Since this planet is the only one we have to live on currently, it makes sense to try and take good care of it for not only ourselves but for future generations. While not everyone is going to go back to living in the forest and eating off the land, there are plenty of eco-friendly swaps you can make in your modern lifestyle that makes a big difference. The great news is that these shifts can help reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a better environment. Here are some simple swaps to give yourself an eco-friendlier home.
Swap Out Your Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is one of those necessary evils. You need something to help you stay fresh and clean, but you don’t want to contribute to deforestation and other issues that come with the toilet paper-making process. The good news is that there are options. Some people go the reusable route and get washcloths that they can then clean and sanitize when they are done. If that option doesn’t sit right with you, then try bamboo toilet paper instead.
DIY Your Cleaning Products
Check your cabinet. If you’re like the average person, you probably have a cleaning product for everything. You likely have a toilet bowl cleaner that’s different from your surface cleaners. And you have an oven cleaner that’s different than your tub cleaner, and on and on. DIY cleaning products are not only a good way to save money, but they are a simple eco-friendly swap that can make a big difference.
Using things like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda are all excellent options for starting a DIY cleaning cabinet. You’ll need some reusable bottles to refill as needed, but there are plenty of ways to clean using just these few ingredients. Plus, you can buy them in bulk which helps reduce the amount of packaging and waste that comes with buying new cleaning products. Additionally, there are cleaning bath bombs you can make that are helpful as well.
Stop Using Paper Towels
While you may not be on board with using cloths for your toilet paper, maybe switching out your paper towels for something reusable would work instead. Some people love using sponges, but they can easily harbor bacteria. Another great reusable option to have on hand instead of paper towels is to use washcloths. When you’re done cleaning a mess or spill, simply rinse it out, hang it to dry, and then put it in the laundry come laundry day.
Invest in Wool Dryer Balls
Did you know that your dryer sheets could be making you sick? In fact, those sheets, while helpful for keeping static away, are coated in toxins that can give you problems the same way secondhand smoke can. Not to mention that they contribute to the mountains of household waste that you produce annually. Investing in wool dryer balls to use in lieu of dryer sheets can still get rid of the static cling on clothing, but also contributes to a more eco-friendly home.
Get Reusable Grocery Bags
Do you have a grocery store bag graveyard in your home? Many people do, and while these plastic bags are convenient for things like cleaning the cat litter box, having hundreds of them does nothing but contribute to the litter and waste. A more eco-friendly option is to get reusable bags and have the stores fill those with your groceries or goods instead. There are plenty of options, some that you can keep in your purse or car glove compartment.
Try Silicone Mats Instead of Aluminum Foil
Using aluminum foil is very convenient when you are cooking. It eliminates a lot of mess, but it also can release excess aluminum into your food and it produces a lot of waste. Try silicone mats on your pans instead. As a bonus, these mats are non-stick which makes cleaning a breeze. Not only can you wash and reuse them, helping to reduce waste, you’ll also have less exposure to toxins.
Creating an eco-friendly home does not need to break the bank and it doesn’t need to be hard. These simple swaps are some easy, everyday things you can do to improve the environment, reduce waste, and improve your health.
