Just like we look after our bodies, it’s important to take care of the planet. Earth is our home and we only get one. For this reason, we should find ways to be more environmentally friendly in our daily lives. Here are 30 helpful tips for a more eco-friendly home!
We’re facing a lot of challenges right now, like climate change, poor air quality, and deforestation. These problems seem daunting. You may start wonder– can I really make a difference? The truth is, small everyday actions are often times the most powerful. Real change starts with each one of us. 🌏
30 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Home
1. Add indoor plants.
Make your home more eco-friendly by buying a fiddle leaf fig tree! (Or any plant really!) 🌱
Did you know that plants improve air quality and fight against pollution? Plus, they add such an inviting touch to your home.
2. Turn off the lights when you’re away.
Make sure to turn off all lights when you leave the room. This step is crucial to have an eco-friendly home. It’ll conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases!
3. Recycle.
We all know about this eco-friendly practice, but sometimes recycling effectively isn’t easy. Remember to remain mindful of your recycling habits.
Check out these helpful recycling tips by Sustainably Savvy. The post also features recycling symbols and what they mean!
4. Start an “empties” challenge.
I’ve read so many amazing “empties” post by other bloggers. To start your own “empties” challenge, simply go through your drawers and challenge yourself to empty your beauty products. Try not to buy anything else until you’ve finish the products you already own. You’ll save money, rediscover old faves, and help the environment!
5. Buy reusable kitchenware instead of plastic.
Here’s a pretty scary fact. One plastic cup can take 50-80 years to decompose. Aside from this, there are many other reasons why plastic is bad for the environment.
Do what you can to skip plastic whenever possible. Visit affordable shops and stock up on reusable kitchen tools. My personal go-to for kitchen finds is Marshalls. They have the CUTEST mugs and dishes!
Cute eco-friendly home options:
AmazonBasics Kitchen Set
6. Use your bike.
This eco-friendly form of transportation has a lot of benefits. You’ll stay active and spend more time outdoors! ☀️
7. Wash your hair every other day.
You’ll use a lot less water with this small lifestyle change!
8. Reuse your grocery bags.
Plastic bags are unfortunately standard in grocery stores. It’s hard, but slowly start to bring your own reusable bags to the store. I found these sturdy reusable grocery bags on Amazon and they have amazing reviews! Already placed my order!
Beegreen Reusaable Grocery Bags
9. Donate clothing.
Another great way to be more eco-friendly is to donate your clothes.
Have a spring cleaning session in July! Browse your closet and pick out clothes that you don’t wear much anymore.
Ask yourself these 10 simple questions as you declutter your closet. They’ll help you filter through your things more easily!
10. Don’t leave water running.
This is especially important when you’re cooking or washing dishes. In fact, even just brushing your teeth can waste four gallons of water! Doing small things like turning the faucet off while you’re scrubbing dishes helps a ton!
11. Make your own skincare products.
A lot of beauty products are stored in plastic bottles. Combat waste by making your own skincare products. I recently found this awesome avocado face mask on Pinterest. It only calls for four ingredients and one of them is optional. This is also a fantastic homemade option for anyone with sensitive skin!
12. Keep scrap paper to use again.
I learned this crafty tip from my grandma! She keeps scrap paper from random mail pieces or journals. That way, if she ever wants to write anything down, she can use the paper again. I’ve done quite a few projects for my blog and reused decorative paper for posts. Keep a “junk” drawer with scrap paper and find ways to use it more than once.
13. Get creative with containers for storage.
Reuse storage containers for different items in your fridge. When I was little, my grandma used to do this all the time. Back then, I laughed every time I opened up a Cool Whip container and found last night’s dinner stored in there. Now, I think she’s innovative. 😂
Take Nonna’s advice and repurpose your Cool Whip containers!
14. Try an eco-friendly alternative to makeup wipes.
Rather than using makeup wipes, try out reusable pads!
15. Open the windows.
Instead of turning on the AC, open your windows. This lets fresh air into your place and it’s better for your health! On hot days, do your best to turn the air up only when you’re cooking or eating dinner. Additionally, look into if your AC unit has an energy saving setting!
16. Cut out usage of straws.
Plastic straws aren’t biodegradable. This means that they eventually get tossed and thrown in the ocean. Pollution is extremely dangerous for marine life. To have a more eco-friendly home, cut out straws completely.
If you use straws for coffee, purchase a reusable tumbler. Starbucks sells them at all of their stores. They’re super pretty! You can also find tumblers at any supermarket or on Amazon.
17. Work from home when possible.
Cars emit greenhouse gases like CO2. This becomes harmful for the environment, especially during rush hour traffic.
Ask if you can work from home on certain days of the week. Even one workday at home helps!
Some jobs may not allow this arrangement, though. Instead, try biking to work or carpooling with your coworkers!
18. Call your local reps.
Please don’t be afraid to talk to your town’s representatives! Often times, local changes are the most powerful. Visit your town’s website and see if you can find a section for elected officials. Also, look for local meetings, volunteering opportunities, and events. You can make a change in your community just by voicing your concerns!
