Being an eco-friendly and green homemaker does not require any special training or effort. Most importantly, it does not require spending money. Going green is cheap and super-easy. All it needs is the awareness and the desire to create a better world for our children and ourselves. Here are five simple ways to have an environmentally friendly home and probably save money as well. Not only will these simple ideas help you to contribute to saving the environment, they will also set an excellent example for kids to follow.

Recycle and Reuse is the First Way to have a Green Home

Recycling and reusing is probably the easiest and simplest way to be eco-friendly. Collect all the old scraps of paper and turn them into scribble pads and place them near the telephone, in the kitchen or give them to kids to work out their math problems. Turn old bottles into beautiful containers and vases using just glue, ribbons, buttons and a dash of imagination. Empty plastic containers can be painted and used to grow herbs on the kitchen sill. There are plenty of ways to recycle and reuse. All it requires is some creativity and a little effort.

Using Cloth Instead of Paper is an Easy, Eco-friendly Option

Making the switch from paper to cloth in the home is yet another easy way of going green. Invest in cloth shopping bags and carry them for your weekly grocery shopping as well as other shopping trips. Use cloth to wipe countertops, spills and dishes in the kitchen and other areas of the house. Keep separate piles of cloth for different purposes. Go paperless where possible. For instance, opt for receiving bank and credit card statements via email.

Green Homes Use More Natural Light instead of Artificial Lighting

Light colored drapes and altering the furniture arrangement can help to make use of natural light instead of energy-consuming artificial lighting. Not just that, keeping doors and windows open will allow plenty of fresh air in and help improve the overall air circulation in the house. If keeping doors and windows open is not an option, simply make small changes such as placing writing desks and reading chairs near windows to use natural light and make your home more environmentally friendly easily.

Walk, Cycle and Car Pool to Save Fuel

Walking and cycling are great eco-friendly and cheap ways to weave exercise into one’s daily routine. Make it a fun and interesting experience and even, kids will look forward to walking to the supermarket instead of driving. Car pools are another effective way to save on fuel while commuting longer distances.

Use Eco-friendly Household Cleaners

One of the easiest ways to go green is to use green cleaning solutions that are natural and chemical-free. Use diluted vinegar to clean glass, mop floors, clean kitchen countertops, and even, as a fabric softener. Use baking soda to clean the insides of conventional and microwave ovens. Simply make a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a ¼ cup of water and use it to wipe clean and deodorize ovens and refrigerators. Ashtrays, trashcans and rugs can all be deodorized by sprinkling baking soda on them. Just remember to brush out the baking soda from a rug after letting it stand for about 20 minutes or so.

These are just five easy and simple ways that homeowners can start using immediately to make a difference to the environment and live a life that is green and eco-friendly. There are so many more ways to have a green home and contribute to the environment.

photo credit: seanmcgrath