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How You Can Use Fewer Natural Resources Next Year

October 7, 2021 0

For anyone who is interested in trying to be as eco-friendly as possible, one of the most important aspects to this is always going to be using as few natural resources as you possibly can. If you are keen to make sure you are doing this, then you might be wondering where to begin. The truth is that it doesn’t really matter where you begin, so long as you are making the kinds of changes that you know you should be making.

In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the things you can do in order to use as few natural resources as possible. You might be amazed at just how much of a difference this can really make. Let’s take a look and discuss how to go about it best.

What Are Natural Resources?

First of all, it might be helpful to look a little more closely at what we mean by natural resources. In essence, a natural resource is anything that you might use for any purpose which comes from the natural world. Now, when you break down any resource far enough, it is obviously going to be made of natural stuff, and in that sense, there is nothing that is not natural. But a natural resource as mentioned in this article is more like something like wood, coal, paper, and so on.

Not all of these uses or resources are un-eco friendly, but even natural resources which can be used fairly sustainably should be used as little as possible in an ideal world. So now that we know a little about what counts as a natural resource, let’s look at some examples of how to use fewer of them in your daily life.

Save Energy

Anything that you can do, in your home, work, or other aspects of your life, to reduce the use of energy is going to mean that you are using fewer natural resources. It can be very easy to fail to appreciate where your energy is coming from – you just flick on a switch or press a button and there it is. But you need to try and remind yourself that all of that comes from a variety of natural resources, and understanding that is where this all begins to change.

Every time you go to turn on lights or put the boiler on, make sure you are thinking about what you are using and how much of it you are using too. It’s a simple case of trying to do this more and more. If you can do that, and save as much energy as possible, you are going to be doing your part to help save the planet.

Conserve Water

Water is arguably the most valuable and important natural resource of all. After all, without water, nothing else would be here, and as carbon-based lifeforms, we need it to survive at a very basic level. It is clearly very important to conserve water, but you might have got to a position of not really appreciating why especially if you have become confused about the water cycle. Yes, there is a water cycle, and the water comes round again – but using it as sensibly as possible when it comes out of the tap is still going to make a difference to how eco-friendly you are being, so bear that in mind. The more you conserve water, the better, even if that means that you radically change your patterns of behavior – such as not taking such long showers, for instance.

Change Up Your Paper Habits

Paper is another natural resource that you should ideally try to use as little as possible. If you are keen to do that, one simple way is to use reusable paper wherever possible. One of the biggest culprits of waste in the paper is the use of paper towels which you use once and then throw away. Instead of doing that, consider using something like Earthly Co. Reusable Paper Towels. That is a much more sustainable way to use paper, and you will find that you are really doing your part this way.

Go Plastic-Free

Ideally, we should aim to use no plastic whatsoever. However, that is unlikely – after all, it’s in your phone, your clothes, your shoes, and so on. But at the least, you should aim to use no single-use plastics, and this is a goal that is specifically easier and possible to do. Just this is going to make a world of difference, so get on it this year and see how you do.

3 Eco-Friendly Types of Cleaning Services

October 1, 2021 0

When hiring an eco-friendly cleaner, it’s important to have an idea of just what tasks you need help with. There are many different options available, ranging from straightforward house cleaning to more infrequent jobs, such as seasonal deep cleans or end of tenancy cleans.

You may also be looking to hire an eco-friendly cleaner for someone else, for example when they are recovering from surgery or as a treat to make life a little easier after they have brought a new child home. Think about what you need accomplished, and it will make it easier to find the perfect house cleaner for your requirements, quickly.

Regular domestic cleaning

The first kind of cleaning on offer is a general house cleaning service. This will include tasks such as mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. These are the cleaning jobs that you may struggle to find time for by yourself on a weekly basis, that will keep your home feeling hygienic and manageable, even if there is mess on top.

A clean space also encourages people living in your household to keep the place a little more organised. It can feel overwhelming to look around and see cobwebs or dirty dishes, but knowing that your home has been given a thorough clean will help to keep up motivation to maintain some kind of order.

