Please note: I received soap to review and this blog post contains affiliate links. Opinions are all my own and I was a customer of Friendly before getting in touch with them to ask for some soap to review.

Ways that I tried to go shampoo and conditioner free

I tried:

• Using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. But vinegar can be quite a harsh substance and I read that both can damage your hair over time. I didn’t want to risk it, so I gave up.
• Using a boar bristle brush. The idea is that it brushes the grease out, or at least distributes it. After one or two go’s with it, I had a brush and a hair full of grease
• Using water only. It was alright for a bit, but my hair got progressively greasier
• Using plain olive oil soap. Again OK for a bit, but it was hard to wash out after a while.
• Using cornflour as a dry shampoo – the only effect that had was to make me look like I had white tinged witchy hair and then I had to wash it out!
• Egg wash – you have to be really careful not to use hot water on it, otherwise you end up with scrambled eggs in your hair. I’m not really a fan of cold showers and let’s just say it didn’t work for me.
• Persisting for ages – my hair didn’t cave and say OK then I will survive without shampoo, it just said no!

Back then I gave up after what I felt was a really good try at it and everyone breathed a sigh of relief that they wouldn’t have to look at my greasy hair any more.

Fast forward a few years and shampoo, conditioner and shaver bars are now widely available. I decided to give some a try. I found that they either didn’t work for me, were too expensive or both. But then I discovered Friendly Soap Bars.

Friendly soap review

Before we get started with this review, I am sad to report that their shampoo bars don’t work for me. This is because I live in a hard water area and they don’t work with hard water. I think that is why I had so much trouble in general with going shampoo free. Apparently soft water makes all the difference.

However I love all their other soap bars.

Reasons I love Friendly soap

1. The soap bars work. I use the Friendly conditioner bar instead of liquid conditioner and the Friendly shaver bar instead of shower gel. They both do the job really well and I don’t miss the liquid alternatives at all.
2. They are very reasonably priced compared to other similar alternatives. To save even more money you can buy them in bulk like I do e.g. bulk packs of 6 Friendly Conditioner Bars and Friendly Shaving Soap.
3. They smell good. Some of the other soap bars I tried from other places smelled OK, but then after using them, they weren’t so nice. These bars are really nice and have a gentle scent, that isn’t overpowering.
4. I love the ethics of the company. The packaging is made from recycled cardboard and it is recyclable. The soap is vegan and free from sulphates. They pay a living wage and Friendly soap is handmade in Yorkshire using traditional methods with no by products. They donate 10p from every website order made to charity and they also give staff paid days off to go and help plant trees and hedgerows locally!

All in all, they seem to be a company that are getting it right in so many ways and I’m not the only one who thinks so. They have won an award for their Lavender and Geranium Conditioner Bar, voted for by the readers of Your Healthy Living Magazine.

Are there any downsides?

As I said earlier, the shampoo bars don’t work in hard water areas. I bought my first bars of Friendly soap in a local health food shop. Although Friendly are very open about the shampoo bars not working in hard water areas on their website, it doesn’t say anything on the bars, or on their Amazon listings. I think they need to be clearly labelled as not being suitable everywhere, to stop them being sold/ people buying them in hard water areas. I used my shampoo bar that I bought originally that didn’t work as a shower bar to use it up and that was fine.

Another point, which isn’t specific to this company, but is about using soap bars in the shower. You need to get soap dishes to put the soaps in. I would recommend trying them to start with though, to make sure you like them before you invest in soap dishes.

Would I buy Friendly soap in future?

Yes definitely! As I said earlier I love them so much I have bought them in bulk.

As I haven’t found a shampoo bar yet, that is affordable and works for me, I still buy liquid shampoo. I buy Faith and Nature shampoo in bulk and top up a bottle as needed. If you are thinking that’s too much to buy at once, you could top up a bottle at your local Zero Waste Shop. You will probably find Friendly soap for sale there too.

Have you tried Friendly shampoo, conditioner and shaver bars or other varieties? Which are your favourites?

The post Eco friendly conditioner and shaving bars that are affordable. appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

“Most of my wardrobe is vintage and I’ve worn dresses to the Oscars that I got for $10. At Sean Penn’s last Haiti gala I wore this vintage dress that I’d worn to a film premiere in 2005. I know that’s kind of a no-no in the fashion world, but why wear something just once if you love it?”

Winona Ryder

It isn’t enough just looking for the quality in the products we buy, we must ensure that there is quality in the lives of the people who make them.

Orsola De Castro, Fashion Revolution

There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere

Annie Leonard, Story of Stuff

You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.

Dr. Jane Goodall

We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

Native American proverb

Be the change that you wish to see in the world

Gandhi

The most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn’t buy

Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist

The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.

Robert Swan

Refuse what you do not need; reduce what you do need; reuse what you consume; recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse; and rot (compost) the rest.

Bea Johnson, Zero Waste Home

Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both

Benjamin Franklin

Cutting food waste is a delicious way of saving money, helping to feed the world and protect the planet

Tristram Stuart

Food waste isn’t considered a problem because, for the most part, it isn’t considered at all. It’s easy to ignore because it’s both common and customary.. I have yet to meet someone who is pro-food waste, but many aren’t convinced that it’s important

Jonathan Bloom

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference

Reinhold Niebuhr

Hope you enjoy reading these zero waste quotes and feel inspired by them. Let me know which ones are your favourites or if there are any more you think I should add.

The post Zero Waste Quotes appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

Plastic Free July is an annual campaign, which takes place in July each year. It aims to encourage people to stop using single use plastics. Things like disposable plastic straws, bags, bottles and plastic lined coffee cups. The idea is to swap them for alternative options e.g. reusables for the month of July. It was founded in 2011 and since then, millions of people have taken part.

What is a single use plastic?

A single use plastic is a plastic item which is designed for one use. For example a plastic straw is usually meant for using with one drink and then disposing of. Disposable plastic bottles are another example. Once you have drunk your drink the bottle will end up in the bin or the recycling.

What is a reusable item?

Reusable items can be used again and again. They can often replace the need for single use items. For example you can buy reusable drinking straws e.g. ones made of metal or sillicone . These can be useful for years. And they are easy to take out with you for when you might need a straw. There is also the option of not using a straw if you don’t need one. I invested in some reusable straws, but found that I rarely use them.

Who founded Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July was founded by ‘Rebecca Prince-Ruiz (the founder of the Plastic Free Foundation) and a small team in local government in Western Australia’. You can find out more about this here: plasticfreejuly.org

Why should you go plastic free?

When we throw plastic away it doesn’t biodegrade. Instead it degrades, which means it breaks down into tiny pieces and gets into the food chain. This is a huge problem in our oceans, where plastic is accumulating at a frightening rate. It also means that there might be tiny bits of plastic in the fish that ends up our plates. This has added to my motivation to have a mostly plant based diet.

Is it possible to live without plastic?

Going entirely plastic free is not easy

I’ll be honest with you – going entirely plastic free is not easy. Plastic invades our every day lives in countless ways. Although it would be technically possible to live without it, most of us would find that a step too far.

• A large proportion of fabrics and soft furnishings contain synthetic fibres. Your sofa, carpet, clothes, shoes, cushions, curtains, towels and much more contain plastic
• Most of our appliances and devices contain plastic. Fancy living without your fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, mobile phone, tablet or computer?
• Planes, buses, trains, bicycles, running gear and trainers all contain plastic. How would we get around if we refused all plastic right now?

Sometimes the alternatives are worse than using plastic (at the moment)

Even if we did decide to forgo all the things I mentioned above,

• Single use plastic can protect us from harm at times. In hospitals it can help restrict the spread of infection and disease. Some people need to use disposable straws because of an illness or disability.
• Food waste gives off methane in landfill. Methane is a greenhouse gas, far more potent than CO2. Some plastic food packaging is often specially designed to prolong the life of our food and reduce food waste.
• The carbon cost of using plastic packaging is lower than most alternative materials at the moment. This is true for plastic bags too. They have a lower carbon cost than paper bags and a much lower carbon cost than a cotton tote bag (cotton is also very pesticide and water intensive to grow). So unless we are careful we may be switching the plastic problem for other environmental problems.

The key to Plastic Free July, is not to avoid plastic altogether. It’s to focus on swapping the single use plastics for reusables where possible. Or if the product isn’t really necessary, we can just stop using it. Plus those reusables need to be long lasting, well looked after and reused and reused to get the environmental benefits from them.

