If you are looking to make your home a more eco-friendly house you may think that new windows and eco-friendly appliances that come with a larger price tag are the only things you can do.
However, if you can’t afford that right now, some small, simple, DIY changes can make an impact.
DIY PROJECTS FOR A MORE ECO-FRIENDLY HOUSE
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LIGHTBULBS
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL) can save almost 70 percent more energy than regular incandescent light bulbs. They are more expensive to start, but they last longer and you’ll expend fewer greenhouse gases in the process.
UNPLUG
Most people leave their appliances like TVs, computers, and toasters plugged in at all times, even when not in use. But you can save 15 percent on your energy bill by unplugging items that aren’t being used, especially computers and TVs.
THROW RUGS
Wood floors are wonderful, beautiful, and even environmentally friendly. However, they can keep a house too cold in the winter. Adding throw rugs can help cut down on the need to turn up the thermostat.
TURN DOWN (OR UP!) YOUR THERMOSTAT
Try putting your thermostat a few degrees over or under the temp you feel most comfortable at. In the summer you can wear less clothing; in the winter you can wear more plus use blankets. The savings will be noticeable on your bill each month, and you’ll also be helping the environment.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Using regular household supplies like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and water, you can make a lot of good cleaners that work just as well as the chemical kind.
For example, you can clean a mirror with equal parts white vinegar and water. Not only will it be better for the environment, but it will also be better for your bank balance too.
USE YOUR MICROWAVE MORE
The microwave uses half the energy of your oven and stovetop. While everything doesn’t taste good in the microwave, it’s a good way to heat up leftovers, cook potatoes, and steam veggies.
COMPOST
Even if you don’t plan to have a garden, making a compost pile is still something that you can do for the environment. All you do is throw some brown waste (like cardboard and newspapers) with green waste (like fruit and veggie peels) and stir once in a while. The compost will be great to place in your planters. Not only will you keep from filling the landfill, but you’ll also save money on landscaping.
GARDEN
While you’re making compost, you might as well start a small garden. Whether you start an herb garden, a salad garden, or go all out is up to you. But, once you get it going you can save money, add to the environment rather than taking from it, and become even more eco-friendly than you thought you could.
MAKE HOMEMADE PESTICIDES
Farmers have known for centuries that making homemade pesticides can work. Plus, they won’t harm the environment. You can make one for your vegetable garden with onions, garlic, dish soap, hot peppers, and water. It really is that easy.
LANDSCAPE NATIVE PLANTS
A mistake new homeowners often make is putting in landscaping that is not native to their area. Sometimes it may take a little research, but planting native plants will require less upkeep, less water, and make a much lower environmental impact than trying to grow non-native plants.
If you look around, you can find a lot of ways to have a more eco-friendly house without too much output on your part. From turning off the water while you brush your teeth, to using a cup to dunk your razor instead of running water – there is always a way that you can lessen your footprint.
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