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Post by missjean on Jul 11, 2023 9:18:08 GMT -5
Recently, I was watching a cleaning program and the professional cleaner recommended Sponge Daddy sponges. I thought, "Maybe those will work better than the cheap ones I bought." Not even two days later, I found them in the cupboard behind the cheapies.
In fact, I have a lot of supplies that are "saved" because they're too good to use. In some cases, they're too bad not to use: a bin of rags and old towels.
Anyway, I'm challenging myself - and you! - to use up the cheapies, the freebies, and the half-finished products.
AMNESTY APPLIES. If a product irritates your skin or smells bad, feel free to toss it and give yourself space for things that don't!
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Post by def6 on Jul 11, 2023 9:35:14 GMT -5
Love this missjean ! We all could use the extra space and less visual clutter by using up all of the small amounts of product. I actually add water to get the last bit out of everything. I will say it is a real shock when you pour water shampoo on your head and it's really cold.  But when you use the water method you can recycle the bottle with no further rinsing. I am totally in on this challenge. |
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Post by missjean on Jul 11, 2023 9:35:44 GMT -5
I used a Kitchen Stone Cleaning Block to scour two stainless steel pots. The block dissolved while I scrubbed, so I used an entire one just on those. I also finished a partial box of Swiffer disposable cloths, which don't really fit my dustmop with the washable pads. But I was "saving" those washable pads.  |
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Post by goldenthreads on Jul 11, 2023 11:54:14 GMT -5
I have plenty of cleaning products here left over from previous tenants. Every so often I think that this place would be cleaner and the areas under the sinks roomier if only I'd use them up by cleaning more often! Challenge accepted.
I was going to say I don't have many beauty products, which is true, but I rarely wear makeup, so what I have is old. I need to go through that again and ask if any of it is useful or safe anymore.
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Post by missjean on Jul 11, 2023 13:01:56 GMT -5
I will say it is a real shock when you pour water shampoo on your head and it's really cold. But when you use the water method you can recycle the bottle with no further rinsing. I am totally in on this challenge. I know that feeling! The shower shelf is currently lined with hotel/sample shampoos that my father gave me. He's bald btw. 
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Post by missjean on Jul 11, 2023 13:03:57 GMT -5
I have plenty of cleaning products here left over from previous tenants. Every so often I think that this place would be cleaner and the areas under the sinks roomier if only I'd use them up by cleaning more often! Challenge accepted. I was going to say I don't have many beauty products, which is true, but I rarely wear makeup, so what I have is old. I need to go through that again and ask if any of it is useful or safe anymore. Good on you for accepting the challenge! I have kitchen supplies from friends and neighbors who moved. I will never want for freezer paper and baking parchment!
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Post by goldenthreads on Jul 11, 2023 13:15:49 GMT -5
Turns out I'd already been through my makeup. I tested some under-eye concealer that has thickened, and highlights the bags more than it conceals. Gone.
I seem to have an excess of nail clippers. I'll go through those later and pick the best.
It's hard to get rid of useful consumables. I'm in favor of us keeping and using what we're hanging on to.
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Post by nonchalant on Jul 11, 2023 19:25:06 GMT -5
I have plenty of cleaning products here left over from previous tenants. Every so often I think that this place would be cleaner and the areas under the sinks roomier if only I'd use them up by cleaning more often! Challenge accepted. I was going to say I don't have many beauty products, which is true, but I rarely wear makeup, so what I have is old. I need to go through that again and ask if any of it is useful or safe anymore.
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Post by def6 on Jul 11, 2023 20:18:40 GMT -5
We still use bar soap instead of body wash. It's kept on a special little soap mat that looks like a sponge but it's not. When the soap gets used down to a sliver DH " melds" ( a combination of melt and weld) the two bars together by pressing them ..They actually hold very well.  |
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Post by cricket on Jul 12, 2023 6:37:10 GMT -5
I'm so on board with this. Good idea, missjean! You wouldn't think I'd need anyone to TELL me to actually use the products cluttering my cabinets, but here we are. I just wasn't thinking of it that way.
