As many Yachts are stocking up to head over to the Caribbean for the season. Space saving is a huge priority, one of the things I love most about introducing more sustainable plastic reducing systems onboard is that you reduce your reliance of ‘shops’ as you can carry you tried and tested products with you in large quantities.
In addition, there are many unnecessary items that we have been conditioned into thinking we need. By finding alternatives to these it eliminates the need to buy them, find space for them and then dispose of them.
Here are 4 super simple, easy and cost effective product savers that you can swap out onboard.
DRYER SHEETS
Dryer Sheets have been given a lot of bad press recently after many green living lifestyle blogs stated that the ingredients used in the sheets were dangerous to health. Although they do contain a mix of ingredients (all of which have been approved by government guidelines) more worrying is fact that they are made of plastic. Dryer sheets are made from synthetic non woven polyester which is not biodegradable. Dryer Sheets are definitely an unnecessary, costly and environmentally damaging element of the Laundry that you do not need.
Switch out for some 100% Wool Dryer Balls – These move around in the machine’s drum separating the laundry which allows more warm air to flow and dry the clothes more quickly, while at the same time absorbing some of the moisture from the clothes. Being hit by the balls inside the drum also agitates the fibres making clothes feel softer naturally.
Although you see it mentioned many times on the internet we recommend NOT to use use Essential Oils on these balls as there is a potential fire risk involved with the build up of Oils over time. Each EO has a different flash point and with some as low as 30”C it is just not worth the risk.
DOWNY WRINKLE RELEASE
This yachting staple is the savior of many an exhausted stewardess. A few sprays on a wrinkled top sheet pillow and a firm spread leaves the sheets looking and smelling like they are freshly laundered. The reality is that this product contains some not so nice ingredients but its popularity cannot be argued with. I was shocked recently when someone contacted me asking if I had an alternative and telling me how much they were paying for this product in Europe. Readily available in the states, import costs and licenses and margins push this cheap product up to over 40.00 a bottle!
A super simple DIY alternative is to make your own with whichever laundry softener you have onboard.
DIY Wrinkle Release Spray
- 2 cups distilled wáter
- 2 tablespoons Liquid Fabric Softener
- 500ml Spray Bottle
DRAIN CLEANER
There is nothing worse than a clogged sink in the middle of a busy charter, with an overflowing sink in a small pantry stress levels can quickly escalate. You can maintain drains in between charters to help avoid this situation and next time your sink is running a bit slowly instead of reaching for the expensive chemical filled Drain Cleaner try these methods first.
- Pour ½ a Cup Liquid Dishwashing Liquid into the drain and let it sit while you bring a kettle to the boil. Slowly and carefully pour the water into the sink hole. Allow this to sit for 15 minutes then run water again to check the flow.
If this makes no difference or you need more cleaning power you can also try try this method.
- Pour 1/3 Cup bicarbonate of Soda directly down the drain, follow this with 1/3 cup of white vinegar. This will fizz. Leave it and let it sit for as long as possible. Follow this with a kettle of boiling water slowly and carefully.
CALCIUM REMOVER
Depending on the quality of water onboard you may not have issues with calcium, but If you do start to see white build up on the inside of the Kettle or in Cooking pans you know you need to give them a little care. It is good to have an effective eco friendly Decalcifier onboard for the harder to reach jobs (inside pipes of dishwashers and washing machines) but for little jobs you can head to the Galley for products to give you the same results!
- Simply Fill the Kettle or Pans with water and use either White Vinegar or my favourite is Lemon Halves. Boil the kettle and leave to stand for an hour or 2 (clearly marked not to use!) Rinse out thoroughly and you will have sparkling insides!
Wherever you can it is great to have the best environmentally friendly version of a product onboard but it is also good to remember that you aren’t reliant on these things and that sometimes keeping it simple if the best way. This means that you don’t have to panic buy whatever is at hand if you run out of something – you can wait until you get back to a place you know has the product you prefer. Also most of the above recipes are made from things you already have onboard so you don’t need to buy extra things. Let us know what your favourite tried and tested DIY alternative is!
Safe Sailing x
www.vivecoyachts.com
Hannah x
+34 634 326 981
Hannah is an ex-stewardess who now runs Viveco and Viveco Yachts, an Eco Yacht, Hotel and Home supply shop in Mallorca.
