I think the biggest deterrent for people when it comes to switches to eco-friendly or non-toxic options is the “cost.” But I’ve learned that for every switch that costs me more, there is a switch that has saved me money! That’s why I’ve become so passionate about sharing with others the many switches that will not only save us money in the big picture (by contributing to better health) but in our budget too.
I’ve probably acquired hundreds of these types of switches at this point, but today I’m just going to share with you 3!!
1. DRYER BALLS
These little puppies will save you a butt-ton of toxic chemicals (yes, even the scent free dryer sheets aren’t toxin-free) but they will also save you money.
Ryan and I have been using the same set of 6 dryer balls for over 4 years now (although we’ve since invested in a 2nd set since they often get lost in the clean laundry loads and we don’t fold frequently enough to rescue them before the next load). We pop all 6 balls in with each dryer load which cuts down dry time, and reduces static. And if you’re really hung up on the need for smelly clothes, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the balls before popping them in the dryer.
Now, there are a few tricks with these puppies (like don’t over-dry or the static will return) but nothing worth switching back to dryer sheets for.
Oh, and the Cost Breakdown?
6pack Dryer Balls: $14.95 Unlimited Loads (or based on 3 loads per week for 4 years we could say 624 loads)
VS.
$8.97 for 80 loads (at 3 sheets/load)
Batta-Bing, Batta-Boom. Let’s move on to my next favorite money saving switch.
2. DIY HAND SOAP
Hand Soap, Bar Soap, I love them both, but the Hand Soap is the most simple and probably my most favorite to share.
You Need:
- Liquid Castile Soap
- Water (Tap water is fine)
- 8oz Foaming Soap Bottle
- 15 Drops of Essential Oils of Choice for Scent/Added Cleansing Properties
Add roughly 2tbsp liquid castile soap to foaming soap dispenser. Next, add 8-10 drops of essential oils of choice. Fill with water. Replace cap. Shake. Viola!
And if you like the farmhouse vibe, I love these foaming soap dispenser tops that fit any regular mouth mason jar!
While this DIY costs a tad more up-front for the liquid castile soap the overall cost breakdown is definitely worth it!
COST BREAKDOWN:
The cost breakdown depends on which oils you use, but here are the approximate cost breakdowns for the final product, based on some of my personal favorite blends:
+ Lemon & Basil- $0.14/ounce
+ Christmas Spirit- $0.20/ounce
+ Thieves- $0.21/ounce
Compare those to:
Softsoap Foaming Hand Soap at $0.37/ounce OR Bath & Body Works Foaming Hand Soap at $0.85/ounce (or $0.49/ounce on sale)
3. STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLES
Ok, so this was basically a switch from pre-packaged plastic water bottles to filtered water and stainless steel bottles.
My brother inspired this one when he bought me and my hubby each a cool Hydroflask for Christmas a few years back. We figured out that we could save a ton of money, chemicals (and refrigerator space) by kicking our pre-packaged water bottle habit to the curb and replacing it with filtered water in our new stainless steel bottles.
We headed to Bed, Bath & Beyond and purchased a PUR water filter that hooked right up to our kitchen sink. Each morning, I filled our bottles with ice and filtered water and we never went back. Not only did the water stay cold (thank you hydro flask!) but the our bottles held 50% more water than the typical plastic bottle, so we ended up drinking more water throughout the day. Win-Win!!
COST BREAKDOWN:
PUR Water Filter about $0.12/gallon
Vs.
Store Brand Bottled Water (24 pack) about $0.75/gallon
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