19. Clean with hand towels.
Lysol wipes come in handy at times, but they’re wasteful. This is because wipes aren’t biodegradable. Most of them contain plastic, too. For a more environmentally friendly solution, try reusable hand towels. Amazon has tons of affordable options!
Amazon Basics Hand Towels (Pack of 60!)
20. Read instead of watching TV.
Save energy by turning off your TV and reading a good book. If you want some reading inspo, check out my Dreamy Summer 2019 Reading List!
Right now, I’m working on Lock Every Door by Riley Sager and I’m obsessed. Literally can’t put the book down!
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
21. Be an outfit repeater.
I just had to casually insert that Lizzie McGuire quote.
Don’t follow Kate Sanders’ advice. Please be an outfit repeater. It’s important to make use of the clothing you already own. You’ll reduce waste in this way. It’s okay to wear an outfit more than a few times. You can style a look in a way that’ll completely change the outfit. I personally love the 10 x 10 outfit challenge!
22. Shop at your local farmers market.
Supporting local businesses is one of the best ways to be more environmentally friendly. Search for farmers markets near your home and shop at local grocery stores. You can even turn a visit to the farmers market into a fun summer date!
23. Follow a vegetarian diet during the weekdays.
Reduce your carbon footprint by cutting back on meat. Slowly do this by making yummy vegetarian meals one or two days out of the week. Alejandro and I have been cooking mostly vegetarian dinners on the weekdays. On weekends, we’ll usually go out to eat since we’re not always at home. Aside from being environmentally friendly, It’s healthier and cheaper!
A few of my fave vegetarian meals:
24. Opt for plant based cleaning supplies.
Many mainstream cleaning supplies contain a lot of harmful ingredients. They also aren’t good for the environment. Opt for more eco-friendly and plant based options. I recently switched to Seventh Generation cleaning products. They’re a bit pricier than standard cleaning products but so worth the money! Mrs. Meyer’s is another awesome eco-friendly option!
25. Plant a tree in your backyard.
Trees are a gift to our planet. 🌎 I mean just look at all of their wonderful benefits!
26. Only run your dishwasher when it’s fully loaded.
As I was researching this topic, I found a lot of articles stating that dishwashers are generally more eco-friendly than hand washing. This is because they’ve become more efficient over the years. Still, make sure that you’re practicing good habits. A couple of handy tips include skipping the pre-rinse cycle and air drying.
27. Ask for e-bills.
A super easy eco-friendly practice is to go paperless! Here are some ways to cut down on junk mail. ✉️
28. Unplug throughout the day.
Make sure you’re unplugging appliances that you’re not using at the moment. This includes microwaves, toasters, cell phone chargers, laptop chargers, and more. Give your place a quick scan to ensure that unused appliances aren’t actually turned on.
29. Use cold water when washing clothes.
90% of energy used during a laundry session comes from hot water.
Next time you’re doing laundry, make sure you’re choosing the cold setting. It’ll help save a large amount of energy!
30. Have a garage sale.
Have a garage sale at your place! You can sell or donate your items to neighbors. Garage sales are always so much fun and a great way to find neat items!
During college, I remember going to a couple of garage sales. One time, I even found copies of books that I needed for school!
Plus, summer is peak garage sale season! 🏖️
What are some of your tips for having a more eco-friendly home? Also, which tip from this list was your favorite? x
Thank you for mentioning this! Regular HVAC maintenance is really important. To make it easier for you to perform, we created a seasonal guide to HVAC maintenance: https://happyhiller.com/blog/seasonal-guide-to-hvac-maintenance-introduction/. What to do and when – everything is mentioned there. Just print and use it all year round! 🙂
I like your suggestions for lowering energy consumption! I have one more thing to add.
Since the usage of energy on heating and cooling the house account for most of the energy use, it is important to remember about regular maintenance of HVAC system. Regular HVAC maintenance can reduce your home’s energy consumption by 25-30%, helping you avoid higher-than-usual electric bills.
I never thought of making my home eco-friendly until now. This post was inspiring and these tips are great! Going to start by adding more plants to my home. I find that it gives the home a fresh smell and its a great way to decorate any space.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sandy! You’re so sweet!! Plants seriously add such an inviting touch. My fiancé and I recently bought succulents. We put them on the windowsill and love them!
Thanks again for reading, hon!! Hope you’re having a great Friday! x
Lizzie McGuire, you are an outfit repeater!
The most iconic quote ever lol!!! x
Amazing post Nunzia! These tips are so helpful but also very easy! I have completely stopped using makeup wipes and take off my makeup only with oil, it’s amazing for my skin too! I love having plants around as it adds this “homey” touch that I love! Thanks for sharing!! 😊
Thank you so much, Juliette!! 💗I’m so glad to hear that the tips were helpful!! It’s amazing that you stopped using makeup wipes completely. Using oil to take off makeup is such a great idea and it’s also natural!! I’ll have to give that a try! 😊And totally agree! Plants can make your place so cozy!
