Easy eco tips that save money too

[ViolaDaviesFanClub]

Hello MNers.

I thought I'd share some simple tips I've found helpful in terms of being more green and saving money. Used to do them for the planet - now finding them more and more essential as money gets tight! They're small but def add up.

1. Cut or snap dishwasher tablets in half. I've found using half works just as well! And ofc use on eco or colder setting

1. Buy hard soap. You can buy a loads of soap bars for a couple of quid. Have that everywhere in your house rather than liquid soap. Easier to stock and store too.

1. Anything you're doing in the sink - rinsing, washing, running the water to get it hot - do it over your tub. Keep that water and use it on the garden and indoor plants (obvs only works if you use eco washing up liquid).

What do you do? Tell me your clever low-effort tricks!

Try to reduce the frequency of visiting the supermarket. - Each time you go in the door, you come out with something you didn't plan to buy.

If possible, shop grocery online - not only save fuel and time, also you literally have full control on budget - no more heart attack / guilt at the till...

foaming hand soap pump - I bought a “single use” one but took the labels off and i refill it.

because it foams, when you refill it with liquid soap you only need to put a bit of soap in then top the rest up with water. The foaming mechanism makes a great lather and you don’t need to buy as much liquid soap because you’re diluting it each time without losing the quality. The kids like it too and I think they find the foam a bit easier to use.

i bought a 5 gallon load of hand soap from miniml, it’ll last me a very long time and it’s easy to just refill the dispensers quickly without having to visit a refill shop or whatever. Then you send the empty miniml bottle back to them and they reuse it.

Meal planning and online shopping! Much cheaper overall if you buy own brand, you save time and fuel plus you can get everything in one place whereas if you go to Aldi or Lidl you normally have to top up that shop with the bits you can’t get from there.

Batch cooking on a Sunday for the week ahead! I normally make 3/4 meals in two hours Sunday morning so I’m set for the week and it means I can fill the oven.

Oooh these are great thank you.

I like the idea that batch cooking also means efficient use of the oven! I try to do that about that but in practice am not organised enough. Does seem like a huge waste of fuel and money to have it blairing away for just one dish.

And totally agree with shopping and going less or doing online.

Interesting about the foam, thanks

Filling the oven is a huge one and amount to become even more valuable. I feel the concept is totally lost today and it is such a shame school does not teach this skill the way it did back in the 60/70s.

I went to school in the 2000s and the only reason I know how to cook efficiently and minimise wasted energy is that I learnt from my grandmother who fell upon hard times in her 20s. She is an expert at making use of every bit of heat and space (batch cooking and prep, pot in pot for pressure cooker, timing meal prep so using a cooling hob for reheating etc)

@ViolaDaviesFanClub Ooh I love this, I was thinking about starting a similar thread! People often think being eco friendly means more expensive but not necessarily if you know what you are doing. Thanks for the tip about hard soap, I have recently been thinking of doing this myself so will give it a go.

My tip is to use reusable make up remover pads. There is a high initial cost but they last ages. I bought some over a year ago and I've not had to buy any cotton wool since so I've made my money back and some! Mine are from the botanicals range in boots and are excellent quality. I just put them in with my towel wash once a week or so, or hand wash them. Also, similar idea with reusable kitchen roll. I got some really nice washable ones from Etsy and now I don't have to buy kitchen roll ever again saving me a few quid a month.

@Imnotreadyforthis88 agreed! I spent a lot on similar things initially but now made my money back and enjoying not having to buy certain items ever again!
no longer need to buy period products, nappies, baby wipes… all adds up