By Kristen Mosier | Published Apr 12, 2022 10:10 AM

Photo: Bee’s Wrap

The best sustainable household products not only help the environment, they can also benefit your monthly spending. There’s a common misconception that eco-friendly products cost more, but it helps to think ahead when budgeting for household supplies. Replacing single-use items like paper towels, straws, and coffee pods will result in significant savings over time.

Pay attention to the amount of trash you take out each month. The less waste your home produces, the more money you’re saving in the long run. Start improving your bottom line by adding these eco-friendly products to your shopping list.

While coffee pods offer convenience, they contribute to plastic waste and can be expensive to restock. Reusable K-Cups to the rescue. Chosen by our editors as the best reusable coffee pods, these are made from BPA-free plastic and a fine, high-quality stainless-steel mesh. They’re compatible with most single-cup coffee machines and are dishwasher-safe.

If you’re apprehensive about giving up the convenience of plastic baggies, these Stasher reusable food storage bags will enable you to reduce single-use plastic waste while still providing a solution to your food storage needs. Perfect for school lunches and snacks on the go, the bags don’t leak or smell and are easy to clean in the dishwasher, according to reviewers. We picked them as our best freezer bags because they can withstand varying temperatures.

Dubbed the best reusable straws by our experts, this set comes with eight colorful silicone straws. What sets them apart from competitors is their unique “snap-apart” design. Each straw splits open (when you snap it), allowing you to clean the inside without having to maneuver a cleaning brush. The food-grade silicone is non-toxic, BPA-free, and suitable for both cold and hot drinks.

You may love your Swiffer but hate the waste it produces and the cost of refills. Replace your disposable cleaning pads with these Swiffer Compatible Microfiber Mop Pads to reduce waste and save money. The two included pads can be used wet or dry to pick up dirt, debris, and pet hair. Reviewers love that they stay put while sweeping and are easy to wash and dry. These pads are suitable for all standard floor types.

Buy these, and you can cross dryer sheets and fabric softener off your shopping list. Friendsheep’s reusable wool dryer balls work to lift and separate laundry, helping the hot air to circulate better, keeping clothes fluffy and soft with fewer wrinkles and static cling. You can feel good about this purchase, as they are organic, fair trade, and biodegradable. Plus, the adorable sloth face design may just make doing laundry more fun.

A busy family will easily tear through multiple paper towel rolls a week. Save money and reduce waste by considering “unpaper” towels. These from Earthly Co. feature a sweet lemon design and are perfect for wiping up light messes or quick counter cleaning. Reviewers describe them as sturdy and absorbent. Made from cotton flannel, these reusable paper towels are chemical-free and food grade.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to replace your incandescent bulbs with LED versions. Since LED bulbs can last nearly a decade, you won’t need to shop yearly for new bulbs. Not only will you save money on replacement bulbs, but you’ll also notice lower energy bills. Buy one for every room in the house with this 16-pack from Amazon Basics. Reviewers say the soft white light version contrasts with harsh lighting that can be characteristic of some LED bulbs.

You probably know that disposable water bottles are harmful to the environment by now. Not only do billions of them end up in landfills each year, but the production process of bottled water also uses fossil fuels and contributes to global warming. Avoid adding to this waste by using a reusable water bottle at home and on the go. A fan favorite, the Hydro Flask is loved for its sustainable stainless steel design and effective insulation. It comes in multiple sizes and colors to suit different preferences.

These silicone baking sheets will get you up to 3,000 uses, proving much more sustainable than single-use parchment paper. The food-grade, BPA-free silicone mats are reinforced with fiberglass mesh to withstand -40 to 480 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. They can be wiped off with warm water or thrown in the dishwasher for cleaning. The set includes two half sheets and one quarter sheet, which roll up for easy storage.

Rated as one of our best reusable items from Amazon, these cleaning cloths can save you a bundle on replacing paper items. The company claims that one cloth will outlast 15 rolls of paper towels. Made from natural cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp, they are 100 percent biodegradable, too. Reviewers say they have a sponge-like absorbency that’s perfect for lifting spills and messes, and they don’t get smelly like some others.

This reusable cotton swab from LastSwab comes packaged in a cardboard box that reads, “You just saved the planet from up to 1000 cotton swabs.” It is made of a nylon core with soft medical silicone on each end and can be easily cleaned with water and soap. The swab comes with a convenient carrying case for when not in use.

Swap out your plastic wrap and tin foil for these adorable and practical Bee’s Wrap covers. Perfect for storing food or wrapping sandwiches, these food wraps simply require the warmth of your hand to create a seal. Woven from organic cotton, they are made from sustainably harvested beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin. They can be washed with cool water and mild soap and are 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable.

If you prefer a traditional coffee pot to a single cup machine, you probably go through filters quickly. Save on refills with this reusable one from Ruoying. Made of stainless steel, the filter’s cone shape is compatible with popular coffee machines from Krups, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and others. It’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Every household should have a set of microfiber cloths. They can easily replace paper products for cleaning, drying hands, and wiping up spills. This set of 12 on Amazon is absorbent and soft for scratch-free cleaning. Tip: Hand wash or machine wash separately in cold water to keep the bright colors from running.

You might not think of a thermostat as a sustainable product that can save you money. However, according to Nest, its smart thermostat can save you 12 to 15 percent on your energy bills. Rated the best overall in our home thermostat guide, this programmable thermostat allows you to create an energy-efficient schedule from anywhere. For further savings, it turns itself down when you’re away.

The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on April 12.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved.