8 Sustainable Habits for a Cleaner and Greener Home

Choosing to live a more sustainable lifestyle is so important now more than ever. We understand that making changes to your routines can sometimes be intimidating but taking small, easy steps towards a more eco-friendly life can make a big impact on our planet. Not sure where to start? Here are 8 simple sustainable habits you can adopt for your home.

8 Simple Sustainability Tips for a More Eco-friendly Home

1. Switch to an environmentally friendly cleaning routine.

Regular household cleaners often contain harsh chemicals, so using these cleaners can be harmful to our environment. There are several ways you can go green when it comes to removing bacteria from your home. Start by going through all the cleaners that you currently have and reading the ingredients. Look for terms such as “unscented,” “free of…,” “biodegradable,” “natural,” and “nontoxic.”

What does “natural” mean (when it comes to cleaning products)?

Just because a product calls itself “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean it contains only natural ingredients. It is also important to note that not all types of natural ingredient additions are nontoxic. Check out this great post by Grove to learn more about which cleaning ingredients are harmful, and which ones are okay.

2. Make your own natural cleaning supplies using ingredients you already own.

There are many recipes online for homemade cleaners. Did you know that you can make your own dishwasher detergent using Borax and washing soda (sodium carbonate)? Making a paste out of white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon is a natural way to remove stubborn stains from countertops, tile, and stovetops. Not only will this help you maintain a clean home, but can also save you money and reduce waste.

3. Reduce your water usage.

Did you know that 20% of a household’s water usage can be attributed to the water used in our showers and faucets? Two simple ways to cut your home’s water usage are to take shorter showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Little changes like this can make a big difference.

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4. Make recycling and composting a priority.

Research tells us that about one-third of all food produced in the United States goes uneaten. About 20 pounds of solid waste per person every day is only part of the problem – about 40% is food and yard scraps. You can compost all your food scraps and use paper, plastic, and glass recycling bins to help reduce the amount of waste coming from your home and ending up in landfills.

5. Opt out of junk mail and flyers.

Reducing the amount of paper in your home can help reduce your carbon footprint, and getting rid of all that junk mail is a great first step! To stop getting unaddressed advertising, simply put a note on your mailbox stating that you do not wish to receive flyers and junk mail. There are also various organizations, such as Catalog Choice, that help you to opt-out of having catalogs and flyers sent to your address.

6. Use less plastic.

Plastic is a huge source of pollution on land, and in the ocean and is extremely harmful to marine life. Although recycling is important, reducing your use of plastic will greatly reduce the amount of waste going into landfills and oceans. One way you can cut out or minimize your use of single-use plastics (such as plastic bags and straws) is by replacing them with reusable ones! Use a grocery bag, keep a metal or glass water bottle at work, and pack reusable cutlery in your lunch every day to set yourself up for success!

7. Keep it clean in the kitchen.

Kitchen appliances are often made of non-stick materials, which can release harmful chemicals into the environment. There are several green alternatives to these non-stick products, such as cast iron and stainless steel pans.

8. Make your home more energy-efficient.

Having an eco-friendly home is all about using less energy so you can save money while having a smaller environmental footprint. This means using more energy-efficient appliances or closing your blinds and curtains on sunny days so you can force your air conditioning or heating system to work less. Another easy way to use less energy in your home is to be sure to turn off lights! Companies such as Semper Solr believe in the power of renewable energy to transform our world for the better. They pride themselves on their expertise in designing, installing, and maintaining solar energy systems.

No matter what your opinion of the environment is, most of us would agree that making little changes in our everyday lives can have a huge impact down the road. And when it comes to taking care of our planet, there’s no time like the present!

— Written by Vanessa Panopio, VEED.io