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Making your home more eco-friendly doesn’t have to involve taking out a second mortgage to install solar paneling or high-efficiency plumbing. There are plenty of easy, low-cost (or free!) steps you can take to green every room in your home. Organized by room, here are 30 tips to help you get started.
Kitchen
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Help your refrigerator run more efficiently by cleaning the bottom coils with a vacuum at least once a month.
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Purchase all-natural spray cleaners to disinfect countertops and other surfaces.
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Keep a jug of white vinegar handy for a chemical-free way to clean coffee pots.
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Skip the drying cycle on your dishwasher and save energy by simply propping open the door to let your dishes air dry.
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Add “remember bags” to the top of your grocery list so you never forget to bring reusable sacks.
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Keep a recycling bin next to your garbage can so that you’re less likely to toss out something recyclable.
Office
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Don’t toss out dead batteries. Collect them until your next trip to a local office supply store, where they will usually accept them for safe disposal.
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Recycle empty ink cartridges. Find out how here.
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Always unplug gadgets and devices when you’re not using them.
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Recycle old cell phones and laptops at your local electronics store.
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Go paperless by paying your bills online and halting your phonebook subscription.
Laundry Room
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Choose a laundry detergent with low or no phosphates.
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Line dry your clothes when possible.
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Wash your clothes in cold water.
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Consider an energy-efficient washer and dryer system.
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Use natural, homemade stain removers. Find some recipes here!
Bathroom
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Swap out chemical air fresheners for bowls of all-natural potpourri and naturally scented soaps.
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Get a thermal cover for your water heater.
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Fix leaky sinks and toilets right away. A constantly running toilet can waste 7,000 gallons of water every month.
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Save water by installing sink aerators and low-flow shower nozzles.
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Place a water bottle with pebbles in your toilet tank to displace some water and save on water consumption.
General Household
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Be sure to choose paints that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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Always dispose of paint in a way that’s environmentally safe. For guidelines, click here.
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Install LED bulbs. The money you’ll save on your power bill will pay for their higher cost up front.
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Replace your AC filter monthly. Do it the day your power bill arrives so you don’t forget!
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House plants are natural air purifiers. Place one in every room!
Backyard
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Purchase jute twine instead of plastic bags to bundle branches and sticks for yard waste pickup.
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Don’t bother outside spiders if they don’t bother you. They help stop other bugs from getting inside.
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Seek out organic lawn and garden fertilizers.
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Compost vegetable peelings and other kitchen wastes. You’ll wind up with a great organic fertilizer.
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Grow your own organic vegetables! Read more gardening tips and tricks here.
Do you have your own tips for living green? Share them with us on Facebook!
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