Simple Tricks to Make Household Stuff Last Longer, Stretch Farther

Being wasteful is easy, especially when everything seems to be so plentiful and simple to replenish. Just order more. Or run to the store, right? Sure, we love to buy things on sale but that’s not the only way—nor the best way—to cut costs. Discovering simple ways to make things last longer and stretch farther is a surefire way to save time and money

Blue Dawn

Our favorite degreaser and all-around amazing product, Blue Dawn, typically comes super concentrated. Read the label. It says it right there … “concentrated.” Here’s a great tip: Don’t use Blue Dawn straight out of its container. Dilute it.

I’ve used the same sturdy recycled glass decanter for more than 10 years now. It has no lid, cap, or cork which makes it super easy to dispense. I keep the jug of Blue Dawn on a shelf in my laundry room. It’s out of sight, and not that easy to grab mindlessly. When the decanter needs a refill, I eyeball 5 parts water to 1 part Blue Dawn.

Sponges

Cut your sponges in half to immediately double the number of sponges and cut the price per sponge in half. Using 1/2 of a sponge is as easy and efficient as using a whole one. It packs as much grime-fighting ability as a whole sponge. So, you can get twice the utility out of one sponge by cutting it into two pieces, which immediately cost your sponge cost by 50%.

Foaming handsoap

Mix your nice hand soap with water and dispense from a foam handwash bottle. The bottle’s mechanism will create the foam, and your nice liquid hand soap will last three to four times longer.

Here’s what you do:

1. Choose soap. Anything liquid will do… body wash, hand soap, whatever you have on hand.
2. Pour 4 parts water and 1 part soap into the container. (About 4/5 full of water and the other 5th soap).
3. Apply the pump top, and gently roll the container around to combine without vigorously shaking it.

There you go—foaming soap!

Shower gel

Apply shower gel to a washcloth or loofah, instead of directly to your skin, and it will last many times longer! Just a small squirt will produce endless lather. That’s all it takes. But if you pump it directly, you’ll use way more than necessary.

Bar soap

If you prefer traditional bar soap, make it last by letting it fully dry between uses. For even better results, keep it away from the steamy shower area. Use a soap dish with holes for air circulation. Here’s a tip: lather it up with a washcloth or loofah instead of your hands, and you’ll use much less.

Don’t toss away those leftover bits when the bar has been spent. Turn them into soap balls instead. Gather the pieces, grate them into the same sizes using a cheese grater, and shape them into a ball. Who knows, you might even create something similar to grandma’s fancy guest-room soaps.

Shampoo

Dilute shampoo with water and a small amount will still work just as well—and last up to twice as long. Do even better by extending the length of time between shampoos. For most, washing hair every two to three days is sufficient—and a good idea. Oily hair gets a bad rap. The sebum your scalp produces is vital to healthy, shiny hair.

Despite what shampoo commercials lead us to believe, washing your hair too often can be a key contributor to a bad hair day. Hair that is completely free of this natural oil can feel coarse, dull, and difficult to style. Also, pay attention to the amount you use—a quarter-size dollop is sufficient for medium-length hair.

Laundry detergent

Modern detergents are highly concentrated. If you’re pouring a whole cap for each load of laundry, you’re using too much—maybe even twice as much as necessary. Marking the fill lines on the cap with a permanent marker so you can see them better. Those lines are so faint, it’s easy to pour out too much detergent without realizing it, and that not only a big waste, it’s going to give you bigger problems in the long run.

If you use the “dump” method of adding laundry detergent to the washing machine, I can nearly guarantee you’re using too much! Get out the owner manual to see what is recommended. Measure carefully. Every. Time.

• MORE: How to Make Sure You are Using the Right Amount Laundry Detergent

Unless you have super hard water, chances are good you can use even less and still get great results, especially if you have a front-loader, which by its very nature uses very little water. EXAMPLE: I use one tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent plus borax per load in my front-loading washer.

• MORE: 7 Reasons You Would Be Smart to Add Borax to Every Wash Load

Toilet tissue

It’s human nature to be super wasteful when it appears that we have things like toilet paper, paper towels, and other paper goods in abundance. But discover you have what’s left on the roll to last until you can get to the store and watch how clever you and the family can be to make it last.

The way to be that careful all the time it to create an appearance of scarcity. On purpose. Don’t fill the bathroom cabinet with 5 rolls of extra toilet paper. Make it one. Then store the rest in a place that’s not exactly convenient. Perhaps in the basement, on a high shelf, or under a bed.

Even the kids will get a sense that they need to go easy when it appears you’re about to run out. Repeat this trick with other things that seem to disappear overnight. Surprisingly perhaps, even the person creating this sense of scarcity will naturally be more careful. Out of sight, out of mind. It works like a charm.

Toothpaste

Keep the scissors handy. When you can’t squeeze out any more toothpaste from the tube, don’t waste several more days’ worth of paste. Cut the tube open and use your toothbrush to scoop out what you need.

 

Candles

Candles are great to set the mood in a room, but they can get pricey. Before you light them up, give them a quick chill in the freezer. This makes the wax harder, so they’ll burn for a longer stretch.

And here’s another nugget of wisdom from our friend, Bob Vila: “Once your candle has been glowing for a while, sprinkle a little salt into the melted wax. This nifty move will slow down the burn for your next cozy moment. Enjoy the candlelit vibes!”

Razors

Even with inexpensive disposable razors, you can make them last longer by following some good shaving habits. Rinse off all shaving cream, lotion, or products from the blades after use. Gently pat the razor dry and store it in a cool, dry spot (your shower isn’t the right place). This will maintain the blades’ strength and prevent rust, giving them a longer life.

Shoes

Shoes were one of the first things to be worn out, then repaired—often over and over—during the Great Depression. So, instead of saying goodbye to your favorite pair of shoes, try fixing them. Tape up any holes from the inside, then seal holes or open seams with an adhesive like Shoe Goo. You can also easily clean up a dirty pair of tennis shoes with toothpaste.

Clean dirt and remove salt stains from shoes and boots as soon as you notice them, to avoid any permanent damage.

• MORE: Shoe Repair It’s More Than You Think

Paint

Store paint cans upside down. Really! That forms a completely airtight seal, extending the useful lifespan of house paint. Make sure the lids are tightly closed for this longevity trick to work.

Garden hose

The sun’s UV rays slowly destroy garden hoses made of plastic. If you can’t keep your garden hose out of the sun, wipe it down with Armor All or a similar protectant in the spring and again midsummer. Set the hose on plastic or cardboard, spray the whole thing down and then wipe it with a rag.

Sneakers

When you reach the bottom of a tube, use a lip brush or a cotton swab to get at the remaining lipstick. You won’t believe how much product remains even when you think you’ve reached the end.

 

 

 

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