With headlines of global warming making news every day, it has become important for everyone to ensure that they are doing their best to take care of the environment. Gone are the days when we used to talk about climate change, at the current time we are facing the crisis of this climate change. Most of us spend quite a bit of our time in our home and therefore, the home is perhaps the best place to start making environment-friendly decisions. With the mass following of environment-friendly home practices, it becomes possible to make substantial changes. Here are ten ways to make your home environment-friendly.
1. Use energy-efficient light bulbs
Energy-efficient bulbs have been available for a long time now. Energy-efficient bulbs are effective bulbs and they last for more years. It ensures that not only your money is saved but it also provides a way to reduce energy consumption. It is important to use energy-efficient bulbs for creating a sustainable home. Even though LED and CFL lights are more expensive than the other lights, in the long run, they will prove to be smart investments.
2. Have well-lit rooms
A lot can be saved by going for well-lit rooms. Proper sunlight during the day across the house ensures that no light is required during the daytime. Natural sunlight automatically improves the lighting efficiency of the house.
3. Cut back paper products
Products such as paper towels undoubtedly play a very important role especially to remove stains in a quick fashion as the only thing that one needs to do is wipe them but it is not good for the environment. The paper towels can be replaced with cloth napkins. Washing the cloth napkins may be time-consuming but you will save lots of trees.
Instead of paper receipts, ask sellers to send invoice over WhatsApp Plus, GBWhatsApp or Email. Shops, Retailers, Restaurants, and Hotels have been heavily adopting digital integration to cut back on paper products. We can learn the same for our homes too.
4. Use energy-efficient appliances
Most of the energy bills are contributed by the electrical appliances and therefore, it becomes of utmost importance to use energy-efficient appliances, especially the refrigerators and washing machines. While buying appliances, always remember to check the energy star rating. It will help you to go green and will prove to be pocket friendly too.
5. Reduce the household consumption
The truth of the current world is that a lot is consumed. The purchasing power of the customers are increasing, thanks to financial assistance and decent salary. With increased purchasing power, there have been lifestyle changes, and not all these changes are for good. For instance, do you remember when you used the entire loaf of bread? Many times, we end up buying things even if we do not need them. Such impulsive buying needs to be stopped. When you make a purchase, ask yourself the purpose of the product and if it is really necessary. In addition to reducing your consumption, also consider reusing and recycling things whenever possible.
6. Create your DIY cleaning products
It is a myth that homemade natural products are not as efficient as chemical loaded cleaning natural products. Making cleaning products at home is easy and further, they are free from harmful chemicals that are not only bad for the environment but also for your health. Consider creating your own natural cleaning products with vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda.
7. Compost the food waste
Do not throw away the food waste absent-mindedly, instead use it for filling your compost bin. Any leftover kitchen items and food waste can be used for composting. Over a few weeks, the compost that you are creating will prove to be very handy for growing your garden.
8. Reduce the consumption of plastic
The use of plastic, especially in the kitchen, is huge. When buying groceries or products for the kitchen, a conscious decision can be made to avoid plastic. One can also invest in steel, glass and ceramic kitchen products and utensils to reduce plastic consumption. For instance, you can buy loose legumes and then store them in glass jars instead of buying plastic-packaged legumes.
9. Have a look at how you use water
Watching the water usage can help you to be an environmentally-friendly person. Do you keep the water running while brushing your teeth or washing utensils? Reduce the consumption of water by using the water efficiently and in addition to that, if you see any water leakage, get it repaired as soon as possible.
10. Unplug whenever possible
One of the easiest ways to make your home environment-friendly is by switching off the lights and appliances when not in use. Further, remember to unplug your devices after it is fully charged. Turn off lights if you are not using that room. Make it a habit to keep everything switched off when not required.