20 Green Alternatives For Things You Use Everyday

Whether it’s cleaning products or how you drive your car, there are green alternatives that you can use to have a positive impact on the earth and your pocket book.  Use the following tips as alternatives for the things you use every day. 

·         Get out your bike! Instead of paying for gas, choose to ride your bike to work or other places you need to go. If it is close enough, you can even walk.  Driving your car less is a great green alternative.

·         Make your own laundry detergent. Laundry detergent can be expensive. Making your own can help save the environment and save you money.  Simple ingredients from around your home can be combined to make laundry detergent.

·         Use cold water for washing clothes.  Washing your clothes in cold water will make your energy bill cheaper each month.  Use the warm setting only when washing towels and undergarments.  A green alternative is using cold water for things around your home.

·         Natural cleaning supplies.  Purchase natural cleaning supplies that have the green seal instead of toxic products. Many companies have caught on the “green” attitude and now offer natural cleaning supplies that are good for the environment and your budget.

·         Invest in fans. Installing fans in each room in your house will allow you to set your thermostat on a higher setting. A single fan can make if feel 13 degrees cooler. This adds up to significant savings!

·         Look for the “energy efficient” label. When buying appliances for your home, choose Energy Star appliances that have been tested and confirmed to use less electricity.

·         Green makeup. Even make up can have a green label. Choose to use make up that is made from more natural ingredients.

·         Composting.  Instead of buying compost, choose to make your own.  If you eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day, this is a great way to eliminate the waste.

·         Air freshener.  A green alternative to the air freshener that you spray every day is using scented oils and fresh fruit to scent your home.

·         Drinking tap water. Bottled water is expensive and very harmful for the environment.  A green alternative is to buy a filter and drink tap water. 

·         Growing your own food.  Choose to grow your own food rather than purchasing expensive food from the grocery store. 

·         Change out your light bulbs. New energy efficient light bulbs should be lighting your home for the most savings. This is an easy change that can make a huge impact on the amount of energy that you use each month.

·         Turn off your computer when you aren’t using it.  Instead of keep your computer up and running, turn it off when you aren’t using it.  This can save you money on the things that you use every day.

·         Buy second hand. Gently used clothing are the better option if you are being environmentally conscious and want to add recycling into your daily lifestyle.

·         Fix faucets that leak. Leaky faucets can actually cost you a great deal of money each month.  Fixing leaky faucets is cheap and will be great for saving water.

·         Dry your clothes on a clothes line. Instead of using the dryer, choose to line dry your clothes to help save on your energy bill. 

·         Use cloth napkins. Paper napkins add to the waste problem and can be quite expensive. Save money and have a positive impact on the environment by using cloth napkins.

·         Reduce your showering time.  The less water you use when shower, the cheaper your bill will be and the better impact you can have on the environment.  Reduce your showering time to 5 minutes. 

·         Donate to others. Don’t throw things in the trash. Choose to donate them to people in need.  Homeless people will appreciate an old blanket or clothing that you no longer use.  Donate to Salvation Army or to some other charitable organization.

Listed above are 20 green alternatives for the things that you use every day.  Will you help have a positive impact on the environment by switching to these green alternatives?

Victor is a freelance writer and writes about eco-friendly products like jute rugs, bamboo rugs, seagrass rugs and lot more.