Welcome back to my 2019 Plastic Free-ish challenge. It’s funny when I made the original post, I was just sharing my goal for the year and I didn’t really think many people would be interested in it. I had no plans to make any more posts on it until the end of the year when I would say ‘mission complete’ and share the swaps that worked throughout the year. But, since it got a good response and it seems like people are interested in it, I decided I will make a monthly post to share what I change for that month and any tips or recommendations. I know it’s not travel content, but I think it will be useful and, since traveling leaves a t-rex size carbon footprint, I think it’s important for us to do what we can. In January I tried out using washable puppy pads and ditched the single-use ones, and here’s my review on how it all went.
Washable Puppy Pads Review – Plastic Free-ish Challenge Swap #1
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
This one might not be relevant to everyone, but my biggest priority was ditching single-use puppy pads since I have two indoor dogs who go through them a lot.
I bought 4 washable puppy pads by 2 different brands from Amazon.
They can also be used for other purposes like cat litter boxes, travel to protect your car, and around water bowls.
Washing them + my biggest tip
Washing them is easy – you just throw them in the washing machine using the recommended settings and detergent. Each brand had different requirements but they were both simple to wash.
My biggest tip is to buy them all in the same brand.
I bought two different brands to be able to compare for this post, but they each have different washing instructions.
If you are buying them it would be best to buy all that you need in the same brand so that it’s easiest to wash them in bulk.
Pros of using washable puppy pads
They save A LOT of money
I was probably spending $20 a month on puppy pads!
Even if I have to replace the washable ones yearly, or even every 6 months, it is still a huge saving and reason enough to make the change.
The less we spend on house stuff, the more we have to travel with, right?
Less work
When I was using the single-use puppy pads, I would need to change them at least twice a day sometimes 3 times.
I’ve noticed the washable puppy pads last longer because they are larger in size and the pee absorbs away from the top.
I have only been changing the washable puppy pads once a day.
Less odor
I used to change the single-use puppy pads so much partly because they were smaller and the dogs ran out of room to pee, and partly because once they used it, it would start to smell.
I only have a small apartment so the only way to keep it smelling fresh was to change the puppy pads a lot. I’ve noticed with the washable puppy pads that I have been leaving them out longer but there is much less of an odor.
You guys already know I’m a practical person and these are three really practical wins for me.
Cons of using washable puppy pads
More laundry
Probably the only con that I’ve come across so far is that you need to do more laundry, which means you’ll be using more water and laundry products.
At the moment I only do 1-2 loads per week and I was a bit concerned with this.
I found that using a bucket to soak them and only washing them once every few days is the best workaround so far.
Cost comparison
Single-use – $20 per month = $240 per year
Washable – $50 per year, or if you replace them every 6 months = $100 per year
I’m not sure if it’s necessary to replace them twice a year, but I will update this in 6 months. Either way, that’s the low and high end of savings.
Brand #1 Simple Solution
The Simple Solution puppy pads
were the smaller of the two and were brown a pattern on the top. This meant that they were more pleasing to the eye as it hid the pee really well.
Other than that they were very absorbent, didn’t leave any pools of pee on top, reduced odor, were easy to wash, and feel very durable.
Brand #2 KOOLTAIL
The KOOLTAIL puppy pads
were larger in size and light blue in color.
They also did the job well – they were absorbent, left no pools of pee on the top, reduced odor, were easy to wash, and feel very durable.
The only difference between brands was the color and size.
Recommendations
If I was buying them again, I would choose the Kooltail only because one of my dogs is prone to bladder stones and it’s important to see her pee to make sure there’s no blood in it.
You can’t see that on the Simple Solution.
That’s the only reason I would choose Kooltail, so if it’s not an issue for you, then either brand would be great.
Overall thoughts
Overall, I am so happy that I have made the change to washable puppy pads and I mostly just wish I had done it sooner.
I shake my head at how much money I have spent and time I have wasted using the single-use ones, but I’m so happy to have made the change now.
Budget progress
My annual budget for this challenge is $600 and I have $550.02 remaining.
One last thing
I’ve noticed since changing to the washable puppy pads there has been a bit of a domino effect of plastic in the house.
Since I am no longer throwing away and cleaning up after the single-use puppy pads, I have used much less paper towel and my garbage bin is filling up much slower.
Just changing one thing is having a positive ripple on other things and it’s a good reminder to not be afraid to get started – even if it feels like a small change at first.
You don’t have to overhaul your whole life, just making some daily changes can make a big difference.
Ì think the pads are awesome because I have a small inside dog that needs to go when I’m not home. The smell of the disposable one was the worst. I’m concerned about putting a pad of pee in my washer several times a week. Whether washing them with towels or by themselves, the idea, turns me off.
So true – the smell of the disposable ones is gross! And now that I use the disposable ones, there’s barely any odor. I was really grossed out by washing them in the machine too, but I just wash them by themselves with bleach and it’s been much less gross than I thought!
My Puppy has no control over its pee. I always use reusable puppy pads for this. It’s very user friendly. You can use it again by simply washing it. That’s the flexibility of this.