10 Simple Tips to be Greener at Home
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I think we all know how important it is to recycle. Not sure what is recyclable? Check out this recycle chart. But many people don’t realize that there are even more simple steps you can take to play a small part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving the natural landscape that cost little time or money just by switching up how you run your home.
If you think “going green” has to be difficult, expensive and daunting, fret no more!! I have some simple eco-friendly tips for a greener home and family.
10 Simple Tips to be Greener at Home
1. Turn Things Down (or Turn Them Off) -The easiest way to make your home greener and save money on your monthly bills is to make sure you’re not using utilities more than you need. Turn off the lights when you leave the room, or open the curtains and blinds and rely on the sunlight to cut down on electricity use. Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. Shut down and turn off your computer completely at night.
When it comes to heating and air conditioning, small changes can make a big difference. By turning down your home thermostat by 3-4 degree during the winter (or increase during the summer), you will quickly see the savings add up. And, if you do this one degree at a time over the course of several days, your body will adjust and you shouldn’t really notice the change. Adjust the thermostat even more when you are not home.
2. Change your light bulbs. Switch a few of your light bulbs to CFLs , which use about 75 percent less energy and last seven to 10 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs, until eventually you have all of your house switched over.
Image credit: sandralise / 123RF Stock Photo
3. Laundry. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot. Line-dry when you can.
4. Go Paperless. Pay bills online. Sign up for e-bills too. Put a stop to unsolicited mail and sign up to opt out of pre-screened credit card offers.
5. Use cloth instead of paper. Use cloth instead of paper products to clean. Microfiber clothes are great or you can be frugal, and make rags out of old towels and t-shirts. Use cloth napkins, instead of paper.
6. Buy and use green cleaning products, such a Clorox Green Works®, a line of naturally derived cleaning products to clean your home. They are just as effective with killing germs and leave your counters, sinks and home sparkly clean without harsh chemical fumes or residue! Each Green Works product contains at least 95 percent naturally-derived ingredients and work on par with conventional cleaners. They put the power of nature in every bottle. Shop for eco-friendly beauty products, eco-friendly fashion lines and eco-friendly home decor.
image source: Martha Stewart
7. Repurpose glass jars as leftover containers, bulk storage or even pretty vases.
8. Buy used and donate. Shop thrift stores and craigslist to recycling perfectly usable items. Donate items you no longer need or use.
Image credit: mcininch / 123RF Stock Photo
9. Stop using disposable bags. Purchase reusable bags.
10. Wash your hands in cooler water. A recent study by Vanderbilt University found that washing your hands in colder water has the same hygienic benefits as hot and reduces energy costs and consumption.
Do you already do some of these things? There are SO many more simple things we can all do, I’d love to hear what you can add to the list!
You don’t have to compromise on clean to be green.
Disclaimer: I have partnered with Clorox to spread the word that you don’t have to compromise on clean to be green with Clorox Green Works program. All opinions, and views are 100% mine!
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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About a year ago I started using vinegar, baking soda and Dawn on all my house cleaning, hanging my clothes. I have never used my ovens self cleaning, I have NEVER used a dish washer in my life if you can believe that. And I’m going to be 58 in June. As a kid we didn’t have one. As a teen (and a move) dishes were my sister’s job. After I was married(1975) my Hubby and I bought an older (1942) home and it didn’t have one. So I don’t think I could ever use one. We use “our pretty” (ones I have bought from JoAnns) bags to shop with…even when we go the Mall. I use ones I set aside just for clothes and such and I have ones just for food items. For our really dirty hands we us a sugar scrub that works great on every type of dirt and grime we have gotten into. We to bill on line, gas up in the morning or evenings and we drive diesel, I’m am getting my Hubby little by little, and it’s working. Thank You of all your great tips and keep’em coming.
Go one step farther and instead of just turning off your computer at night UN plug it. Un plug lamps that u don’t use Un plug the microwave after use, Un plug ur TV at night and TV’s that don’t get much use leave unplugged until u use them. I also run my clothes a couple times thru the spin cycle to get as much water out of them as possible so my dryer doesn’t have to work as hard to dry them.
Great tips! I stumbled this…
Lots of great tips! My city just stopped providing paper bags at grocery stores as a way to encourage people to bring in their own reusable bags which I think is great step in the right direction as well.
Great tips!
Greenworks is all I use! Cleans just as well as the harsher stuff, but better for our planet!
Great tips Cheryl – I have been gradually changing over to greener products, including shampoos, lotions and other body products. Skin is our body’s biggest organ and it’s so scary what we are exposing ourselves to throughout the day. Love your tip about using cold water to wash hands.
These are great tips, and so simple to implement, too.
We have been composting and using rain barrels for over ten years. With composting, it has benefitted what we put out at the curb drastically as well as the soil created from the compost has been wonderful for our gardens. Rain barrels collect from the down spouts so it has been a huge cost saver for us not to need to use tap water to water our plants and gardens. Small steps are easy and benefit your pocket book and the environment.
Using fans instead of air conditioning when you can is also a good way to cut costs. I know that I love blasting the AC during the hotter days. My husband is guilty of making it as toasty as an oven during the winter time. We’re trying to be more green in the house, and I think that AC is a good way to start.
This is very informative. Thank you for sharing this well written article.