Image from Pexels - CC0 License
Swapping some of the products that you use at home for reusable alternatives can save you a lot of money. On top of that, it also helps you to make your lifestyle more eco-friendly by reducing the single-use products that you use. If you want to go one step further, you also have the option of making reusable items yourself, instead of buying them. A lot of items are easy to make at home, especially if you have access to a sewing machine. Take a look at some of the products that you could make and use over and over again.
Makeup Remover Pads
Makeup wipes might be convenient and easy to use, but you can end up getting through a lot of them. If you want to reduce the amount of waste that you produce, a reusable alternative is better. With some remover pads and a bottle of makeup remover, you'll be throwing away much less. You can make makeup remover pads with both a soft and rough side, using different fabrics for each side. For the rougher side, try coarse cotton, linen, muslin, or denim. For the soft side, softer cotton, flannelette, or jersey can work. You can even recycle clothes and other fabrics to make them.
Image from Pixabay - CC0 License
Wax Wraps
Plastic wrap can be super wasteful. However, sometimes it's the best option compared to using containers. For an alternative, you can use reusable wax wraps to wrap up your food. They're great for wrapping up a sandwich for work or preventing cross-contamination in the fridge. You can buy bulk beeswax, which you then use to treat cotton to create your wraps. You just need to melt the beeswax, then spread it out over the fabric to cover it. After drying, you can turn them into little pockets and bags too.
Diapers and Wipes
For parents, one of the disposable products that produce the most waste is diapers. On top of that, you can get through a lot of disposable wipes too. Not everyone is keen on the idea of reusable diapers, but they're more eco-friendly and can save a lot of money. There are various fabrics that you can use, and you can even recycle some fabrics, such as old towels. You need an absorbent material, a lining that promotes dryness, and waterproof fabric. Wipes are easy to make too. You can use flannel, especially if you have some old towels that you can cut up.
Image from Pixabay - CC0 License
Pads and Panty Liners
If you prefer to use pads when you're on your period, reusable pads are a good eco-friendly option. They're a great choice for anyone who wants to be greener but doesn't want to use a menstrual cup. To make your own pads or panty liners, you will need similar materials to those for diapers - a base layer, an absorbent layer, a waterproof layer, and a layer that goes next to your skin.
Making your own reusable products is a breeze, even if you're not particularly crafty. You can even sew things by hand if you don't have a sewing machine.
