8 Simple Changes to Keep your House More Green

Inside:  There are many changes you can make to keep your house more green.  Try a few of the ideas below.  You’ll feel better about helping the environment and you’ll save some cash at the same time.  *Note, there are affiliate links in this post.  If you click I might make a small commission but always at no cost to you.

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There are many changes you can make to keep your house more green.  However, going “green” can be a daunting task. Relax. It doesn’t take much to go more green and save some money as well as help the planet.  Here are a few simple changes you can make to get started on a greener lifestyle.

Save water by washing full loads.

This handy green tip works for both washing clothes and dishes. Save dirty clothes in a laundry bag or hamper and use that super large setting on your washing machine.  I do this all the time.  We have well water so I am always conscious of my usage.  Be even more green by using a super ecofriendly and green laundry detergent like Tru Earth laundry strips.

The same savings applies to washing dishes. Make sure the dishwasher is full before turning that start dial.

Air-dry your laundry.

Consider installing a clothesline in your backyard or basement, or use a freestanding clothes rack that folds up when not in use. Drying your clothes will be 100% green with the air-dry method!  

I have a clothes line outside.  I do not use it in the winter.  I’m not really into crunchy clothes.  I will only put towels out on a windy day otherwide they end up crunchy even in the summer.  In the winter, I use this foldable drying rack indoors. It has lots of space and yet when not in use, I can fold it and hide under a couch or against a wall.  It has been in use for several years and looks as good as the day I bought it.

Use glass food storage containers.

Plastic is the least “green” food storage container. But, if you look in most kitchens, plastic is the most often used food container. I also find that plastic stains easily especially with tomato based sauces.  Plastic wears down quickly after multiple washings.  I much prefer glass containers.  When needed, glass is also much easier to recycle.  By switching to glass food storage containers, you take a big step toward living a greener lifestyle.

• Not only does the manufacturing of plastic harm the natural environment, but certain types of plastic are harmful to your health as well.
• Manufacturers have gotten better at making safer plastics but wear and tear is still a problem and recycling of plastics is still a big issue.

Install a new showerhead.

Older showerheads are notorious water-wasters. Switch your old one for a newer model. A new “green” showerhead uses 1 to 3 gallons less water per minute than older models. That’s quite a savings on your wallet, too!  As well, they are quite easy to clean.  I love my rainfall showerhead – soothing and relaxing.  This rainfall showerhead is rated at 1.8 gallons per minute which is considered water saving.  Mine is a 8 inch square stainless steel model which shows no rust after over a year of use.  The silicon jets are easy to clean.  Calcium buildup wipes off easily with a flick of a finger.

Turn off lights when you leave a room.

You’d be surprised how many people forget to do this simple action. If no one is in the room, there can’t be a good reason to waste energy to brighten it up! With a simple flip of the light switch, a greener lifestyle is yours.

There are many options for lighting now.  I have some smart bulbs and smart plugs connected to my Alexa that make turning off lights a breeze.  Hooking up my Christmas tree lights made turning the tree lights on and off a snap.  Sensor lights that only turn on when someone is in the room are also cool although I’ve found that many will turn off once I stop moving.

Making it a habit to turn off lights when you leave a room will make keep your house more green and save money in the long run.

 

Think before buying paper products.

Sometimes paper plates, cups, or napkins are a necessity. Most of the time, they’re not. Even recycled paper products use energy during the recycling process. Look in your kitchen cabinets and you’ll probably find an assortment of little used china and ceramic plates, mugs, and glasses that could be put to good use.

• Also, cloth napkins can make any meal seem like a special occasion.

Recycle old tee shirts.

Everyone has old tee shirts that are not worthy of donating to Goodwill. Don’t throw them out. Replace your paper towel rack with a stack of tee shirt squares. They’re soft and absorbent and best of all, reusable. Just throw them in the washer and you have an unending supply of cloths for every kind of clean-up chore.  If you want to creative with your old t-shirts check out this idea from HGTV for making a t-shirt rug.  From the DIY Network here is a great idea for makingcushion covers from old t-shirts.

 

Use an old-fashioned broom and mop.

Have you ever noticed that most of today’s household chores require some sort of electrical appliance? Well, your local home improvement store still has a supply of old-fashioned brooms and mops on hand.

• Sweeping the floor with a broom gets rid of dust and crumbs just as well as plugging in that vacuum.
• And mops have been used to clean floors for hundreds of years.
• Using both makes your house a “green” haven.

 

Follow these simple tips every day and see how easy it is to live a greener lifestyle!  Try one or all of them.  The greener your lifestyle the more money you save and better yet, the kinder you are being to Mother Earth.