Key Ways to Make Your House Sustainable

Although we closed our eyes to the detrimental effect we have on the environment for years, we have finally opened our eyes again. Human activities such as excessive production of carbon dioxide, polluting land and sea, and using up non-renewable resources have changed the planet in drastic ways. The climate has seen more changes in the past few years than it saw in thousands of years. We’ve seen hundreds of plant and animal species go extinct, and hundreds of others go on endangered lists. While large corporations must play a part in reducing the burden upon the earth, that doesn’t mean we all can’t act on a personal level. If everyone chips in to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, we may be able to turn back the clock and save the earth. Small measures towards sustainability can spell the difference between extinction and survival for various species globally. If you’re wondering how you can work towards reducing your carbon footprint on the earth, keep reading below.

Do-It-Yourself

In today’s highly maximalist world, we tend to purchase furniture and plastic items now and then. However, many people do not think about deforestation while purchasing wooden furniture nor the threat to marine life due to plastic waste. But what to do when you need a new household item? Why not DIY some old furniture and fixtures into a new one? Not only will you be saving the planet but some bucks as well. DIY projects are an excellent way to exercise your creativity while giving your home a sustainable facelift.

When you have your DIY projects underway, you may want to free up space so you can work efficiently. If you’re working with dyes, you wouldn’t want to get them on other pieces of furniture. If so, you can easily store your furniture away in a self storage unit while you work. Even better, you can transform a self-storage unit into a DIY workshop, where you can work without any interruptions. Self-storage units are affordable, safe solutions whether you want a workspace or somewhere to stash unneeded furniture. You can get one in any size you need, and for as long as you want.

When cleaning, go green

You may love your favorite detergents and other cleaning products, but you need to be aware of their environmental impact. Cleaning products can be incredibly toxic for the environment. They contain many chemicals that slowly but adversely harm the environment. Furthermore, these products can be detrimental to your health too. Using toxic kitchen cleaners can potentially pollute your food and bring a host of health drawbacks. Similarly, using toxic laundry cleaners can damage your skin.

Instead of using these essential products, you can opt for homemade cleaners that are non-toxic for you and the environment. Baking soda is the best cleaning product you can use. It dissolves dirt and grease without contaminating anything. Mixing baking soda with lemon and vinegar can create a powerful cleaning agent you can use anywhere. These ingredients won’t just melt away grease but can kill bacteria and remove odors without damaging the environment.

Get sustainable window treatments

Energy is one of our most significant expenditures. Using electricity around the clock isn’t just bad for our pockets, but for the environment as well. Non-renewable energy sources are depleting as we speak. Furthermore, burning gas and coal generates many greenhouse gases that wear away at the ozone layer. Instead of using energy on heating and cooling arrangements, window treatments can help you conserve an immense amount of energy. In addition to window treatments, getting thick curtains can keep you from losing too much warmth or cooling from windows.

Double glazed windows now come in attractive designs which help you conserve energy around the year. These treatments can reduce your AC or heater usage, letting you use fewer resources. Glazed windows can keep cooled rooms colder for longer while allowing heated-up rooms to stay warm despite the temperatures outside. With such treatments, you can easily cut back on your electricity bills too.

Add a compost bin

We generate an enormous amount of waste in the kitchen, even if we cook occasionally. Scraps, peels, leftovers, and food that has gone past the expiry date may seem like a waste to us, but we can put it to great use. If you have a home garden, getting a compost bin can be an excellent way to fertilize your crops without using chemical-laden fertilizers. You can now quickly get a compost bin from any home outlet or DIY store at a low cost. You can throw in your kitchen waste into it, wait a few weeks, and have nutrient-rich fertilizer for all your crops. Using such organic fertilizers for your crops is also an excellent way of nourishing the soil in the long term. While synthetic fertilizers only poison the soil, organic fertilizer can restore the soil to its initial nutrient value.

Furthermore, using a compost bin can help you save money you would’ve spent on buying fertilizers. Instead, you get organic, healthy vegetables, fruits, and herbs, all from your back yard.

Pick and use your appliances carefully

The appliances we use around the house can use up a lot of energy and put an immense strain on the environment. Furthermore, the way we use these appliances can increase the amount of energy used. If you keep opening your oven, air fryer, or toaster to see if your food is ready, you’re releasing the heat accumulated. It forces the device to use more energy. If you must use any such device, refrain from continuous checking always.

Furthermore, when picking an appliance, be sure to consider the efficiency ratings. Swap the regular light bulb for an eco-friendlier, LED one, and get a halogen oven if possible. If you’re cooking in bulk, try to get as much done in one go to reduce your energy usage.

Conclusion

Going eco-friendly and sustainable doesn’t mean you have to install solar panels or other expensive investments. Instead, you can make small changes around the house that go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint. Cutting back on energy usage, not using toxic cleaners, and recycling whatever you can are excellent ways of leading a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.