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NOTE FROM SWEET GREENS: This post, 4 Tips for Eco-Friendly Home Security was written by Jenna. Jenna is a freelance writer who focuses on personal finance, eco-lifestyle, and health. Her normal writing topics include things like how to an afford security system: www.securitychoice.com or how to afford a green home makeover. When Jenna is not writing she is reading her favorite blogs or riding her bike!

Our home is one of the most important things in our lives. Homes provide us with shelter, a place to enjoy our family, a place where we can store our prized personal belongings and a safe place for our families to live. While there are a number of eco-friendly ways to improve your home, finding simple ways to ensure your home is safe and eco-friendly friendly is possible too.  Read on to discover how you can keep your home, personal belonging, pets and family members secure while doing your part to keep the planet clean and green.

#1: Keep Outdoor Lighting in Mind
While it’s a fact that leaving outdoors floodlights on around the clock will stop intruders from finding the darkness to hide, it’s also a fact that this practice is not at all energy efficient. Motion detector lights on the other hand work great for home security (regardless of whether you are home or away) because they get switched on when any motion is detected, which can startle any burglars into running.

In addition, when you come home after dark, these lights will help show you the way to your door by illuminating the path. When you aim them properly, you won’t find them coming on each time a stray cat runs across the yard. The best thing about motion sensor lights is that today you can find many that are solar powered. They get charged up during the day and switch on during the dark whenever any motion is detected. 
 
#2: Indoor Lighting is Important Too 
One of the things that can really help with your home security is the power to control indoor home lighting when you’re not home. This way the lights can go on and off in different rooms at various hours of the day, making your absence less obvious. Such smart home lighting not only helps in improving home security, but also lets you cut down on power usage – since you won’t need to leave several lights on the entire time you are gone.

You can also easily make green choices when choosing light bulbs for your home. For example, LED bulbs are much more energy efficient than those incandescent bulbs. They not only use up to 80 percent less energy, but also last for years. Even though they are a bit costly up front, they can easily pay for themselves in about two years of time.

#3: Choose a Home Security Company that Uses Recycled Materials
Home security companies/services today can be seen focusing on going green by using recycled materials along with parts from old and outdated components. Such reused materials can include electronic components, precious metals, repairable parts, and minerals.

If you are considering installing a home security system, choose a company that that makes efforts to stay green and eco-friendly. ADT for example is a company that uses recycled materials for its home security solutions.

#4: Closet + Lock Your Doors!
Most people forget that simply closing and locking your doors helps you to be greener and safer. When the air in your home stays in your home, it reduces the need for gas or electricity (air conditioning and heating). Some intruders will simply look for doors that are unlocked and then enter the home unannounced. Remember that being eco-friendly also means thinking about your utilities and how they relate to the rest of the earth.

No matter what steps you take to keep your home secure from any kind of intrusion, do it in a way that not only helps you keep your family safe but also goes hand in hand with your aim to contribute to the green revolution. The more steps you take to create an eco-friendly home, the the better it is.

How about you lovely readers, what steps do you take to ensure that your home is safe?

Disclosure Statement

We all lead very busy lives and if you are anything like me the last thing you want to spend your free time on is cleaning. While I love having a clean and organized home, I don’t love cleaning. The mister and I use to spend  our Saturday mornings deep-cleaning the house. Looking back, we should have broken it down into smaller chunks spread out over the week, instead of wasting our Saturdays together cleaning.

Now that I am older and (wiser!), I focus on my 6 cleaning secrets and speed clean during the week. We never spend any part of our weekend deep-cleaning. Hooray! My entire speed cleaning routine takes about 30 minutes a day. On the days where I do deep-cleaning – such as cleaning the appliances, oiling the furniture or mopping and dusting everything, it takes 85 minutes. (I timed it!) I have broken it down for you below. First, are my speed cleaning steps and below it the deep-cleaning time. Read on to get started, and I hope you never spend another weekend cleaning your house.

#1: Getting Started
I always start in the room that is in the very back of the house. When we have lived in homes with multiple levels, I always start at the top floor and work my way down.

Tip: I keep the cleaners that I will need in the room where I will need them. For example, I keep all of the green bathroom cleaners and washcloths stashed in the bathroom vanity. That way I have everything that I need in that particular room – no toting cleaning products from room to room.

#2: Bathrooms | Speed Cleaning Version (2 minutes)
I quickly spritz down the counter tops, toilet, sinks and mirrors with a great green multipurpose cleaner and wipe everything clean. Then, I sweep the floor and as I leave the room I take the garbage can with me.

Deep Cleaning Version (5 minutes)
On the days that I do a deep-cleaning, I also wipe out the cabinet drawers, scrub the inside of the toilet and mop the floor.

