design finch

While cleaning the house today, I thought of a few things that I want to share. Firstly, dusting is way overrated. Secondly, vacuuming is, too. Thirdly, putting away the clean laundry is my least favorite of all.

However, that is not what I want to share.

I’m actually here to tell you about a few products that I’m currently loving because of the way they’ve simplified life, saved us money, and made our home a little greener in the process. Perhaps they can do the same for you.

First up is our beloved Shark Steam Mop. My friend Suzanne introduced me to this nifty invention a few months back and, since then, our floors have never been cleaner. At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, the steam mop has truly revolutionized the way we clean our tile and hardwood floors. No longer do we need harsh chemicals to get the job done – just add water and the mop sanitizes the floors with steam! It comes with reusable cloth pads that are machine washable and I’m always appalled by how filthy they are after my weekly date with the Shark. Yes, it’s a bit of an investment, but I’m thrilled to never buy expensive Swiffer juice or disposable WetJet pads again!

Next are these reusable dryer balls. Instead of using dryer sheets, which are pricey and full of chemicals, we’ve switched to these guys. When I first saw them at Bed Bath & Beyond I was skeptical of their claims to naturally soften fabric and reduce drying time. However, after using them in place of dryer sheets for a couple months now, I’m happy to report that they are working great.

Another green product I love is our mesh coffee filter which can be purchased for almost any coffee maker. After each use, we dump the grounds into our compost bin and just rinse out the filter before popping it back into the coffee maker to be used again. It makes me so happy that we’re saving money and trees by not throwing out a paper filter every day. Some people even claim these reusable filters allow more of the coffee oils to get through, resulting in better flavor.

We’ve also gotten into the habit of using cloth dinner napkins instead of paper ones for every meal at home. Previously, the cloth napkins were reserved just for FANCY occasions. No longer! Now we each have our own napkin that we reuse several times before washing them. (I learned a clever tip from a professional organizer who suggests hanging your napkin over the back of your chair after meals to be used again.)

Want to learn more simple ways to be green and save green? Then you’ll love listening to the “Be Green” series on Vicky and Jen’s What Really Matters podcast (look for the shows archived under the environment section). Actually, I’m a big fan of all of their podcasts, but this series and the Organization series are especially great.

Now it’s your turn – what environmentally-friendly products or habits simplify your life and save you money? Share your faves, for the love of Mother Nature!