7 Products You Should Swap to Reduce Clutter

Plus, you'll save some cash. We promise: You won't miss your old stuff.

swedish dish cloth
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Sergey Nazarov/Getty Images

Are you trying to reduce clutter in your home and save some money? Tackling both these problems can have the same solution—swapping out your disposable products for reusable ones. Sure, you need to shell out a bit of cash upfront, but in the long run, you can save lots of moolah. Did we mention it's better for the environment because you're creating less waste? Here are seven product swaps to reduce clutter and save money.

Silicone Storage Bags for Plastic Disposable Ones

Whether it’s to store leftovers from dinner or shampoo for traveling, plastic storage bags undeniably make life easier. Unfortunately, they can only be used once or twice. So swapping them out for silicone bags is a smart move.

Keep in mind that while you can save a few bucks by buying reusable bags made from plastic instead of silicone, they can be a challenge to clean. And be sure to buy an assortment of sizes to meet all of your storage needs!

Wool Dryer Balls for Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets are not great for the environment, and they're not always great for certain loads of laundry—they can leave a coating behind, which you really don't want on things like towels because this affects absorbency. For many, they’re just not always a necessary expense.

Wool dryer balls are a far better option. Not only are they a one-time purchase (they last for a long time), but because they create air pockets in between pieces of clothing, they can especially help large items like bed sheets dry more quickly. Plus, they may help prevent sheets from balling up.

If you miss the scent of dryer sheets, consider adding a few drops of essential oil or laundry oil to your dryer balls.

Swedish Dishcloths for Paper Towels

Whether you’re drying up spilled milk or dusting off your bookshelves, most of us use more paper towels than we probably care to admit. This impacts both our wallets and the environment. Opting for Swedish dishcloths instead of traditional paper towels is a far better choice. When you’re done, just throw them in the washing machine.

Silicone Bottle Brush for Disposable Bottle Brushes

Whether you have a baby that’s still drinking from bottles or you’re just a hydration enthusiast with a large Stanley collection, scrubbing down those bottles is essential because those dirty nooks and crannies can breed mold and bacteria. A silicone bottle brush is just as easy to use as a disposable one. Better yet, it cleans off easily in the dishwasher.

Silicone Scrubby for Loofah

That loofah hanging on your shower caddy sure looks like it’s seen better days. But didn’t you just replace it? Instead, go with a reusable silicone scrubber. It’s easier to rinse off and clean (throw it on the top rack of your dishwasher) than the disposable counterpart. It’s also far more hygienic because those tiny loofah holes can breed bacteria and even mold. Yikes.

French Press for Pod-Based Machines

While convenient, those pods sure take up an enormous amount of drawer space. They also tend to pile up in your garbage can. On top of this, those machines are also countertop space stealers as well. Why not use an elegant French press or moka pot instead? They look far tidier and you can store your coffee grounds in a nice glass canister in the cupboards.

Can’t quite give up those little cups? Consider purchasing a reusable capsule you can refill with coffee or espresso instead.

Cloth Napkins for Paper

Do you find yourself going through more paper napkins than you care to admit? Why not swap them out for cloth napkins instead? These are not only better for you and the environment, but a beautiful cloth napkin instantly elevates your table. Choose a fun pattern or a darker color, like navy blue, to conceal stains for messier meals.

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