How can you go plastic free?

Some quick tips to get you started:

• Start with the basics – straws, coffee cups, water bottles and plastic bags. Then once you have done that, move on to other areas.
• Think beyond just replacing plastic with any old plastic free alternative when you are making swaps. Do you really need the product at all? Would it be better to make use of what you already have before you get a replacement? Are the alternatives on offer actually going to be bettter for the environment?
• Don’t avoid plastic altogether, only do it when it makes sense to do so. We aren’t living in a world with perfect alternatives for every situation right now, so go easy on yourself!

Also, check out the Plastic Free July website. They have loads of tips and tricks on there. Sign up to their mailing list. During July each year they will send you a series of emails with tips for going plastic free.

Should you take the Plastic Free July Challenge?

I highly recommend it as a way to raise your awareness of the amount of single use plastic in your home. I first took part in 2014. Although I wasn’t ready to ditch plastic entirely afterwards, I made a lot of changes which have stuck with me for years afterwards.

Is taking part in Plastic Free July enough to solve our plastic problem?

I think Plastic Free July is a great introduction to the problem. But there is a lot of work to do! We need businesses, innovators, inventors, scientists, designers, engineers and more to come up with new materials and ways of doing things that can help us transition away from plastic to better alternatives. We also need to be careful about what we replace plastic with. It would be silly to replace one problem with another!

To find out about more campaigns and awareness dates like this, check out my post here: Environmental awareness dates.

The post Plastic Free July – a beginners guide appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

Disclaimer. I was gifted a Wonderbag to review and this post contains affiliate links marked with an asterisk. All opinions are my own. It won’t cost you anything extra to shop through the links and it will help to support the blog – thanks!

To use a Wonderbag* you need to heat up and cook the pan of food first for a bit. Use a pan with short handles so it fits into the bag. I have a large Wonderbag and my Le Creuset tri ply saucepan* fits perfectly in it (find out more about why I chose to buy those saucepans here: how to choose a saucepan). Then place the hot pan on a trivet, or heat proof mat in the bag. You can put the cushion lid inside, pull the drawstring, and leave it to do it’s magic for a few hours.

How to make pasta sauce in a Wonderbag

To begin my Wonderbag review, I needed to test it out. So I decided to make a use-it-up variation on my basic pasta sauce recipe . I made the basic recipe. Then I added in various chopped vegetables from my fridge that needed using up including some broccoli, courgette and carrots. To start, I cooked the sauce on the hob for 30 minutes. Then I placed it in the Wonderbag on a wooden mat. Finally I left it for around 3 hours to continue slow cooking! Although the sauce was cooked before it went in the Wonderbag, slow cooking it brings out the flavour in the tomato and makes the sauce much tastier. It came out great and after it had cooled down I portioned it out into containers to freeze and use another time!

More info about Wonderbags

I like the ethos behind the Wonderbag. For each bag sold a donation is made to the Wonderbag foundation to “support Wonderfeasts and subsidize Wonderbags to communities across the world”.

The Wonderbag comes with a handy cookbook and guide to timings for how long different foods can be left in the bag. You can also check out their website for recipes and information about how to use it. I’m looking forward to experimenting with it more and seeing what else I can make in it!

Is it worth the money?

If you don’t want to invest in a Wonderbag, you can make your own DIY thermal cooker. I used to use a freezer bag and towels – read more about how to do it (and how to not do it) here: Make your own slow cooker.

You are probably wondering if I made my own, why did I want to do a Wonderbag review? Well, I accidentally melted my freezer bag with a hot pan. Also it was a bit fiddly getting the towels wrapped around the pan. You can get around that, but it is easier to use the Wonderbag as it is designed with a hot pan in mind.

Whether or not it is worth the investment is down to how much you think you will use it. I use mine to batch cook soup, stews and sauces regularly. You can also make yoghurt in it. If you are thinking of buying one, make sure you get the right size bag for your pans, as they come in different sizes.

I love mine and I’m really glad I’ve got it. I will be using it for years to come!

The post The wondrous Wonderbag! appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

What are the alternatives to plastic packaging?

Last night a great new series started called War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita. I went onto Twitter afterwards. Lots of people were commenting things, like why can’t we use paper bags, or compostable packaging or glass bottles and tins instead of plastic? People know there must be alternatives to plastic packaging.

