The bathroom is one of the busiest rooms in the house and is used frequently by even the youngest of members of the family, which is part of the reason why this room can make you spend the most amount of money. From electrical appliances, water usage and expensive facial and hair products the bathroom is the one of the few rooms in the house that can’t be ignored. This room required specific cleaning supplies and everyone’s preference of personal hygiene items. With these ten tips though you can turn you bathroom from a wallet emptying space to a great oasis that can run on a simple and small budget. With these changes you can spend the money in other areas that will help satisfy your life more.
1. Alternative Cleaning Products
Keeping the bathroom clean is a huge concern in most homes, which is why we tend to spend a lot of money on specific cleaning supplies that claim to do the job. There are many alternatives out there that can do as good of a job, if not better, than the leading brands of bathroom cleaners. If you can’t seem to get the stains out of your toilet bowl then don’t keep throwing bleach in the toilet to try to clear them. Instead, try adding a packet of lemonade coolaid to the bowl and letting it sit for a few minutes. You might have to scrub a little with the toilet bowl cleaner, but once you flush you should have a sparkling toilet bowl you can be proud of. Vinegar and baking powder are another two cleaning solutions that shouldn’t be overlooked. These items are found in most homes and work wonders when you need to clean out the bathtub or sink. You can even clear up a clogged shower head with these two items. Finally, if you hate streaked mirrors then grab a few black tea bags to wipe down the glass surfaces. There will be absolutely no streaks on the glass when you’re finished!
2. Homemade Face/Hair Solutions
A lot of the bathroom budget goes to many over priced items that promise to help solve problems you might find with your face and hair. Like cleaning, there are many solutions to these problems that you can find in the home. Generation after generation of women have passed down the ever popular mayo tradition. If you feel your hair is tried and needs reviving then don’t spend a fortune on oil treatments and specified shampoos, instead raid the refrigerator and put a healthy coat of mayonnaise in in your hair. This will bring plenty of moisture to your locks and can save you big money. If you suffer from acne, or acne scars then squeeze some fresh lemon juice and add grind up a few non-coated aspirins to the mix. This combination will help reduce any scarring, so you can lead a more confident life. Bags under the eyes have also been a major problem that seems to only have expensive solutions. Instead of shopping in the beauty isle for a solution cup up a cucumber or add a black tea bag to the underneath of your eye and watch as the dark circles fade away.
3. Use Less Water
We all know how satisfying it is to take a long hot shower, but this isn’t always feasible when we’re on a budget. If you want to cut you water use down to nothing then try this simple tip. When you get into the shower turn the water on, rinse off and wet your hair down. Once you’re rinsed turn the water off. Use this time to shampoo your hair and if you don’t condition then wash your body as well. When you’re finished turn on the water and rinse off again. If you do condition then simple rinse the hair out and turn the water off then condition and soap off for the final step. You will use very little water doing this and will therefore receive lots of savings. If this is too extreme then try substituting your daily shower for a bath, but make sure to only use as much water as you really need. Another water saving tip that can go far is to turn off the water while brushing your teeth. This is a simple trip that requires little and you’ll notice right away how much it actually saves in the long run.
4. Go All Natural
For many women getting ready to go out can take hours to do, which is why going out all natural can save you big money and time. If the weather is nice try to go outside without blow drying your hair. Let your your flow naturally or pin it up until it dries and needs styling. This alone will mean that you won’t have to plug in any devices with saves on the electric bill and will mean no products should be needed. If you want a curly hairstyle then try doing it the old fashioned way with simple curlers that don’t need heat to work. These curlers usually need you to keep them in over night, but it’ll be worth it when you see your new heat free style that is great for your hair and your bills. If you don’t want to leave you hair down without styling it then try to rock an updo a few times a week. This will cut down on your electric and will give you time to spend on other things. If you can, try to go without makeup a few days a week. This will help you keep your makeup stock for longer, so you don’t have to purchase more as often.
