5 Easy Swaps To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

When faced with the big environmental problems of the day it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed and out of depth. However, the good news is that everyone can do something to help. Within each home, there are hundreds of small swaps and changes that can add up to a big difference. 

Even more encouraging is the fact that these changes don’t need to break the bank or become an inconvenience. Many eco-swaps can save money, make life simpler and even have hidden health benefits.

Top eco swaps for the home

1.   Swap nasty chemicals for natural cleaners

Many of the chemicals used within the home to clean up daily grime and dirt are not only harmful to the planet but can be harmful to human health. These “dangerous” liquids can be unpleasant to keep around the house, with the added challenge of storing them out of the reach of children.  

The good news is that there’s plenty of natural alternatives for tough cleaning jobs that work just as well. Two common natural cleaners, which have been used for centuries, are vinegar and baking soda.  

Vinegar is naturally acidic and can cut through many stubborn stains while mixing it with baking soda helps release bubbles of carbon dioxide, which help lift dirt from the surface being cleaned.  

These multipurpose ingredients can be used for anything from cleaning windows to scrubbing toilets. 

2.   Swap out Saran wrap for reusable containers

Saran wrap has its upsides when it comes to an eco household. It makes sure that leftovers are kept fresh for longer, meaning they are not thrown out. However, its downsides are that most places do not recycle it, and being plastic it does not compost. It is also easily blown away, adding to litter and potentially being eaten by wildlife due to the food smells that still cling to it. 

So what are the alternatives? Depending on what food is being saved, and whether it will need to be transported or frozen, there are many different options. Glass jars are great for storing dried goods, or for keeping food fresh in the fridge. For plated items, it may be as simple as placing an upturned bowl over the delicious meal.  

And if the food is going on a trip, out to a local park or off to the beach, then resealable plastic containers may be the best option. Today you can go even more eco and opt for plastics made from bamboo or renewable fibres.  

3.   Swap energy-sapping light bulbs for LED

While it is often beneficial to look back to the past for eco inspiration, there are plenty of new technologies that are also helping to cut our environmental footprints. While the first energy-saving light bulbs brought on complaints about their lack of brilliance the new wave of LED bulbs can produce the same light for 10% of the energy of a traditional incandescent bulb.  

While turning off the light when the room is empty is still highly beneficial, an upgrade to a LED bulb whenever one of the lights goes out is another step in the right direction. 

4.   Swap excess packaging for bulk buying

Reducing packaging is a key way to cut down on waste. While a simple way to do this is to buy things without packagings, such as loose fruit and veg, another option is to bulk buy.  

While not all of the weekly shop is suitable to be sitting around for months on end there are plenty of things that can be stored without harm. Dried goods such as pasta and rice are perfect to be brought in big bags, as are some root vegetables such as potatoes.  

These foods must be correctly stored, away from damp, and with vegetables ideally in a cool, dark space. For those that lack the space to store large quantities themselves, it can be worth seeing if others would like to bulk buy and then split the produce. 

For other tips on how to reduce waste in the kitchen visit Beeco’s 101 guide to an eco-kitchen.

5.   Swap plastics for natural fibres

While many people have become used to the idea of grabbing their cotton bag rather than picking up a plastic one at the store, there are many other plastics hidden around the home. 

From plastic carpets to plastic clothing, these fibres are all made from the same source material; fossil fuels. Not only will they not compost they also shed microfibres, which end up in the marine environment when fibres are washed away in washing machines and sinks.  

Rather than throwing out all those plastic-based fabrics, it is more sustainable to replace them with natural fibres whenever they are at the end of their lifespan. Hemp, cotton, bamboo and wool are all excellent alternatives to oil-based polyester, nylon and lycra.  

Get up and go for it!

It isn’t easy being green, but small changes are the best place to start. For everyone looking to make a difference, it’s not a case of being perfect but a case of trying.  

While mums and dads alike may feel like there’s too much on their plates day-to-day to even start thinking about the bigger picture, picking one small easily attainable target at a time can make it more manageable and enjoyable.  

After all, no one wants extra stress in their life, but everyone should want to make the world a better place.   

Find out some more handy tips on how to have a more environmentally friendly home by visiting Smart Ways to Reduce and Reuse at Home.