I think it is fantastic that the problem of plastic is being highlighted. Let’s not call to replace one problem with another though. Food waste was also not mentioned at all in the program.

Food Waste:

Firstly packing produce in plastic is done deliberately to extend the shelf life of a product. Sometimes it is filled with special gases, or given just the right amount of ventilation. It means that food can sit on the supermarket shelves longer before being sold and means less food waste at the supermarket end of things. If supermarkets got rid of this packaging, they would have to rethink how they keep food fresh. They would have to put less food out on the shelves. It would probably mean that they would need more regular deliveries and that the food wouldn’t last as long when it gets home. We might have to go shopping more often.

Not all produce needs the packaging though and sometimes there is some really unnecessary packaging e.g. when a fruit with a skin is peeled and then wrapped, or carrots are chopped and then packaged, or when there is more packaging than actually needed. So supermarkets should focus on reducing that first and we can chop our own carrots and peel our own fruit!

Also it would be great to have fairer priced unpackaged food in a wider range of options!

What is the problem with other packaging types?

Why can’t we just replace plastic with another type of material? Well anything we swap for is replacing one problem with another.

• Glass is made from sand, which is a finite resource.
• Compostable packaging is often only biodegradable in a commercial composter, not in your back garden and not in landfill as recently highlighted by the Telegraph.
• Paper bags are more energy intensive to produce than plastic ones and we have enough problems with deforestation already!
• Tins and cans are often plastic lined!

What to use instead of plastic?

What can we do instead? I think the best solution is to bring your reusable bags and containers. BUT they need to be long lasting and reused a lot of times. Take a look at this handy table which shows how many times different bags of diferent materials need reusing . It recommends avoiding organic cotton bags. They need reusing a whopping 20,000 times to compare with the ‘reuses necesssary to have the same cumulative environmental impact (water use, energy use, etc) as a classic plastic bag!’

*Ad* If you want to know more about how to save money and the environment check out my new book. It is also packed with tips on how to reduce the plastic in your life! https://ecothriftyliving.com/book

The post Unpacking the alternatives to plastic packaging appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

I used to try to avoid buying packaged foods as much as possible because I wanted to stop throwing single use plastic in the bin! This was made much easier by shopping in places like farm shops, local shops and online companies. I’ve learned a lot about shopping without packaging and if I go to the right places I can get most of my food unpackaged or with limited packaging.

The limitations of avoiding packaged foods as an agent of change

Going out of my way to avoid packaged foods is great, but it isn’t a solution to the problems of packaging. For most people the desire to avoid plastic packaged foods is not top priority and it shouldn’t have to be. There is more to making a decision about food than just the packaging it comes in. For some people affordability has to be their main concern. For some the quality or variety of the food will be the most important thing and for others who don’t have much spare time they just need to get their food in the quickest and easiest way. There are also times when regardless of your priorities, what you need at the time you need it is only available with packaging. Currently prioritising zero waste isn’t always the best or most practical solution in our every day lives.

Things need to change!

A large proportion of the UK does their food shopping in supermarkets because they are convenient. They also provide a wide range of products at different price points. Supermarkets tick a lot of the boxes for a lot of people. Personally although I loved shopping outside the supermarkets, for one reason or another I’ve gone back to shopping in them. When you go into a supermarket there is usually unpackaged fruit and veg available to buy there BUT:

1. Often the unpackaged produce works out more expensive than the packaged produce. The packaging disguises special offers e.g. buy 3 get 3 free (approx – when comparing the cost of a bag of fruit to the loose version like the kiwis in the picture above)
2. There is less choice in unpackaged produce. Usually the unpackaged fruit and veg is larger in size, is not organic and is limited in variety. For example in one supermarket you can buy loose white button mushrooms. Chestnut mushrooms, portobello mushrooms or organic mushrooms only come packaged though. You can also buy loose apples there, but they are quite big. If I give my kids a large apple they will leave half of it because they can’t get through it, which is a waste. I would prefer to give them a smaller apple, but the small apples only come in bulk bags.

It feels like people are sometimes penalised for buying unpackaged foods in the supermarkets.

Does packaging reduce food waste?

