Quick Ways to Save the Environment Part 2

Last post, I described the quick ways to lessen your electricity use and your power bill!

Today, I want to talk about water usage!

Easy Peasy- Quick'n Easy Ways


1. Turn water off when not using it! Brushing your teeth, shaving your legs? You don't need a full stream of water- turn it off. This will not seem like a lot, but it adds up over a month!

2. Don't pre-rinse dishes before the dishwasher. Most modern-day dishwashers have a grinder at the bottom that will grind minor food particles for you! Save time and water with this one!

3. Don't use a garbage disposal.
    A. it takes a lot of water to churn your unwanted food down the drain.
    B. They are loud and can get smelly over time.
    C. They wear out fast!
Why not start a mini compost? You get great, fresh fertilizer for free!

4. When doing laundry or dishes, always wash with full loads! Why waste all that water for just a few items? If you are needing something quickly, why not handwash in the sink? Takes a little elbow grease, but it will be ready quicker and several gallons of water saved!

5. No-bath week. (I can't do this one, ha!) Baths use about twice as much water as it does for a normal 10 minute shower. Take one week and instead of getting baths, take showers! Better yet, take a shower with your partner-- you will save on water and only have to wipe down the shower once!

 
6. Shorten your shower. How long do you normally spend in the shower? Say you stand there for a minute basking in the warmth. Then you wash your hair, then condition it, now you wash your body and shave. This takes between 15-20 minutes! If you were to change your process and wash and condition your hair while you are bathing your body and shaving, you can easily knock 5 minutes off your routine. Over a week, that's over half an hour your water is not running and over 170 gallons a week that you are saving PER PERSON!!!

7. Water grass in the early morning! This is the best time for the water to soak into the ground and not be evaporated by the sun. It also is better than watering it in the evening because it is less likely to promote fungus or weeds from growing.

8.  Put sprinklers on a timer! They now have timers that attach to the spigot and will allow you to walk away and still not over-water your grass!

9. Choose landscaping plants and trees that are local. They are used to the climate that you deal with, so you won't have to overly water or constantly maintain to keep in great shape.

10. Use mulch. Adding a layer of mulch will help ground stay moist so that you don't have to use as much water.

11. Check pools, hot tubs, ponds, spigots, hoses, etc... for leaks. During the winter months, keep covered to maintain water and to keep clean.

12. Install a rain barrel. It simply attaches to your gutters and you get free rain water for watering your plants. Here is a great place to purchase one!

Stay tuned- I will next reveal ways to save water that are not the quick fixes!

Laundry Room Revamp

For several months, I have wanted to "spice-up" our laundry room. Right now, it's a bunch of white and creams with espresso cabinets- just like I wanted it when we moved in last year, only now I have changed my mind.

Before--A Crisp Laundry Room-just like I wanted it.

I have toyed with ideas of painting the walls green, or adding wallpaper, or putting a back splash behind the washer/dryer. Since we are trying to save up for our new adventure as parents, I really haven't acted more than thinking about it~

Before- A little too simple after all.

One piece of advice that we always tell our clients is that we want to "shop" their house first before we purchase anything.  I thought I might try that with the laundry room--just for now to add some color but on a rock-bottom budget!

It actually was simple to do: I found this runner that I used in my foyer during college (it has just been sitting in my upstairs hall closet). The pattern adds interest into the room while the green/brown colors give me the punch of color that I was looking for. The brown in the rug also helps tie in the dark cabinetry.  Now it just  adds to my desire to paint the walls!

 

I added some flowers that we had around the house. I have become a tiny plant lady with them all over the house. By grouping them over the dryer, it helps declutter the rest of my house and add a touch of greenery and fragrance in the laundry room.

Now I'm thinking that I might have a new sewing project to create a small roman shade for the window in here.

So yes, by "shopping" your house, you can add a few things into a room and completely make it look fresh and new--for FREE!! (Of course, this is now going to cost me because I REALLY have the bug to paint and make a Roman Shade!!!)

Have you ever shopped your home to revamp an area? How did it turn out?