21 eco-friendly ideas for a sustainable home

Many of us today are looking for ways to boost sustainability, minimize waste and reduce our harm to the environment. These can often be done all at once right in your home while helping the planet at the same time. It is easy to apply basic personal conservation efforts in your everyday life. Many of these actions are not only simple and inexpensive, but they can reduce both our carbon footprint and our living expenses.

Here are 21 eco-friendly ideas for home that are easy to do and helpful in reducing your ecological footprint.

What does it mean to be eco-friendly at home?

What does being eco-friendly at your home mean? According to Merriam-Webster, eco-friendly means “not environmentally harmful.” In your day-to-day life, that can look like boosting energy efficiency in your home or using nontoxic cleaning materials.

By prioritizing these practices, and many others, you’ll contribute to a healthier environment for yourself and the planet:

• Boost energy efficiency: Decreasing your home’s energy consumption and investing in eco-friendly products reduces greenhouse gas emissions and slashes your electricity bill.
• Use nontoxic materials: Products that aren’t eco-friendly or contain toxic chemicals can release harmful chemicals. Natural products are better for the health of the environment and the health of your family.
• Stay environmentally conscious: To stay environmentally conscious, you must be mindful of all your actions and their potential consequences, from reusing products to unplugging electronics that aren’t in use.

How to make eco-friendly changes at home: 21 green ideas

Some people believe that building a green home is the only way to really reduce their carbon footprint – the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions they generate. But making even small changes in your home and lifestyle can have a huge impact on environmental sustainability. While building an eco-friendly home may involve big, expensive projects like replacing flooring, installing new windows and building with alternative materials, smaller changes typically involve replacing certain products, upgrading an appliance or changing habits.

Homeowners can follow these green tips to start making progress on their sustainable homes.

1. Reuse plastics

It seems simple, but reusing single-use plastics, and using less plastic in general, can make more of a difference than you might think. There is currently a patch of garbage floating off the coast of California that’s twice the size of Texas. It’s called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It’s the largest accumulation of ocean plastic on the planet. Plastic is lethal to ocean wildlife and can contaminate our food sources. By reusing plastics, you help reduce waste that may otherwise end up in a landfill or the ocean.

2. Replace plastics

Reduce, reuse and recycle. And when possible, eliminate plastic. Swap out plastic wrap for beeswax wrap. It’s reusable, compostable and made out of all-natural ingredients.

Trade plastic utensils for reusable, metal utensils. Switch plastic straws for straws made from natural materials. The best option for reusable straws is bamboo. Bamboo is an easily renewable crop and natural material, making it biodegradable.

3. Level up to a programmable thermostat

According to Energy.gov, you can save up to 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by changing the temperature of your home 7 – 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours of the day. Programmable thermostats and smart technology can ensure you don’t miss the perfect times to reset your thermostat – usually when you’re sleeping or not at home. It can be hard to remember to change the temperature in the morning, change it again when you get home and then change it before you go to bed. With a programmable thermostat, you can program the thermostat to set to specific temperatures at different times of the day.

4. Upgrade your toilet

Older toilets use significantly more water, about 7 gallons on average. Energy-efficient toilets use about 1.6 gallons on average. Even an energy-efficient toilet with a bidet uses less water than the average older toilet. Spending money on an energy-efficient toilet now will save you money and precious water in the future.

To ensure you’re getting the most energy efficiency from your new toilet, look for the ENERGY STAR^® product label, which certifies a product is energy-efficient. You may also want to consider a dual-flush system that conserves water by using less water to flush liquid waste than solid.

5. Install a bidet

According to National Geographic, every day, the equivalent of 270,000 trees is flushed down the toilet or tossed into landfills. Trees filter harmful toxins from our air and water. And let’s not forget that they provide the oxygen we need to survive. Unfortunately, the softer and fluffier toilet paper is, the more trees are used to make it.

While a bidet might sound like a last resort for many Americans, it’s a much better option for the environment. Bidets came in handy during the toilet paper shortage in 2020 when widespread panic during COVID-19 lockdowns caused many people to hoard toilet paper. In fact, many bidet manufacturers saw sales skyrocket in 2020 – some even ran out of stock. The bidet is also a much more sanitary option. With a bidet, your hands don’t have to get involved, reducing the spread of germs.

6. Use “green” toilet paper

If you simply can’t see yourself getting sprinkled on the bottom every time you go, consider sustainable toilet paper. It’s a better option than the thick, fluffy toilet paper most Americans prefer. The more recycled materials that have gone into the toilet paper, the better. The Natural Resources Defense Council researched how toilet paper companies are destroying Canada’s boreal forest. They even released a report featuring a Toilet Paper Sustainability Scorecard. Make it a point to choose toilet paper options in the A column, which is the most sustainable group of TP available in today’s market.

7. Replace paper products with reusables

Consider switching out other paper products with reusables, including swapping paper plates and napkins for reusable plates and washcloths. If there are children at home, consider cloth diapers.