5. Buy in Bulk
Bulk buys are one of the most important things you can do for any form of shopping and the bathroom holds no exceptions. There are many items in the bathroom that can be bought in bulk. One of the more important buys in toilet paper. If you have a big family you know how precious toilet paper can be in the house, so why go out and spend more to buy a few rolls when you get stocked up and save a lot. Most bulk buy stores provide a great selection of bulk toilet paper, so you don’t even have to sacrifice your favorite brand to save a little money. Toothpaste and mouthwash are another great thing to buy in bulk. If you can manage to find a 2 pack or larger go for it, especially if you have more than one bathroom. Most bulk patches will provide you will half priced or sometimes even free products. If you’re big into makeup then try to find a bulk pack of your favorite supplies, this way when you run out you won’t have to spend full price on the product.
6. Lose the Name Brands
If you want to throw money away then name brands are certainly the way to do it, especially when it comes to shampoo. There are many products out there that expects you to pay double digits for a formula that you can buy for less than five dollars. These soaps tend to draw people in with promises, but when it comes to actually working sometimes you need to spend less to find what your hair really needs. If you have a favorite product chances are you can look up a generic version of this product that works the same and will charge you less. When you are looking into to buying mouthwash try to find the generic version as the generic brands tend to have the exact same brand as the fancy brand name. Feminine hygiene products are also much cheaper when you buy them in generic form.
7. Less is More
One of the main reasons we end up spending so much money on bathroom products is we tent to use more than we actually need. For many, shampoo is one of those things that tends to disappear out of the bathroom quickly, especially if you have younger children or a house filled with girls. The recommended use for shampoo is a dime size amount, however most people tent to quirt a dab in their hand and begin to lather. If you actually keep a conscientious look of how much shampoo you use then you will be able to get the amount down to an exact science. Try starting with the recommended amount and if it doesn’t work out add a bit more until you have enough soap to do the job. Toothpaste is also one of those products we need to overuse. You don’t have to fill up the entire toothbrush to get your teeth clean, so make sure to keep an eye on the amount you do use. Hand soaps can be a huge issue, especially if your by the touch-less machines that tend to shoot out more soap than expected. Try squirting just a dab and getting rid of machines as they will drain you money quicker than you think.
8. Simplify Decor
The theme of our bathrooms can be a huge drain on the wallet, especially if you find yourself going between themes often. To start off with, don’t spend a lot of money on a themed bathroom as you will eventually grow tired of looking at ocean, monkeys, cats and any other theme you can think you put in your bathroom. If you’re thinking about this type of theme then just go with a simple shower curtain rather than buying the whole set of bathroom accessories. Simply changing out the bathroom’s shower curtain can change up the look and the way you feel about your décor. If you are still unhappy with the bathroom’s look then try to swap out towels that are a different color, this can help you bring a different attitude to a room without actually having to purchase more items.
9. Shop Wisely
When it comes to shopping for items for the bathroom try to pick items that have more than one function. For instance, many children’s soaps work as shampoo, conditioner and body wash. There are also many different adult soaps that other conditioning and shampooing in one bottle. If you can try to go for hair styling items that aren’t specific for one styling task, so the entire family can use the product. If you’re looking for new make up then find a set than can offer you a different variety of looks, this way you can create looks that come from one palette. Cleaning products can also be purchased in this way, simply find an all purpose cleaner that kills germs and you are set to clean the entire bathroom.
10. Ditch the Salon
Getting your hair done at the salon can cost hundreds a year, so try picking up a set of clippers and come hair scissors and do the job yourself. This is particularly easy for guys whose simple haircuts shouldn’t warrant spending a lot at the salon. If you love your style and just need a trim then grab your scissors for a between salon touch up that will prevent you from going back for a month or two. You can also color your hair at home for a fraction of the cost. You will still end up with fantastic color and will save you so much that you can switch up your hair color as often as you life.
The bathroom is typically where we start and end the day, so make sure your bathroom isn’t a cause of stress on your home budget. With these ten tips you’ll love the bathroom spending time in the bathroom and won’t have to worry about the high priced bills you’ll receive for doing so, which will allow you to find a new place to concentrate the savings.
