Don't Be Such a Clean Freak! Save Money and the Environment by Abiding a Little Dirt

Cleanliness is next to godliness as the old saying goes, but if you are trying to save money it will pay to sacrifice some 'divinity', and abide a little dirt now and then.

Any germaphobes reading this article are probably aghast at the notion of keeping things less than spic and span, but for the average person it can be a boon that will free up both extra money and time.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you abandon the principles that were drilled into you by your parents. None of us want to live in a pigsty. But perhaps we could stand to relax our standards a little when it comes to the state of our home.

Do we really need to vacuum every other day? Do we need to throw the towel in the hamper after every shower? Do we need to wash a shirt after only a single wear? The answer to all these questions should be a resounding no. How much dust and dirt could really have accumulated in the carpet in the past 48 hours? That towel you are throwing in the hamper has nothing on it but the clean water you just scrubbed from your clean body. Hang it up and let it dry. It will serve you just as well tomorrow. Did you go jogging in that shirt you are throwing in the hamper? Or did you just wear it around the house while you relaxed and watched TV? Do the odor test. Does it smell? No? Is there food spilled on the front? No? Then why wash it? Not only will you save time and money by washing your clothing less often, you will also extend the life of those clothes. Every trip through the washer and dryer leeches a little more color and fabric out of your clothes.

Almost every time we clean it comes at the cost of money and time. It might only be a few cents or a few minutes, but why spend them if you don't have to? Not only will you be saving yourself those two valuable commodities, but you will helping the environment. From the electricity, gas, and water that you don't waste to the cleaning chemicals that aren't being released into the public water system, these small steps can help to reduce your environmental impact.