We (my family and I) not only try to find way to live a more frugal lifestyle, but an eco-friendly one, too. Combining these can be quite fun!
Some things are super easy: recycling, turning off the lights, unplugging unused appliances, running the laundry on the cold water cycle, and so on... and some take a little more thought or time. Here's are the top three frugal Green-Living Tips we've recently implemented:
1) Have a chipped coffee cup or extra tea cups collecting dust?
If they're in good condition, you can certainly give them away to charity or someone in need, but if they have a little wear and tear- don't throw them away, repurpose instead!
Most coffee/tea cups make excellent candle holders, pencil cups, or catch alls for change, paper clips, etc. They are also great for use in the bathroom items such as hair clips, makeup, earrings, and even toothbrushes. Use them a drop for keys by each doorway or as a base for a pretty silk flower arrangement. Be creative, you are sure to find plenty of ways to recycle cups that have outlived their original use.
2) Use dryer sheets to remove hand prints and crayon marks from walls or furniture. Seriously, it works wonders and can be re-used multiple times.
Dryer sheets are also great dusters, useful for reducing static cling (just run one over your skirt, etc. before wearing,) and can be recycled as a drawer "sachet" after use in the dryer- just fold into a square and place in your dresser drawer.
3) Turn old clothing into blankets and pillows. It's a great idea to donate your old clothing to charity or to pass along to friends/relatives/etc. but often there's a few sentimental pieces you just don't want to part with or an item that is in some disrepair (holes in jeans, stain on shirt, and so on.)
With some simple sewing skills, these items can easily be turned into quilts, pillows, purses, and even drapes and wall hangings. For some ideas, check out:
6 Cozy Blanket Crafts from Woman's Day
Jean Quilts
T-Shirt Pillows from PBS
What frugal- green ideas do you have this month?
Share your ideas in our COMMENTS section and at LighterSaferGreener.com for a chance to win Lighter, Safer, Greener Airwear lenses for your whole family!
Some things are super easy: recycling, turning off the lights, unplugging unused appliances, running the laundry on the cold water cycle, and so on... and some take a little more thought or time. Here's are the top three frugal Green-Living Tips we've recently implemented:
1) Have a chipped coffee cup or extra tea cups collecting dust?
If they're in good condition, you can certainly give them away to charity or someone in need, but if they have a little wear and tear- don't throw them away, repurpose instead!
Most coffee/tea cups make excellent candle holders, pencil cups, or catch alls for change, paper clips, etc. They are also great for use in the bathroom items such as hair clips, makeup, earrings, and even toothbrushes. Use them a drop for keys by each doorway or as a base for a pretty silk flower arrangement. Be creative, you are sure to find plenty of ways to recycle cups that have outlived their original use.
2) Use dryer sheets to remove hand prints and crayon marks from walls or furniture. Seriously, it works wonders and can be re-used multiple times.
Dryer sheets are also great dusters, useful for reducing static cling (just run one over your skirt, etc. before wearing,) and can be recycled as a drawer "sachet" after use in the dryer- just fold into a square and place in your dresser drawer.
3) Turn old clothing into blankets and pillows. It's a great idea to donate your old clothing to charity or to pass along to friends/relatives/etc. but often there's a few sentimental pieces you just don't want to part with or an item that is in some disrepair (holes in jeans, stain on shirt, and so on.)
With some simple sewing skills, these items can easily be turned into quilts, pillows, purses, and even drapes and wall hangings. For some ideas, check out:
6 Cozy Blanket Crafts from Woman's Day
Jean Quilts
T-Shirt Pillows from PBS
What frugal- green ideas do you have this month?
Share your ideas in our COMMENTS section and at LighterSaferGreener.com for a chance to win Lighter, Safer, Greener Airwear lenses for your whole family!
