If you have ever had a desire to live a greener life, but never made the change because it seemed too overwhelming or difficult, then this article is for you. This easy to read how-to article will show you some simple ways that can help make your life greener with changes that won’t cost a lot of time, money, or effort. In no time at all, you will be well on your way to living a greener lifestyle. Enjoy!
Switch To Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
One of the easiest ways to make your life greener is to switch your laundry detergent. Using eco friendly laundry detergent is very effective and they’re available in a wide range of prices. Look for an earth-friendly washing powder that contains no chlorine bleach, phosphates, ammonia or optical brighteners. Animal fat based products should be avoided as they can affect water quality when used on a large scale.
You will be surprised how much money you can save by switching from a conventional detergent to brands on the market today specifically formulated for sensitive skin and capable of doing an excellent job while being kind to the environment.
Install a Low Flow Shower Head
Installing a low flow showerhead is perhaps the simplest and cheapest fix you can make to your bathroom in order to green it up. By reducing your water consumption in this way, you not only save money (a typical old school showerhead uses about five gallons per minute), but you also help out the environment by using less water and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of clean drinking water. When shopping for a new eco-friendly showerhead, look for one that has an eco-label seal from an environmental certification company such as Energy Star or Green Seal.
One type that will accomplish both a green home and a green conscience is a dual spray showerhead, which allows you to choose between a full-power water stream or an energy-saving trickle. If the eco-friendly shower head you want doesn’t come with any adapters, these are easy and inexpensive to find at your local hardware store.
Use Less Paper Products
Another easy way to make your life greener is to stop using paper towels and buy a few green products. Do you really need paper napkins for every meal? Use real cloth napkins made from recycled t-shirts, shirts or other material as opposed to throwing away mountains of used paper towels, and wash them with the laundry when they get dirty. That’s all there is to it!
By making your life greener by using less of these products, you will not only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with pulp production but also cut down on landfill space needed to dispose of used goods.
Install Green Light Bulbs
You can further reduce your electricity consumption by installing energy-efficient light bulbs in all of your light fixtures and lamps throughout the house.
Good quality green CFL light bulbs use 70 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and they also last 4 to 10 times longer (about 9,000 hours). They are available in both 100 watt and 40-watt variations. By replacing your old standard light bulbs you will reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with power generation because each bulb reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 450 pounds over its lifetime!
Plant Some Trees
You can help make your life greener by planting trees in your backyard or garden. Not only do they provide natural shade to keep you cool in the summer, but also reduce noise pollution and absorb harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide. Trees also improve air quality by filtering out pollutants and producing oxygen for us to breathe – all of which benefits our health! In addition, they add value to a home through increased landscape beauty while providing a habitat for wildlife.
This is an easy way to make your life greener because all you have to do is plant them and watch them grow! If you need advice on where and how to plant trees in your yard, contact a local landscaping business that specializes in this type of work to see if they can offer you some advice. They might even offer a special discount on plantings for green-minded individuals who want to make their lives greener!
Eat Organic
If you want to make your life greener, start eating organic! Organic produce ensures that you will not be consuming pesticides and other harmful chemicals with your fruits and vegetables.
Organic farming methods are also better for the environment because they do not pollute soil or water sources with chemical pesticides, fertilizers or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that have been shown to cause numerous health concerns.
Furthermore, organic crops use fewer fossil fuels since their production does not rely on agricultural chemicals, gasoline-powered farm machinery or long-distance transportation.
You can further reduce your carbon footprint by eating local food to cut down on fossil fuels associated with transporting produce across the country.
Shop Second-Hand
Do you need to buy a new shirt? Why not find one that’s used instead of new to make your life greener? You can go to secondhand clothing stores or try finding clothes at thrift shops. Not only are they environmentally friendly by helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with textile production for new clothes, but also help reduce landfill space by providing another use for old garments.
Additionally, shopping second-hand gives you access to unique items that might not be available in department stores or clothing boutiques! You can find designer brands for a fraction of the price!
Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water
You can make your life greener by washing your clothes with cold water.
Since almost 90 percent of the energy needed to operate a washing machine is used to heat up the water, using cold water will save you money on both gas and electricity bills associated with laundering.
It also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with power plant operation since most electric power plants rely on fossil fuels to produce electricity!
Reduce Household Waste & Packaging
Not only does reducing household waste help the environment by keeping items out of landfills, but also reduces your utility bills associated with trash removal and sewage treatment.
By reading product labels to learn how much packaging you are really getting, you can start making smarter choices when purchasing goods at the supermarket or department store.
Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
You can make your life greener by unplugging your electronics when they’re not in use. Leaving appliances plugged into an outlet consumes electricity – even if they’re turned off! In fact, appliances that are turned off but still plugged into an outlet consume about 10 percent of household energy. That might seem small, but over a year, that seemingly small percentage can add up to a large amount of wasted energy and money!
In order to make your life greener, you should start doing things like planting trees, using an eco-friendly detergent and eating organic foods. In addition, you can also reduce waste by using cold water to wash your clothes, not leaving electronics turned on when they’re not needed and going through your garbage at home. If you follow these simple suggestions, you will be making a difference in the environment in no time!
