Everyone runs out of the house in
the morning and lights get left on without even putting any thought into it.
We’ve all done it and until we are adults paying the bills each month, it’s no
big deal. So you can tell yourself or other people you live with “don’t forget
to turn off the lights” over and over again, or you can take action.
Easiest way to solve this problem is to get a couple sensors so that lights are only used when someone is in the room. It may take a little getting used to because they will probably startle you at first until you get used to them but if you use the energy-saving bulbs, they won’t be super bright right away and easing into this routine will be gentler. If you are not looking for a constant on & off of lights, try putting timers on them. Set the timers for when you are typically home and in the appropriate rooms you put them in. Even just doing this in the rooms that are most forgotten would be a help.
Try new cleaning products or create
your own. The everyday spray cleaner is convenient but not in the long run.
Keep in mind you, your family and your pets are all breathing in whatever you’re
cleaning with and most products contain harsh chemicals that can cause health
issues down the road, and can even be deadly to your pets if constantly inhaled
or ingested. Whatever you use to clean sinks, toilets or any drainage area will
go down into the waste water and have to end up somewhere. You may not ever
think about it because let’s face it, “out of sight, out of mind” but every time
you put cleaning products down the drain, you are polluting the environment
because that is where they end up. The harsh chemicals do not break down and
travel on to contaminate oceans and soil, changing the chemistry of whatever
lives there.
Today’s market offers several alternative non-toxic, biodegradable options for most brands and are available at both natural and traditional grocery stores, along with smaller stores such as pharmacies and bargain chains. Many people make their own because it is easy and more cost-effective. For an all-purpose cleaner, baking soda can go a long way because it is a natural scourer, polisher & fungicide. Natural oils such as tea tree or citrus make perfect disinfectants, and try switching to white vinegar with borax for an alternative to toilet cleaner.
Many trash disposal companies
offer options for recycled items to be separately picked up, however every day we are creating waste that
could easily be reused and not just dumped into our landfills. I am referring
to composting. It can be gross to some, but when done properly can save a lot
of room in your trash, wallet and more importantly the amount of landfill.
Items we use often such as eggshells, tea leaves, coffee grounds fruit / vegetable
cutoffs and other organic matter you use in your daily life that we consider “trash”.
Create a bin to dispose these type of scraps and mix them in with your grass
cuttings or leaves, add some water and you have a natural, nutritious soil
enhancer while reducing the amount of trash bags and landfill waste.
Using the dishwasher? Put it on
the shortest run to save both electricity and water. Do you wash your dishes by
hand? If you have a double sink, perfect! Fill one side and let the dishes soak
instead of keeping the water running. If you only have a single basin sink,
fill it to soak then fill it again to rinse or use the tub. The goal is to not
have the water continuously running when it is not necessary. Same goes for other mindless water wasting
home routines such as keeping the water running while brushing your teeth or
shaving. Point is, stop and realize where you are wasting water and energy, and
be conscious about doing your part to reduce wasted water.
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