A large portion of our money goes into our household, yet our homes are overflowing with novelty items and things we just don’t need. Take a look around your home and see if you have any of these 17 household items that are a waste of money. If not, don’t buy them!
Paper Towels
This might sound surprising, but paper towels are a complete waste of money. Although they are convenient and save you some time, reusable cloths achieve exactly the same job. Not only are paper towels a waste of money, but their alternative is also far kinder to the environment.
Wipe Warmer
A wipe warmer may seem essential as a parent, but do you really need one? Of course, they will feel nicer for your baby, but it’s kind of unnecessary. When you’re out and about, your wipes won’t be warm, and your baby will be fine with it, so why do you need one at home?
Air Fresheners
Sure, they may smell delicious, but only for a moment. Air fresheners are just a temporary solution for getting rid of odors. While not particularly costly, air fresheners need to be replaced regularly and the cost adds up. Plus, according to Scientific American, many air fresheners contain toxic chemicals.
Bottled Water
While the convenience is great, and many also argue it tastes better, bottled water is a complete waste of money, particularly when you consider that you can get it from the tap in your house. If water taste and quality are particularly important to you, invest in a water filtration system instead.
Laundry Scent Boosters
We all love fresh-smelling clothes, but laundry scent boosters are just a waste of cash. They don’t contribute to cleanliness or the softness of your laundry, just the scent. Meanwhile, fabric softeners have a dual purpose, providing softness and scent, so this is a much wiser product choice.
Robotic Vacuums
Robotic vacuums are super cool, but let’s face it – they’re a novelty item. Designed to add convenience to our lives by vacuuming independently, they don’t actually do a thorough job. You’ll still need to vacuum regularly, as robotic versions simply don’t have strong enough suction and can’t reach hidden corners.
Single-Purpose Kitchen Gadgets
Pineapple corers, avocado slicers, and pizza scissors are all great at performing the task they were designed to do, but that’s it. These kitchen gadgets have a single purpose and are unable to adapt to other tasks, making them a waste of money when considering cost per use.
Exercise Gimmicks
The fitness industry regularly encounters fads and gimmicks that have a short lifespan. Muscle & Fitness reported that shake weights and the Europlate were two pieces of exercise equipment that were particularly gimmicky in hindsight. Right now, it’s miniature exercise bikes, so don’t waste your money!
Unnecessary Kitchen Appliances
Some kitchen appliances, such as microwaves, toasters, and coffee makers, are worth the price as they’re used daily. Other kitchen appliances, such as ice cream makers and warming drawers, are completely unnecessary. When you consider the cost per use, you’re just throwing money away.
Cheap Furniture
Cheap furniture can seem ideal, particularly if you’re setting up your first home or are on a budget. However, it does tend to have a short lifespan. If you can afford to wait for something of higher quality, this is highly recommended, as you will spend more money replacing something cheaper.
Trendy Decor
Instagram is flooded with inspiration for home decor and interior design, but remember, this is usually based on trends. Fashionable for a season, such trendy decor is expensive, yet it won’t be so cool a few months down the line. Instead, invest in classic, timeless pieces of quality decor.
Decorative Towels
Decorative towels may look pretty, but if you’re not going to use them, they’re just a waste of money. According to Medium, they are also extremely confusing to guests who are unsure whether they can use them or not. If you insist on buying them, at least get your money’s worth and use them!
Expensive Smart Home Gadgets
Smart home gadgets are already a waste of money in some ways, as we managed perfectly fine before them, but they are undeniably very convenient. However, forking out for the biggest and most expensive brand is totally unnecessary, as cheaper options do the job just as well.
Branded Bedding
Just because something has a designer label does not mean it is higher quality; this especially applies to bedding. Affordable bedding is usually just as comfortable and durable, although spending more money on higher-quality fabrics is still justifiable. Branded bedding, on the other hand, is just unnecessary.
Pre-Cut Fruit And Vegetables
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables are more expensive because you are paying the convenience, but in most cases, this is just lazy and terrible for your bank balance! Cookist claims that pre-cut produce also has a shorter lifespan, meaning that you’ll have to throw it out if you don’t eat it quickly.
Disposable Batteries
If you have a household item that requires batteries, why are you not using reusables? Reusable batteries are kind to the environment and easy to charge, while disposable batteries drain fast and need to be purchased regularly. It’s a no-brainer—save money and the environment with reusables!
Extended Warranties
Although not a household item, extended warranties apply to many household items, so it’s worth mentioning. They might seem like a great idea at the time, acting as an insurance policy, but the lifetime cost will often equal or exceed replacing the item. Plus, you may never need to use the warranty.
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