By: Lori of University of Georgia. Follow me @forestrobin37.
Among common college purchases like air fresheners and plastic water bottles, there is often an alternative that turns out to be healthier for you or more efficient. When buying these essentials for college, it’s important to think about what will be best for you and best for your space. To give you some alternatives that you may not have considered, here are other options that may provide more comfort, more space, or a healthier choice.
Mini-Steamers
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For those of us that don't have the time to iron or don't want to deal with the hassle of setting up an ironing board in an already tight space but still want wrinkle-free clothes, there are mini-steamers. These steamers are great because all they require is water and it doesn’t take long for the water to steam. They're even handy when you travel and are small enough that they won't take up much room in your suitcase. I have the Joy Mangano “Go-Mini”- My Little Steamer in orange, and I love it!
Candle Warmers
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I didn't even know candle warmers existed until my friends down the hall got one, but I was soon very taken in by these handy inventions. Since dorms have fire restrictions, they will probably not allow you to have lit candles lying around. However, with candle warmers, you can always have the smell of your favorite Yankee Candle in the room, without actually having to light one, which is much healthier for you. Candle warmers are little hot plates that melt the bottom of the candle, allowing for all those delicious smells to circulate in your room. From personal experience, I know that heating up food in a small dorm room without much ventilation means that nasty smells stick around for a while. Candle warmers eliminate the threat of your room reeking of stale pad thai and are more healthy than the standard air freshener. Tip: I do recommend that you consult with your roommate on which scents you prefer. Not everybody will love the scent of brown sugar cinnamon as much as you do.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles
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I'm a big fan of BPA-free plastic water bottles since aluminum ones dent very easily, but after doing some research, I discovered BPA-free stainless steel water bottles, which may be my new favorites for storing water. Now in all new colors, Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottles are durable, reusable and very environmentally-friendly, and easy to clean. They also get rid of a plasticy taste that many complain of from plastic water bottles. They even come insulated, so they keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for a longer period of time. Other good brands for stainless steel water bottles are Camelbak and Nathan.
Reusable Plastic Cups
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For you coffee lovers out there like me, it's important that you get your coffee fix and that you have a portable way to carry your java to class, to the library or wherever else you're heading. Instead of the standard paper and Styrofoam cups from coffee shops, I prefer reusable BPA-free plastic to-go mugs. I like stainless steel mugs, but the problem with stainless steel is that you can't put it in the microwave. Additionally, although porcelain mugs are nice, I don't like their fragility. Plastic can also have a bad rep since people complain about tasting the plastic in their coffee and smelling it, too. However, I just ordered this Copco mug and can't wait to use it this semester; it solves the problem of the plastic smell and taste, is microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe, well-insulated and sturdy, although there have been complaints about the design of its lid.
Towel Wraps
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I survived my entire freshman year without a towel wrap, but I made a smart investment in one for this upcoming year. In the place of the standard towel, towel wraps, which are velcroed closed, offer much needed hands-free security when walking from the bathroom to your dorm room or simply walking around your room. They are also extremely comfortable and cute; many sites allow you to order cheap, personalized towel wraps and some sororities give them as gifts to their members.
Mesh Shower Caddies
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Mesh shower caddies take up less space than a standard plastic shower caddy and seem much more efficient to me. The mesh material that comprise these shower caddies means that the bags dry quickly and decreases the risk of mold and mildew occurring, whereas plastic shower caddies leave wet marks on your floor that take a long time to dry. In the event that your mesh shower caddy does get grimy, these shower bags are machine-washable. Also, while my plastic shower caddy constantly dropped shampoo and other toiletries out when I carried it, the mesh bags’ snug-fitting pockets solved this issue.
Thoughts?
Have these suggestions broadened your horizons as to some of these alternative approaches to common college essentials? Do you already own some of these items? Let us know your own experiences (good or bad) with these products.
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