“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children” — goes the ancient proverb.

With active initiatives being taken to make planet Earth more habitable for the future, the trend of “green living” is in full swing.  

Wondering how to get on with the eco-friendly lifestyle changes and make your home “greener”? Taking baby steps can be a good thing because often the small changes have bigger impact than we realise.

To get you started, here is a list of some amazingly simple DIY initiatives for an eco-friendly home. 

1. Get window treatments for better insulation

A well-insulated home can mean reduced energy bills. Heavy curtains and glazed windows can not only help you hold on to your privacy but also keep your home insulated against harsh outdoor temperatures. 

 2. Exercise your green thumb

Pots of lush greenery around the house can not only elevate your mood or home ambiance but also add freshness to your indoor air. So raise your green thumb to adorn your home sustainably.

 3. Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Got food scraps to throw away? Put them in the compost bin to generate organic fertiliser for your kitchen garden. Dump the glass bottles, pet jars, paper, etc. into the recycle bin for another chance at life. 

 4. Opt for native grass for a lush green lawn

Indigenous grass-like Nullarbor Couch Turf are perfect for the Aussie climate and need very less water to thrive. Yet, these are much more luscious than artificial lawns. Opt for native grass and reduce soil erosion, improve air quality and above all, establish your connection with nature.

 5. Switch to energy-efficient lights

CFL and LED lights consume less power. They also produce less heat than incandescent bulbs which means your home remains comparatively cooler. This means your energy bill is minimised in two ways.

You can also plan for using solar energy in your home just like 23.5% of Australian homes already do. A simple installation of solar panels on rooftops can not only ease your energy bills but is also an excellent step towards sustainable living.

 6. Smart moves in the kitchen

Use your kitchen appliances smartly to reduce power consumption. While using the oven, make sure the door is properly closed. Use appropriate appliances. Moreover, take an effort in planning, prepping, and storing your meals to reduce food wastage. 

 7. Make your own cleaning liquids

Why throw away the lemon peels? Use them instead to make your cleaning liquid that can do a wonderful job of cleaning almost every surface that you can reach without the hazardous chemicals of the store-bought ones. 

 8. Save water with water-efficient showerhead

Did you know that the regular showerhead drains 25 litres of water per minute while a water-efficient variant will do the job in less than the third volume of water? Make the smart move today and save water.

Come to think of it, plastic pollution started with the use of the first single-use plastic product. C02 emissions reached dangerous levels with unbridled power consumption. And now, it’s our turn to negate this effect with one small step, taken en-masse. With these small changes, you’re more likely to set yourself for success in shifting to a more eco-friendly way of living.