As you may already know, Earth Day (April 22nd) brings awareness on our impact on the environment, and how we can make it better. We can do this in various ways, such as recycling, using less water, reusing items to save money, time, and energy; reducing waste, and giving away items that we no longer want or need on Freecycle or Craigslist. Even though Earth Day is the latter part of next month, it’s never too early or late to start making environmental friendly changes in our life and home. Eco-friendly is an overused term that is often used loosely, so I am going to make up a new word. Let’s call it eco-nizing. 😉
Eco-Nizing Tips
Install a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats offer climate control, the convenience of customizing your home’s temperature for when you’re away from home, and reduces energy use. When purchasing the Direct Energy Meridian Savings Plan, you’ll receive competitively priced fixed energy charge, up to three FREE Honeywell Smart Thermostats, and a smartphone app that allows you to control your thermostat anytime, anywhere. Note: It is recommended that the links are viewed via desktop since they’re not mobile compatible.
Coconut scouring pads. Unlike the steel scouring pads, these pads are safe for your hands, will not splinter or disintegrate, and biodegradable when composted.
Old t-shirts or cloths instead of paper towel for cleaning. Not only using an old-shirt or rag is budget-friendly, but they’re apt to getting the job well done, whereas paper towels will only do so much. Also, you can’t rinse paper towels out and reuse them.
Castile soap, such as Dr. Bronners, for multi-functional uses. It can be used as a body wash, shampoo alternative, shaving, brushing your teeth, laundering, controlling dust mites, killing ants and aphids, aromatherapy, rinsing fruit, facial cleanser, baby wash, all-purpose household cleaner, homemade solution for baby wipes, and hand soap. It does everything but take out the trash!
Plants. They’re nature’s natural air purifier. They are inexpensive and work much better than air purifying machines. Air purifying machines are not only costly, but they also use up energy, and I’m speaking from experience.
In what ways are you “eco-nizing” your home?
I’ve heard of mrs Meyers and bronners. I should check them out!
Elaina recently posted..Hearty Beef Stew Recipe Featuring Gallo Hearty Burgundy #HBturns50
I’ve never heard of coconut scouring pads before. I’ll have to look for them. A remote control for our thermostat would be AWESOME. Most of the time we just have it turned down really low when we aren’t home.
Lucero De La Tierra @earthformed recently posted..Thurday Thinking Works: Should Foreign Species Be Allowed in the US?
I love Dr. Bronner’s, it’s so gentle and non-irritating! Those coconut scrub pads look pretty great – I need to find some of those!
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom recently posted..Quaker Breakfast Shakes For Busy Mornings #QuakerShakes #ad
I have to get those Coconut Scouring Pads! I didn’t know they even made such a thing!
lisa recently posted..Sign up for Starbucks Coffee Rewards, Get Free Drinks
I clean with vinegar occasionally, but that is about all I do at this point.
We love Dr. Bronners. I even bought a small thing today to travel with! My friend coins it “Wash your body, Wash your car, Wash your dog!” And she really isn’t wrong.
Lee
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Great ideas! I haven’t used the coconut scouring pads, but I can definitely get behind the rags for cleaning – totally what I do at my house. I’ll have to see if I can find some of the coconut jobbies.
Joanna Liberty recently posted..Why Data Science is My Favorite Science
I am a huge Meyers fan, but this is my first time hearing about the coconut scouring pads. I will have to check them out.
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We changed out all the light bulbs in our home to LED ones. It was an expensive outlay up front but they are so much better for energy savings. We noticed a significant drop in our electric bill the first full month we had them in.
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How have I never heard of Castile soap? It sounds like SUCH an amazing product! I want a smart thermostat, though I’m afraid my husband would turn the air on from work just to mess with me!
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I think I need to focus on doing more of this. Thanks for the info on the coconut scouring pads. I always use the synthetic ones and those probably aren’t too good for the environment.
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I never thought about cutting up old t-shirts for cleaning rags. That is a great idea!
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WOW — had no idea coconut scouring pads existed! So cool.
I like the idea of the thermostat. I tried one that you could control but they could never get it to work and actually pulled it from the market.
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I have a coconut pad, they work great! We no longer buy paper napkins, I make reusable cloth ones instead!
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Wow that Coconut pad looks amazing, I am sure it works wonderfully!!! I have really been wanting to try the Mrs. Meyers line!
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I’m all about reusing and natural cleaning too!
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Cool! I want to try some of those scouring pads.
I’ve heard great things about this product, it’s high time I check them out.
I’ve always used old towels and tshirts instead of paper towels, but that’s mostly because I’m cheap.. ha. Never heard of coconut scouring pads, but they sound interesting.
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We have a smart thermostat and love it! I never thought about coconut scouring pads!
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I love Mrs. Meyers! I’ve really wanted to try the Dr. Bronner’s but I’ haven’t had the chance yet. Hopefully I can pick up some soon, along with some of those coconut scouring pads! Those are so neat! I use old rags for cleaning all the time. I hate paper towels and use them very rarely. We do our best to live as ‘green’ as possible here on the farm. I use a lot of vinegar and lemon for cleaning!
Dr. Bronners is awesome stuff.
I love how versatile natural products can be! And, I want the coconut scouring pads FOR SURE!
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I didn’t know they made coconut scouring pads! I hate the regular ones I need to find these!
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We use non-chemical cleaners.
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I’ve been eyeing the smart thermostats for a while. They seem really cool. All great tips!
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We have a programmable thermostat. It’s been a bit wonky lately so wondering if it’s time to replace. We open curtains in the winter and close them in the summer.
I need one of those coconut scouring pads!!
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I’ve never seen coconut pads, I will have to check them out.
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I’ve never heard of coconut scouring pads before! These look like great cleaning supplies.
I’ve never heard of coconut scouring pads before either! I definitely want to give them a try!
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I’ve never heard of those coconut scouring pads before. Very interesting!
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I like the idea of using old t-shirts to clean. I’ve been using an old towel the last few weeks. But I know we have old t-shirts that get tossed in the landfill normally. Thanks for the tips!
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Never heard of a Coconut scouring pad, but I’m definitely interested in trying one.
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