Here are a few simple ways to be green around the house:
Waterworks for Teeth
Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. It sounds tiny, but if you brush for two minutes twice a day, the water adds up fast. Your teeth still get clean, and you waste a whole lot less water.
Flush and Conserve
Toilets are one of those things we don’t think about much until they stop working, but they can use a lot of water, especially older models. Check for leaks, make sure the toilet isn’t running after you flush, and replace worn flappers when needed. If you do replace a toilet, look for a WaterSense-labeled model.
Switch to LED Lightbulbs
If you still have old incandescent bulbs in lamps or fixtures you use every day, go ahead and swap them for LEDs now. You don’t need to wait for them to burn out. LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, so the sooner you switch the high-use bulbs, the sooner you start saving. For barely-used lights, like closets or storage rooms, it’s fine to replace those as they burn out.
Just Turn It Off!
Save electricity by turning off lights, computers, chargers, and small appliances when they aren’t in use. For areas with lots of electronics, use a power strip so you can shut everything off with one switch.
Remove the Lint
Clean your dryer’s lint filter before each load. It helps clothes dry faster, saves energy, and reduces fire risk. For even more safety and efficiency, have your dryer vent cleaned regularly, especially if clothes are taking longer than usual to dry.
Keep It Cold
Use cold water in the washing machine whenever possible. Heating water uses most of the energy in a typical load, and today’s detergents are designed to work well in cold water. Unless you’re dealing with oily stains or something that really needs hot water, cold is usually the way to go.
Waterworks for Teeth
Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. It sounds tiny, but if you brush for two minutes twice a day, the water adds up fast. Your teeth still get clean, and you waste a whole lot less water.
Flush and Conserve
Toilets are one of those things we don’t think about much until they stop working, but they can use a lot of water, especially older models. Check for leaks, make sure the toilet isn’t running after you flush, and replace worn flappers when needed. If you do replace a toilet, look for a WaterSense-labeled model.
Switch to LED Lightbulbs
If you still have old incandescent bulbs in lamps or fixtures you use every day, go ahead and swap them for LEDs now. You don’t need to wait for them to burn out. LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, so the sooner you switch the high-use bulbs, the sooner you start saving. For barely-used lights, like closets or storage rooms, it’s fine to replace those as they burn out.Just Turn It Off!
Save electricity by turning off lights, computers, chargers, and small appliances when they aren’t in use. For areas with lots of electronics, use a power strip so you can shut everything off with one switch.
Remove the Lint
Clean your dryer’s lint filter before each load. It helps clothes dry faster, saves energy, and reduces fire risk. For even more safety and efficiency, have your dryer vent cleaned regularly, especially if clothes are taking longer than usual to dry.
Keep It Cold
Use cold water in the washing machine whenever possible. Heating water uses most of the energy in a typical load, and today’s detergents are designed to work well in cold water. Unless you’re dealing with oily stains or something that really needs hot water, cold is usually the way to go.
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