(ARA) – With warmer weather around the corner, it’s only natural that we start thinking about spring cleaning. In addition to organizing and cleaning this year, consider the following tips to change up your annual routine and make your home a little greener.
Green your supplies: Replace harsh household cleaning products with environmentally safe and natural solutions. Not only are they biodegradable and therefore better for the environment, but they contain no toxic chemicals. Plus, making cleaning solutions from items in your pantry such as vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda can help cut down on packaging waste. Many credible online resources offer recipes for alternative cleaning products.
Check for leaks: Leaks in the home, such as drafty windows and doors or dripping faucets, can lead to wasted money and resources. Check for air leaks in your house by inspecting areas around the windows and doors, as well as in the attic or crawlspace. Properly sealing those spaces can help you cut back on heating and cooling costs and increase comfort. Information on how to assess your home and determine how much insulation you need can be found at www.EnergyStar.gov. If you want to hire a professional, then Masco Home Services’ WellHome program provides performance assessments to help homeowners improve home energy-efficiency and comfort.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. Want to know if you have any leaky fixtures around the house? Routinely monitor the water meter and keep a record of the numbers. Any reading that is higher than usual could indicate a problem.
The EPA-sponsored WaterSense program aims to preserve water by supporting water-efficient products, programs and practices. Visit its website to learn different ways to save water, tips to help you identify and repair leaky fixtures and other fun facts.
Clean out your shower: Before you start scrubbing your tub or shower, take inventory of all the items you keep in it. Consolidate where you can and consider using fragrance-free products and water-efficient fixtures. During a recent nationwide study conducted on behalf of Delta Faucet Company, 40 percent of respondents said they had never changed their showerhead. The EPA reports that if just one out of every 10 homes in the United States upgraded to WaterSense-labeled products, the combined savings would be more than 120 billion gallons of water and more than $800 million annually.
If you haven’t replaced your showerhead recently, then look into Delta’s WaterSense-labeled fixtures. They flow at a rate of no more than 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) and help you save water in your daily routine.
“We’ve found that users want green products as long as they don’t have to sacrifice their experience with water,” says Paul Patton, senior product developer for Delta Faucet Company. “H2Okinetic Technology creates larger droplets to provide a drenching shower experience while improving water efficiency up to 40 percent compared to the industry standard.”
Responsibly dispose of unwanted items: Cleaning and organizing your closets can be refreshing. As you inventory your closet and dressers, categorize items into different piles: keep for now, store for later and donate. If you haven’t worn or used something in a year, then consider donating it. The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries provide information on their websites for how to locate a donation center and identify what types of items are accepted. Both organizations accept clothing, furniture and general household items in various locations.
Go through the items in your garage and get rid of any chemicals, cleaners, or cans of paint that haven’t been used in awhile. Read the product labels for disposal instructions or check the manufacturer’s website for details. Earth911.org provides information about how to safely discard many toxic products.
Making your home more environmentally-friendly this spring can be easy and cost-effective. Not only could these eco-conscious tips help you save money, but they also provide you with the opportunity to give back to the community and support the environment at the same time.