5 REUSABLE ITEMS I LOVE

To think that his pandemic *might* change the way we shop and make us rethink the way we use and consume items actually gets me quite excited.

Over the last year, we have really tried to think about things we’ve bought and considered their ‘use’ a lot more and where possible, we’ve moved towards a few reusable items. Some, admittedly, are easier to make the switch than others but here is what I have loved using recently (and have really helped during lockdown!).

1. PERIOD PANTS

To be honest I was never really interested in period pants, the idea was always kind of gross to me. I never quite got on with a mooncup so I tried plastic free tampons instead (via TOTM). They have been great, although some days I find the cardboard applicator frustrating. But after having Peggy and also my miscarriage last year, when you bleed for roughly 2-4 weeks afterwards (apologies if that shocks you, I had no idea…) and you are not allowed to use tampons, I was overwhelmed with the single use waste. So I bought a pair of period pants for light flow and felt FREE. I loved not having to think about tampons when wearing them and I would wash them as soon as I could to have a day ‘off’ of tampons and pads.

For me, I use the period pants for low flow days, or they are especially good for that final day of your period when you’re not quite sure if you’ve 100% finished, you know?

And now I’ve just invested in a pair of overnight ‘heavy’ flow ones. I love the Modibodi ones for comfort and price, but they’re by no means cheap (the heavy flow pair were £25). You’re probably not going to save money in the first year by buying a few pairs – I’ve still only bought 3 pairs over 2 years – but this is a long-term investment and one I feel happy about making.

2. COTTON WOOL

I have banged on about reusable cotton wool so much over the last few years but I haven’t bought (nor thought about) single use cotton wool since. I have no idea why these aren’t more mainstream, I have around 40 now and I never run out as I throw them in every wash.

The one con is that mascara and lipstick are harder to come out of these and although clean, they will be stained (someone did mention that they rinse them with soap as soon as they use them before putting them in the wash). And for some reason, I get it, it feels weird cleaning your face with stained, yet clean, cotton wool?! But my tip for this is to have two bags handy – one has 20 ‘stained’ rounds in, which I know to use for eye makeup and lipstick, and the other bag has rounds that I use for toner on my clean face.

Just another note that you shouldn’t use these to remove nail polish.

3. BABY WIPES

I don’t use any to wipe my make-up off at home (I use balms and muslins on my face) and we use Cheeky Wipes with Peggy which is such an easy switch. We bought the plastic tub which we fill with water and a few drops of essential oil for fragrance, and life is pretty simple. Again, we have about 40 flannels (20 upstairs in her room for nappies and 20 downstairs for eating and playing) and we have colour coded so we don’t use the sames ones for her bottom as her face (just personal choice!). Admittedly, we have a packet of disposable wipes which we take out for emergencies but if we are out, we usually use an old muslin to wipe her hands and face.

4. NAPPIES

I know, sorry, I’m like a broken record. But we haven’t worried about buying disposable nappies throughout this entire pandemic, we’ve been at home, it has just been easier and much more manageable. For further info, you can read my latest blog here.

5. WATER BOTTLE AND COFFEE CUP

As well as cutting out all plastic bottle use, we’ve almost stopped using glasses at home for water! Living with a 2 year old who is constantly grabbing everything, a sealed bottle of water is much easier at home! I like Corkcicle bottles (not the cheapest but you only buy it once) as they have cool designs, they feel ergonomically nicer and and they keep liquids cold (or hot) for 24 hours – they even have tumblers so you can keep your wine cold in the garden! I have a small Swell bottle which I can carry in my bag easily. Corkcicle is my favourite coffee cup, too, although sometimes it’s so efficient I’ve reached my destination before my coffee has cooled down enough to drink! I also like Bkr bottles as water tastes lovely out of glass (but doesn’t keep it cold), plus they have a handle so you can still carry a bottle upstairs with you even if you have to carry a small child, too (these are the things I have to think about now!).