Looking for eco-friendly ways to organise and deep clean your home? Check out our top 13 tips for a greener, cleaner living space! From decluttering to natural cleaning solutions, here’s how to make your home more sustainable and kinder to the environment.
Sustainable home materials - Photo by Svitlana on UnsplashHow to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Do you want to deep clean and organise your home, but in an eco-friendly way? If yes, then continue to read as we'll be covering 13 eco-friendly tips for organising and deep cleaning your home.
From the materials you use to the methods you employ, you'll learn how to make your home cleaner and more organised without harming the environment. So read on to discover how to clean your house sustainably with our eco-friendly de-cluttering tips!
1. Invest in reusable storage containers
When it comes to home organisation tips, investing in reusable storage containers is a great way to make your home more sustainable. Reusable storage containers are perfect for storing anything from clothes and bedding to documents and craft supplies.
Not only are they great for decluttering, but they also help to reduce the amount of single-use plastic that you’re throwing away. Choose containers made from sustainable materials like bamboo or natural jute for an extra eco-friendly touch – or if it’s for the kitchen, use glass jar containers to store food in the cupboards, this will help them to stay fresher for longer too.
When it comes to wrapping up food, skip the cling film, foil and single-use plastics and use silicone containers instead. They are made from hard, durable plastic materials that are extremely long-lasting and are less prone to break so they are a more sustainable alternative.
Eventually, many years from now, when they are no longer good for the purpose, you can easily repurpose or recycle them for another use. Plus, reusable containers can last for years and are much more cost-effective than their disposable counterparts.
2. Ditch the disposables
One of the best ways to make your home more sustainable is to ditch the disposables. Many items that we use in our daily lives, such as paper towels and plastic wrap, are not only wasteful but can also end up costing you more in the long run.
Instead of buying disposable items, opt for reusable alternatives. Invest in durable kitchen cloths and towels to clean up messes. Not only will this help cut down on waste, but it will also save you money on the cost of living. This is one of the simplest home cleaning tips that you can follow to help make your home more sustainable.
In addition, make your coffee at home and take it out in a reusable mug or flask to drink on the go, this saves the environment, your money and time. If your lifestyle craves a speciality coffee, ask your local coffee shop to fill up your reusable mug so that you’re not using a disposable one.
3. Use natural cleaning products
One of the best home organisation tips for making your home more sustainable is to switch from using chemical-based cleaning products to more natural ones. Chemical-based cleaners can be toxic and can create an unhealthy environment in your home, so switching to natural cleaning products can help keep the air clean and fresh.
Natural cleaners are usually made from simple ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and lemon juice, so you don’t have to worry about harming yourself or the environment. Plus, they are often cheaper and just as effective at cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
To make your natural cleaners, simply mix one part vinegar with one part water, add a few drops of essential oils, and use them to mop floors, wipe down counters, and clean windows. You can also combine baking soda with water and lemon juice to create a scouring powder that is perfect for scrubbing away grime and dirt.
With these natural cleaning products, you can make sure that your home is squeaky clean while also reducing your environmental impact – there are many more natural cleaning product hacks to discover so that you can easily reduce your need for toxic ones that can cause harm when inhaled and irritate the skin, as well as be deadly to marine life and our beloved house pets. Chemical-based cleaners are also hazardous if you have children or a newborn baby at home.
4. Air-dry your clothes
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to make your home more sustainable is to air-dry your clothes instead of using a tumble dryer. Not only does this reduce your energy consumption and carbon footprint, but it also helps protect your clothing from the heat of a dryer, which can be damaging over time.
To air dry your clothes, simply hang them up outside on a clothesline, or indoors on a drying rack or clotheshorse. You can also use an indoor drying system that uses heated air to dry clothes quickly without relying on electricity or gas.
Air drying is gentler on fabrics and prevents shrinkage, fading, and piling, so it's a great choice for delicate items and to make clothes last longer. Additionally, you'll enjoy the fresh scent of sunshine that comes with air-dried laundry. If you want to discover more ways to make clothing more eco-friendly, read my post on ways to shop for fashion sustainably.
5. Donate, sell, or recycle unwanted items
When you're cleaning and organising your home, it's important to remember to get rid of any items that are no longer useful or wanted. It's wasteful to throw away perfectly good items, so consider donating, selling, or recycling them instead.