House cleaners don’t tend to take on tasks such as interior window cleaning or emptying bins, unless this is agreed ahead of time. This is worth bringing up with the people you interview, or during an initial consultation, if these are additional services you think you might need. When both parties are clear about what services they expect to be included, it saves confusion and extra cost further down the line.

Hiring someone to clean your home on a regular schedule might also be the best option if you want to cut down on administration of organising visits each week. If you have a set date and time for your cleaning service to come and carry out tasks, you will both know just what to expect, and you can look forward to a clean home.

End-of-tenancy cleaning

If you are in the position to let out a property, or even a couple of properties, to a renter, you may find that you are better off hiring a regular house cleaning service. Rather than looking for an individual, you can choose a cleaning firm, which might mean that it isn’t always the same person coming to your properties to carry out cleaning tasks, but rather employees of the same company.

A major benefit of this is that once you’ve found a service that you’re happy with, you know that their work should be at the same standard each time. There is also less chance that they will be unable to take on the work due to scheduling conflicts: there will be enough workers on their books to be able to take your booking.

These services are also good if you are the renter and need peace of mind that the property is completely clean before you move your belongings in. End-of-tenancy cleans differ from standard domestic cleaning, because the service should be priced by tasks, rather than time. It will also include a wider variety of cleaning tasks, such as interior window cleaning, white goods cleaning, and oven cleaning.

Short-term let cleaning

Similar to end-of-tenancy cleaning, a house cleaning service for a short-term let will differ from a normal domestic clean. A major difference is that short-term lets are usually furnished, so house cleaners who tackle them will be stripping and remaking beds, buffing windows and mirrors to a brilliant shine, and checking every piece of equipment in the kitchen.

Additionally, they may also have the responsibility of restocking hygiene products such as shampoo and soap, or basics like coffee, tea, and store cupboard essentials, especially if it is a holiday let. Having a contract with your house cleaner will keep everyone aware of what is expected of them.

Conclusion

With domestic cleaning, start and end of tenancy cleaning, and short-term let cleaning all incorporating slightly different tasks, it is helpful to be sure of just what you’re looking for. Making sure to be clear and upfront about your needs will lead to a great working relationship with your chosen cleaning service that can continue for as long as your needs require.

What Should You Be Careful About When Property Hunting?

September 24, 2021 0

Are you currently in the process of looking for your dream property? While it can be easy to get carried away by the beauty of the garden and the size of the bedrooms, it is also important to ensure that you aren’t going to have a nightmare on your hands when you move into your new home. Unfortunately, rather than dealing with any issues with their property, some sellers will simply try to cover them up during the sales process. One such issue can be a pest infestation. Below, we reveal signs of pest infestations to look out for when you are house hunting.

Grease tracks and marks – Mice and rats often travel the same paths each and every day, and so they will leave tracks and evidence when they do so. Rats will run along walls, and this can result in grease marks. Other signs of infestation include urine trails and fecal droppings. 

Signs to look for outdoors – You don’t only need to have possible pest infestations at the front of your mind when you are evaluating the interior of the home, but also the outside area. There are several key signs you should look out for, including ant hills, damaged plants, mole holes, damaged patches, and nearby breeding grounds.

When it comes to moles, it is wise to pay attention to the garden and soil around the property. A mole infestation means these burrowing pests have made holes underground. That can pose serious foundation problems for the building. The tunnels these pests dig accumulate water when it rains or snow thaws on the ground. This leads to water damage and its subsequent effects on the property. If you suspect an infestation, you can set up mole traps to deal with these pests. Your best option, however, is to hire an exterminator.

A pet that is constantly scratching – If the current owners have pets, you should monitor their behavior. If their pet is biting their fur, licking, or scratching excessively, this could be a sign that they have a flea infestation. There are plenty of products that can get rid of this, such as flea bombs, but it shouldn’t be your responsibility, so make sure you explore the issue further and get it resolved before signing on the dotted line.

