Paper towels

Most people don’t think twice about using paper towels to clean up messes. They’re quick to grab and an easy solution. But it’s not so much a matter of convenience as it is wastefulness. Paper towels are one of the most unnecessary cleaning products in your home, and they usually come at a hefty price tag. Consider a reusable, washable cloth instead.

Air fresheners

If you’ve got an unpleasant odor wafting around your home – and yes, even the cleanest place has one – an air freshener is a quick and easy fix. But these sprays and gels are only masking the smell. You could be making the problem even worse if it’s a natural smell from food or pets that you’re trying to cover up with artificial scents.

Feather dusters

If you’ve been sucked into the hype of feather dusters, don’t worry – we’re not judging. As fun as they look, they’re actually pretty useless. While feather dusters do a great job at picking up dust and dirt, they are no better than a dry rag or hand towel, and in fact could just be moving dust from place to place. So the next time you head out to buy cleaning supplies, we recommend sticking with old rags or towels.

Bacterial wipes

You might be a big fan of disinfectant wipes, but they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. In fact, a simple rag and some soapy water are just as effective at cleaning. Disinfectant wipes contain chemicals that will get on your hands, and they also cost significantly more than a wash rag and can create even more garbage.

Toilet cleaners

Bathroom fixtures like your toilet tank and overflow pipe tend to be made of relatively thin metal that is prone to corrosion – especially when you consider how often they experience temperature fluctuations. The chemicals inside these automatic toilet cleaners can wear down the working parts of your toilet tank if used frequently, leaving it at risk for leaking or breaking down.

Lint rollers

Lint rollers seem like the perfect “green” solution because they’re reusable. They just need a little shake over the trash can once they get clogged with hair. But then you have to buy refills, which you’ll probably end up throwing away because they get too clumped up to use after a week or two – which just leads to more of a demand for the plasticky sheets.

Steam mops

Steam mops work, but they have some major flaws that make them less than ideal for getting your floor really clean. They can damage your floors by leaving behind moisture, which is especially bad for hardwood and laminate. Plus, the majority of steam mops push the dirt around instead of lifting it off the floor. Research your floors, and clean accordingly.

Laundry scent boosters

If you have a laundry room, it’s likely that you have an abundance of scent boosters and stain removers on hand. There are many different kinds of scent boosters, but they’re all marketed as a way to add extra fragrance to your laundry – but why? Your detergent should already be able to get clothes clean and leave them smelling fresh – plus, these things usually smell unnatural and chemically.

Robot vacuums

Robotic vacuums are nothing new, but they’ve gotten more popular over the last few years for one simple reason: people are too lazy to vacuum on their own. If you have an open floor plan that the bot can navigate easily, a clutter-free floor, and only one level to clean, robotic vacuums may work for you. They’re not worth the money for anyone else though, as you’ll end up just rescuing them from corners.

Drain cleaners

While most folks are aware that they should avoid pouring chemicals into their drains, they don’t realize just how bad those chemicals are for their pipes. It’s also important to note that Drano and other commercial drain cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, which can damage your bathroom fixtures and enameled sinks and tubs. A waste of money that could potentially lead to an expensive fix.

Toothbrush cleaners

There’s nothing like a UV toothbrush sanitizer to make you feel like you’re living in the future. Set your toothbrush out and let the ultraviolet light work its magic, and then plop it back into the little case. It seems too good to be true. But, as it turns out, the American Dental Association says there’s no evidence that these UV devices improve oral health.

Screen cleaners

You might be tempted to buy a special screen cleaner that’s pricey and comes in fancy packaging. But all you need is water and a microfiber cloth to clean your phone, tablet, or computer monitor. If you’re still not convinced, there are plenty of people who have tested store-bought cleaners versus DIY solutions on their own devices and even posted about their experiences online.

Plastic water bottles

The bottled water companies have successfully convinced many people that bottled water is better than tap water because it’s filtered and made safe. They also claim that plastic bottles are better than glass because they are safer, but this is untrue: plastics may contain harmful chemicals that leach into the bottle’s contents.

