I’m going to get straight to the point because most people skip this part anyway. (Don’t worry, I don’t take offense. I do the same thing)

I’m about to launch my youngest baby bird out of the nest and into the wild world of college dorm life. I want her dorm room to be a cozy, healthy haven that screams “responsible eco-warrior” instead of “science experiment of cheap plastics and weird smells.” Let’s be real, moving into a dorm can be expensive, but you don’t have to sell a kidney to make it greener. I’ve spent years obsessively researching non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives (some might call it a hobby, my kids call it a personality trait).

And because I love saving the planet and a good deal, here are three money-saving tips to keep in mind:

1. Shop from within your house:

You’ll be amazed by what you already have lying around, no need to buy new when home shopping saves you time and money.

2. Embrace pre-loved items:

Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local Buy Nothing groups. Many dorm essentials are barely used and begging for a second life.

3. Hunt for student discounts:

Stores love students. Think Target, Apple, North Face, Nike, Levi’s and don’t forget to stalk Amazon for price drops.

In my efforts to make mindful purchases:

• I look for products Made in the USA if possible
• I chose products with thousands of really great reviews
• I try to find products that are plastic-less (or plastic-free)
• At times, I choose a more expensive item because it’s likely to be better constructed, ensuring its longevity. ***Bonus – I can easily sell or donate it when I no longer need it.

Below is my hand-picked list of eco-friendly dorm items to help your college kid (and mine) stay healthy, save money, and maybe even make Mother Earth just a little less cranky. Let’s do this!

Bedding & Towels

When it comes to bedding, options like Oeko-Tex certified, organic, or bamboo materials can be excellent choices. I really try to make sure my kids’ bedding is free of toxins since they spend so much time sleeping and hanging out in their beds.

• These sheets at Target or these sheets at Amazon because they were super soft and fit perfectly over the mattress topper. Definitely get 2 sets (just in case they spill something and can’t do laundry right away).
• Pillowcases – 2 sets
• Blanket/Comforter/Duvet Cover: This is all preference. My daughter wanted a blanket but some love a duvet cover so you can easily wash it. This one has really lasted.
• Mattress Topper: I did a three-day deep dive on this one. Super important to me since college kids spend so much time in their beds. I chose this one because my younger child would also would use it, and it has great resale value. My kid had some back issues and this was perfect. Plus, her friends loved hanging out in her bed because it was so comfortable. ***Because I got this topper, I didn’t bother buying a separate mattress cover since it already had one. This was the only thing my college kid used before putting on the sheet which saved me money only buying one thing.
• Cheaper Mattress Topper: BUT if that topper is too pricey, I did a ton of research, and everyone loved this option too, it was my second choice.
• Coop Pillows: These are a bit pricey, but I keep pillows for YEARS, so I’d rather invest in good ones. I have these all over my house, I love them so much. You can adjust the fill to make them as big or as flat as you like.
• Towels: I like this set because you get 2 washcloths, 2 hand towels (my daughter uses those at the gym) and 2 towels. She has 2 sets which is more than enough.

Dorm Room

• Woozoo Fan: This is a MUST for those of you whose kids have absolutely no air conditioning and it’s 95 degrees.
• Surge Protector and Extra Surge Protector: You probably only need one, but my husband insisted she take 2. ***A flat plug is great for behind a desk or bed and definitely want to have some USB ports.
• French Press Coffee Maker: My kid is a bit of a coffee snob and wanted the French Press. It’s the best French Press that’s not glass. I loved it so much I bought a large one for myself
• Stainless Steel refillable K-Cups: If you kid absolutely insists on a single serve coffee maker, at least use these stainless steel refillable K-cups.
• Electric Tea Kettle
• Jewelry Organizer
• Apple Air Tags for Backpack and Keys
• Desk Lamp with Bonuses: When a lamp that is just a light isn’t “cool” enough
• Boot Tray (best thing we ever got). We got a large one so everyone in the room could share it and they only needed one by the door. Keeps them from dragging rain, snow and mud into the room.
• Tool Kit (the whole floor loved my daughter – she was the only one with tools). Again, you can create your own tool bag if you have extras.
• ** (Option 2) Thor’s Hammer Tool Kit if you need to make a statement while literally saving the planet. This is not just for boys, my husband carries this around in his truck and my daughters are both “borrowing” it.
• We bought the Zero Water 10-cup and it’s been working great, also here’s a great guide for choosing a water pitcher.
• Air Purifier
• Veno Moving Bags: These are a double win. We used them to move her into her room and then she used them for storage under her bed
• Lightweight Vacuum (another item that was popular with the kids on my daughter’s floor)
• Easy to use, but still cool Alarm Clock
• Reusable Cloths to clean spills/wipe surfaces (these are the ones I use at home too)
• Ice Maker

First Aid Kit

Here is a great complete kit, but if you want to make your own kit, here’s some ideas

• Adhesive Bandages
• Antibiotic Ointment (like Neosporin)
• Ice Pack
• Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen
• Cold Medicine
• Bandages and Scissor
• Essential Oils if that’s your thing
• Heating Pad
• Feminine Care Products

Laundry

• Earth Breeze and Clearalif laundry Sheets: Just check with your college first because some don’t allow laundry sheets. But if they do, I highly recommend them. They’re easier to carry and better for the environment and your health. I’ve used both of these and they work great.
• Wool Dryer Balls: Skip dryer sheets and use these instead
• Bag/Basket/Hamper: this depends upon where the laundry room is located. Some like backpacks if they have stairs but we had an elevator so my daughter wanted this one on wheels
• Collapsible Dryer Rack
• Non-slip Hangers: We love these and just ordered more
• Shower Shoes
• Hanging Shower Caddy/Toiletry Bag
• Shower Caddy (if you don’t want a hanging version)
• Blow Dryer: BUY 2 – one for your daughter and one for YOU

Miscellaneous

• Wearable blanket: This one seemed silly, but she uses it like every day
• Emergency car tire inflator: For students with cars
• Bike tire pump: For students with bicycles
• Sewing Kit
• Reusable coffee/tea mug
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Lock Box for Valuables and Medications
• Overnight Travel Bag for Trips HOME
• Backpack
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: They’re expensive but my daughter swears by them
• Noise Reduction Earplugs: my daughter absolutely loves these

Remember, don’t stress.

