I love reading lists like these and always come away with new ideas, so I thought I’d compile my own. Since drastically simplifying my home and possessions years ago, I’ve realized that many of the everyday things I used to buy almost by default were either unnecessary or could be replaced with more lasting alternatives. Not only has this been more economical, but in many cases it’s also brought more beauty into my life - and I think of beauty as an important nutrient.
I hope the list below gives you some fun ideas, but it’s by no means meant to be prescriptive. Different things work for different homes and lifestyles, and I’d love to hear what you’ve stopped buying in the comments. I still haven’t been able to give up paper towels, for example, even though they’re usually front and center on lists like these (I have been able to significantly cut down my use with these). With that said, here are the things I've happily stopped buying, and what I do instead.
Separate cleaners for every surface
Instead: 1:1 white vinegar and water spray, diluted Sal Suds, or Bon Ami for most surfaces.
Disposable mop pads
Instead: I use this E-Cloth mop with reusable, washable mop pads. (I love this mop for being lightweight and for its ability to clean with just water, but one problem it has is that the handle gets annoyingly creaky, just an FYI!).
Liquid detergent
Instead: Country Save or Molly’s Suds powdered detergent, which I find much more economical.
Dryer sheets
Instead: Wool dryer balls (you can add a drop of essential oils to them to yield a nice scent, too).
Seasonal decor
Instead: Nature treasures, simple crafts, or family heirlooms as seasonal decor.
Storage Solutions™
Instead: Whenever I find myself ‘in need’ of more containers, it’s usually a sign that I need to reevaluate my possessions instead. Otherwise, thrift store baskets!
Related article:
Dish sponges
Instead: I’ve been using this wood-and-steel dish brush for years now. I love that the handle is metal, so it doesn’t mold from getting wet, and the brush heads are replaceable.
Dish soap
Instead: I use diluted Sal Suds. Before that, I used to use a bar of Savon de Marseille (olive oil soap), which worked very well and looks so chic imo.
Non-stick pans
Instead: It’s so frustrating when you seem to finally find a non-stick pan with a truly non-toxic coating to soon learn that there are issues with that coating, as well! I’ve been a carbon steel pan convert for years. Once you get it seasoned and start using it consistently, it becomes truly non-stick. I can fry eggs, scramble eggs, fry blini or dosas on mine without any sticking.
I love that carbon steel pans are lighter than cast iron (although I do have a great cast iron skillet too, but for everyday use, lighter is more manageable). They also only get better with time and don’t need to be replaced every few years like a non-stick skillet, when the coating wears off.
Ziploc bags
Instead: Glass jars or glass tupperware for most food storage, including in the freezer (just leave 1” at the top of jars for frozen food to expand). Plus, I have these silicone food storage bags for when I really need something like a Ziploc.
Plastic wrap
Instead: Mostly glass jars and such. A quarter of a raw onion left? Glass jar. Need to cover a large bowl? I just place a plate that fits on top and wrap it in a kitchen towel, if needed. For the rare event that I need something like cling wrap, like for wrapping dough, I use bee’s wrap (you can also make your own!).
Single purpose kitchen tools
Instead: The only single-purpose tool I can think of that I own is a glass citrus juicer I found at an antique store, and I do find it genuinely useful. Otherwise, I steer clear of gadgets like apple corers, popcorn makers, and egg slicers. I'd much rather spend a few extra seconds cutting an apple with a knife than clutter my drawers with yet another little plastic gadget that only does one thing.
Travel mugs/tumblers
Instead: My trusty glass jars + stainless steel drinking lids.
Related article:
Separate products for every body part (foot, hand, eye, etc.)
Instead: Jojoba oil for everything.
Facial masks
Instead: Honey and yogurt masks using the two ingredients that are always in my kitchen.
Perfume
Instead: Nothing at all. I broke up with most scented products (both personal and household) years ago for health reasons, and it's amazing how sensitive you become to fragrances once your sense of smell recalibrates. These days, I genuinely prefer the unscented life.
Trendy supplements
Instead: I’m a big fan of herbal infusions as a simple way to nourish my body with vitamins and minerals in a form that’s easy to absorb. I love that they’re often more cost-effective than supplements and can be adjusted based on what my body needs in different seasons.
Related article:
Overly trendy pieces that don’t fit my lifestyle
Instead: For 2026, I’ve challenged myself to only buy five new pieces of clothing (so far I’ve bought one, these white shorts). Needless to say, I’m learning to be very considerate of what actually makes sense for my season of life, what looks good on me and not just someone else I saw online, and how the pieces will work with what’s already in my closet.
Acrylic sweaters
Instead: Walk through most clothing stores and you’ll find sweaters made from acrylic or other synthetic fibers like polyester, polyamide (nylon), and elastane. These fibers are derived from petroleum and are essentially forms of plastic.
What surprises me is that many of these sweaters are still quite expensive! Acrylic can feel soft at first, but synthetic sweaters often don’t breathe as well as natural fibers, can trap odors, and tend to pill over time. Like other synthetic textiles, they can also shed microplastic fibers during washing.
I’ve learned that I’d rather save up for a year for a well-made wool sweater than buy several cheaper synthetic ones. Otherwise, thrift stores are often full of affordable cashmere sweaters that have tiny moth holes that are super easy to fix.
Another revelation has been learning to knit my own sweaters. Right now, I’m knitting a sweater using two yarns: an organic cotton-merino blend and a mohair-silk blend. A ready-made sweater using similar materials and construction would be hard to come buy, and cost hundreds.
Synthetic underwear
Instead: Similarly to my point above about acrylic sweaters - most ‘cute’ underwear nowadays is made of synthetic fibers. Since underwear sits against the most sensitive skin on our bodies all day long, I prefer natural fibers whenever possible.
I’m obsessed with Oddobody’s French Cut cotton underwear, I wait for their sales to stock up.
Related article:
Streaming services
Instead: Intentional movie nights, often utilizing the library’s free streaming service.
This one coincided with having a low-sleep-needs toddler who doesn’t go to bed until 9 p.m., which means my husband and I don’t have the time to make it through the latest shows. And even if we did, we’ve found ourselves less and less interested in most new movies and series coming out recently.
Now, when we do watch something, we’re super picky, since it’s a special event. We usually rent or borrow through the library instead of paying for yet another subscription we’ll barely use.
New hobby supplies before completing my current project
Instead: I wish I were one of those women who can effortlessly have multiple works-in-progress going at once, but I’ve learned I’m the complete opposite. I’m a slow maker, so the only way I actually finish something is by going all in on one project before moving on to the next.
I’ve learned the hard way not to buy supplies for my next hobby project while I’m still working on the current one. Interests change, seasons shift, and what I’m excited about today might not be what I want to make six months from now.
This also keeps project clutter from accumulating - and few things stress me out more than unfinished crafts and piles of unused supplies sitting around the house.
Further reading:
Thank you so much for reading! I’d love to hear what things you do without, and what you’ve replaced them with in the comments.
Follow along on Instagram for more ideas on simple living and mindful spending. This is the budget spreadsheet I use to track our spending in one calm, organized place (MASHA10 for 10% off).
If you prefer to skip email updates, toggle ‘in app only.’
This post contains affiliate links.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.