Daily Wellness Challenge #23
- E. Ruby
- Feb 22, 2019
- 3 min read
For those who are looking for some more greener alternatives at home, you're in the right place!!
1) Especially to those who don't have low-flow toilets, you can save gallons of water each day by taking a plastic bottle (water or soda bottle) placing some pebbles in the bottom and filling it with water. Take the bottle and place it inside your toilet's tank. The plastic water bottle will displace some of the water in the tank and save you money and water!Toilets use about 3-7 gallons of water per each flush which is a huge amount!
2) Home heating. One of the most effective ways to save money is to lower to heating and electrical costs. Many households keep their thermostats at 21-22 degrees Celsius. When it's cold, consider lowering the temperature by 1-2 degrees and throwing on a sweater. When it's hot, think about raising the temperature 1-2 degrees to save money on air conditioning. Use a programmable thermostat or adjust the temperature before you leave the house.
3) Water heater. Many people have their water heater set too high...especially with young children at home. Hot water burns are one of the biggest injuries in children, that take place in the home. Setting the temperature on your water heater to a maximum of 120F will not only help you to save dough, but help to prevent serious injury. An additional option is to wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket to help extra heat from escaping.
4) Laundry takes a lot of time and energy. Washing clothes in cold water and line drying them as much as possible helps in saving money. Unless you're washing some very dirty clothing, most clothing can be washed in cold water, with the help of a detergent formulated for cold water use.
5) If you have a dishwasher, use it! You actually use less water than washing them by hand. Surprised to learn this?? So was I! Skip the heat drying option and prop the door open to allow the dishes to air dry. If you don't have a lot of dishes? Fill up a big bowl full of hot soapy water and another bowl full of clean water for rinsing.
6) Go paperless! Go green and sign up for online bill payment options. Remove yourself from catalog lists and paper bank statements. Shop online! Read the news on your laptop or tablet instead of getting the paper delivered to your house.
7) Unplug items that you aren't using. Items such a toasters, kettles and other small appliances drain energy when they remain plugged in. Unplug them or use a power surge strip and flip the switch off when not in use. Put your computer into sleep mode if you don't want to turn it off completely.
8) Swap out toxic cleaners for safe ones. Other than environmental benefits, non-toxic cleaners are much safer to use around children and pets as well as your skin and respiratory system. This way...your kids can help you clean without worry about the effects on their health!
9) Buy vintage items.....clothing, furniture and other household items. Consignment shops, thrift shops and yard sales are a perfect way to start! Have a swap meet with friends for items such a baby clothes and gear, dishes, appliances, etc.
10) Put a plant in every room of your home! Plants help to not only green up your space, but provide a healthier environment for your and your family. If you have pets, be sure that the plants are non-toxic. Plants help to clean and purify the air by removing harmful chemicals, humidifying the air which can help with respiratory and allergy problems. Plants (to me anyway) are an instant mood lifter. I love having greenery in my home!!!
Alone, these things may not seem like they would have an impact, but if everyone made small changes in the right direction...the impact would be grand!! We all need to start putting out heads in a conservation mindset!
xo
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