Earth Day is just around the corner (April 22) and it isn’t a new event by any means; the annual recognition started way back in 1970 and is now celebrated in more than 193 countries! For some, it’s a time to show political and business leaders how much we care about the environment, but you don’t have to lobby leaders to make a difference! Simply honor the day by making small tweaks that are kind to the planet - such as going green at home! After all, we’ve only got one Earth.
Here are 5 green tips for your home on Earth Day - and every day!
#1 Use Green Cleaning & Laundry Products
From cleaning sinks to washing clothes, replace your household cleaning & laundry products with earth-friendly, biodegradable products. You can use green cleaning products like white distilled vinegar or baking soda that cuts through grease and grime, or lemon juice and olive oil that cleans and deodorizes your surfaces. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they also protect your family’s health from chemicals found in conventional cleaning products!
#2 Make Your Own Compost
Rather than going to the landfill in a plastic bag, you can recycle your food scraps by installing a compost bin under your sink. Compost can include fruit, vegetables, egg shells, fireplace ashes, ground coffee... you name it! Once the bin is full, all you have to do is stir it and wait for the rich compost to form. Not only is it much cheaper to make your own compost, it’s also much safer for the environment and allows you to introduce new microorganisms that will help aerate the soil in your garden!
Side note: You can also speed up the process with the help of earthworms.
#3 Be Practical About Landscaping
If you live in an apartment, you can strategically landscape and plant vegetation around the house for energy efficiency. You can shade air conditioning units or windows that receive direct sunlight - this will help you save on heating and cooling costs throughout the year.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a house with a backyard, design a garden that fits your climate and location. It's not practical to battle against Mother Nature by including plants that are not suited for your environment. Instead, opt for native plants that will flourish in your backyard without extensive watering, fertilizers and effort.
#4 Be Smart with Temperature
Simple things like insulation for doors and windows or using fans to help distribute cold air in the summer can help conserve resources, while cutting down your household costs. You can also put your heating and cooling systems on a timer or let Ambi Climate regulate your temperature so that energy is used only when needed.
You'll be nicer to the earth AND save up on energy costs!
#5 Switch from Bottled to Filtered Water
The bottled water industry is extremely wasteful - the process actually wastes water, and not to mention the oil used to transport the bottles directly to your front door! Fortunately, for most of us reading this, water flows directly into our homes - so why not get yourself a water filter and fill up cups and recycled bottles from your kitchen tap? It's cheap and convenient!
We hope this post inspired some green ideas for your home! Got other eco-friendly ideas to share? Let us know in the comments plus make sure to subscribe to our blog & follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for all updates!
Happy Earth Day!