Cheap lightbulbs

There’s something about the 90-cent lightbulbs at your local grocery store that makes us want to grab a box every time we’re there. The low cost is enticement enough. But if you’re like most people, you’ve already realized that cheap, incandescent bulbs are just that: cheap. They burn out quickly, look garish and don’t last as long as more expensive alternatives.

Cheap paint

When it comes to a home improvement project, we’re all looking for the best bang for our buck. But a lot of people don’t understand that cheaper paint simply doesn’t compare to its more expensive counterparts – in fact, it can be downright detrimental. These pigments are duller than what you’d find in higher-end brands, and the solvents can make your walls vulnerable to peeling and cracking over time.

Detergent pods

While the pods generally clean your clothes just fine, their effectiveness doesn’t last as long as that of traditional detergents. The contents inside those little plastic casings aren’t measured perfectly, so every pod is different – if you use a pod that contains too much detergent, your clothes won’t get fully clean, and if you use a pod with too little detergent, your clothes might not be clean enough.

Oven cleaners

When an oven manufacturer recommends against using a certain cleaning product, it’s probably not because they want to be difficult, and it’s definitely not because anyone is trying to hide a secret about the effectiveness of the product. It’s simply because that type of product can damage the appliance – so just skip these entirely.

Windex

Windex has been around for decades and certainly has its place. However, it’s not really meant for granite countertops and other natural stone surfaces. The chemicals in the spray can dull the shine on your countertop over time, so you’ll want to be careful about using it on these types of surfaces.

Smart fridges

Some people will tell you that smart fridges are the way of the future, and while they can be very handy, they’re not worth $3000. In fact, many of the most common complaints about Samsung Smart fridges have to do with malfunctioning ice makers or leaking water, so you might want to think twice before buying your next fridge.

Fabric softener

We all love soft, fresh-smelling clothes, right? But do you know exactly what you’re putting in your washer and dryer? Softening products can cause build-up in your washer and dryer. Plus, they’re pricey. Replace them with white vinegar: it softens without any lingering scent (or the same effects on your machine).

Disposable cutlery

The low cost of cheap disposables is even more apparent when you consider the hidden costs of using them: Paper plates and plastic cups don’t just disappear when you’re done with them, so someone else has to deal with figuring out what to do with them. That usually means they end up in landfills and incinerators, where they don’t break down for thousands of years. It’s not worth a night of skipping the washing up.

Disposable razors

Disposable razors are a huge waste. The plastic handles break down in landfills, and the blades end up scattered all over, too. According to the EPA, an estimated 2 billion disposable razors end up in landfills in the United States every year. That’s a lot of money in the trash just for smooth legs!

Brand-name batteries

When you buy brand-name batteries, you’re paying for more than just the battery itself; you’re also paying for the company’s name and reputation. If you don’t mind sacrificing that, save some money by looking into store-brand or generic alternatives. These batteries can be just as good as their brand-name counterparts and can save you money in the long run.

Cable TV

If you haven’t subscribed to streaming services, you might want to consider them. Many people are canceling their cable TV subscriptions these days and watching shows and movies through online services instead. Online streaming has a lot of advantages over traditional cable: It’s cheaper, more convenient, and it has more content.

Saran wrap and aluminum foil

Whether you’re just looking to reduce the amount of waste you produce or you want to save money, there are some great reasons to consider using reusable containers and beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. And now that glass food containers are becoming more popular and widely available, there’s really no need to use plastic wrap at all!

Packaged spices

If you’re a frequent home cook, then you know that spices are essential for every kitchen. However, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying pre-packaged spices, which can add up quickly. It’s not always practical to buy all your spices in bulk – realistically, how much cumin do you really need? But buying small jars of spices every week can be expensive.

