Making your home greener: Part 2

Cleaning products

Increasing the environmental friendliness of your home can have a number of benefits. In addition to helping you contribute to a more sustainable world, making your home more green can also save you money on energy costs. 

Another room that may contribute to a large portion of your household water consumption is your bathroom. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this area of the home is responsible for approximately  among various units housed in this space. Toilets, faucets and your shower are responsible for this substantial water use. Consider investing in a composting toilet. These can help you conserve both energy and water. They also add to your compost pile to further improve your garden and landscaping.

For your faucets and shower heads, replace old ones with more efficient fixtures to help conserve water and save you money on your monthly water bill. 

Especially in a room like the bathroom, you may need to conduct a mold inspection. This growth can contribute to increased allergy symptoms and asthma, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention. However, some of the harsh chemicals in cleaning products may be dangerous and harmful to the environment. Consider a natural alternative that still eliminates mold and spores. According to the Mother Nature Network, use vinegar and baking soda to naturally get rid of mold. 

Other cleaning products used in the home may also be harsh on the environment and your health. According to Eco-Friendly, there are a number of great alternatives. For example, white vinegar or lemon juice can cut through kitchen grease. Lemon also leaves a pleasant scent behind that is not irritating.

You can easily concoct general household cleaning solutions using baking soda, vinegar, water and borax disinfectant.