A green lifestyle has become more and more attractive, especially to millennials. It’s so easy nowadays to be eco-friendly, so why wouldn’t you? You’ll help save the earth and conserve energy for the future – your future, your kid’s future, their kid’s future. It all starts with you.
From fewer chemicals to the reduction of plastic bags, people everywhere are taking charge and finding ways to go green wherever possible. If you don’t know the first thing about being eco-friendly, take the time to understand why going green is better for you, the planet, and how it will positively impact future generations to come.
There are many ways you can contribute to an eco-friendlier environment – using all-natural makeup and hair products, boycotting plastic water bottles, and driving less. It’s as simple as you make it, and it all starts in your own home. Read on for ten easy swaps for an eco-friendly home.
Get Rid of Paper Towels
The overuse of paper towels is almost inevitable in any home that has them readily available. They’re an energy drain on the environment because when they go through production, they require water, trees, and energy – all so you can just throw them in the trash.
Don’t let recycled paper towels fool you because even those use water and energy during their production. Use old dish towels to mop up common kitchen spills (I recently treated myself to some lovely tea towels from the National Trust – they’re absorbent, reusable, and likely already available in your household.
Use a Natural Moisturiser
If you can’t pronounce the ingredients in your moisturizer, you probably shouldn’t use it. Lots of beauty products are loaded with chemicals like parabens, fragrance, and more – all harmful to the environment and to your skin. Make the switch to coconut oil to save money and protect your skin. It’s inexpensive, natural, and smells great.
Switch to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Switch out light bulbs that aren’t energy efficient for those that are. They’ve been around for a long time, but people are just now catching on. There’s no reason not to use energy-efficient lightbulbs if they’re available to you. They use less electricity and last longer, which means less replacing.
Update with Wood Shingles
If you’re roof needs replacing, update it with eco-friendly materials. Choose wood roof shingles because they are biodegradable, sustainable, all-natural, and energy-efficient. If you live in a warmer climate, wood roof shingles can maximize your cooling savings, and even if you don’t, they help to optimize the performance of the heating and cooling of your house system.
Buy Compostable Pet Waste Bags
If you’re a responsible pet owner, you always pick up after your pet after they do their business in the neighborhood. This is a great thing, but those plastic dog waste bags sit in landfills for several years, even up to a century. Use compostable waste bags that are made of resin, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers instead.
Say Goodbye to Water Bottles
There’s no reason you should use plastic water bottles unless you’re looking to throw money away and sabotage the earth. The great thing about a reusable water bottle is that you can use it over and over again and save yourself some money at the grocery store. Plus, you won’t have to lug a 24-pack of water bottles from your car all the way to your kitchen counter.
Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
Believe it or not, most laundry detergents are loaded with chemicals that seep into your clothes, then into your skin. Say goodbye to bottled laundry detergents, and make your own version with all-natural ingredients like baking soda, washing soda, vegan castile soap, and essential oils for fragrance.
Utilise Power Strips
Even when you aren’t using your computer or television, they’re still sucking up energy. Conserve energy and the money in your bank account, and set up power strips so you can easily switch them off when you aren’t using your electronics.
Invest in Reusable Grocery Bags
Plastic bags from grocery stores are such a waste, and they take years to decompose. They are used to bring food from one place to another, then trashed. Invest in reusable grocery bags, and keep them in your car so you always have them ready to use.
Choose Eco-Friendly Appliances
The next time you go to the store to find a new appliance like a coffeemaker, toaster or hair dryer, make it a point to pick something eco-friendly. Even if you purchase a larger appliance, like a refrigerator or a stove, big, energy star appliances are not the way to go.
Making changes in your carbon footprint doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start at home with the ten simple swaps above. These changes will instantly make your home more eco-friendly and help to conserve the earth in the process. Plus, you will save yourself money by using power strips, making your own laundry detergent and updating your roof to wood shingles.