5 Simple Tips for a More Sustainable Home

With a rising awareness of the impact climate change will have across the globe, sometimes we can end up feeling powerless to make a difference. But each of us can play an important part in reducing our carbon footprint and living more sustainably, whether we are campaigners or not. In this post we’ve set out 5 simple tips for creating a more sustainable home.

1.Spend your money with brands that support sustainability

Consumers have the power to make businessess change their production practices, simply by choosing to shop with brands that are committed to sustainability. Not all brands will be completely zero-carbon, but as shoppers we can do some research and make our purchases from those that are going in the right direction. 

Creating a sustainable home means buying household furnishings and fittings made from sustainably produced, natural materials, like linen bedding or pure wool blankets. It means buying less, but buying better. Mend things, repurpose things, buy products that will last for years instead of cheap, disposable items. 

2.Use natural cleaning products around the home

There are a multitude of chemical-free cleaning products you can use around the home. These don’t polute rivers or the soil, and don’t harm wildlife. While these are widely available and becoming less expensive, a cheaper option is to make your own. From just a few storecupboard basics you can create divine-smelling sprays and heavy duty kitchen cleaners. 

For a tutorial on how to clean your oven using baking soda go here, for a quick general purpose cleaning spray try this, and for tips on the many uses of vinegar around the home go here. 

3.Save energy

Installing smart meters is a great way to monitor and reduce your energy use around the home. If you live in a rented house you need your landlord’s permission, but energy companies will install them quickly and for free. 

Little measures to save energy will all help create a more sustainable home. You could:

•  Collect rainwater in a butt, and if you can siphon off your grey water and use it in the garden during dry spells then this is a great way to reduce wasted water. 
• Remind your family to turn off lights when not needed and ask teenagers to cut down their shower time. 
• Charge phones during the day so they aren’t plugged in all night. 
• Plan your cooking so you can double up on oven space. 
• If you have the money to invest in solar panels they can reduce your energy bills as well as powering your home. 
• Insulate attics and wall cavities, and for a cheap alternative to double glazing you can use cling film (saran wrap) or thermal foil. 
• Hang curtains over windows and unused fireplaces to keep out draughts. 
• Fill in gaps between floorboards (here’s an easy DIY) or cover floors with rugs to prevent cold air wafting into the room. 

4.Switch to a renewable energy supplier

With some careful shopping around, it’s easy to switch to a sustainable energy supplier that uses renewable energy. You might not save money but you’ll know that you’re doing your bit to tackle climate change. And the more demand there is for renewable energy, the more likely it is that prices will come down.

5.Make compost

We waste an incredible amount of food in Western societies, so we can stop some of this going into landfill by making compost. Many refuse collection companies and councils provide compost collections and bins so even if you don’t use compost in your garden, you can still cut down on waste by composting left-over food and peelings. 

Being mindful of the food stashed in the back of the fridge, buying fresh locally-grown vegetables and fruit and using them quickly, and cooking from scratch are all ways we can eat more sustainably. 

Taking these simple steps can not only help tackle climate change, they also make our homes healthier. Creating a sustainable home is a great way to feel more empowered in the face of difficult world news and catastrophic warnings.