I’m not trying to run a perfectly sustainable household. But these reusable swaps for the home have helped us save money, reduce waste, and cut back on unnecessary chemicals and plastics.
Over the years, we’ve slowly made changes to the products we use around the house. Some have saved us money, some have significantly reduced our waste, and others just make me feel better about what we’re using around our family.
These aren’t fancy changes, and they certainly didn’t happen overnight. They’re just 10 reusable swaps we’ve made in our home that have actually stuck.
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1. Cloth Diapers and Wipes
I know what you’re thinking … cloth diapers? That’s a whole lot of extra laundry. And you’re not wrong. But hear me out.
I have a pretty large stash of cloth diapers, a variety of brands, and I’ve spent a whopping $25 on the entire collection. Yep, $25. I took advantage of Facebook Marketplace and bought secondhand instead of spending hundreds of dollars on brand-new diapers.
I wash all of our diapers and wipes myself, and over time I’ve perfected a rotation that ensures we always have clean diapers ready to go. At this point, it’s just another part of our routine.
Now, before you think I’m some sort of cloth diapering superhero, let me clarify … we still use disposables!
I keep disposable diapers on hand for traveling or those long days when we’re out of the house and dealing with dirty cloth diapers just isn’t practical. But here’s the kicker … I don’t buy those either. I keep an eye on Marketplace for people giving away diapers for free, and I’ve been able to stock up that way.
Is there extra laundry involved? Absolutely. But considering how many disposable diapers and wipes we’d otherwise be purchasing and throwing away, it’s a trade-off I’m more than happy to make.
The point isn’t to do everything perfectly. It’s to find what works for your family, save money where you can, and reduce waste along the way.
And for us, this system works.
2. Cloth Napkins Instead of Paper Towels
This is one of those changes that makes you wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
We use cloth napkins in place of paper napkins and paper towels. They get tossed in the laundry, washed, and used again.
It’s simple, inexpensive, and means we’re not constantly adding paper products to the grocery list.
There’s something a little ridiculous about buying an entire package of paper towels just to wipe up a spill and immediately throw them away. Especially when a piece of fabric can do the exact same job hundreds of times.
My favorite for reusable swaps in the home, you can change them out with the seasons!
3. Filtering Our Water Instead of Buying Plastic Bottles
Bottled water is one of those expenses that can add up without you even realizing it.
We use a reusable water filtration system instead of purchasing cases of disposable plastic water bottles.
It cuts down on plastic waste, eliminates a recurring purchase, and makes drinking filtered water convenient.
Of course, filters still need replacing, but that’s a lot less packaging to deal with than buying bottled water regularly.
4. Washable Mop Pads
Disposable mop pads always seemed like such a waste to me.
You clean the floor, throw the pad away, and then buy another package so you can do it all over again.
Washable mop pads are such an easy alternative. When they’re dirty, they go straight into the laundry instead of the trash. No constantly buying refills, and they work just as well.
Now, if only I could remember the last time I actually mopped the floors …
5. Cleaning Rags Instead of Disposable Wipes
Between kids, pets, cooking, and everyday life, there’s always something that needs wiping down.
Instead of reaching for disposable cleaning wipes or paper towels, we use washable cleaning rags.
They can handle everything from kitchen counters to everyday spills, and we simply wash them when they’re dirty.
You don’t even need to purchase fancy cleaning cloths. Old towels and worn-out T-shirts can be cut up and given a second life as cleaning rags.
6. Homemade Cleaning Solution in Refillable Bottles
I love knowing what’s in the products we’re using around our home.
Instead of continuously purchasing new bottles of cleaning solution, we reuse our spray bottles and make our own cleaners.
It’s another way to reduce packaging, save money, and have more control over the ingredients we’re bringing into the house.
And honestly, there’s something satisfying about not having to buy yet another bottle of something that’s mostly water.
Just remember that homemade doesn’t automatically mean safe for every surface, and different ingredients serve different cleaning purposes. Homemade cleaners also aren’t necessarily disinfectants.
Making things ourselves has become a pretty common theme around here, and it doesn’t stop at cleaning supplies. I’ve also shared 5 Simple Homemade Staples that we make instead of buying at the grocery store.
7. Wool Dryer Balls Instead of Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are another one of those things you buy just to throw away. We made the switch to reusable wool dryer balls, and I haven’t looked back.
They help separate clothes as they tumble around in the dryer, and I love that we’re no longer using fragranced dryer sheets on our laundry.
The only problem? Apparently, dryer balls also make excellent baby toys.
I’m pretty sure we started with a full set, but at any given moment, there’s no telling how many we actually have. Some are in the dryer, some are scattered around the house, and the rest are probably hiding wherever all the missing socks go.
But hey … at least they’re getting plenty of use!
8. Reusable Shopping Bags
This is probably one of the easiest reusable swaps for the home on the list.
We bring reusable shopping bags instead of collecting plastic bags every time we go to the store.
They’re sturdy, hold more groceries, and eliminate the pile of plastic bags that otherwise seems to multiply somewhere in the kitchen.
The trick is remembering to bring them!
9. Reusable Zip-Top Bags
Disposable sandwich bags are convenient, but they can disappear pretty quickly in a busy household.
We’ve switched to reusable zip-top bags for food storage and everyday use. They require a little extra washing, but I’d much rather do that than continuously buy boxes of bags just to throw them away.
And let me tell you something … if you send something to my house in a disposable Ziploc bag, you better believe I’m washing that thing and reusing it until it’s absolutely lifeless.
I’m getting every last use out of that bag before it ends up in the trash.
10. Glass Food Storage Instead of Plastic
I cannot stand plastic food storage containers that stain, hold odors, and eventually start looking disgusting no matter how many times you wash them.
Glass containers have been a much better option for our household.
They’re durable, easy to clean, and don’t hold onto food odors the way some plastic containers can.
They do cost more initially and can break, but I’d rather have a smaller collection of containers that last than keep replacing plastic ones.
Are Reusable Swaps For The Home Actually Worth the Money?
One thing worth mentioning is that reusable products aren’t always cheaper upfront.
Cloth diapers, glass storage containers, and quality reusable bags can require an initial investment. And washing reusable products uses water, energy, and detergent.
But the benefit comes from using them repeatedly instead of constantly purchasing replacements.
Take our cloth diapers, for example. I’ve invested just $25 in our stash by purchasing secondhand, and we’ve avoided buying the majority of the disposable diapers we otherwise would have needed.
Not every swap is going to save hundreds of dollars, and some might take years to pay for themselves. But when you start looking at all the disposable products you no longer need to purchase regularly, those little savings can add up.
Being intentional about what we purchase is also a big part of how we manage our grocery budget. If you’re curious about how we approach food spending, I’ve shared how we spend around $100 a week on groceries without giving up homemade meals.
You also don’t need to throw away everything disposable or plastic in your house just to replace it with something reusable. In fact, using what you already own until it needs replacing is often the more practical choice.
You Don’t Have to Change Everything Overnight
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that making a more intentional home doesn’t require doing everything perfectly.
We still produce trash. We still buy things packaged in plastic. And sometimes convenience wins because, well, life happens.
But these small changes have helped us spend less on disposable products, reduce unnecessary waste, and become more mindful of what we’re bringing into our home.
Start with one swap that makes sense for your family. You might be surprised by how quickly it becomes second nature.
And if you take nothing else away from this post, just know that there’s absolutely no shame in washing a Ziploc bag until it falls apart.
What reusable swaps have you made in your home? I’d love to hear which ones have actually stuck!
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