Clean with cheaper, more environmentally friendly cleansing products
I’m a die-hard fan of Tru Earth laundry strips, that are detergents without the liquid and the bulky plastic bottle. They’re very easy to make use of – just tear off a strip and throw it within the washer once it’s full. Tru Earth sells three pack sizes. I order the mega pack of 384 strips ($149, so $0.39 per load before sales tax) and share it with friends. I just like the fragrance-free option, but it’s also possible to select the Fresh Linen and Lilac Breeze scents. The strips are freed from parabens, phosphates, dyes and bleaches, and are also hypoallergenic and vegan. Additionally, Tru Earth is a Canadian company that also produces eco-friendly fabric softeners, dishwasher tablets, and more.
-, editor-in-chief
Avoid paper towels
Swedish tea towels are great for wiping down kitchen counters or tables. Made from cellulose and cotton, they’re antibacterial, extremely absorbent, dry quickly, and last for months—sellers claim they replace 15 to 17 pieces of paper towels. They’re also machine cleanable (dishwasher or washer) and are available a lot of fun, colourful designs. And while you’re done with them, they’re compostable and biodegradable. Swedish tea towels cost around $3 to $8 each and can be found at retail stores Canadian tire, iQLiving And Nellie’s Canada. They also make great gifts!
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Dry laundry the old-fashioned way
I wish to hang clothes and towels until they’re almost dry, then tumble dry on low heat for five minutes to melt them. Since we moved last summer, we not have a clothesline or a great place to hold clothes. We could have to get a drying rack to placed on the patio.
—, acting editor
Halve the dishwasher tablets
We halve our dishwasher tabs. A full tablet leaves behind soap residue that may result in mold growth over time. It will not be essential to make use of the complete tab unless you’ve hard water (water high in minerals). An appliance repairman advisable this.
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Reduce your living space
My ecological footprint has shrunk dramatically by downsizing. My 750 square foot bungalow requires much less energy to heat and funky than my old three-story townhouse. On winter nights, I turn down the thermostat and use an electrical blanket to maintain myself warm.
Invest in energy-efficient heating
Our big green investment since moving has been converting an old oil furnace to a heat pump, in addition to improving plumbing, windows, etc. We also installed an efficient wood burning fireplace insert to supply heat during power outages.
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Bundle it up and reduce the warmth
I made a decision to make the most of the comfortable gifts from the vacations. Things like slippers, reading socks, weighted blankets, and oversized hoodies at all times felt like a waste of cash and definitely weren’t things I might buy for myself. But since I earn a living from home, I made a decision to utilize it. Aside from being super comfortable, I noticed that my thermostat is three to 4 degrees lower than before. Added up, I discovered that this protects me almost $75 per 30 days.
-, editor-in-chief
Reduce your fuel and energy consumption
Both of our family vehicles are Toyota hybrids, which is as much a method to avoid wasting gas costs because it is an environmental or status gesture. Driving in ECO mode can further improve fuel economy. In our homes, we use appliances during times when electricity costs less and run things like dishwashers and washing machines on eco mode to avoid wasting water and energy.
–, investing editor-in-chief
Become an amateur garbage collector
We live by the lake and walk along it every single day and luxuriate in the great thing about the trees and water. We take the time to select up other people’s trash, mostly plastic water bottles and cardboard coffee cups, that are an eyesore, especially the brilliant red Timmie’s cups and the green Starbucks cups. This is not an enormous burden as trash cans are usually placed along the trail, making us wonder why so many individuals litter when it is a 10-foot walk to a close-by trash can. We work under the broken window theory: if an intentionally broken window will not be repaired as quickly as possible, vandalism will spread quickly. The same goes for trash: When there are greater than two or three pieces of trash, people seem less concerned about throwing something within the trash.
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Enjoy eco-friendly, homemade mineral water
I find that the little belongings you do can multiply over time and convey big advantages. A bit like saving or paying off debt, little by little. We use a sparkling water maker at home with reusable bottles. It saves money, produces less waste and is way healthier than soda or juice. Because it’s something we are able to use every single day, it has a big cumulative impact on our ecological footprint. It’s amazing how bottled water has change into such a giant market, especially in a rustic where our tap water is pretty good. A filtration system and water flavor drops can provide your tap water great taste.
—, CFP, columnist and consulting editor
Eat less meat
For me, vegetarianism is more of a private preference than an eco-strategy. But studies show Avoid meat and dairy products is essentially the most effective strategy to reduce your ecological footprint. Side effects can include improved health, reduced animal cruelty, and lower grocery bills. What’s good for the planet can be good for me.
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