There are a variety of reasons people choose to adopt eco-friendly home hacks. Some wish to minimize waste, some hope to create a better environment for the next generation, and others want to save some money at home!
But I get it… “going green” is often easier said than done.
You might have to make an initial investment to see long-term savings. You also might have to make a few home alterations like separating trash, recycling and composting bins.
Related: My Most Popular Cleaning Hacks
And although some eco-friendly changes require a bit of effort, it might be easier than you think! Here are a few eco-friendly home hacks you can use “go green.”
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Home Hacks to Be More Eco-Friendly
Whether you’re swapping one thing for another, investing in some new sustainable goods or finding ways to get rid of some old things, these home hacks will help you go green.
One of the easiest ways you can be more sustainable is by using reusable cleaning bottles.
This kit from Blueland includes three large spray bottles, a glass hand soap bottle, and dish soap, laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent.
Just plop one of the little cleaning tablets into the bottles, fill it with water and get to scrubbing!
Just as easy as opting for reusable cleaning bottles is swapping your lightbulbs.
I’ve purchased the GE 4-pack of halogen light bulbs and love that they use nearly 1/3 less energy in comparison to regular bulbs.
I’m guilty of it too… but I still get paper bills and documents sent to my house.
Instead of letting those papers and envelopes pile up, there’s a good chance you can pay your bills online. Oftentimes, it’s actually more secure than writing a check.
Leaky faucets? You’d be surprised how much water is wasted from a simple little leak or drip!
While it’s time-consuming and sometimes a bit pricey to get it fixed, it’s bound to save you money in the long run.
There are also plenty of ways you can fix it yourself—but that all depends on the type of faucet you have.
Similar to a leak, drafts can be a nightmare when you’re trying to keep your home at an ideal temperature. Plus, it can cause your air conditioning to overwork—a problem for your budget and the environment.
Related: How to Save Money at Home
If the draft is coming from a structural issue, it may need some more attention.
But if it’s coming from under the door, a simple door draft stopper like the one above should do the trick!
Go Green in The Kitchen
I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. So, as I’m sure you could guess, I have A LOT of stuff in there as well.
I’m not a pro at implementing a bunch of eco-friendly home hacks in my kitchen, but here are a few I’m using now.
One of my favorite ways to store food is in one of these Stasher Bags. They eliminate waste and keep air out—so no more food waste, either!
If you have kids, these are great for school lunchboxes.
And if you’re looking for something a little more traditional, opt for reusable glass Tupperware. LocknLock is one of my favorite brands.
Why glass? Glass is natural so there’s no concern for chemicals you may find in plastic.
You can microwave glass or put it in the oven. Glass also lasts longer meaning you won’t be tossing your containers often.
I also like to repurpose jars and food packaging as storage. An example? I have a pickle jar that’s now holding some homemade dressing in my fridge!
Do you have a Keurig machine at home? It might be easiest to buy those little pods from the store, but it’s more sustainable to purchase a reusable one.
It’s easy to fill these single-serve pods with your favorite coffee grounds. Plus, it will cost you less over time.
Sure, you can do your best to minimize waste but the truth is that you’ll always have some.
If you’re looking to toss scraps, packaging and papers in an eco-friendly way, separate your waste.
This Home Zone Living Trash Can has two compartments. It’s also compact so it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Take a closer look at your appliances. Are they Energy Star certified? If not, it may be worth looking into an upgrade.
When something is Energy Star-certified, it means that the product meets strict energy-efficiency specifications—helping you save money on your household bills while reducing your environmental footprint.
You can find dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines and more that have an Energy Star rating.
Less packaging. Fewer trips to the store. No unknown chemicals or pesticides. It’s time to start planting!
It may not be practical to grow all of your own food, but creating a small garden at home for herbs and produce is a great way to be more eco-friendly.
When tending to your garden, make sure you have a good pair of garden gloves. These Digz gloves have some great reviews. Plus, they’re durable, comfortable, and designed to protect you against any sharp edges!
The Dirty Little Digger is one of my garden favs! It has sharp edges to cut through roots and a pointed tip to break through dirt.
The spoon shape head with measurements (so you know how deep to dig) is another reason this digger stands out.
Tips to Be Eco-Friendly While Out and About
In the car? Heading to the grocery store? Out on a walk? You can go green while you’re on the move as well. Here are some of my tips.
Ditch the plastic by carrying a reusable water bottle.
I’m a fan of my YETI Rambler because it holds up to drops and being tossed around. It also keeps my drink ice cold for hours!
And if you’re heading to the grocery store, be sure to pack a reusable shopping tote. Such an easy way to be more environmentally friendly.
On that note… be smart about shopping!
Make a list before you go to the store and try to plan ahead. More planning often means fewer trips. So, you can save gas and time.
When you’re shopping for a new tech item or household appliance, remember that you can purchase them “refurbished.”
This doesn’t mean they’re in bad shape (sometimes it’s just that the box was damaged). And oftentimes, these products look and work just as well as the new versions!
Here are a few stores with refurbished sections:
- Amazon Renewed
- Apple Certified Refurbished
- Best Buy Outlet
- eBay Refurbished
- Target Refurbished & Reconditioned
- Walmart Certified Refurbished
Note: If you’re concerned about the reliability of a refurbished product… check reviews!
Whether you implement one of these eco-friendly home hacks or a few, I hope you find them helpful!
From my home to yours,
Jill
