Best substitutions?

I'm trying to create a list of substitutions I can make, to reduce the amount of supplies we buy and garbage we generate: paper towels replaced by rags as an example. Kleenex with a handkerchef is another. I'm looking for ideas that are either significantly cheaper OR something which can be used and reused. Assume I know nothing and have no ideas of my own.

TIA!
J

OK, couple of easy ones: Plate, upturned bowl or tea towel to cover food rather than cling film or foil. Damp tea towel over dough that's rising.

Hilary Lonsdale wrote:OK, couple of easy ones: Plate, upturned bowl or tea towel to cover food rather than cling film or foil. Damp tea towel over dough that's rising.

I use a lot of glass jars for storing left overs.
I rise my bread in a large bowl with a plate over it.
I buy in bulk and download things like hand-soap (although making some is also on my list).
If I need to wipe up something really greasy, I'll use newspaper for the first bit and a cloth with vinegar near the end.
Heat with wood - that way you can burn that greasy newspaper, not to mention chicken bones etc.

Mooncups or washable pads for that "monthly visitor".

For pot scrubbers, the Mexican markets around here sell these little cylindrical handbrooms made of broomstraw that work great, last a very long time, and then can be composted.  I think a person could easily make these with access to similar plant material.

Also for pot scrubbing, if you buy oranges or other fruit that come in those plastic net bags, the empty bags knotted and folded over themselves are great scrubbers for stuff that just won't come off by other means. (yes, it's plastic, but it's plastic you already bought and might as well get a second use out of)

Has anyone used luffas to scrub pot's?

I forgot a "substitution" which is light years better than the original.
When I bake the stainless steel mixing bowls end up with dough residue stuck to them.
I will scrape out as much as possible,  but there is always some left.
All the  sponges, scrubbers, brushes or cloths I'd used on this stuff ended up discarded or needing cleaning extensive cleaning themselves.
Its was so bad I would occasionally stick the boys in the oven after baking, to dry the dough off, and put off the work.
Then I tried a chain mail scrubber.
Rough enough to do the job, rinses clean,  will probably be handed down to my grandkids.

William Bronson wrote:Has anyone used luffas to scrub pots?

YES! My dishwashing utensil of choice is loofah. When it gets nasty, it goes in the compost. I don't buy those horrible plastic sponges anymore (but felt like I didn't have a choice in the matter until I started growing loofahs). I have a stainless scrubber for when things are really stuck on, and anything else can use a crocheted dishcloth type thing. It is the best household change I've made in a long time.

Another thing I learned recently was large leaves instead of parchment paper for baking bread (and/or other things, like fish in a packet, etc). I realize the OP is in New England but.... paulownia, maybe? Elephant ears, if you have the right kind? I am just starting to grow (sacrifice space to) bananas so don't have a huge amount but I'm using a local elephant ear (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) instead of a lot of parchment and aluminum foil.