Tip: I keep a bottle of green shower cleaner in the shower. I periodically spritz down the shower a few minutes before I get in, then scrub the shower while my hair conditioner soaks in. Our shower is always clean. Yay! I do this with the bathtubs too!

#3 Master Bedroom | Speed Cleaning Version (5 minutes)
I start by throwing away any garbage (in the garbage can from the bathroom) and take any dishes to the sink, and clothes to the laundry room. Then, I make the bed, quickly wipe down the surfaces and tidy up my workspace.

Deep Cleaning Version (10 minutes)
In addition to the speed cleaning tasks, I dust off the ceiling fan, television, shelving, wash the windows, change the sheets and vacuum the room.

Tip: If the duvet is super wrinkled, I spritz it down with a water bottle and pull until the wrinkles fall out.

#4: Kids Bedroom | Speed Cleaning Version (5 minutes)
Eben cleans his own bedroom, but I do stop in every day to quickly wipe down all of the surfaces.

Deep Cleaning Version (10 minutes)
Eben will also wash his windows, change the sheets on his bed, dust the shelving, tidy his workspace and vacuum the room.

#Tip: Give your child the responsible of cleaning their own bedroom, this will save you a lot of time and teach them responsibility and pride too! 

#5: Half Bath | Speed Cleaning Version (2 minutes)
I clean the half-bath the same way as the master bedroom. Throw away any garbage, spritz the counter top, sink, mirror and toilet and wipe them down. Then, sweep the floor.

Deep Cleaning Version (5 minutes)
I also scrub the toilet, bathtub, tidy up the toiletries and mop the floor.

Tip: If you have a half-bath that you never use, don’t clean it every week, only when it gets dirty. 

#6: Laundry Room + Hall | Speed Cleaning Version (2 minutes)
I wipe down the top of the washer and dryer, throw away any garbage, and sweep the floors.

Deep Cleaning Version (5 minutes)
I also clean out the lint trap, wipe down the inside of the washer and mop the floor.

Tip: We do a load of laundry everyday or as soon as the washer is full. We immediately dry, fold and put away the laundry too. We never have a full laundry basket!

#7: Kitchen | Speed Cleaning Version (10 minutes)
I spray down all of the counter tops, while the cleaner soaks I unload and load the dishwasher. Then, I wipe down all of the counter tops and spot clean the front of the appliances and cabinets. Then, I sweep the floor.

Deep Cleaning Version (20 minutes)
I spray down the inside of the microwave, stove and refrigerator and clean them. I will also wipe out any drawers that need it. I wipe down the front of all of the cabinets and mop the floor too.

Tip: Again, if it isn’t dirty – don’t clean it. For example: if you wiped out the refrigerator last week and it still looks good, don’t bother moving everything around to clean it again – wait until next time. 

#8: Living Room | Speed Cleaning Version (5 minutes)
I quickly straighten up the sofa and fluff the pillows. I put away the remote controls, any odds and ends laying around and quickly dust the surfaces.

Deep Cleaning Version (10 minutes)
On deep cleaning day, I also vacuum the rug, down the sofa, wash the windows and mop the floor.

Tip: If you are really strapped for time, simple straighten up the sofa and fluff all of the pillows – this will immediately make the room look cleaner. 

#9: Dining Room | Speed Cleaning Version (2 minutes)
I wipe down the dining room table and chairs and quickly dust all surfaces and sweep the floor.

Deep Cleaning Version (5 minutes)
I also wash the windows, oil the table and dust the chandelier.

#10: Staircase + Entry | Speed Cleaning Version (2 minutes)
I sweep the entry way, dust the surfaces and put away anything left by the front door.

Deep Cleaning Version (10 minutes)
I also vacuum the stairs, wash the windows and fingerprints off the front door and mop the floor.

Tip: If you don’t have an entry way closet to tidy all of your families shoes, coats and bags, add a few hooks and baskets to your entry way to quickly hang coats and bags and toss those shoes into a basket. 

#11: Outside Areas | Speed Cleaning Version (2 minutes)
I quickly sweep off the front porch and back patio and straighten up the furniture.

Deep Cleaning Version (10 minutes)
I also wipe down tables and furniture and spray off the porch.

Total Speed Cleaning Time: 32 minutes
Total Deep Cleaning Time: 80 minutes (Eben does his own room)

How about you lovely readers – do you have speed cleaning tips, I would love to hear!

One challenge of our new small home was the size of Eben’s bedroom. It is much smaller than any bedroom that he has had before – and we quickly realized after putting his bed, and shelving system in the room that there wouldn’t be room for him to work on his projects. Eben spends a large portion of his free time building and painting models, drawing, creating, setting up and filming short movies. I worried that if he didn’t have a space where he could spread out and work on his projects that he might lose some of his creativity.

