Keeping it cheap and Green: Kitchen Edition

There are LOTS of things you can do in your kitchen that are green, but also cheap (which we're all looking for in this economy). Let's get right to it:

1) Unplug all small appliances not in use. They are phantom energy users. I unplug my toaster and coffee maker unless I am using them.

2) Install sink faucet aerators on your sink to save on water usage.

3) Run your dishes on the "light" setting (as opposed to heavy duty) and let them air dry instead of heat dry.

4) Cook using your microwave or a crockpot. Both use much less energy than your stove...and the bonus is the crockpot adds some heat to the house in the winter.

5) Keep small recycling bins in your kitchen. We have one for paper, one for plastics/glass and a small compost container. Our large containers are in the garage. When we use the small containers and wait for them to be full before taking them to the garage, we'll be saving heat from opening the door once instead of multiple times.

6) Use homemade, cheap and green kitchen cleaners...some great "recipes" can be found here. You can make your own healthy, green cleaners for pennies.

7) Use stainless steel cookware. Teflon pans are easier, but if the teflon gets scratched or there is a break in the treflon surface, those chemicals are released into your food. Stainless steel is more expensive, but a better buy in the long run instead of replacing the cheap teflon pans that'll end up in a landfill.

8) Switch to an extra absorbent kitchen towel. I have two from Trader Joe's. Great for wiping up small spills, washable and reusable. They've saved me a ton of money by using them instead of paper towels, not to mention eliminating the waste. And speaking of paper towels, we use a regular kitchen towel that hangs on the oven to dry hands after washing- not paper towels.

9) If you can afford the investment, get a small, energy star freezer. This is great for leftovers, cooking ahead and freezing and stocking up good deals from the grocery store.

And the groceries...well, that's another post altogether!

What other kinds of things do you do in your kitchen that are cheap and green?

Paper towel challenge

My sister is also cheap and green. We exchange so many good ideas with each other and challenge each other. Most recently I mentioned I got a great deal on a 12 pack of chlorine-free recycled paper towels.

"I don't use paper towels," she said. What? How?!? I have a 6 year old and a husband who loves to cook but is quite sloppy. Without paper towels what would my kitchen look like (shudder)?

Ok, people existed before paper towels, so let's try it.

I bought Trader Joe's kitchen towels. They are pretty thick- almost like felt, and yes, they pick up stuff like nobody's business. Cool. I don't know about other people, but these get washed pretty frequently in my house...I can't stand that day-old sponge smell...you know what I'm talking about.

So, while I still have some paper towels to use up, we'll be using them more slowly because of the TJ kitchen towels. And we'll be saving money. While a 2 pack of these towels is $3.99, you might spend that on a paper towel 4 pack...and these will last longer.