Donating items is a great way to help people in need, so drop off any items that you don’t want to a charity shop. And if you need the money, you could consider looking into how to make money, by selling your unwanted items at a consignment shop or through an online marketplace such as eBay or Craigslist – my post on how to get more sales for your shop may be useful if you do this.
And for items that can't be reused, make sure to recycle them properly – some curbside pickup programs even accept electronics and furniture; however, you are most likely going to need to visit a recycling centre to dispose of them correctly.
6. Incorporate plants into your décor
A great way to make your home look organised and tidy while simultaneously being sustainable is to incorporate plants into your décor. Plant life adds a fresh, vibrant touch to any space while also providing natural purification to the air. Plants are an inexpensive and effective way to reduce dust, toxic gases, and humidity.
In addition to their air-purifying capabilities, plants can also be used as decorative accents for furniture pieces, shelves, mantels, and more. Greenery can bring a unique and calming energy to a room, as well as texture and colour. Ideally, go for plants that are low maintenance and easy to care for if you have a busy household.
To get started, consider what kind of plant would fit best in the space you have available. Look at the lighting, temperature, and size of your area before selecting a plant that would thrive in those conditions. Make sure you are using the appropriate potting soil and pot size for each plant, as this will help them stay healthy. If you want to keep things simple, opt for house plants that do not require direct sunlight, such as cacti or succulents.
Your house can be organised without becoming a difficult task. With these eco-friendly tips, you can create a clean, organised, and sustainable environment in your home. Incorporating plants into your décor is a great way to add a natural touch to your living space while also improving air quality and helping to improve your mental health.
Plus, plants aren’t picky; they will happily be fed rainwater you’ve collected rather than water you pay for out of the tap.
7. Collect rainwater for watering plants, washing, and bathing
Harvesting rainwater is a great way to conserve resources, save money and reduce your environmental impact. Not only can rainwater be used for watering plants, but it can also be used for washing and bathing.
Collecting rainwater can help you save on your water bill, as well as reduce your dependence on municipal water supplies. It is also relatively easy and inexpensive, and it's a great way to be more sustainable in your home.
You'll need to invest in some type of rain collection system to capture and store the rainwater. A basic system will include a collection tank (which could be a barrel or a large cistern) that's connected to gutters and downspouts. Depending on the size of your collection tank, you can collect a significant amount of water for use in your garden, too. If you don’t have a garden or don’t want to have a large tank outside, you can simply hook a small water collector bucket onto your windowsill whenever rain is due.
It's important to ensure that your rain collection system is clean and free from pollutants. If your home is located near roads or factories, you may want to filter the collected water before using it. You should also make sure that the tank has a tight-fitting lid to prevent mosquitoes and other pests or animals from getting into the tank.
When it comes to watering plants, rainwater is one of the best sources of water available because it is free from salts and other minerals that can accumulate in the soil over time. Rainwater is also more acidic than tap water, which helps to make your plants more resilient against disease and pests.
Harvesting rainwater can be a great way to reduce your environmental impact and save money on your water bill. Investing in a collection system is relatively inexpensive, and once you have it installed, you can enjoy the benefits of collecting and using this natural resource for many years to come – it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Rainwater is also considered soft water, which is a lot better for our hair, skin, and teeth than the hard water that we often receive from the tap that is treated with chemicals and runs through old, rusty pipes. You may discover the quality of your hair improves, too, if you start using soft water, as hard water has been found to contribute to hair loss.
8. Invest in multi-purpose furniture
Multi-purpose furniture is an excellent way to keep your home clean and organised in an eco-friendly manner. Instead of having separate pieces of furniture for different tasks, multi-purpose furniture offers one versatile piece that can do many different things.
For example, a coffee table could double as a seating area with the use of some cushions, or you could find a table with built-in storage shelves. Investing in multi-purpose furniture is a great way to reduce clutter, save space, and make your home more sustainable. Additionally, many multi-purpose pieces are made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo, which is highly renewable and sustainable.
9. Create a recycling station
Creating a recycling station in your home is an easy and sustainable way to help reduce waste. For example, you can organise a recycling corner somewhere practical in your home or outside space to have a designated paper bin, plastic bin, glass bin, and aluminium bin – as well as a trash bin to easily manage your waste and recyclables.
Having a recycling station in your home will encourage you and your family to properly separate recyclables from trash. You can also use the station to store items that you plan on donating or reselling later. Setting up this station will help you stay organised and get into the habit of being mindful of waste in your home.
