6 Ways To Make Your Home Greener

In the wake of the ‘new normal,’ the way people navigate their days has changed significantly. As more people self-isolate and abide by public health measures, daily routines and activities now face scrutiny, including ways and methods that put the environment in jeopardy.

home greener White 2-storey House Near Trees — *Image source:* *https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-2-storey-house-near-trees-1115804/*

A greener home could mean a more sustainable household, leading towards a healthier and happier lifestyle. Going green doesn’t have to be hard or expensive if you know where to start. Here are ways you can make your home eco-friendly without straining your budget.

Be more efficient with your resources

Now that people are staying at home more, you may notice a drastic increase in the amount of electricity and water used on a daily basis. Water and energy are finite resources, so find ways to decrease or streamline your consumption.

Take advantage of energy-efficiency apps that help you keep track of your energy usage and give you insights on where to make changes. Basic things like unplugging unused appliances, turning off any lights or faucets when not in use, and maximizing the use of natural light can also help in becoming more resource-efficient.

You can also collect run-off in a bucket to use for watering plants or other household chores.

Upgrading your home amenities can also contribute to conserving resources. Install low-flow plumbing for toilets and showers to help conserve water without interrupting your routine. Switch light bulbs in your home with LED lights and opt for more energy-efficient appliances.

Reduce your single-use product consumption

Protective hygienic equipment like face masks and gloves are necessary single-use items for preventing possible infections. In order to offset this need, you can replace other products in your household with more durable and reusable items. As long as these reusable products are properly disinfected and sanitized, you can curb the creation of unnecessary waste.

Reusable counterparts to single-use items include metal utensils, washable food containers, razors, tumblers, and more. Consider investing in rechargeable batteries instead of traditional lithium batteries.

Actively ask restaurants if you can use your own containers for takeaway food and beverages. Reject any single-use plastics like wrappers, straws, and grocery bags whenever possible.

Switch to eco-friendly household options

Aside from updating your appliances and fixtures, the switch to eco-friendly alternatives can apply to other aspects of your home. A lot of the products used around the house can be harmful to the environment and your health.

Read labels and do your research on the ingredients in the cleaning agents and personal care products you use. Instead, opt for non-toxic alternatives for cleaning solutions, shampoo, body wash, and other household products. There are online resources that teach you how to make these eco-friendly alternatives, enabling you to go green without the extra cost.

Consider using solar energy

Unlike traditional energy, solar energy is a cleaner and more sustainable power source, as it doesn’t produce greenhouse gasses. Additionally, installing solar panels can impact energy consumption in your household for the better.

With solar energy, your household will have access to a stable electricity supply, effectively lower your monthly electricity bills, and reduce your carbon footprint in the long run. Installing solar panels is easily done and can raise the value of your home.

Start a home garden

Access to food, clean air, and other necessities has become more challenging nowadays. Having your own home garden reduces the amount of waste generated by packaging and gives you nutritious, homegrown food from the comforts of your home.

Additionally, plants are also an excellent way of improving air quality in your home by converting carbon dioxide and other pollutants into breathable oxygen.

Make sure to pick a selection of both greens for eating and display in your home. Any garden waste can be easily mulched back into the soil to support the growth of your garden.

Get into the habit of recycling and composting

By being mindful of your disposal practices, you can keep more waste out of landfills and effectively reduce pollution. Recycling and composting close the loop of consumption by creating alternative ways to make use of waste. The best way to maximize recycling in your home is by creating and implementing a trash segregation system.

Once you have a system in place, you can begin experimenting with different ideas and methods to transform garbage into more useful items for your home. When dealing with biodegradable waste like vegetable and fruit peelings, creating a composting bin helps recycle these scraps into nourishing soil conditioners.

Other practices like mindful spending and avoiding unnecessary travel can also help contribute to a healthier, eco-friendly lifestyle.

In light of these uncertain times, there needs to be a balance between prioritizing your health and ensuring that your lifestyle is sustainable and environment-friendly. After all, living more sustainable lives can equate to healthier lives. It’s a matter of knowing where to start and committing to all these changes in order to make a bigger difference.