May
29
2019
8 Eco-Hacks to Help You Live More Sustainably
Though it might feel like your efforts to help the environment go unnoticed or have no bearing in the larger scheme of things; every little bit helps. Choosing to live a more sustainable life is the one small step you can do at home to make a huge difference to the earth and its environment at large. Try these simple eco-friendly lifestyle hacks to live more sustainably and make our city cleaner.
1. Switch off appliances at the wall
The simplest way you can reduce excess energy consumption is by switching your appliances off at the wall. Popular appliances such as TVs and gaming consoles use up considerable amounts of energy, even on standby mode. By switching your appliances off at the wall when you’re not using them, you’ll not only reduce your carbon footprint but also your energy bills!
2. Wash in cold water
Washing laundry in cold water instead of hot may seem counterintuitive but it’s actually a wise way to save energy. Up to 90% of the energy used to run a washing machine comes from heating the water during a hot water cycle. Choosing the cold-water option every time you wash your clothes will use far less energy and money. Washing at 30 degrees is the eco-friendly way to do your laundry. While many garment wash tags recommend using warmer temperatures, modern detergents and laundry powders work just as well in cold water than they do in warm-hot water. When it comes to drying your laundry, try to always line dry (also known as air-dry). Just like washing machines, dryers use a lot of excess energy to warm and dry clothes. Hanging clothes out on the line or on a clothes rack and letting them dry out in the sun and crisp air will work just as well as a dryer, and there’s no risk of shrinkage or tangling.
3. Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products
A lot of cleaning products contain harmful, toxic chemicals that are damaging to the environment and to us. In fact, repeated exposure to these chemicals can lead to health issues and also trigger and worsen symptoms in asthma sufferers. Since we clean our homes on a daily basis, we want to ensure that this daily use of cleaning products isn’t contributing to the harmful effects on our environment and our families. Keep your home safe by investing in eco-friendly cleaning products. Green cleaning products – such as bio-home’s Natural Floor Cleaner — are environmentally safe and will not harm you or your children and pets. Containing no chemicals, it effectively cleans surfaces using 100% plant-based active ingredients.
4. Swap over to LED lightbulbs
Replacing the light bulbs in your home and switching over to LED (light-emitting diodes) is a smart eco-friendly hack that will reduce your energy consumption and save you money. LED lightbulbs are up to 80% more energy-efficient than traditional halogen lighting. This is because 95% of the energy in LEDs is converted into light and only 5% is wasted as heat. LED lights also last up to 10 years, meaning you won’t be having to replace them as often or make frequent trips to the store.
5. Reuse newspapers and old clothes as cleaning rags
Did you know that you can re-use newspapers to achieve a streak-free clean to windows? By adding a few drops of vinegar to a newspaper and then crumpling it up into a makeshift sponge, you can wipe down windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces for a crystal-clear finish. Once the paper’s dry again you can recycle it as usual. This tip also works with old clothes which can be ripped up and reused as rags for washing, cleaning the car, or as tea towels. This trick also works well with old pillowcases. If you have ceiling fans at home, an easy way to dust and clean the is by sliding a pillowcase over each blade, trapping the dirt instead of dusting it back out into the air as you would with a duster.
6. Use recycled paper to gift wrap
Eco-gift wrap not only is a wise, sustainable choice but also is an ingenious way of wrapping presents. Gift wrapping can be expensive and wasteful, and by using old paper or even recycled gift wrapping paper from previous gifts you’ve received will make for a unique, personalised gift that the recipient will love!
7. Eat less meat
Did you know that cutting back on meat can significantly reduce your carbon footprint? Beef and lamb meat are leading contributors to methane, a greenhouse gas that can contribute to global warming. Not only that, but meat is expensive. By cutting back on your meat consumption you will save money and your plastic waste.
8. Use reusable shopping bags
Plastic bags have a major impact on the environment as they require non-renewable petroleum and gas to make, and will never break down. With this in mind, you can switch to using reusable shopping bags to reduce your use of plastic bags. Doing this could prevent over 125 single-use plastic bags going to waste every year.
Sustainability starts at home
Simple switches to more environmentally-friendly options can make all the difference in reducing your household’s carbon footprint. Sustainable living may seem impossible with today’s lifestyles, but with these simple eco-hacks, you can do your part in contributing to a cleaner and greener city.
Bio-home offers a range of eco-friendly, plant-based household cleaning products that can help you on your sustainable journey. Browse our natural cleaning range for products that are better for both your family and the environment.
