I have this impression that making your home environmentally friendly means you have to shell out a lot of money. It is true the eco-homes of the future are fitted with state-of-the art furnishing and materials, but we don’t need to wait to get to that point to save the planet. Also, if we wait that long, there might not be a planet to save.
What we need to do is create home habits that save our resources and even some money. You may be doing some of them right now without knowing it, such as trading in plastic bags for reusable alternatives. But here are five more tips that can help you do more for the environment without breaking a sweat.
#1 Switch to energy-saving bulbs
You may have heard this before but energy-saving bulbs aren’t just a marketing ploy. The Telegraph advises that these bulbs not only cut down on your electric bill but also use less resources that harm the environment. Try to observe more of the little lights that could use the eco-friendly options such as dim lights, decorative colored lamps, and flashlights.
#2 Say no to aerosol
If you’re a fan of room sprays and similar products, stay away from their aerosol versions. The can itself won’t decompose for a very long time and the chemicals used in it can harm more than help your family. The Huffington Post suggests you go for eco-oils and non-aerosol home sprays usually produced by grassroots companies.
#3 Eliminate Microwave-Safe Plastic
Real Simple advises you to invest in microwaveable glass containers instead of using microwave-safe plastic containers. In the long run, the plastic containers will lose their shape and will be dangerous to use when heating food. Glass containers are better plus they are less likely to contaminate your food even when you’ve reused them.
#4 Learn to switch off
Good Housekeeping says that the simple act of turning off your electronic devices and unplugging them does reduce fossil fuel consumption significantly. You also prolong the life of your machines, eliminating the need to buy a new one often and contributing to electronic waste.
#5 Do things in bulk
The US Enviromental Protection Agency says that it’s always a smart idea to wash your clothes in bulk and to clean your dishes in big batches. Water consumption is maximized when you do things this way. It’s the same with your chosen detergents and cleaners. Washing a tiny spoon over the faucet can already wash three plates. So think about it when scheduling chores in your house.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
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