I know you’re striving to create a comfortable and inspiring space for your kids, one that also mirrors their individuality, but they may not actually “need” as much as you think. If you’re not sure your kid is going to “need” something, you can always wait and get it to them later. Here’s to an enriching, unforgettable, and eco-conscious college adventure!

Affiliate Disclosure:

I have affiliate marketing relationships which may result in my earning a small commission from purchases resulting from links posted. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases when using my link. These commissions help cover my expenses including my website www.livingcleananddirty.com which is another helpful resource to living your “greenest” healthiest life.

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Water, it’s kind of a big deal. But what’s really in it, is it safe?

Millions of people around the world suffer from illnesses spread by polluted water.  I’ve seen enough of those heart-wrenching commercials about a small village in a country thousands of miles away with no access to clean drinking water. The stories are awful and my gratitude goes out to those who volunteer to do their part in improving the quality of life for perfect strangers.

You might say, “but that’s on the other side of the world, that wouldn’t happen here.” I’ll bet there was a time when the residents of Flint, Michigan said the same thing.  Ever since I first read about Flint’s water crisis in 2014 I haven’t looked at my water the same.  Over the years I bought a whole house water filter, a filtered instant hot spout on my sink and even a filtered water pitcher which sits on my counter.  Because like dad always said “If you’re going to do something, then take it to the extreme”.

Recently I reached out to my local water company to ask the tough questions

• Is my water safe?
• If I don’t just take your word for it is there a publicly available report I could read?
• Where did I leave my other green dangly earing?

Well, two out of three ain’t bad. Their representative told me our water is incredibly clean and perfectly fine to drink and he provided me with a report that may or may not have been in English. I recognized a lot of the letters and numbers but when you put them all together it was like a word salad, and not the kind you would toss.  Let’s just say my chemistry knowledge to this day still rivals that of Gene from high school, meaning I really didn’t understand most of it.

So next stop …the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database (https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/) where I learned I had 30 total contaminants in my water and 5 exceed their guidelines. But what does that mean? I know it’s not crystal clean water that came from a babbling brook in Maine (why they babble I have no idea) but am I the next Flint, Michigan?  I was pretty sure the water company wasn’t going to tell me “Oh, your water is garbage, you should probably keep your mouth closed when you shower”. I needed to get impartial answers from someone with nothing to gain.  At this point the Wikipedia side of my brain had kicked in and I spent many a sleepless night wondering what sort of physical damage our water could be doing to do my family.  Now don’t get me wrong, emotional damage is just part of good parenting, but physical is where I draw the line.

Well thanks to the good folks at envirotestkits.com I can put my worries to rest.  They sent me an awesome water quality test kit so I could get the answers I so desperately needed.  So check out the video and see how we did. And if you happen to see a green dangly earing in the background anywhere let me know.

Envirotestkits.com provided me with a SafeHome water quality test kit to facilitate this review; however, all opinions expressed are my own. 

Editor’s note (2026): This review reflects the information available when it was originally published. Water quality standards, testing methods, and recommendations continue to evolve, so always check your local water utility’s most recent Consumer Confidence Report and current independent resources if you’re evaluating your own drinking water.

The post Take care of your largest organ appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

Water Pitcher: Pretty much the only time I’m guaranteed to completely finish a glass of water is on a bright and sunny Sunday morning when I’m hungover as shit and praying for death.  Most other times there’s at least one or two half full glasses around my house that end up getting dumped down the drain.  Recently, I put a pitcher next to the kitchen sink and started dumping my drain-bound glasses into it instead.  Other water sources started joining the Pitcher-Party…water my kids didn’t drink, extra water I have in my measuring cup, water from the pasta I just made, etc.  Once the pitcher’s full, I use it to water my houseplants.  I’m a registered plant serial killer (2 counties) and once the Pitcher-Party fills up It’s a reminder that I have to water these poor babies.  Sadly, this is the only reason my plants have a fighting chance.  My website is green, unfortunately not my thumb.

The post Just the tip – There’s a party in my pitcher appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

I think going “green” is a spectrum of colors. Some people are a soft sage green and some more hunter green. Wherever you fall on the color wheel, this blog is for you. So I’ve included some tips to help you save money and take little baby steps in your eco-friendly journey.

Today’s green tip: Saving water at shower time. OK, let’s hit the obvious ones first…pee in the shower (no flushing), shower with your spouse (save water and spice up your morning) or the fan favorite, “I’ll shower when I stink.” I’m not going to tell you not to bathe or to shut off the water when soaping up. You’ll call bullshit, my husband will call bullshit, and more importantly, it’s just not realistic for most people.

What’s an eco-friendly, money-saving girl to do?

To help conserve water and energy in the shower, you can install a low-flow shower head. We were initially worried we’d lose water pressure or give up our nice, relaxing shower, but we decided to give it a shot. My husband installed them and they’ve been fantastic. The pressure is just as good, and I bought one that lets you dial the water down to a trickle without turning it off completely. That way you don’t get cold while soaping up, and before I did laser hair removal it was perfect for shaving my legs without wasting gallons of water.

It’s highly efficient, very affordable and good for Mother Earth. Sometimes the little changes end up making the biggest difference.

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