Yes:

Supermarkets that I have spoken to about the problems of packaged food tell me that the packaging helps reduce food waste. They are right it does at their end. Packaging is usually specially designed to suit the produce. Some packets are airtight and contain gases that slow the produce from visually spoiling. Other packets have specific ventilation in the packet to allow the produce to breathe. Packaging can also protect products from getting squashed.

No:

The problem is that the work to reduce food waste at the supermarket end of things, is often counter productive. The packet itself encourages people to buy more than they need. This is because it seems like a better deal, rather than buying exactly what they want. Then when they don’t get round to using it all in time, it ends up in the bin. In the UK a shocking 70% of post farm gate food waste comes from households. Food waste is also costing the average family £60 a month (taken from a WRAP report / Love Food Hate Waste).

On top of the food waste, there is also a large amount of packaging waste.

What can we do?

I believe that supermarkets need to be accountable for the food waste that they are contributing to in people’s homes. Not just the food waste occurring at their end of things.

What can we do about this problem? What are your suggestions? I think things need to change – don’t you?

The post Cheaper in the packet appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

“Every small action matters because when 7 billion people do that thing, it changes the world” – Achim Steiner

Note: this post contains affiliate links marked with an asterisk

10 easy zero waste swaps

1. Reusable coffee cups are a great zero waste swap

There are hundreds of different types of reusable coffee cups out there and as an added bonus a lot of cafes now offer you a small discount if you bring your own.

2. Safety Razor

Switching from plastic disposable razors to a safety razor* is one of the easiest zero waste swaps I’ve made so far. The safety razors aren’t cheap. A decent one will set you back at least £25 but you will have it for life.

It can be a little daunting when you first use your safety razor but there are lots of tutorials online to help you. It’s all about the angle and the pressure you apply. I made the switch to a safety razor 3 months ago and I’m really happy with it.

3. Cloth Napkins

Using cloth napkins instead of disposable ones is another easy switch to make.

A good tip for saving on washing is to give each family member their own napkin. You can either write their name on the label if they have one. Or, if you are handy with a needle and thread, sew on their initials in one corner. By doing this you can reuse the napkins more often between washing.

4. Reusable bags are an essential zero waste swap

Now that the plastic bag charge has come into effect in the UK it’s more important than ever to take your own bags. It’s good to have a selection of different kinds. We use the big trolley bags for a big shop. I also have a selection of jute bags* with strong handles and a fold up canvas bag that I keep in my handbag all the time.

One of the main problems with taking your own bags is to remember to take them! Try and create a system that works for you. After you unpack your shopping why not put the bags straight back into your boot. That way they are already there for next time.

5. Bamboo toothbrush

Switching to a bamboo toothbrush is something that I have done recently and I love it! They do cost more than the plastic ones but I have found that they last a lot longer.Once you have finished with your brush you can throw it into the compost, if you have one. You just have to remember to remove the bristles first. They aren’t compostable. I’d recommend Hydro Phil*. They are excellent quality and if you look after them they last a long time.

6. Reusable Water Bottle

A good quality metal water bottle * makes an excellent alternative to the plastic disposable bottles. Plus, you will save money but not buying a drink when you are out.

7. Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are a great alternative to cling film. You can buy ready made ones or you can make your own. They are reusable and work from the heat of your hands. I recently made a batch with my friend. It was much easier to do than I expected.

8. Shampoo Bar

Fed up with the plastic bottles in your shower? If so why not consider switching to a shampoo bar*. They are lots of different types out there. You foam the bar up in your hands with water and then rub it in your hair.

9. Metal straws are an easy zero waste swap

Plastic straws have been in the media a lot recently. That video of the turtle still makes me cringe. You can now buy metal straws* instead. After use just wash them and reuse.

10. Reusable Hankies

Whenever I think of hankies I immediately think of my Grandmother. They were the ‘reuse it’ generation. We can learn a lot from them! Rather than buying packs of tissues why not buy some nice reusable ones*?

So what about you? Would you consider making any of these easy zero waste swaps?

This is a guest post written by Gina Caro from the blog Gypsy Soul: A Sustainable & Simple Living Blog. Gina writes about zero waste, green living, natural beauty & minimalism. She can also be found on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/gypsysoulblog, Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.co.uk/gina_caro/boards and Twitter – https://twitter.com/Gina_Caro. 