In the freebie category--yesterday my new dishwasher told me it needed a refill of rinse agent (so fancy! The last one didn't tell me squat.) And I remembered it actually came with a sample packet of Jet Dry I didn't think to use before cracking open a bottle. So I used the packet! Kinda messy, pouring from an envelope, but it's done.
Now I just need to remember to use the sample packet of Cascade that came in the same wrapper today, and that'll be one less thing cluttering up my under-sink storage.
I have been using body wash for years now, but am almost out. (I'm also on team add-water to get another week out of the handsoap-shampoo-laundry detergent.) I had put it on the list, but inspired by y'all, I took that off the list and opened up a bar of Dove Men and put it in the shower to use up. My husband bought an 8-pack of it like a year ago and never used the first bar. It's just been taking up space in my bathroom vanity.
But I like it. It's just as moisturizing as regular Dove bar soap, and just as moisturizing as my moisturizing body wash was. But unlike the body wash, I feel okay using it on my face.
It does fill the shower with the sent of men's cologne, but it doesn't seem to cling to my skin later.
I'm not sure how long a bar will last, but it seems like it's harder milled than regular Dove, and I get the feeling a bar of this will last longer. I am expecting that it'll work out to be a lot more cost-effective than body wash, and for sure it generates less packaging waste and takes up less space in the shower.
...which reminds me that I still need to use up the last bit of watered-down body wash. Somehow I forgot about it in my excitement over breaking open the Dove.
Okay, husband got up and I asked him why he bought that soap but didn't use it--it was accidental! He meant to buy Dove Men's shampoo! That's the downside of grocery pick up. Easy to click the wrong button when ordering. Well, mystery solved.
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Post by goldenthreads on Jul 12, 2023 19:20:35 GMT -5
I've been packing for a little trip, and I was going through my toiletries kit. There were two toothbrushes there, and I tossed the one that had some bent bristles. I had shampoo and conditioner in my dedicated mini-bottles, as well as partially used ones from motels. I set the normal mini-bottles aside, and will use the motel bottles up first.
Last week, I used up two fast food packets of ketchup on my scrambled eggs. I'd never tried that before. It was fine, and now the packets are gone.
Today I also tossed a cheaply made tote bag given to volunteers. It was starting to come apart. I have several others. That one I will never actually use. Gone!
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Post by missjean on Jul 13, 2023 8:29:06 GMT -5
I had two pairs of dishwashing gloves. I used the too-tight pair for really grimy work with harsh chemicals. Then I tossed them.
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Post by missjean on Jul 13, 2023 8:33:33 GMT -5
We still use bar soap instead of body wash. It's kept on a special little soap mat that looks like a sponge but it's not. When the soap gets used down to a sliver DH " melds" ( a combination of melt and weld) the two bars together by pressing them ..They actually hold very well. I do the same thing that your DH does. I have a mesh soap holder that sits in a dish with a "lip" that drains into the sink. It keeps the soap from getting mushy and cuts down on soap scum residue.
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Post by nonchalant on Jul 13, 2023 8:40:10 GMT -5
Speaking of soap, I made my own. With lye and everything!
ONCE.
Then I switched to 'cooking' down soap scraps on the stove, and forming them into new cakes, until I discovered you can put them in a lot of water and they will melt on their own. Takes time, but you don't have to babysit them. I use it to cut those strong-scented liquid pump soaps I foolishly bought.
Or I will put larger soap scraps in a small flexible container, add a little water, and wait until the mass is squishable. Made a couple of soap cakes that way.
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Post by missjean on Jul 13, 2023 8:41:19 GMT -5
Okay, husband got up and I asked him why he bought that soap but didn't use it--it was accidental! He meant to buy Dove Men's shampoo! That's the downside of grocery pick up. Easy to click the wrong button when ordering. Well, mystery solved. I'm glad it's working out! I finally pitched a product that wasn't good for my hair or scalp. Similar bottle to one I usually use.
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