What are some of the best ways to make your home greener? Most households now follow some sort of recycling regime, but most don’t make a comprehensive effort to boost their home’s eco credentials.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, from recycling more water, to composting, to using eco friendly cleaning products; many more options are available to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, with some of the best and easiest included below:
#1 Recycle Water
You can recycle greywater from baths for use in the garden, and for washing pets; having a water butt to collect rainwater in the garden can also be a good idea if you want a backup source of water that can be used with purifiers. It’s also a good idea to invest in low flow shower heads and faucets, which will help you to conserve more water.
#2 Start Composting
If you don’t already, composting in the garden is a great way to recycle more of your kitchen waste – it’s also a good idea if your council doesn’t provide you with a green bin. Tea bags, food, and coffee grounds can be combined and used to make natural fertiliser.
#3 Recycle More
While you may separate plastic and paper, there’s usually more items that you can recycle than you realise – always check packaging, and make sure that you throw away junk mail and any envelopes and paper that you’re not using. Similarly, have a system for gathering together glass to be recycled when needed. Local councils may also offer special collection services for large, bulky items.
#4 Use Eco Friendly Cleaning Products
You can improve the quality of your cleaning routine by switching to eco friendly products – lemon juice and white wine vinegar can be employed as natural substitutes for bleach and other abrasive cleaning agents; doing so can avoid having to pour harsh chemicals down drains.
#5 Find Reclaimed and Recycled Furniture
Rather than buying cheap plastic and wooden furniture, look for furniture made from reclaimed or recycled wood; similarly, non PVC shower curtains and furniture can be easily found, but may cost a little bit extra.
#6 Switch Your White Goods
If you’ve had the same white goods in your kitchen for a long time, it could be an idea to replace them with more energy efficient versions. Washing machines, dishwashers, and fridges and freezers with Energy Star labels will reduce emissions and use energy more efficiently.
#7 Re Insulate Your Home
A particularly good idea during the Winter, re insulating your home will reduce the need to keep your central heating running throughout the colder months of the year. Particularly check attics and rooms for loose windows, or draughts from under doors.
#8 Recycle Old Electrical Items
It’s worth taking a look around your home for any old mobile phones or gadgets; these can be sold on for their precious metals, or resold, with you receiving a small fee.
#9 Use Energy Saving Lightbulbs
Investing in energy saving lightbulbs and LED strips can be an excellent idea, as it means you use less electricity, and don’t have to replace your bulbs as often.
10 – Start a Kitchen Garden
Start making the most of your kitchen or garden by growing your own herbs and vegetables – basil and sage plants can be kept in the kitchen, while any space in the garden can be converted into a vegetable patch for carrots, potatoes, and other fresh produce.