Eco-friendly lifestyle doesn't have to be an ordeal!

[4ScienceYouMonster]

There is a myth that in order to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle you have to spend a lot of money and/or live like a cave dweller. Far from the truth. You can take steps towards eco-friendly living from now, without necessarily turning your whole daily routine upside down, and even saving some money in the process. Here are some quick tips:

 

1.       Use fabric napkins instead of paper napkins. This may look tricky if fabric napkins are not easily available in store; I can assure you that where I live in the UK they are almost impossible to find, and much more expensive than other accessories. My advice is: get some nice, smooth cotton tea towels. You can use them as they are or cut them in two, and here is your table nicely set for a fraction of the regular price.

2.       Treat your nose with cotton handkerchiefs. Similarly to the previous tip, they may be hard to find. Have a look in the gentlemen’s section of department stores, usually they are well hidden between the shirts and the argyle socks.

3.       Soap bars, not liquid soap bottles. Have you ever realised how many plastic bottles you have to chuck in the bin for your basic hygienic needs? Time to go back to good old soap bars.

4.       Reusable make up remover pads. This needs a bit more manual ability, but if you are using fabric from an old t-shirt they won’t cost you any money at all; tutorials are easily available online.

5.       Wash and reuse jars. Tomato sauce? Honey? Hazelnut spread? Once the jar is empty it can be washed and used to store anything, from leftover food in the fridge to paper clips and rubber bands on your desk.

6.       Water bottle. Carry your own bottle with you at work, at the gym, or just when walking around; it’s cheaper, and definitely healthier than soft drinks.

7.       Homemade household cleaners. Ads gradually convinced us that we need a different product for every surface and every room of the house, but many of them can be actually replaced by vinegar. Try putting orange or lemon peel in a jar, covered with vinegar, and letting it sit for a week or so; then pour the liquid in a spray bottle with the same amount of water, and voilà your new spray cleaner.