Environmentally friendly houses are now becoming the trend among architects and interior designers. This is the case as more and more people realize the importance of consuming less artificial energy sources like petrol and gas and relying more on natural energy sources like the wind and sun.

The less carbon footprint we leave on this earth, the more future generations have a chance to live in cleaner and greener circumstances. Although not all of us can afford to live in a modern eco-friendly custom designed houses, we can do our part by turning our current homes into energy saving eco-friendly hubs.

• Replace normal round incandescent light bulbs with energy saving light bulbs
• Use bamboo furniture and flooring as wood costs more resources to produce
• Use the fan instead of your air-conditioning
• Recycle your trash by sorting them and dropping them off at your neighbourhood recycling bin or recycling centre
• Bring a canvas bag when you go shopping to avoid using plastic bags
• Install solar panels for water heating
• Buy power saving electrical appliances. For example, refrigerators that come with a five star energy rating
• Use kitchen scraps to fertilize plants rather than throw them away
• Cut down your use of paper by recording things down digitally
• Use paints that are water based and don’t contain volatile organic compounds
• Use natural fabrics in the house made from fleece, cotton and wool instead of artificial fabric like rayon and polyester.
• Buy toilet paper that has been recycled
• Shower rather than take a bathe with a water scoop from a water tank
• Use natural cleaning agents like lemon, baking soda and vinegar in your kitchen and to clear clogged sinks or remove stubborn stains
• Minimize your waste especially during cooking and eating. If there are leftovers, keep them in the fridge to reheat for the next day’s lunch.
• Buy second hand items will cut down the need to produce new items and cut wastage
• Borrow items or tools that you will only use once
• Use paper bags or metal containers to pack your lunch instead of Styrofoam boxes and plastic containers
• Keep some plants in the house as natural air purifiers
• Decorate your home with natural items instead of plastic flowers and fake plants

As you can see, these steps are not at all difficult and if you have any ideas of your own, don’t hesitate to carry them out. Every small bit contributes to building a cleaner and greener future for our children!