Save more, waste less — it's as simple as making some easy changes to your household routines.
The Cool Down partnered with "Good Morning America" to help the Martin family of four in Park City, Utah make simple swaps in their daily routine that could save them over $250 a year.
And get this — if just one-quarter of Americans made these same swaps, we'd keep 125 million bottles of shampoo, 350 million body wash bottles, 170 million plastic laundry jugs, and 145 million rolls of paper towels from ending up in landfills. Every. Single. Year.
"People used to think you had to pay more for sustainable products, or that they didn't work as well as the ones you were used to – but those days are over," Anna Robertson, co-founder and chief content officer at The Cool Down, said. "You can actually save money and get a healthier product for yourself and your family without any sacrifice by shopping sustainably."
By swapping big plastic laundry jugs for powdered laundry detergent and dryer sheets for dryer balls, a family could save about $42 a year. And trading disposable makeup wipes for washable makeup remover pads adds up to about $66 in savings annually.
Meanwhile, swapping paper towels for a 10-pack of Swedish Dishcloths would mean $135 in savings each year. And, by replacing shampoo bottles with bar shampoo, a family of four like the Martins could save $18 per year, for a total of $261 in simple savings.
So what are you waiting for? Check out the products the Martin family used — and loved — as seen on "Good Morning America."
The Cool Down may receive a commission on purchases made through links on this page at no cost to you. Price and availability are subject to change. Learn more about our Product Mission here.
Nordhus Design Swedish Dishcloths
Why It's Cool: These 100% biodegradable cloths can replace your paper towels, sponges, and dish rags. Throw them in the dishwasher or washing machine for an easy refresh. If just a quarter of Americans swapped out paper towels for Swedish dishcloths, we would save over 27 million trees.
Price: $23.99
Greenzla Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
Why It's Cool: Not only are these makeup remover pads more durable than single-use options, you can toss them in with the wash once they're dirty. Make sure you choose a 100% natural one made from cotton or bamboo, like this affordable 20-piece bamboo set from Greenzla.
Price: $9.99
Meliora Lavender Laundry Powder
Why It's Cool: It's an A-plus non-toxic laundry powder that's cheaper than Tide. American-made in Chicago, this preservative-, dye-, and synthetic fragrance-free powder is highly concentrated and made of natural ingredients that will get rid of stains and keep your clothes soft and clean.
Price: $18.99 for 128 HE loads ($0.15 per load)
Smart Sheep 3-Pack Natural Wool Dryer Balls
Why It's Cool: Dryer sheets are loaded with plastic and chemicals that can ruin your clothing. Ditch the sheets and choose wool dryer balls instead, which fluff your clothes and dry clothes faster. Miss the smell of your favorite dryer sheets? Just tap a drop or two of essential oil onto your dryer balls.
Price: $9.99
HIBAR Moisturize Shampoo Bar
Why It's Cool: HiBAR is the perfect bar shampoo for all hair types, from oily to thin to curly. The shampoo and conditioners are paraben and plastic free, and they last as long as two plastic bottles of shampoo. The U.S. tosses 550 million shampoo bottles every year — take yourself out of that equation and save money at the same time.
Price: $13.95
MONDAY HAIRCARE Volume Shampoo + Conditioner Set
Why It's Cool: Clean, cruelty-free shampoo and conditioner? Check and check. This set avoids SLS, parabens, and phthalates and instead uses natural ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil and comes in 100% recycled plastic bottles. Double-check your local recycling guidelines — they're likely recyclable.
Price: $29.99
O Naturals 3-Pack Organic Coconut & Shea Butter Soap
Why It's Cool: Just like shampoo and conditioner bars, bar soap is a great replacement for liquid soap in plastic containers. O Naturals — unlike many bar soaps — offers a shea and coconut oil mixture that won't leave your skin feeling dry. It's paraben, sulfate, and cruelty-free.
Price: $13.99
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