Last week, we discussed how to stretch your food budget.  But for many of us, household purchases alone can take a huge chunk out of our budgets.  The following tips will help you stretch your household products and save substantial time and money.

Reuse “Throwaway” Items

The first time I saw my sister washing out zipper storage bags, I thought she was batty.  I always just used, tossed and bought new.  But when I realized the sheer number of storage bags that I use on a regular basis, I recognized her wisdom.  Simply turn bags inside out, wash and stand upright to dry (or hang over faucet).

Many other disposable items can be re-purposed.  Reuse plastic storage containers (yogurt, sour cream) glass jars (applesauce, spaghetti sauce), aluminum pie pans, oatmeal containers, and baby wipe bins for additional storage.

Reuse empty milk jugs for gardening, as disposable funnels, or for storing birdseed.

Reuse plastic egg trays for storing Christmas ornaments or cardboard egg trays as plant starters.

Make Your Own

Many household items can be made at home for far cheaper than their retail alternatives.

Make your own non-toxic cleaning products.  When combined with a re-purposed container, the savings really add up!  Eartheasy has an extensive list showing how vinegar, lemon, baking soda, cornstarch and isopropyl alcohol can be combined as effective cleaning products.

Beauty products are ridiculously overpriced. Make your own with simple, effective ingredients.  You can also give homemade beauty products (body polishes, lip balms, bath salts) as lovely and thoughtful gifts.  Howstuffworks is a great place to begin.

Avoid Paper Products

Having a large family, consisting mostly of spill-prone toddlers, I understand the lure of paper convenience products.  Paper towels are handy, paper napkins provide a quick fix, and paper plates seem so appealing.  But the cost of these items adds up very quickly.  We could easily go through five rolls of paper towels a week.

I have begun the switch to paperless living.  Reusable cleaning cloths, cloth napkins and microfiber mops may have a higher initial cost, but their long-term savings is well worth the switch.  Make your own cleaning cloths from old t-shirts and socks and keep your eyes open for cloth napkins and microfiber products on clearance.