5 Tips to Green Up Your Home

In a world still heavily dominated by plastic and other unsustainable choices, transforming your lifestyle to accommodate a greener approach takes a lot of education, plenty of persistence, and trial and error as well. We have access to so many innovative, yet affordable and clean solutions that it’s no surprise many modern homeowners are looking to introduce these and other green alternatives into their households. The sad thing is, they are still considered “alternatives” instead of the norm.

But, until the day comes when clean energy from the sun and water, as well as plastic-free products become the norm, you can still make a difference in your own home, your family, and your community by changing your lifestyle. Here are a handful of simple strategies to green up your home and lead a more sustainable life one day at a time.

Switch to solar

When they first became available for commercial and residential use, solar panels were very expensive and few homeowners were able to make the switch immediately. Today, not only have these panels become more affordable, but they are now several generations more advanced, they are extremely simple in terms of maintenance, and the investment pays itself off very quickly.

The cost of purchasing and installing solar panels differs from one country to another, but some states offer subsidies worth considering. The investment can pay itself off in less than a decade, it comes with reduced (if not eliminated) electricity bills, and adds to the value of your home. As for the savings, you’re looking at about $20,000 of savings after 20 years of solar panel usage.

Ditch plastic

Thanks to our growing environmental awareness, there are now plastic-free options for practically everything you can imagine, including the little things you rarely pay any attention to, such as clothes pegs or food wraps. Conduct a thorough spring cleaning of your home to abandon anything made of plastic and instead use eco-friendly household products made of stainless steel, bamboo, and silicone that will last you a lifetime.

Opting for materials other than plastic not only makes your home more sustainable, but also gives you a chance to increase the lifespan of your products. A stainless-steel water bottle is far more durable than a plastic one, so keep looking for items in your home you can replace with more durable, Earth-friendly alternatives.

Clean your home sustainably

Chemicals have infiltrated every pore of our lives, so we’re accustomed to using toxic store-bought products that contain dangerous amounts of chemicals to clean our homes, eliminate germs, and reduce our exposure to allergens.

Luckily, you can use a few spray bottles made of glass to store your home-made cleaning supplies made of vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils to keep your living space perfectly clean. The citric acid found in lemons is another natural cleaner you can use in your mixtures, and all of the listed ingredients will cause no harm to the environment.

Install energy-efficient solutions

Although making energy-efficient decisions is a matter of habit, such as unplugging your chargers and lowering your thermostat to a reasonable temperature and keeping your blinds open instead of turning on the lights when there’s daylight, there are other smart solutions to make your home even more energy-efficient.

For example, you can invest in quality insulation that will let you enjoy a balanced room temperature without relying that much on heating or cooling systems in place. Replacing your incandescent bulbs with LED lights is another great option, while installing water-efficient faucets will help you limit water waste.

Add greenery to your rooms

A simple, yet powerful way to improve the air quality of your home and imbue your home with natural elements is to add potted plants wherever you can. Add to that, creating an indoor garden for plants you can grow and consume yourself is another simple way to add to the beauty and functionality of your green indoor space.

One little decision at a time, and you’ll soon transform your home into a sustainable living space you and your family will enjoy for years on end. Add these to your to-do list, and you’ll quickly find more ways to green up your home and protect our environment with every choice you make.

Guest Author Bio:

Sophia Smith is Australian-based beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogger. She is very passionate about latest fashion trends, DIY projects and natural beauty products. Sophia writes mostly in beauty and fashion related topics, mainly through blogs and articles. She is regular contributor at High Style Life.

Find her on: Facebook Twitter Google +