9 Reusable Items For Quarantine Life (and regular life too)
In my first week of quarantine, I discovered that several reusable products that I had started using over the last year have come in really handy. Conserving home essentials, not taking as many trips to the grocery store and saving money (over the long haul) is the new SEXY. These items happen to be good for the environment, for the exact same reasons. This probably means we should be considering them regardless of quarantine. But that’s not what this about. I’d call myself a “fair weather environmentalist”. I’ll choose the more environmentally friendly option, when I can. It needs to work just as well and can’t cost a fortune. Below are 9 reusable items that I have used for a while (with the exception of one) that work like a charm and can replace single-use items.
#1. Silicon Baking Mat Sheets- What it replaces: Foil and Cooking Spray. If you have followed me for any length of time, you know I can’t cook. I food coordinate. But I do retrieve the cookies from the tray and I can confirm they do not stick. And have you seen how much tin foil costs these days? It’s not cheap. Quarantine or not, these make a lot of sense. 2-pack for $14
#2. Make Up Remover Cloths- What it replaces: Disposable make up remover wipes/pads. As a die hard mascara junkie, I did NOT believe these would work. THEY DO. And with just water. It’s pretty amazing. I still use a normal face wash for my skin to follow. But I have replaced my disposable wipes 100%. GASP. I deserve a medal, I know. Best part about these….. you get an 6-pack for $7.99. I throw mine in the wash every couple days and always have several fresh ones ready to go so my lazy laundry behaviors do not impede my boujee skin care routine. One less thing to refill while on quarantine.
#3. Silicon Food Can Covers- What it replaces: Tin Foil. It also eliminates waste if you are like me and are inclined to toss things when there is no perfect storage solution. We started using these a long time ago because when we found ourselves with several half cans of beans due to our high maintenance children each needing a different kind of bean and cheese burrito. Now in quarantine, we are home cooking a lot more and partial ingredients are making a come back. These work for multiple can sizes. (and pet food). $2-pack $4.99
#4. Silicon Food Covers- What is replaces: Tin Foil, Plastic Wrap, Plastic Bags. (less waste and less dishes too). We bought these about a year ago. They have so many uses. Back in the day when we had dinner parties and you needed to bring a dish. Remember that? Pop one of these over your bowl or plate and your pasta salad survives the car ride. Or having a party and lots of leftovers? Just cover the bowl(s) as is. Your child drinks only half his freshly squeezed orange juice that cost $5 a ounce? Use the small size to cover the glass and put it back in the fridge. Now that we are at home cooking a lot more, we are using these all the time for food prep. No need to transfer food into different storage containers. Less dishes. These come in a 7-pack for $15 and includes the XL size which many variety packs do not.
#5. Stasher Bags- What it replaces: Plastic Bags. This is a big one. I haven’t been able to eliminate plastic bags entirely - but I have dramatically reduced our volume. And when I do use them, I will reuse them best I can. Tip: I keep an old ziplock box in the laundry room to put the re-used ones back in and I use that as a dispenser box for the re-used ones. I sound like a major greenie here. Trust me, I’m not. If I can do it, anyone can. $9 This leads to number #6.
UPDATE: We also have fallen for ZipTop bags. They scratch a different itch, if you will, in the food storage department. They stand up and open and replace tupperware. NO MORE LIDS! They are microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe.
#6. Drying Rack- This little drying rack has come in SO handy. PUN intended. We are at home cooking A LOT MORE these days. It dries bags, water bottles, lunch boxes, cups. It literally is like another set of hands that props things up so they dry properly. Best part is that folds up flat in a snap! I can’t say enough good things about this hard working little number. $16
#7. Dryer Balls- What it replaces: Dryer Sheets (and it also claims to shorten drying time which I have yet to measure). Bonus: you can add a couple drops of essential oil on the balls, like lavender, and you will feel like Martha Stewart. Even my husband commented how he appreciates that scent, now that laundry has become our new part time job. And we get to say things like, ‘smell my balls’. $7.99 for a 6 pack.
#8. Reusable Grocery Bags- What it replaces: Plastic Grocery Bags. Right now, it’s one less thing that has been sitting in a public space and touched by other people. In non-quarantine times, we use these suckers for everything under the sun. Groceries, day packs, traveling, snack bags, sports bags. They fold up super tiny. We leave half in the car and half at home. $5-pack $15.
#9. Reusable Kitchen Cloths- What it replaces: Paper Towels. Disclaimer: I had not used these prior to quarantine. I also do not think this will REPLACE paper towels, but rather reduce the volume a bit? Time will tell. And since you can’t find paper towels anywhere anyway, this is a good time to give these washable clothes a test run. 10-pack $19.99
UPDATE: These towels were a bit of a bust for ME. It could just be “user error”, but they got stiff and needed moisture to soften up which was too big of a CHANGE for me. Again, I’m a fragile creature of habit that is trying to do better, but baby steps. I’m trying these next from Grove and excited about it. Plus they look like paper towels which already makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
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Disclaimer: I love sharing all the things that that make my life easier, better, more enjoyable. These are 100% my own opinions and my real life experience. That said, I do participate in affiliate programs where I may earn a small commission from purchases made from these links. I appreciate you following along!
~ Kim