Start with the biggest repeat-buy habit in the house: paper towels
If you made a “use less” resolution this year… you’re not alone.
The tricky part isn’t motivation. It’s friction. When life gets busy, we go back to whatever is easiest (hello, paper towels and disposable everything).
So let’s make “use less” the easiest option — with a few swaps that don’t require perfection.
1) Start with the biggest repeat-buy habit in the house: paper towels
Paper towels are one of those “oops, we’re out again” purchases. And most of the time, we’re using them for jobs a reusable cloth can handle just as well.
The simple swap: reusable Swedish sponge cloths
Use them to wipe counters, clean spills, polish appliances, wash dishes, and more. Rinse, wring, hang to dry. When it’s time, wash and reuse.
Make it stick (the 2-cloth rule):
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Keep one cloth on the counter
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Keep one by the sink
When they’re visible, they get used.
2) Use less plastic (without overthinking it)
A lot of household essentials come wrapped in plastic — including many paper towel packs.
At Soak iT Up, I ship orders in paper, not plastic. It’s one of those “small but consistent” changes that adds up over a year of purchases.
Bonus: Skip plastic detergent jugs
Laundry detergent often comes in heavy plastic jugs. If you want an easy upgrade, try Sheet Happens detergent sheets — lightweight, plastic-free, and simple to store.
3) Don’t toss the greeting — turn it into something useful
Most greeting cards get a quick smile and then… a drawer (or the trash).
Clards are the greeting card you can actually use.
You write your message, send the love, and later the recipient turns it into reusable cleaning cloths. It’s a small shift that makes gifting feel lighter and less wasteful.
4) A quick “use less” savings check
Want a quick gut-check? Add up what you normally spend on disposable paper products in a month and multiply by 12. Then ask: “What if I cut that in half this year?”
Even reducing the habit (not eliminating it!) can make a noticeable difference.
Make “use less” easy with today’s deals
If you want to set yourself up with simple swaps that last:
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Buy 4 cloths, get 1 free
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3 Clards for $30 (regularly $12.00 each)
Shop here: soakitup.shop
Final thought: go for “less,” not “perfect”
You don’t need to become a zero-waste superhero. You just need a few better defaults — the kind you’ll actually keep doing on a Tuesday afternoon.
Less waste. More joy. More clean counters. 🙂