As we become more and more away about the existing damage to the environment and witness the impact of climate change, sustainability and the use of sustainable practices is becoming more a priority for people worldwide. While damage has been done, we all have a significant role to play in preventing any further environmental damage and lessening the rampant changes it is having on our climate, our crops, our animals and our health.
That commitment to sustainability, just like charity, begins at home. It is our management of waste, or rather mismanagement of waste, and our cleaning practices, which can have some of the most damaging effects on the environment. Keeping a clean home is no doubt a priority for you, but you can do so while remaining “green”. Here’s how:
- Ramp up your recycling
Recycling is a common practice in modern homes, but we’re not recycling near as much as we should and could be. To start with, your recycling bin could be housing a lot more of your household waste. Make a chart of what can be accepted in your recycling bin – sometimes simply washing a container out can make it suitable for your recycling bin instead of shipping out with you general waste.
- Reuse, repurpose and upcycle
Before you throw anything out, consider how you can reuse, repurpose or upcycle it. You could breathe a whole new life into a rug or furniture unit simply be upcycling it. If something can be reused, consider donating it to charity or selling it online. Just because you might not reuse something does not mean that others won’t.
- Be careful what you clean with
There was a time when it was difficult to buy cleaning materials that were not abundant with harmful chemicals. However, things have significantly changed and now there are lots of quality brands out there who sell eco-friendly household cleaning products for every purpose you could imagine. There are also lots of natural cleaners such as vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and salt which can produce very effective results.
These will be just as effective at keeping your house spick and span and restoring a glorious shine, without releasing chemical agents into the air that damage the environment and are harmful to your health.
- Hire responsible cleaners
If you hire a cleaner or employ a cleaning company to clean your home, ensure they are committed to “green” practices. Some cleaning companies will offer green house cleaning, using only eco-friendly products to conduct their cleaning services and ensuring the most sustainable practices, refraining or minimising the use of products or systems which have the potential to pollute your surfaces, the air or water.
- Keep toxins out
There are homeowners who keep a shoeless policy in their homes for a reason – it’s a key way to keep toxins out of your home and prevent unnecessary scrubbing. Likewise, it’s the same reason why people can confine their pets to certain areas of the home.
Muddy shoes and pets roaming about the home spread toxins and harmful germs everywhere. This in turn significantly increases the amount of cleaning required. Introduce some rules on shoes and pets and you can significantly cut your cleaning time!
Stay committed to sustainability while keeping a clean home by incorporating our five top tips into your routine. It is possible to be clean and green at the same time – and our 5 tips above are prime proof of that!
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