LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, which means lower electricity bills and fewer bulb replacements.
Seal Windows and Doors
Prevent drafts and heat loss by sealing any gaps in windows and doors. This is a really inexpensive way to significantly reduce your heating costs and save you money in the long run.
Turn Thermostat Down
Lowering your thermostat by just a few degrees during the winter can lead to substantial savings on your heating bill. Throw on a sweater and cosy up! Since the energy price hikes of the last couple of years, we've reduced our thermostat to 18.5c first thing in the morning and evening, which has really reduced our energy consumption.
Experts recommend that you heat the person, not the house and blankets and if it's super chilly, heated throws are an easy way to take the chill off at home.
Investigate Green Energy Tariffs
We've got an EV car, but even if you haven't, this option may well be worth investigating. Octopus Energy is one provider that gives extremely cheap rates for overnight electricity as there's often a surplus of energy in the grid at that time from renewables.
I schedule my appliances to run overnight and take advantage of this cheap renewable energy, which keeps my energy costs down and also makes use of the green energy available.
Conserve Water
Water conservation is not only vital for the environment but can also help reduce your water bill. Here’s how:
Collect Rainwater
Use a rain barrel to collect water for your garden. It’s free and reduces your dependency on the water companies. Often rain water barrels can be sourced for free on local selling pages.
Install Low-Flow Showerhead
Low-flow showerheads reduce water use without sacrificing water pressure. Less water used means more money saved.
Wash on Cold
Washing clothes in cold water saves energy, preserves your clothes’ colours, and decreases the likelihood of shrinkage. If your clothes need a freshen up rather than being stained, go low when you're washing.
Reduce Food Waste
Throwing food away is like throwing money away. Here’s how to prevent food waste:
Plan Meals
Planning your meals can reduce impulse buys and ensure that you use what you purchase, minimising waste. We've found that online grocery store shopping really helps reduce our grocery shopping bills too as we aren't tempted by those impulse buys which don't appear on our shopping list.
BTW, in the UK, we really rate Ocado for online food shopping. Not only do they have one hourly delivery slots, they also have an excellent range. They also VERY rarely have substitutions which can be super annoying if you need an ingredient for a meal and something random is sent instead!
Repurpose Vegetable Scraps
Some local councils offer food waste composting which is a great way to reduce your waste. Alternatively, turn peels and offcuts into vegetable stock or compost them for your garden.
Avoid Ultra Processed Foods
Most UPF's come in lots of packaging for a start, never mind the health implications. Ultra processed foods aren't great for your health. They're full of junk fillers rather than actual food stuffs and are formulated to make profits for HUGE corporations rather than feed your tummy.
We aren't trying to lay on a guilt trip here, we LOVE a packet of crisps and a chocolate biscuit now and again. But if you can avoid them, do so.
Buy Local, Seasonal Produce
Support local farmers and reduce your carbon footprint. Fresh produce also tends to last longer, meaning less waste.
Grow Your Own
I'm pretty useless at keeping plants alive. But even I can just about manage to keep some herbs alive. It’s rewarding, and you don't even need a garden, just a sunny windowsill.
Compost at Home
But if you do have a garden, turn your organic waste into rich soil for your plants. Composting at home reduces the amount of waste you produce and provides excellent nutrition for your garden. We're lucky to have a food recycling collection in our area which is great, although I save my morning coffee grounds for my garden as they help keep slugs at bay.
Bestselling Sustainable Products:
Washable Cloth Baby Wipes Kits for cloth or disposable nappy users. For hands & faces or bottoms too.
Conclusion
Making sustainable choices doesn’t have to be a chore or a strain on your budget. By integrating these simple hacks into your lifestyle, you can reduce waste, save money, and make a positive impact on the environment. Remember, every little bit helps, and your efforts are a big step towards a greener planet.
Got tips or questions? Drop us a comment below—we’d love to hear how you’re making sustainability work for you! Alternatively, get in touch, we LOVE helping people make sustainable swaps.
We hope that you found this article helpful and interesting and it solved your problems with pants smelling or urine. You may also be interested in:
- 10 Sustainable Alternatives for Common Household Items
- 5 Easy Sustainable Swaps For Babies
- Are Reusables a Hassle?
- Do I Have to carry Blood Around All Day?
Aout the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, internal period protection such as tampons or menstrual cups were no longer an option for her and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable panty liners and reusable sanitary pads.
The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.
