Comments on: 9 Ways to Cut Costs on Non-Food Grocery Items http://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html Feeding the Family for $5 or Less Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:23:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Kaylahttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40891 Kayla Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:05:39 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40891 I bought microfiber towels (pack of 8 for $5 at Wal-Mart) and cut them into Swiffer cloth sized pieces. I used zig-zag stitch around the edges and I can use them on my Swiffer or as dusting cloths. I also just found this tutorial on making washable Swiffer dusters that I plan to do very soon! http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-reusable-swiffer-duster-cloths.html I also use cloth napkins/towels (made from flannel) in place of paper products and cloth diapers/wipes. I bought microfiber towels (pack of 8 for $5 at Wal-Mart) and cut them into Swiffer cloth sized pieces. I used zig-zag stitch around the edges and I can use them on my Swiffer or as dusting cloths. I also just found this tutorial on making washable Swiffer dusters that I plan to do very soon!
http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-reusable-swiffer-duster-cloths.html
I also use cloth napkins/towels (made from flannel) in place of paper products and cloth diapers/wipes.

]]> By: Kaylahttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40889 Kayla Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:57:06 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40889 <a href="#comment-40236" rel="nofollow">@Lara</a>, If you sew, you can buy cheap flannel and cut it into 10x10 (or whatever size you want) squares and do a zig-zag stitch around the edges. I've been using the ones I made in place of paper towels and napkins. I'd suggest wetting a few before your kids sit down to eat and then they're ready to use for clean-up. You could also make smaller ones to use to wipe noses. Just throw them in with your towels to wash :) @Lara, If you sew, you can buy cheap flannel and cut it into 10×10 (or whatever size you want) squares and do a zig-zag stitch around the edges. I’ve been using the ones I made in place of paper towels and napkins. I’d suggest wetting a few before your kids sit down to eat and then they’re ready to use for clean-up. You could also make smaller ones to use to wipe noses. Just throw them in with your towels to wash :)

]]> By: Samhttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40478 Sam Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:53:33 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40478 I don't know how many of you drink coffee, but I am the only one in my house that does. Since I can't make just one cup for me, I make a pot, turn the burner off, and then I just reheat it each day I drink it until it is gone and I need to make some more. If you turn the pot off, it doesn't burn, so it tastes the same as it did the first time you drank it, plus you are not throwing out unused coffee. I don’t know how many of you drink coffee, but I am the only one in my house that does. Since I can’t make just one cup for me, I make a pot, turn the burner off, and then I just reheat it each day I drink it until it is gone and I need to make some more. If you turn the pot off, it doesn’t burn, so it tastes the same as it did the first time you drank it, plus you are not throwing out unused coffee.

]]> By: Johttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40440 Jo Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:01:49 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40440 Don't make the cloth napkins an expensive option...wait until you find a coupon for one of the fabric stores/or when they have a sale and buy a good quality 100% cotton(a poly blend just doesn't absorb nor get that soft worn in feel)...I make mine about 22" square and then do the minimal hems on the edges..either serge 1/4" and then turn over again so no raw edges..or just do the 1/4" turn twice so it's all neat...most fabric is in a 44" width so if you just halve lengthwise..if you buy 1 1/4 yds you have 4 napkins...times how many you'd like to start with...if I find a cute fabric I'll buy several yards..prewash, I cut with a razor cutter with a plastic measuring template for ease..and then production line...I lay all the squares on my lap and sew one edge on each napkin in a long connecting string so no stopping & trimming in between...then after all are done on one side..clip apart and do the next side, etc...very very quick and easy...so an investment of maybe 5 yards of fabric @ $4 or so a yard..depending on what you want...= $20 and 16 napkins...which will last for more than a decade...considering what paper costs and how quickly you can go through them it won't take long to pay them off...and/or you can request fabric from crafter friends and family that have extras...or request on freecycle in your area.. I refresh to match for a special dinner or occasion...then they get put into the rotation...regular meals/packed lunches we just grab whatever is on top..if I'm setting a nice dinner table then I will search through the drawer for coordinating ones with a theme in mind... Don’t make the cloth napkins an expensive option…wait until you find a coupon for one of the fabric stores/or when they have a sale and buy a good quality 100% cotton(a poly blend just doesn’t absorb nor get that soft worn in feel)…I make mine about 22″ square and then do the minimal hems on the edges..either serge 1/4″ and then turn over again so no raw edges..or just do the 1/4″ turn twice so it’s all neat…most fabric is in a 44″ width so if you just halve lengthwise..if you buy 1 1/4 yds you have 4 napkins…times how many you’d like to start with…if I find a cute fabric I’ll buy several yards..prewash, I cut with a razor cutter with a plastic measuring template for ease..and then production line…I lay all the squares on my lap and sew one edge on each napkin in a long connecting string so no stopping & trimming in between…then after all are done on one side..clip apart and do the next side, etc…very very quick and easy…so an investment of maybe 5 yards of fabric @ $4 or so a yard..depending on what you want…= $20 and 16 napkins…which will last for more than a decade…considering what paper costs and how quickly you can go through them it won’t take long to pay them off…and/or you can request fabric from crafter friends and family that have extras…or request on freecycle in your area..