Gnaw marks and holes – Keep an eye out for any small holes in the floors and walls of the property you are viewing. Holes in or around a house are giveaway signs of a possible infestation. Rats, in particular, love to gnaw on things. If you see a chewed-up wire, this is a sign that there could be a problem.

Odd sounds and smells – Some pests give off smells that are easy to recognize. For example, experts state that roaches will give off an oily smell, which can be compared to ‘fecal soy sauce.’ Rats smell like ammonia, whereas mice will give off a musty, urine smell. And, what about bedbugs? They are said to give off a musty, sweet odor. Of course, if you can smell garbage, this is also a bad sign, as it is much more likely to attract pests. From tick control to rat control, no matter what the smell indicates, you need to call the professionals!

Dead bugs indoors – Last but not least, keep a lookout for dead bugs inside of the property, for example, in the basement or on window ledges. If there are a lot of bugs of the same species, it is probable that they live on the property.

11 Ways To Make Your Beauty Regime More Eco-Friendly

September 13, 2021 0

Protecting the planet is crucial, and so we must consider this in every aspect of our lives. Overconsumption and earth-damaging products are everywhere, making it difficult to protect the planet. The good news is with a conscious effort it’s easy to make a change. With these ten eco-friendly steps, you can be part of the solution, instead of the problem. Let’s explore ten ways you can make your beauty regime more eco-friendly.

1 . Research your products

If you’d like to make your beauty regime more eco-friendly it’s important that you research your products. Plenty of beauty products contain chemicals that are bad for the planet and for your health. What’s more, not all brands follow ethical practices when creating their products. To ensure that you are supporting the right brands make sure that you do your research.

The Think Dirty app makes the research process much easier. Using this app you can search for personal care products, and access info about the ingredients and brand ethics. You can look up 850,000+ cosmetics using this handy database. You can find out about the ‘dirty ingredients’ in your products, and shop for cleaner alternatives.

2. Recycle your packaging

One of the easiest ways to create a clean beauty regime is to recycle all your packaging. Avoid products that have non-recyclable packaging, and focus on those which are made with biodegradable materials. 

Zero-waste stores are a great place to avoid packaging. Often, you can take along one container that you refill each time you buy a product, (for example shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, etc). When you go-green you’ll boost your health and wellness at the same time.

3. Say goodbye to face wipes

Face wipes should be avoided where possible, these disposable products are not biodegradable and create lots of waste. According to 100% Pure, ‘the average makeup wipe takes a staggering 100 years to decompose.’

There are plenty of makeup-removing cleansers that you can use as an alternative to face wipes. Simply purchase yourself a reusable muslin cloth and you’re good to go. For an eco-friendly makeup remover try the ‘Dirty Hippie Cosmetics’ makeup remover. It’s made with witch hazel, castor oils, and pressed hemp seeds.

4. Focus on natural ingredients

When you’re choosing your beauty products focus on products that are made with natural plant-based ingredients. There are so many great products that are made from plants and herbs. 

If you’re looking for an amazing product for the skin take a look at Dao Drops Herbal Extracts. The Dao skin drops will improve your skin health, improve elasticity, and cleanse your skin. The drops are made with a vegan formula including ingredients such as dandelion root, sea moss, and milk thistle.

Choosing natural products is an amazing way to take great care of your skin. It’s so important to check what’s in your products and be mindful of your health. It’s also useful to know your skin type, whether normal, oily, dry, or combination. Knowing your skin type can help you choose the right products for you.

5. Make your own products

One of the best ways to clean up your beauty routine is to make your own products. It doesn’t have to be difficult, there are plenty of facemasks you can make using natural ingredients. Here are a few facemask ideas to get you started:

Turmeric & Green Tea

Make a cup of green tea and leave it to cool, add the tea to a bowl, and mix in baking powder and turmeric (one tablespoon of each). Stir the ingredients into a paste, and apply as a face mask. Green tea contains lots of antioxidants which help to keep the skin youthful and supple. Turmeric has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s useful to soothe blemish-prone skin.