After a lot of brainstorming, I thought that the closet would remain mostly unused and could easily be repurposed into a workspace for Eben. I asked the mister to remove the closet doors (which he thought was completely crazy at first). Then, I repurposed a long table and filing cabinet that I used in my office at our last home. The mister and I were both surprised to find that it fit in the space perfectly. Seriously, almost as if we had the table cut to fit into the space. I added lighting so Eben could adjust the light for his movies and art projects, shelves to hold all of his sketch books and canvases and a few containers to house all of his pens, markers, pencils, paintbrushes and the like. I used the space in the top and bottom of the closet for stuffed animal and LEGO storage and all of his other supplies fit into the filing cabinet. 

The best part, this makeover didn’t cost a penny, everything we used we already owned. It actually saved us from having to sell or store my old office desk, filing cabinet, picture shelves and is a great place to keep one of our extra dining room chairs too.

What do you think? Have you ever repurposed a closet? Would you?

Between raising a family, keeping a household, building two businesses, and trying to have a social life – having a home that is always organized and clean can seem impossible. Over the years, I have always received compliments on how clean and organized my home is – usually followed by questions of how I have time to do it. For me a home that is clean and organized has much more to do with my personal sanity than it does for impressing others. I learned very early in my marriage that if my home is always clean and organized that I am able to get more things done in life. Which means that I don’t have to spend any time on the weekends or evening cleanings. I want all of my free time to be just that – free. The key to having a home that is always clean and organized is simple, it’s consistency. Read on to learn my 6 secrets to keeping a clean, organized and green home.

#1: Everything In It’s Place
The first rule to having a home that is always clean and organized is to assign a place for everything in your home. Start by asking yourself whether you use, need or love each item – if it doesn’t fit into any of those categories, get rid of it. Everything in our home has a spot – from books, to crafting supplies, tools, and toiletries – every single cabinet, closet and drawer is organized – it makes it really easy to find anything that I need in just a few seconds, saving me a lot of time. This also saves me money, because I always know at a glance if we need more deodorant, nails, or light bulbs.

#2: Chores for Everyone
Every person in your family should have a list of chores that they are responsible for completing each day. In our home, Eben takes care of the laundry, pet duties, dishes and a few other things. The mister is responsible for making all of our meals, grocery shopping and the garage. I take care of everything else including the errands, vacuuming, dusting, organizing, cleaning the kitchen, living room and bathrooms. It makes it a lot easier to keep the home clean and organized when everyone in the home is part of the process.

#3: Clean Up as You Go
Whether I am working on a work project, recipe, or craft I clean up as I go. As soon as I am finished with an item, I put it away. When I am finished with dishes, I load them in the dishwasher. If I spill something, I clean it up immediately. I have also instilled this lesson in Eben, when he is finished playing with one thing, he puts it away before getting something else out. If he is done reading a book, it goes back on the bookshelf when he grabs another. This goes along with #1, if you put it back where it belongs immediately, you will always know where it is and everything will stay relatively clean.

#4: Clean After Use
I like to keep my green cleaning supplies where they are needed and use them often. For example, I keep a bottle of green cleaner in the shower and tub and then spritz everything down every couple of days. I keep a bottle of green glass cleaner in each bathroom and spritz down the mirrors and sinks everyday. I keep a bottle of green toilet cleaner near the toilets and spritz them down as well. It ensures that the dirtiest parts of our home are always clean and healthy. And I never have to spend a whole day or afternoon deep-cleaning our home.

#5: A Load A Day
I have Eben do a load of laundry and dishes every day or as soon as the washer is full. He is then responsibly for getting the clothes into the dryer and folding it and putting the dishes away too. We never have a laundry room stacked with dirty clothes, or a kitchen sink brimming with last night’s dinner plates. We don’t have a need for an insane amount of clothing, linens or dishes because everything that we own is usually either being used or clean and put away.

#6: Unpack + Put Away Immediately
We venture out to the beach or swimming pool almost every day and we always take a huge beach bag stuffed full of towels, books, snacks, hats, water bottles and other items. When we get home I always feel like leaving that bag by the front door. Instead, I carry it up and immediately unpack it. The dirty dishes and water bottles are put in the dishwasher, uneaten snacks go back in the pantry, books go back on the bookshelf and the wet towels and swimsuits go into the dryer. This has saved us from mildewy swimsuits and towels, ruined books and wasted foods. This tip is also great for backpacks and lunchboxes when school is back in session. You immediately see any permission slips or homework and you can sometimes save an uneaten snack before the lunchbox icepack completely melts.

Stay tuned — coming up tomorrow is how I speed clean our home everyday. It takes me less than 1/2 hour but the house is super sparkling when I am done. Followed, later in the week on how I can deep clean the entire house top to bottom in 85 minutes. I do this usually about twice a month – it makes keeping up with the 6 steps above a breeze. 

Do you have secrets to keeping a house clean, organized and green? I would love to hear them.