[dropcap1]Y[/dropcap1]our kitchen is the heart of the home. So much cooking, washing and living goes on in this room of the house that it should be the first one you commit to making greener in the New Year. This will save you money and conserve energy, while avoiding toxins in your kitchen. Here are some easy ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly.
1. Be Wise About Washing Up
You might rely on your dishwasher, but it uses up a lot of water. Go back to washing dishes by hand if you can and letting them dry naturally. Of course, sometimes you need to use a dishwasher, but make sure it’s Energy Star rated as these appliances can decrease the amount water used per washing cycle by up to two gallons!
2. Prevent Waste
A lot of waste happens in the kitchen. In fact, probably more than you realise. Just think of all the plastic that goes to waste from products you’ve purchased at the shop or how you might be wasting food that doesn’t get consumed. Commit to buying products that have less packaging as well as fresh produce that isn’t wrapped – eating these will also be healthier for you! Try to make use of your leftovers as much as possible or give food away to homeless people instead of letting it end up in the bin.
3. Get a Green Cleaning Routine
Don’t bring harmful chemicals into your kitchen that can be bad for your health. Easy green DIY cleaning ingredients include baking soda, lemon and vinegar. These are completely natural and can be used in a variety of ways to clean your kitchen.
4. Use Recycled Materials
Wooden utensils are trendy and more sustainable than plastic options, and this is especially the case if they are made from reclaimed wood. An example is this wooden serving board that’s handcrafted from reclaimed oak wine barrels.
5. Choose Natural Fibres
Make sure that the dishcloths and tea towels you use in the kitchen are made from natural fibres and dyes. These prevent toxins from entering your world. An example of a great, eco-friendly product is this Facet Tea Towel that’s made from 100 percent cotton and decorated with water-based inks so you get something cute without the dangerous chemicals.
