One of the purposes of embracing a minimalist lifestyle is to save more and live on less which doesn't mean purchasing inferior things. I learned a long time ago that people who spend on inferior things end up spending more than those who buy quality products. There is a huge difference between saving to save more and saving to spend more but a lot of us don't understand. Sometimes, we save to spend more because the initial thing we thought we saved on will eventually cause us to spend more in the long run.
Let's imagine that I use poor-quality washing soap for my fabrics and it damages them quickly, I will definitely get another set because I wouldn't walk naked. In a situation where I use good quality soap for my fabrics, there is an assurance of those fabrics serving me for a longer period. Saving on washing soap to damage my fabrics isn't saving and in fact, it will cost me more to get new fabrics.
When saving right now would require me to spend more later, I just create the balance by getting a product that will serve its purpose at a reasonable price. Although, the price of cleaning products is one of the things I take into consideration when purchasing products but I don't turn a blind to quality and despite that, I still do not spend recklessly on cleaning products and others.
I have changed from one product to another over the years and this happens when I noticed a reduction in the quality of a product. When purchasing cleaning products, there are things I make a priority and they include fragrance, the cleansing ability, product reaction on my hands and price.
There was a time when I only bought cheap products and they would make me scrub my clothes hard until they ripped apart but at a point, I realised the importance of quality.
It was all about OMO and KLIN many years ago before Good Mama came into the picture, this detergent smells nice and makes my clothes very clean. I used the product for some time before I found VIVA, my neighbour was washing on that particular day and I couldn't resist asking what detergent she used. I tried it out and the soap happens to be a super upgrade of Good Mama in all ramifications.
Due to inflation, a lot has changed with many products. Some products reduced both quantity and quality for the same price but VIVA increased its price and retained all qualities. Although, the price has increased and as long as the quality, I don't have any reason to stop using it.
It comes in bar and detergent which makes it perfect for me since they serve different purposes. They are both soft on fabrics so I just have to choose which is best for the fabric I intend washing. The product does more than just laundry, my bathroom walls also enjoy the quality just like my fabrics.
To spice things up, I use one of the best bleaching soaps for my wall, closet, bathtub and washing hand basin. They have got cool fragrance and help retain this sparkling colour in my bathroom.
John Wesley once said that cleanliness is next to godliness and he was right. Compromising cleanliness to save cost will only result in spending more and this isn't just about clothes. The food we eat, and the environment we live in must be clean always to prevent spending more in places where we can't negotiate the price, saving more to save later seems like the best option for me.