Avocado & Coconut Oil:

Avocado & coconut oil makes one delicious face mask, simply mix 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1 avocado in a bowl. Avocado is packed with vitamins E, A, and D while coconut oil contains vitamin E, and fatty acids, all of these ingredients will help to boost the health of your skin. With the help of this yummy face mask, you’ll get healthy and glowing skin.

6. Use your products sparingly

Looking for a super simple way to be more eco-friendly? Try to use your products sparingly, focus on making your products last from your moisturizers to your lipsticks and shampoos. 

Overconsumption is bad for the planet, and so many of us have products that we ever even use. If you have products that you don’t use or have barely used you can donate these to ‘Project Beauty Share’. The project works to provide beauty and personal hygiene products for women who are overcoming poverty, homelessness, addiction, and abuse.

8. Avoid disposable products

To create a sustainable beauty regime avoiding purchasing disposable products, (for example, disposable razors). Invest in a razor that you can use long-term, here are a few eco-friendly picks to check out:

The Leaf Kit, Leaf Shave: This razor is made entirely from metal, no plastic whatsoever. The head of the razor pivots so that you can easily get to those hard-to-reach spots.

Bambaw Razor: You’ll just love this safety razor, it’s a double-edged razor made out of bamboo. It’s lightweight and the head is made from stainless steel.

Preserve Razor: The Preserve razors are made from recycled materials including ocean plastic and yogurt cups. These products are both vegan and cruelty-free.

9. Try shampoo bars

When you use shampoo bars you’ll use less packaging and create less waste. There are plenty of delicious shampoo bars made from earth-kind ingredients. For a few great options, check out these:

Human Kind: These shampoo bars are eco-friendly and come in lots of delicious scents like lemongrass and peppermint. Human Kind bars are ethically made using natural oils, the bar is cured for over a month, your hair will just love this sulfate-free wash!

Meow Meow Tweet: These shampoo bars aren’t only for your hair, they double up as a body wash. Meow Meow Tweet products are both Leaping Bunny certified and fair trade.

10. Simplify your regime 

You don’t need a complex beauty regime to look and feel great, keeping your regime simple can help you to use less and go green. Keep your skincare routine simple with a cleanser, toner, and a moisturizer. Choose a few eco-friendly makeup products, and use these sparingly. Some of the best brands for eco-friendly makeup include 100% Pure, Axiology, Fat & The Moon, and Plant Makeup.

11. Try Multi-Purpose Products

Multi-purpose products are a great way to go green. For instance, you might choose a makeup product that works as a lipstick and a blusher. There are lots of multi-use makeup products on the market including:

Superface Multi-Lightful Blush & Highlighter Stick: This product is an eyeshadow, highlighter, and a blush all in one. You can purchase the stick in four shades, from ‘true pink’ to ‘iridescent pearl’.

Tata Harper Volumizing Lip & Cheek Tint: Made with a natural eco-friendly formula, this product can be used as a blusher and a lipstick, if you like you can even use it as an eyeshadow. A few of the gorgeous shades include Peach, Rosy Pink, Ruby.

Conclusion

There are so many ways that you can go green with your beauty and skincare regime. Some of these ideas will even help you to save some money too. Whether it’s making your own facemasks or recycling old packaging there are lots of ways to protect the planet.

How To Clean Your Home In An Eco-Friendly Way

September 13, 2021 0

Chemical-laden cleaning products for the home aren’t as good as they purport to be. Yes, they can effectively clean and disinfect your house. When you dispose of them, though, they can leak poisons into your home and the environment around you. Plus, disposing of the packaging and bottles isn’t always eco-friendly either. 

With this in mind, it could be that you’re looking for better, greener, safer ways to clean your home. Yet when you start to look around, this can seem almost impossible; products are expensive or hard to get hold of, and you just can’t be sure you’re doing the right thing. Luckily, there are some easy ways to get past these challenges; read on to find out more.

Open The Windows 

The air quality inside your house can sometimes be more hazardous than the air quality outside. Everything from pet dander to pollen to mold to chemicals may aggravate allergies or asthma, making the air dangerous to breathe. 

