10 Easy Ways to Go Natural at Home

Drying Clothes

• In the warmer months, hang your clothes outside on a line to dry instead of running the dryer. Not only will this save on your utility bills, it will ensure that your dryer lasts longer and your clothes will last longer as well.

Cold Water

• When washing clothes, set your machine to run cold water instead of warm or hot. The clothes will be cleaned just as well as if you used hot water. Aside from helping the environment, this will save you money on your utility bill and make your clothes last longer, because cold water is not as tough on clothes when laundering.

Laundry Detergent and Dachines

• Consider purchasing a high-efficiency washer and dryer. The washer uses less water than a standard machine and the dryer will use less energy as well. Regardless of the type of washer and dryer you have, use high-efficiency and biodegradable detergent. If you have a high-efficiency washer, you should not use regular detergent in it. When using your dryer, wash and dry the heaviest loads first. As you go through each load, the dryer won't have to work as hard because it will already be warm from previous loads.

Cleaning Supplies

• You can make a big difference at home by using natural cleaning products. They can be found at all stores that carry cleaning products and there is a variety of different lines available. These products contain fewer chemicals, and many don't have any chemicals at all. To go one step further, create your own powerful cleaner by mixing vinegar and water.

Water Heater

• Purchase an insulated cover for your water heater at your local home improvement store. The cover can help to reduce your heating loss by up to 45 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This will help reduce your heating costs. Heed the Department of Energy's recommendation to turn the thermostat on the water heater to below 130 degrees Fahrenheit, however, when using an insulated jacket on the water heater to avoid melting the wiring.

Grocery Bags

• Your efforts to live a more natural life in the home can be carried outside of the home as well. Instead of getting plastic bags when you go to the grocery store, take your own tote bags. Most grocery stores offer cloth bags for sale at the register. Keep the reusable bags in your car so you always have them with you when heading out on a shopping trip. If you do use plastic bags once in awhile, be sure to recycle them.

Short Showers

• Instead of relying on a 20-minute, steaming hot shower to wake you up in the mornings, time yourself to be in and out as quick as possible. Set an egg timer or alarm for five minutes and try to shower within that time. This will reduce the amount of water you use as well as the energy it takes to heat it.

Shop Local

• The best type of produce to buy is local and organic. If you can't find local organic, go for local first. Organic food that is shipped to various locations still consumes the energy it takes to get it there. Find farmers markets or grocery stores that offer local produce.

Compost

• Composting is an easy way to go natural at home and, if you are a gardener, it is an inexpensive way to provide your plants with healthy soil amendments. Composting can reduce the amount of garbage you throw away, as food scraps, coffee grounds and even grass clippings can be used in a compost pile.

Rain Barrel

• Using a rain barrel is another simple fix for going natural outside. Run the downspout of your eaves-trough directly into the barrel and use what you collect to water the lawn and plants. It may take awhile to accumulate enough water to use but the sooner you get started, the sooner you'll have enough.