Could Buying Less Make Us Happier
How a Home Refill Station Can Help You Buy Better
I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way we became very good at buying things.
We buy things when we’re bored, when we’re stressed, when we’ve had a bad day or simply because something is on sale. Our phones have become little shopping centres in our pockets, constantly tempting us with something newer, nicer or apparently essential.
And I’m as guilty as anyone.
But I’ve started wondering whether having more things actually makes us happier.
There’s something strangely satisfying about an uncluttered drawer, a wardrobe where you can actually see everything you own, or a kitchen cupboard that isn't threatening to avalanche every time you open it. Perhaps it’s because having less stuff means having less to look after.
And perhaps buying less also gives us an opportunity to rediscover something we used to be much better at: borrowing, sharing, repairing and making better use of what we already have.
Do we really need to own everything?
I was reminded of this recently when an elderly friend came to visit us. We wanted to take him for a walk through the woodland gardens in Bushy Park, but it became clear that he simply couldn't walk that far anymore. We needed a wheelchair.
Since moving to Hampton Hill, I've always known there was a wonderful community spirit here, so I posted on one of the local Facebook groups asking if anyone had one we could borrow.
Within minutes, Peter messaged.
He had a wheelchair sitting in his garage and would be very happy for us to borrow it.
It was such a simple thing, but it really stayed with me. Someone had something sitting unused in their garage that we desperately needed for a few hours. There was no buying one, no complicated arrangement, no fuss. Just a neighbour helping another neighbour.
It made me think about how much we actually own that spends most of its life sitting unused.
Our street WhatsApp group has become another lovely example of this. People keep an eye out for each other, lend things, give things away and ask for help when they need it. A neighbour recently passed on GCSE revision books to a family with younger children. Someone else might lend a chainsaw or a ladder rather than everyone buying their own.
It sounds obvious, but sharing something that already exists is usually better than buying another one.
And the same principle can work inside our homes.
What is a home refill station?
A home refill station is simply a dedicated place where you keep the everyday products you use regularly, with reusable bottles that can be topped up from larger refill containers.
It doesn't need to be complicated or take up lots of space.
It could be a shelf underneath your kitchen sink, a cupboard in your utility room or a small area on a shelf. The idea is simply to buy the bottle once and refill it rather than replacing the bottle every time you run out.
This is one of the easiest changes we've made at home – and it's one of the ideas behind MadeKind.
When Anita and I created MadeKind, we didn't want to create another range of products that people bought, emptied and threw away. We wanted to rethink the bottle itself.
Our Multi Surface Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, Floor Cleaner and Dish Wash are available with refill options, so you can keep your bottles and top them up when they're empty.
For the bathroom, our Hand Wash can sit beside the sink in a reusable bottle rather than another disposable plastic container.
And once you've got your bottles, larger 3L and 5L refills mean you can replenish them without bringing lots of smaller bottles into the house.
Why are refill cleaning products more sustainable?
Refilling isn't about never buying anything again. It's about changing what happens when something runs out.
Instead of:
Buy → Empty → Throw away → Buy another
you're creating a much simpler cycle:
Buy → Refill → Reuse → Repeat
The bottle becomes something you keep rather than something you dispose of.
For us, that's what makes a refill system so appealing. It isn't a dramatic lifestyle change. Once you've set it up, it's simply what you do.
And there is something quite satisfying about seeing your refill bottles lined up and knowing you have everything you need for the next few weeks.
How can you create a refill station at home?
You really don't need a Pinterest-perfect utility room.
Start with the products you use most often.
For example, your kitchen could have a reusable bottle of Multi Surface Cleaner and Dish Wash. Your bathroom could have Bathroom Cleaner and Hand Wash. Then keep your larger refills somewhere cool and convenient, ready to top everything up.
If you're starting from scratch, a MadeKind Starter Kit is an easy way to get your first bottles and products together.
And if you already use MadeKind, you can simply add refills when you're running low.
The beauty of a refill station is that it doesn't require perfection.
You don't have to replace every product in your home overnight. You don't have to throw away perfectly good bottles just because they're plastic. Use what you have, replace things when they genuinely need replacing and gradually move towards a system that creates less waste.
Buying less doesn't mean having less
I think that's the bit I've come to understand.
Buying less doesn't necessarily mean having a sparse home with nothing in it. It can mean being more intentional about what comes through the front door.
Buy something you really love.
Repair it when you can.
Borrow it if you'll only use it occasionally.
Share it with your neighbours.
And when something is an everyday essential, choose something that can be refilled rather than repeatedly replaced.
At MadeKind, that's what we're trying to do with our products.
We want cleaning and personal care to feel less disposable. Our bottles are designed to be part of your home, not something that disappears into the bin after a few uses.
Because perhaps the answer isn't that we need to stop buying altogether.
Maybe we just need to buy better, use what we have for longer and refill more often.
And if, along the way, we end up with a little less clutter, a little less waste and a few more conversations with our neighbours, that can't be a bad thing.
Ready to create your own home refill station? [Explore MadeKind refills and reusable bottles →]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a home refill station?
A home refill station is a dedicated space where you keep reusable bottles and larger refill containers for everyday products such as cleaning products, hand wash and other household essentials.
Are refill cleaning products better for the environment?
Refill systems can help reduce the need for repeatedly buying and disposing of individual product bottles. The environmental benefit depends on factors including packaging, transport and how many times a reusable bottle is used.
How do you start using refill cleaning products?
Start with one or two products you use regularly. Keep a reusable bottle where you normally use the product and store a larger refill somewhere convenient. When the bottle is empty, simply top it up rather than replacing the bottle.
What can I refill at home?
Depending on the products you choose, you can create a refill station for household cleaning products, washing-up liquid, hand wash and other everyday essentials. MadeKind offers refill options across a number of its cleaning and personal care products.
Do I need to buy new bottles to start refilling?
Not necessarily. The most sustainable approach is to use suitable bottles you already have where possible. If you want a dedicated system, MadeKind's reusable bottles are designed to be kept and refilled repeatedly.
What should I put in a home refill station?
Start with the products you use most. A simple MadeKind refill station could include Multi Surface Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, Dish Wash, Floor Cleaner and Hand Wash, with larger refills stored nearby.
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