The post 10 Easy Zero Waste Swaps to eco-fy your life appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

You are not alone! I used to struggle to remember to water the plants in our home. For a long time I thought our houseplants survived by magic until I realised my husband was watering them. I’m a cactus and orchid kind of person – they don’t like being watered too often which is perfect for me! However I’ve discovered a way that I can remember to water the plants with ease. I don’t have to set myself any reminders and I don’t need a set routine to remember to do it. This is because I have started watering them with waste water!

How reducing waste can jog your memory and help keep your plants watered!

After most meals in our house there are half drunk glasses of water on the table. So instead of just pouring the water down the sink like we used to, we water the plants instead! It has become part of our tidying up routine and is a daily prompt to think about watering the plants.

If the indoor plants aren’t looking too thirsty I pour the water on the outside ones. We also water the plants with any leftover water from reusable water bottles that we have brought home at the end of the day.

What else can you water plants with?

You can also water the plants with tea, coffee, sugar free carbonated drinks and cooking water. You do need to make sure that anything you water them with is salt, milk and sugar free as that could harm the plant.

Can you water plants with leftover/ spoiled wine, beer or spirits?

It is not a good idea to pour wine or beer on your plants because they are too sugary. If the wine is spoiled and has turned to vinegar, the vinegar is also bad for your plants. Diluted spirits can be added to plants, but may stunt their growth! All in all, it is probably best to keep alcoholic beverages away from your plants!

Use up excess / leftover alcohol instead! If you have some leftover Amaretto for example, you could try some of these ideas: 5 ways to use up your amaretto (this only applies to those who are of a legal drinking age and only ever drink in moderation )

Make sure you avoid over watering!

The only problem we have now is trying to make sure we don’t over water our houseplants! Too much water can kill a plant, just as much as not enough can.

So next time you find a table scattered with half drunk glasses of water or other suitable drinks at the end of a meal, get watering those houseplants!

If you liked this post, you might also like to read about how to reduce your food waste !

The post A zero waste way to remember to water plants! appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

Please note this article contains an affiliate link marked with an asterisk. If you click through and buy something, it won’t cost you anything extra, but it will help to support the blog – thanks!

It’s been way easier than I thought it would. I now use a glass cup to scoop out the porridge from the bulk bag of porridge, which is so much quicker, easier, more efficient than using a ladle ever was (it is easier to fill and can take a larger quantity) and a mug to serve up soup and stews. Another useful substitute is a cup measure* – we have some lovely really long lasting stainless steel ones, which make an excellent ladle or scoop as well as being useful for recipes where things are measured in cups.  

I’m not suggesting you throw out your ladle or scoop if you have a perfectly good one, but if you are trying to transition to a plastic free kitchen and yours is plastic or if your ladle breaks, then try these alternatives before you rush out and buy a new one. Reading this you might think these solutions are really obvious and they are, but also really easy to overlook. I sometimes forget that things can have more uses than just those that they were originally intended for and that I don’t always need a specific tool dedicated tool to do a job!

Update: I now have 2 ladles given to me as hand-me-downs. I still use a cup as a scoop though and I find it a great alternative.

The post 3 alternatives to ladles and scoops you probably already own! appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.

We’ve had our dishwasher for several years and over that time the plastic cutlery holder has developed a few holes. I try to always put knives and forks in pointy ends up to stop them from damaging the base, but something must have gone wrong somewhere! I found it so annoying trying not to use the compartments with holes as I found inevitably I would forget and something would fall down the hole and cause problems when I’m trying to take stuff out of the dishwasher. Luckily my friend taught me a brilliant and simple trick to fix the holes! Basically you get some cable ties * (yes they are plastic, but less than if you had to buy a whole new cutlery holder, if they even sell them anymore for your dishwasher) and thread them through the holes that are meant to be there to block of the holes that aren’t i.e. where a bit of the plastic has broken to create a bigger hole. It’s so easy and simple and does the trick! We’ve managed to extend the life of our cutlery holder for quite a long time by doing that!

Coming soon: Look out for my blog post coming next Monday – 3 alternatives to ladles and scoops you probably already own.

This blog post contains an affiliate link marked with * and anything you buy through them will help to support the blog as I will get a small commission. Thanks!

The post A brilliant and simple trick to make the cutlery holder in your dishwasher live longer! appeared first on Eco Thrifty Living.