Thanks for stopping by and reading! Hope you’re having an awesome weekend, hon! x
Hey Nunzia very helpful tips. I unplugged the charger lol that was one on your tips to unplug outlets.
Love mom
Hi Ma!! 💓 Aww, thank you so much! That’s awesome! Little things like that help a lot 😊Love you!! x
Hi Nunzia, this post is simply amazing 💚 I’m trying to change my habits to protect our environment. Beauty and makeup products that are organic, without toxic agents, reusable bags, water bottles, I’m vegetarian aand much more! I will definitely save this blog post! I love it.
Have a lovely day xx
http://www.aishettina.com
Grazie, Aisha!! You’re so sweet! 💛I’ve been trying my best to be more mindful about the ingredients in makeup and beauty products. It’s such an important step!
Reusable bags and water bottles help so much too!! That’s awesome that you’re vegetarian! I hope to one day be completely vegetarian. It’s been a work in progress for me, but I’ve been keeping a cookbook with different vegetarian recipes I found online! It’s so much healthier for you!!
Hope you’re having an amazing day, dear!! x
I recently started putting plants in my house and I love the vibe it gives off – I even have plants in the bathroom now because I like it so much. I recycle as much as I can too and love a good empties challenge! I would really like to cut back on how much meat I consume too but I am always stuck for veggie options! Hopefully I can work on that this summer ♥
Those are all awesome lifestyle habits! 💗I’m with you girl, I love reading empty challenges!! They’re so much fun! Plus, it’s a mindful way to look at makeup and beauty. Indoor plants also do give a nice and inviting vibe!
For vegetarian recipes, I recommend Pinterest. There are a lot of yummy and easy recipes on there!! Pinterest has been a lifesaver for me during the weekdays especially!
Thanks for reading, dear!! Hope you’re having a great week!! x
Oooh thank you for the tip! I’ll have to check it out! It’s my weekend now (off for two days) so I’ll have to give it a browse for new food inspo! X
Such a great post, so many amazing tips to be more eco-friendly! This is the main reason I became vegetarian in January this year, because of how bad the meat industry is on the environment. We’ve always recycled and have bought things that are re-usable, we have our re-usable straws, travel coffee cups which are great as you can use them in cafe’s as well, re-usable bags for shopping, there’s so many small things everyone can do to help the environment! Thanks for sharing!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Thank you, hon!! 💛You’re so right, there are a lot of everyday changes we all can make to better our environment! I was reading more about the meat industry for this post and I had no idea just how bad it is for the environment. :/ My fiancé and I have been mostly eating vegetarian meals during the weekdays and cooking at home more often. There are so many delicious vegetarian options out there!! We have our reusable mugs for cafe’s, but I love the idea of buying reusable straws!!
Thanks for stopping by and reading, Chloe!! x
This is such a great post!
I’m trying to be more mindful of my energy use, waste and consumption. I felt so sad today because I went to a food festival in my city where you can use tickets to buy small portions of foods from all kinds of different restaurants BUT they all used single use plastic for your food. I held onto my one fork the entire time but so many people just kept throwing theirs out and getting a new one at the next stall 🙁 I also did a cooking class on Monday where everything was disposable! whyy!!?
Anyways, I think there are a lot of great ways that we can adjust our lifestyles to use less. Thank you for all these tips!
Thank you so much, Cleia! I’m so happy to hear that these tips were helpful! 💓
Oh my gosh, it can seriously be overwhelming when you think about it. The food festival you went to sounds a lot like The Taste of Chicago. You get small portions there and they use plastic forks and paper plates as well. It’s really sad to see how ingrained this stuff is in our everyday lives. Even on Sunday, I went to the movies and noticed that the theatre only had paper towels to dry your hands (no air dryer).
I think it’s all about taking small steps and like you said, making adjustments. Even the smallest changes make such a big difference! It’s always a work in progress!
I hope you’re having a nice summer, by the way!! x
I think it’s the same idea, ours is called Taste of Edmonton! I do love the festival and we try to go every year but the waste just makes me so upset now.
I thought that everywhere had air dryers now! That IS sad 🙁
Thank you! I hope your Summer is fabulous!
These are amazing tips! Thank you for sharing them 😍 We already recycle at home and use our lamps with saving energy. We had a beautiful tree near our garden in The Netherlands but the neighbours cut them down. I was so sad that day 😭 They said they wanted more sunshine in their garden. It was such a stupid thought but the tree wasn’t exactly in our garden so we couldn’t claim it unfortunately.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, dear!! 💓It’s awesome that you recycle and use energy saving lamps. That’s so sad to hear that your neighbors cut down the tree. 😔I would have been really sad as well. Trees are just so beautiful and good for the environment. I don’t know why anyone would cut one down, especially for that reason. :/
I live in the city so there aren’t as many trees in our neighborhood. Luckily, we have a forest preserve near our apartment so that helps! I’d love to go to the Netherlands one day! It sounds so beautiful! x