10. Go paperless
One of the most effective and sustainable ways to clean and organise your home is to go paperless. Going paperless helps reduce the amount of waste that is generated, making it more eco-friendly. Plus, it can save you a lot of time and energy when it comes to managing paperwork.
One of the best ways to start going paperless is by digitising all your documents. This means you can store them on your computer or cloud storage system for easy access anytime. Additionally, many organisations and businesses are now offering digital versions of documents and forms, so make sure to take advantage of these options – you may even receive a small discount for doing so.
Another way to go paperless is by investing in digital devices like tablets and e-readers. These can help you read books, magazines, and other documents without having to print them out or buy them as physical products. And if you're looking to stay organised while working from home, then consider getting a digital planner or to-do list app.
Finally, make sure to always choose digital bills over paper ones whenever possible. Most companies offer electronic billing that allows you to pay bills online instead of having to involve paper, posting, or going to the post office or bank. By going paperless, you can significantly reduce the amount of paper waste in your home, which is great for the environment.
11. Use energy-efficient appliances
When it comes to reducing your energy consumption and saving money, investing in energy-efficient appliances can make a big difference. Energy-efficient appliances use less electricity, which in turn reduces your electricity bills, helps you save money, and is better for the environment.
This includes anything from refrigerators and air conditioners to dishwashers, washers, and dryers, and even lighting. By replacing old appliances (ideally, once they are no longer working) with energy-efficient models, you can make a huge impact on your energy consumption.
Additionally, be sure to unplug any appliance when not in use, as this can also help conserve energy.
12. Reduce your food waste with a composting bin
Food waste is a major issue in our society today, with an estimated 40% of food going to waste in the US alone. To help reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills, composting can be a great way to recycle your food scraps and organic waste. Composting helps reduce landfill waste and can provide valuable nutrients to the soil when used in gardening and landscaping.
When composting, it’s important to have the right bin. Compost bins are available in a range of sizes and materials, so you can find one that best suits your needs. For example, plastic compost bins tend to be more affordable and easier to maintain, while metal bins are more durable and heat-resistant. When choosing a bin, make sure it has enough space for the size of your household.
To get started with composting, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Start by adding layers of brown and green materials such as leaves, straw, grass clippings, and fruit and vegetable scraps. Turn the mixture regularly to aerate it and help it break down faster. To ensure proper decomposition, you’ll also want to keep the bin moist but not wet. You should also avoid adding meats, dairy products, and other fats as they can attract pests or become smelly.
By composting your food waste, you’ll not only reduce your impact on the environment, but you can also use the compost to enrich your soil and gardens.
Additionally, to reduce fresh food waste altogether, never buy more than you need, limit your portion sizes, freeze foods that can be and use containers to store leftovers for later – and always store and wrap food up correctly so that it lasts longer. These are just a few of the many money and energy-saving kitchen hacks you can do to be more sustainable. With a little bit of time and effort, you can make a big difference!
13. Switch to a sustainable beauty routine
Sustainable beauty isn’t just about using eco-friendly products – it’s about using fewer products overall and ensuring that they are vegan and cruelty-free beauty items. To switch to a more sustainable beauty routine, start by investing in high-quality, natural products that will last longer and be gentler on the environment.
Look for items that are packaged in natural and sustainable materials such as bamboo, glass, and metal, as well as containing organic and plant-based ingredients. Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances that can harm the environment and sensitive skin types.
When it comes to makeup, switch to products that are refillable, recyclable, or reusable. Look for items with minimal packaging and containers that can be reused. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even make your own lip balm or eye shadow using natural ingredients. And switch to vegan and cruelty-free haircare and dental care, and swap single-use disposables such as cotton buds, razors, face wipes, plastic toothbrushes, and many more to sustainable alternatives.
Finally, consider your skincare routine. Use kinder ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals whenever possible. You can find natural facial cleansers and moisturisers in a variety of forms – from foaming face washes to aloe vera-based creams and soap bars. Be sure to look for products that are specifically designed for your skin type.
By switching to more sustainable beauty products, you can help reduce your environmental impact while still achieving great results. Investing in quality, eco-friendly beauty products is a great way to reduce waste while taking care of your skin at the same time. If you want to take it one step further, consider purchasing beauty products from local beauty brands in your country to reduce your carbon footprint even further.