Coffee pods

Disposable coffee pods might seem like a convenient way to make your morning cup of coffee, but they’re not without their shortcomings. Single-cup machines also increase waste because you can’t refill the pods with coffee grounds, and they’re only meant to be used once. That means every time you use a disposable pod, you’re throwing away a plastic container that can’t be recycled.

Electric dryers

Clothes dryers may come in handy during the colder months, but they can also add up quickly on your utility bill. If you have a large household with frequent washers and dryers running, this can really add up over time. Fortunately, there are other options for drying your clothes that don’t require any special equipment or electricity – a simple clothesline will do the trick!

Organic cleaning products

Green cleaning products are on the rise, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re the better choice. This isn’t to say that they’re not a good idea – many of them have fewer chemicals than their conventional counterparts, and some even work better. However, they’re more expensive than other products, and the difference between the two is usually negligible. The biggest issue with green cleaning products is that they simply aren’t necessary.

Garlic press

You’ve probably heard that a garlic press is quicker and easier than chopping or mincing the cloves by hand, but – unless you have mobility issues – that’s just not true. Instead, mince or chop your garlic with the flat side of a knife. The flavor will still be strong, and you won’t have to worry about getting all the little bits out of the press.

Pizza cutter

It’s a popular misconception that pizza cutters are a necessary tool in the kitchen. In reality, all you need is a pair of sharp kitchen shears to make the perfect cuts for your homemade pizzas. Pizza cutters may make it easier to slice through the dough, but they aren’t necessary to get a clean cut.

Mosquito zappers

Bug zappers have been a staple in backyards for decades now, but they aren’t necessary – in fact, they’re becoming more of a nuisance themselves than the mosquitoes they’re supposed to eliminate. There’s no evidence that mosquitos are attracted to the ultraviolet light that bug zappers emit, and there are plenty of ways to repel mosquitos naturally and affordably.

Salad spinner

Salad spinners are unnecessary and space-hogging. When it comes to washing vegetables and other produce, a salad spinner is an extra step that adds time to the process. A study found that spinning lettuce for two minutes to get rid of excess water doesn’t reduce the risk of spoilage compared with simply rinsing lettuce under running water for 30 seconds.

Dryer sheets

Dryer sheets might be convenient, but they’re not needed. There are other options available to soften your clothes after a spin in the dryer. You can buy dryer balls or make your own DIY felted wool dryer balls. If you want to change the scent of your laundry, add some essential oils to the yarn – just make sure they’re clothes-safe.

Air fryer

The air fryer is a popular new kitchen gadget that’s become as trendy as the bento box and the slow cooker. The idea is that instead of using hot oil to cook things, you use hot air. However, the air fryer is not frying your food – it’s just baking, and anything you do in an air fryer you can do in your oven.

Fresh-cut flowers

Fresh-cut flowers are lovely, but they come with a price tag. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, think about buying something potted instead. Potted plants can last for a long time, and you don’t have to constantly replace the water in the vase. Like live flowers, they also add color and life to any space.

Exercise equipment

If you’re trying to lose weight, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the treadmill that’s been collecting dust in your basement or a DVD series of workouts for beginners. But instead of wasting money on something that isn’t helping you lose weight or get in shape, just spend some time at your local gym. You might find yourself more motivated than ever before!

Vitamins and supplements

In an attempt to stay healthy, many Americans spend billions of dollars each year on vitamin pills and other supplements. However, there have been countless studies done about multivitamins and their effect on our health. The results? Well… there actually have been no solid conclusions drawn about the effectiveness of multivitamins on our health at all!

Printers

You might think that a home printer is an essential office tool – but you’d be wrong. Even though printers have become much more affordable in recent years, they can still be an expensive luxury for the average person. It makes more sense to just pay a small fee to use a printer at your local library or stationary store when you need to print.

Swiffers

Swiffer-type cleaners have gained widespread popularity over the years because they’re so simple and straightforward – but these convenience features come at a cost. The disposable nature of the cleaning pads makes it hard to justify the price tag for those who want something more long-lasting.