Homeowners generally develop routines and tend to do things a certain way. Whether it’s a specific type of soap you buy or a go-to store to pick up your home goods. If you’re looking to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle in your Southern Maryland home, there are dozens of sustainable upgrades that homeowners can make. Going room by room is a great way for homeowners to assess their current level of eco-friendliness and find ways to improve. Here are some ideas to consider:

Kitchen

The kitchen is a perfect place to start when looking to be more sustainable. You might first look around for disposable items you could switch for reusable ones. Cloth “paper towels” you can throw in the wash instead of the real kind that you throw in the trash, reusable wraps instead of plastic wrap, and using glass jars instead of packaged food, for example, are just a few swaps to make your kitchen greener. Take a look at your soap and other cleaning products. Are there plastic bottles you might replace with glass? Or are there plastic bottles you already own that you might reuse instead of purchasing new ones? You might pick up some soap tablets you can add to your own bottle with water instead of buying a new plastic bottle of soap, for example. One other idea? If you don’t already compost, seeing if this is an option in your area can help you produce less trash each week.

Bathroom

Moving on to the bathroom, your shower is often an easy place to make a bit greener. All those plastic soap and shampoo bottles can easily be exchanged for bars. From body soap to shampoo and conditioner, there are plenty of plastic-free options to give you the same benefits. Other things like reusable cotton swabs can help you reduce waste. And things like recycled toilet paper can also be a good improvement. As with the kitchen, choosing zero-waste cleaning supplies for your bathroom is a terrific change as well.

Bedroom

Though it might not be the first place you think of, there are definitely some ways homeowners can be more sustainable in the things they use here. Looking at the materials your mattress and linens are made of and opting for more sustainable ones when it’s time to replace them is a great place to start. Using your window fixtures to make your heating and cooling more efficient is another option here — letting the sunlight in to warm a space, sealing windows in the winter that have a draft, and keeping sunlight out on hot summer days while using the AC. When it comes to your closet, looking for ways to recycle or donate old clothing and textiles is a way to be a bit eco-friendlier. And shopping in a thrift store is also a great way to reduce waste.

 

There are many opportunities for homeowners to make more eco-friendly choices in their homes and build habits that will help them be more sustainable. Remember, even a few changes can make a difference, so don’t feel like you need to change everything at once.

If you’d like to talk more about sustainable upgrades for your home, or if there’s something else I can be of assistance with, please get in touch. I’m always happy to help.