If you want to try something new, another eco-friendly option that gained popularity during the toilet paper shortage was reusable toilet paper. Reusable toilet paper is made from cloth. After one use, you put the cloth in a lined container typically filled with an antibacterial solution. Once you’ve washed the used cloths, they’re ready to reuse. Though they save paper, reusable cloths require extra work and can cause you to use extra water.

8. Swap out toxic cleaning products

“Green'' home cleaning products are better for the environment and our families. Many cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that damage our ecosystem and health. Unfortunately, many of these products are advertised as “green.” There are many options available for cleaning products that are both nontoxic and eco-friendly. The United States has banned far fewer chemicals than many European countries, so Americans must be diligent when choosing products.

Look for cleaning products in sustainable, biodegradable packaging without harsh additives, or make your own. You can scroll through tons of recipes for DIY eco-friendly cleaning products, like nontoxic laundry detergent, on Pinterest and other sites.

9. Use the cold water setting to wash clothes

Save energy by washing your clothes in cold water. When you wash with hot water, your washing machine requires 75% more energy to heat the water. You can also save your clothes by using cold water. Hot water can cause colors to fade. Cold water keeps colors from bleeding.

10. Hang dry your clothes

Another energy-saving laundry trick is to skip the dryer and use a drying rack. This practice is popular in many countries around the world. And why not? While you may wait a bit longer before you can wear your freshly washed clothes, hanging them out to dry will keep them looking newer for much longer than drying them in a clothes dryer. And you’ll never need to worry about shrinking your favorite cashmere sweater again.

11. Unplug “vampire” electronics

Unplug anything you’re not using, even if it's turned off. A plugged-in appliance or electronic is still drawing energy from the outlet. All the devices you keep plugged in can quickly increase energy use and inflate your energy costs.

12. Upgrade to LED light bulbs

Energy-efficient light bulbs use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to  25 times longer. Swapping out light bulbs is an easy and quick thing to do throughout your house that can help you save big on your energy bill.

13. Reevaluate Your Home’s Insulation

Do you feel like you’re constantly turning the heat up in the winter or the air up in the summer? Consider applying some sustainable energy hacks, like beefing up your insulation. In many houses, especially older ones, there are little cracks and holes we can’t see. Heat and cool air easily escape through these holes and run up your energy bills. You’d be amazed at how much energy you can conserve when you insulate your attic.

14. Invest in solar panels

The need for renewable sources of energy is global. Not only do nonrenewable sources eventually run out, but the continued use of nonrenewable fuels heats up the planet more and more. One popular renewable source of energy is the sun. Solar panels use the sun to produce the electricity that powers your home and can lower your electric bill. And with the Residential Energy Credit, you can save even more money by writing off part of your solar panel costs.

The initial cost to install solar panels is an investment that typically pays off in 7 – 8 years in electricity savings alone. Of course, there are leasing and financing options available, including a cash-out refinance or home improvement loan to help you realize your energy-efficiency goals.

15. Repair leaky faucets

According to EPA.gov, a leaky faucet dripping one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year. That’s enough water for more than 180 showers. Seal up leaks with a quick caulk and keep your hard-earned money and unused water from running down the drain.

16. Start composting

Composting reduces the amount of natural material you send to landfills, saving space and resources used to transport waste. Compost also adds nutrients to the soil, benefitting your garden, earthworms and the Earth.

There are heaps of how-to videos online to teach you how to start composting. A great place to start is with a small bin and work your way up as you become more comfortable composting.

17. Start a vegetable garden

Growing a vegetable garden reduces your carbon footprint by eliminating the trip it takes – and the gas it wastes – to get your vegetables or have them delivered to you. If you’re new to gardening, start with a few easy vegetables to grow, like leafy greens, root vegetables, tomatoes and cucumbers – all the fixings for a delicious salad.

18. Reuse holiday decorations

Home decoration is a commonly overlooked area where homeowners can be more sustainable. Some homeowners change their decor every season and buy new decorations every few months. Yes, shopping for new decorations can be fun. But constantly purchasing new items is terrible for the environment. Consider saving seasonal or holiday decorations and reusing them.

19. Redecorate with repurposed or used furniture

When it comes to everyday home decor, try to purchase from companies committed to environmental responsibility. Stray away from plastics and purchase furniture and accessories from recycled or easily renewable materials, like bamboo, hemp and organic cotton.

You can also peruse thrift stores, flea markets and used furniture shops to rehome used furniture and keep these big items out of landfills. Just make sure to check for flaws or major damage and check for pests before buying used furniture.

20. Adopt a minimalist mindset

Switching to a minimalist lifestyle can help you buy less furniture and accessories and declutter your home. By only purchasing what you need, you reduce the waste you’ll put out later in life, helping you make less of a negative impact on the environment.

21. Conserve water

Another green tip for homeowners is to make small changes to help save water. It can be as simple as turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth or scrub your dishes, taking shorter showers or only running the dishwasher or clothes washer when you have full loads.

The bottom line: An eco-friendly home starts with you

When we’re more intentional about changing our habits and swapping out environmentally unfriendly materials in our home for eco-friendly options, we can gain some peace of mind knowing we’re doing our part to help the planet. Creating safer, greener homes is not as hard or as expensive as it might sound.