gogreencleaning.com

I’ve always been a composter, recycler, clothes-line person. But lately I’ve been trying to incorporate more ways to live green. I want to do my part to keep the earth clean and sparkling. There are many little things we can do in our homes to play a small part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving the natural landscape. But even better—when we incorporate “going green” in our homes, we double our efforts when we get our kids involved, helping them understand the why to our what.

Hopefully, it’ll be second nature to them when they’re adults – and that much easier to pass it down to their children.

Here are some small, easy, green choices we can make in our homes.  Choose three that you’re not already doing, and make a point to do them this year.

• Visit your local farmers market. It sounds so simple, yet it’s so much easier to just go to the grocery store. You’ll be hooked after you sample the local, home grown food. So much better!. And you’re supporting your local farmers, too.

• You only have to go through a drought one time to appreciate how precious clean water is. In California, we are facing drought conditions this summer. In my home, that means having a bucket in the shower to collect excess water for the plants. Taking 5 minute showers. Washing only full loads of laundry or dishes. Every drop counts!

• Reuse grocery bags.

• Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.

• Pay as many bills on-line as you can.

• Turn off your computer completely at night.

• Combine errands when you use your car. I wait until I have at least three.

• Repurpose as many old items as you can. Egg cartons can become seedling starters or paint wells. Glass jars can be used for leftovers.

• Turn off lights when you leave a room. Sounds so simple, but minutes adds up.

Which of these do you already do?  Which ones are you going to focus on this next year?  And what can you add to the list?