To keep things fresh, open your windows every now and again to allow in some fresh air. As an added benefit, you will be able to enjoy the smell of fresh air drifting into your house. Although this won’t help clean your furniture, it will make your home smell good, feel fresh, and make the air much better for you and everyone else in the property. It’s a great place to start when it comes to making things cleaner in the most eco-friendly way. 

Try Baking Soda… Everywhere

Who knew this kitchen essential had so many applications that would enable you to have a clean and green home? For starters, include baking soda into your cleaning regimen to combat odorous carpets. Sprinkle it on, let it rest for a few minutes, and then vacuum the baking soda up. You’ll find that all the smells go along with it. 

You can also make an oven-cleaning paste out of baking soda and water, which you can leave overnight in the oven and scrape off with all the muck it gathered. Alternatively, mix baking soda and vinegar to make a fizzing toilet bowl cleaner; it looks exciting (so the kids might want to get involved in cleaning), and it does a fabulous job. 

Use Lemons 

Lemons contain antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making them a critical component of any natural sanitizing routine. To eliminate germs, rub a slice of lemon on a chopping board. Alternatively, soak lemon peels in vinegar for a few days. After straining out the zests, you’ll have a strong all-purpose cleaner. You can even bring a copper kettle back to its original luster by dipping lemon halves in salt and rubbing them over the outside. 

In other words, the natural cleaning properties that lemons have make them an ideal alternative to the chemicals and powders that you might usually use around your home. 

White Vinegar Is Best 

Only one vinegar should be part of your green cleaning routine, and that’s white vinegar. White vinegar, plain and simple, provides the antibacterial qualities you need to sanitize your house. 

Diluted white vinegar is an effective stain remover, and spraying a fifty-fifty solution of vinegar and water can make your windows sparkle and shine (especially if you use newspaper to wipe it off again, as this prevents streaks). You can even simmer some vinegar while cooking a smelly fish meal, for example; all of the odors will be absorbed by the vinegar, and your home will stay fresh. 

Don’t Use Air Fresheners 

Once you’re done cleaning your home, no matter whether it’s a daily, weekly, or monthly occurrence, you might decide to use air fresheners around the place. Spraying these in your property will keep the place smelling fresh and clean. 

The problem is, despite their nice fragrance, store-bought air freshener mixes are often loaded with artificial chemicals that can degrade air quality. Choose a natural version instead. Boil cinnamon, lemon, or any other plant of your choice that you like the smell of, and wait for the natural fragrance to fill your house.

Invest In Some Greenery

On that same note, having plants in your house, as opposed to commercial air fresheners, will offer a pleasant and welcoming aroma while also organically purifying the air. Plants such as spider plants, peace lilies, or English lilies are some of the best plants to have in your home. Furthermore, in addition to acting as natural air filters, you can use houseplants to decorate your home, so not only are you cleaning and making the place more pleasant in terms of the air you breathe, you’re making it look better (and feel more homely) too. 

Don’t Use Too Much Water 

Fill a bucket halfway with water and use just the water inside to clean. You will save water by not having to open and close the faucet every time you need to wet your cleaning cloth, plus you won’t accidentally leave the tap running. 

When it comes to the exterior of your home, it’s always best to use professionals such as Top Down Exterior Cleaning. In this way, you’ll not only know that they will finish the job to a high quality, but you’ll be sure that the most modern cleaning methods are used, which includes saving water in many cases. 

Buy Green Products 

You don’t have to go completely natural on your own when it comes to changing or adding to your home cleaning habits. A plethora of businesses have released safe – eco-friendly – versions of your favorite cleansers. Buying ready-made green solutions can help to ease the shift from conventional to green goods, showing you what’s available and saving you time. 

With that in mind, after you’ve made your routine more environmentally friendly, you’ll want to get rid of any items that are no longer useful to your family. If you don’t want a product in your house, you shouldn’t want it to end up in the water supply or landfill either, so be careful how you get rid of unwanted chemicals. Find out whether your town has a recycling day for such items. At the same time, you might be able to recycle other potentially hazardous materials, such as batteries.

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