What comes to mind when you think of making eco-friendly changes? Not everyone can afford to install solar panels or expensive tech to help them live a greener life. But there are smaller changes you can make to be more considerate of the planet.
Without further ado, here are some simple improvements you can make to make your home more environmentally friendly:
1. Use cold water to wash your clothes.
According to Energy Star, up to 90% of the energy required by a washing machine is needed to heat water. So, instead of heating, use your washing machine on the cold water option. This not only reduces CO2 emissions but also keeps your garments in good condition for longer, as hot water can degrade the fabric and cause your bright clothes to fade.
2. Collect Rainwater
Installing plastic tanks to help you collect rainwater to use around the house or collect the water you use to be recycled can help you conserve water and reduce your water bills from using old bath water to water plants or flush the toilet. Collect rainwater to clean the exterior of your property and water plants during dryer spells to avoid excessive water usage.
3. Natural Cleaning Products
Natural cleaning products are equally as effective as conventional ones if not more so. Natural cleaning products do not include any hazardous chemicals that are harmful to the environment or your health. A drawback is that they can be more expensive, and not everyone can afford them. However, you can easily make your own cleaning products with ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
4. Be More Efficient In The Kitchen
Many people prepare toast in the oven because they believe it is inconvenient to purchase a toaster. However, heating the oven takes a large amount of energy, and if you only plan to cook two slices of bread, using the oven is inefficient. The toaster consumes less energy and completes the task more quickly. When it comes to the oven, make sure the door is properly closed every time you bake or cook something. Leaving the oven door open results in significant heat loss.
A great tip for coffee lovers is to replace the pod coffee maker with a drip coffee maker. Pod coffee makers are not environmentally friendly due to the materials required to make the pods. Every year, plastic capsules pile up in landfills. Ground coffee is all that is required for drip coffee machines.
5. Use Water Filters
Once you stop buying plastic water bottles, your home will instantly become more eco-friendly, whether you choose a whole house, an under-the-sink, a faucet, or a pitcher filter. A water filter saves time and money while also lowering the quantity of single-use plastic in landfills.
You must make changes you can sustain for long-term effectiveness and to support change. Once you have made some small sustainable changes, you can introduce more until you are comfortable. You can maintain them and reduce your impact on the environment.