I refresh to match for a special dinner or occasion…then they get put into the rotation…regular meals/packed lunches we just grab whatever is on top..if I’m setting a nice dinner table then I will search through the drawer for coordinating ones with a theme in mind…

]]> By: sarahttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40358 sara Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:00:33 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40358 <a href="#comment-40198" rel="nofollow">@Cari C.</a>, I use both! Love my flats and Thirsties covers-paid under $200 for my diaper stash and its going strong after three years and two kids! I also use cloth wipes with a wahm bum wash and love them :) sara http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/ @Cari C.,
I use both! Love my flats and Thirsties covers-paid under $200 for my diaper stash and its going strong after three years and two kids! I also use cloth wipes with a wahm bum wash and love them :)
sara http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Chavon (Joshua's Mommy)http://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40310 Chavon (Joshua's Mommy) Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:51:24 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40310 My mom always used cloth napkins....you can re-use them for YEARS. I need to get into that habit. They are expensive at first, but rather than going through two rolls of paper towels a month I could just wash them with the towels every week and be restocked. My mom always used cloth napkins….you can re-use them for YEARS. I need to get into that habit. They are expensive at first, but rather than going through two rolls of paper towels a month I could just wash them with the towels every week and be restocked.

]]> By: Johttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40290 Jo Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:20:49 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40290 Might I add...make your own cloth napkins instead of purchasing paper ones...when I first got married 30 years ago I bought a few yards of material, hemmed the edges and made napkins, received a few for wedding gifts, and have over the years refreshed with ones that I've made with sale fabric. I don't think I've purchased more than a dozen packs of paper ones/for picnics or large gatherings since then...just throw them in the wash with your regular loads of laundry..no muss, no fuss, no expense...I still have some of the originals and they are in useable shape. My kids/now high school & college students still love the ones that I made for the home packed(every day from first grade through high school) school lunches...the fabric had all kids of lunch food...sandwiches, chips, apples, thermoses on it......oh, and each kid got a minimate cooler and some freezer cooler thingeys when they went off to first grade as their lunch box...that always kept their hot things hot and their cold things cold..so between tupperware glasses, sandwich holders, little dressing cups, etc...and thermoses for soups, banana splits and such...they always had the coolest of lunches..with the healthy foods from home and large enough to keep them happy...again, one small change multiplied times 3 kids times 12 years of school...and let me say..the two college kids are still using the very same minimate coolers...one investment out for more than a decade...adds up into cost savings... Might I add…make your own cloth napkins instead of purchasing paper ones…when I first got married 30 years ago I bought a few yards of material, hemmed the edges and made napkins, received a few for wedding gifts, and have over the years refreshed with ones that I’ve made with sale fabric. I don’t think I’ve purchased more than a dozen packs of paper ones/for picnics or large gatherings since then…just throw them in the wash with your regular loads of laundry..no muss, no fuss, no expense…I still have some of the originals and they are in useable shape. My kids/now high school & college students still love the ones that I made for the home packed(every day from first grade through high school) school lunches…the fabric had all kids of lunch food…sandwiches, chips, apples, thermoses on it……oh, and each kid got a minimate cooler and some freezer cooler thingeys when they went off to first grade as their lunch box…that always kept their hot things hot and their cold things cold..so between tupperware glasses, sandwich holders, little dressing cups, etc…and thermoses for soups, banana splits and such…they always had the coolest of lunches..with the healthy foods from home and large enough to keep them happy…again, one small change multiplied times 3 kids times 12 years of school…and let me say..the two college kids are still using the very same minimate coolers…one investment out for more than a decade…adds up into cost savings…

]]> By: Dustihttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40270 Dusti Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:02:26 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40270 Lara, For my son, I have the baby washcloths I bought at Walmart. It was less than a dollar for 5. I use one each day for him. After every meal or snack, I wet the cloth and wipe him down. Sometimes, especially after peanut butter, it takes several rinses! I leave him strapped in his seat at the table while I wipe him. He knows that I won't let him up until I've wiped him so now when he's done, he asks, "Wash?" :) Lara,
For my son, I have the baby washcloths I bought at Walmart. It was less than a dollar for 5. I use one each day for him. After every meal or snack, I wet the cloth and wipe him down. Sometimes, especially after peanut butter, it takes several rinses! I leave him strapped in his seat at the table while I wipe him. He knows that I won’t let him up until I’ve wiped him so now when he’s done, he asks, “Wash?” :)

]]> By: Larahttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40236 Lara Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:51:55 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40236 We tend to go through paper towels pretty quickly in our house - usually wiping little hands and faces. What do other people do on this? It just doesn't feel right to reuse a towel for this when my little ones always have runny noses at this time of year especially. I have been trying lately to get them to the sink to rinse off hands and faces first and then just do a dry wipe at the end, but my little one is quick and I often end up with peanut butter and jelly all over both of us!! Would love to hear what you and others do so I could cut down on our paper towel use! We tend to go through paper towels pretty quickly in our house – usually wiping little hands and faces. What do other people do on this? It just doesn’t feel right to reuse a towel for this when my little ones always have runny noses at this time of year especially. I have been trying lately to get them to the sink to rinse off hands and faces first and then just do a dry wipe at the end, but my little one is quick and I often end up with peanut butter and jelly all over both of us!! Would love to hear what you and others do so I could cut down on our paper towel use!

]]> By: Jodihttp://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/02/7-ways-cut-costs-nonfood-grocery-items.html/comment-page-1#comment-40231 Jodi Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:06:25 +0000 http://www.5dollardinners.com/?p=5900#comment-40231 Instead of expensive Soft Scrub, I use a scouring cleanser such as Ajax or Comet (usually .50 at Wags). I only peel off half of the top sticker, leaving less of an opening so I can control the amount that comes out. I almost always get my beauty products for free using RRs and ECBs at Wags and CVS. Instead of expensive Soft Scrub, I use a scouring cleanser such as Ajax or Comet (usually .50 at Wags). I only peel off half of the top sticker, leaving less of an opening so I can control the amount that comes out. I almost always get my beauty products for free using RRs and ECBs at Wags and CVS.

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