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Whether you’re interested in a more sustainable lifestyle or value for money, you don’t need to make major changes to be successful. From reusable cleaning wipes to household appliances, there are many everyday items that can help you save money and reduce waste.
Consumer Reports Digital Lifestyle Editor Elliot Weiler joins Hour 3 today to share seven sustainable and reusable products to help you grow your bankroll even further.
If you’ve thrown your disposable lighter in the bin too many times, this rechargeable lighter will help you complete the cycle. It can light a stove or candle like a traditional lighter, without the use of flammable fuels, Weiler says. According to the brand, after charging via USB, the difference in the charge of the electrodes helps to create an arc of ionized gas hot enough to ignite candles, paper and other flammable materials. Plus, Weller says, it’s windproof.
Stop throwing food! According to Weiler, one of the best ways to reduce food waste is to preserve food. This vacuum sealer creates an airtight seal around steaks, vegetables and anything else you want to keep to keep fresh and prevent freezer burns. CR testers concluded that this model from NutriChef performed well in testing and was rated as excellent for its ability to seal and speed up drying of foods. While it may seem like an investment, Weiler says it’s easy to use and well worth the money, which will save you money in the long run.
A dull blade doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to buy a new set of kitchen knives. If you’re looking to extend the life of what you already have, Weller says a good sharpener can help. This compact sharpener uses a two-stage system to help you get a sharper blade: the first stage is a coarse stage for “heavily dull” knives, and the second stage is a fine stage for knives that require a quick groove finish. It should be noted that it is small, so watch your fingers when sharpening the knife.
If you drink a lot of soda or carbonated drinks, this gadget can help you do it at home. CR testers calculated that if a family of five drinks 5 liters of store-bought soda a week, they could save $195 and 520 plastic bottles over two years if they switched to automatic. CR testers also found that SodaStream Terra is easy to use, requires no electricity, and you can adjust the amount of soda in your drink at the touch of a button.
Paper towels are easy to throw away, Weiler says, so using fewer paper towels can help save money and protect the environment. You can buy a pack of these reusable wipes for less than $15 and get the same benefits as paper towels: they absorb moisture, they are machine washable (up to 25 times depending on the brand), they are perfect for cleaning up spills, drying hands. or net counters.
Air fryers are the perfect solution for cooking or reheating leftovers so you don’t have to throw anything away. You can also use them to cook from scratch. This model from Gourmia performed well in CR tests – it received excellent marks for handling and very good marks for noise and ease of cleaning.
Lawn implements with two-stroke engines can put out 20 to 300 times more emissions per hour than cars, according to Weiler. Battery powered appliances completely cut these emissions and are generally cheaper to run than gas models. In addition, Weiler says, they perform just as well as, or even better than, conventional gas models. This blower from Stihl is CR’s best buy and one of the most efficient models in CR’s lab tests. It’s powerful enough to pick up leaves and other debris, and it’s quiet, according to Weller. It has high reliability and owner satisfaction ratings and is a good choice for fall yard cleaning.
Post time: Sep-14-2022