As we all become more aware of how our actions and lifestyle choices can impact the planet, it’s never been more important to start going green at home.
In this article, we’ve outlined ten super simple ways you can create a sustainable home environment, including how to adopt new routines that reduce your monthly bills, and why it’s important to choose eco-friendly bedding.
Ten tips for a sustainable home
Creating an eco-friendly house doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on modifications. Instead, making a few small tweaks here and there can make a huge difference. We’ve picked out ten easy steps you can follow for greener living.
1. Switch to LED lightbulbs
When kitting out your eco-house, opting for energy efficient LED lightbulbs can improve sustainability at home. Impressively, LEDs use up to 85% less electricity than old-fashioned alternatives, and their long-life means you’ll only ever need to change your lightbulbs once a decade.
2. Upgrade your home’s insulation
A well-insulated home will retain heat for longer, meaning you’ll not have to crank up the thermostat nearly as often. Whether it’s installing double glazed windows or ensuring there are no exposed gaps in your walls, improved insulation helps to make eco-living a reality and will reduce your household bills.
3. Wash clothes and bedsheets in cold water
You might not realise, but washing bedding and clothes in cold water is often just as effective as choosing the hot setting on your machine, and its far more environmentally sustainable. Try running your washing with the cold water and you’ll quickly notice a reduction in your household energy consumption.
4. Air dry your clothes where possible
Rather than machine drying your clothes, consider hanging them on the line, a drying rack, or on a flat surface instead. Not only will this save on energy, but you’ll also retain freshness in your fabric for longer.
5. Install a smart meter
Not only do smart meters make it easier to track your energy consumption, but you’re also able to program your thermostat to come on at certain times – perhaps a couple of hours in the morning and a couple more at night. This prevents you from falling into the trap of simply leaving the heating on all day during the colder months, which is generally inefficient.
6. Switch out your kitchen roll for tea towels
Rather than tearing off a new paper towel or piece of kitchen roll each time you need to wipe down your surfaces, use a tea towel instead; they can go in a low-temperature wash and be reused time and time again. And if you have any old t-shirts or fabric, why not repurpose them as cleaning cloths?
7. Decorate with house plants
Another simple way to create an eco-environment is to decorate your home with house plants. Not only do they inject colour personality into your space, but they’ll also absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen for healthier airflow.
And when it comes to looking after your house plants, instead of watering under the tap, which can be quite wasteful, save the water you use to wash fruit and veg or keep a bucket outside to collect rainfall.
8. Shop for second-hand furniture
Instead of always buying brand new furniture, head to your local vintage store or thrift shop to see what they’ve got on offer. Not only is second-hand furniture often cheaper and lets you fill your home with classic pieces, but you’re also reducing landfill by one less chair, sofa, or coffee table. Alternatively, try to get creative and come up with ways you can upcycle old furniture to match your home aesthetic.
9. Use natural cleaning products
Natural cleaning products are just as effective as standard solutions, without all the harmful chemicals that can affect both your health and the environment. If you can’t find any eco-friendly products while shopping, though, you can always make your own from everyday items like lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda.
10. Donate unwanted items
Rather than throwing out unwanted items, take them to your local second-hand store or charity shop. Not only does this support local businesses and provide affordable clothes, furniture, and accessories to those who aren’t able to buy new, but you’re also reducing waste and the amount of non-biodegradable landfill polluting the earth.
Choosing environmentally friendly bedding
At Ethical Bedding, our mission is to make greener living the norm; each pillow, duvet, and bed sheet we sell is made from 100% sustainable and organic eucalyptus silk, and the harvesting process uses 95% less water than if we collected cotton. We also plant a new tree for every customer and ensure a portion of each sale goes towards sustainability projects around the world.
Explore our complete collection of environmentally sustainable bedding bundles, or check out our blog for more about how you can create an eco-friendly house.
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