Too many people skip out on living green because they believe going green is too complicated or time-consuming. But going green is about making little steps over time that eventually add up to an overall reduced carbon footprint.
And if you have somewhere simple to start, this list is for you. We’ve put together three DIY projects you can adopt into your everyday habits that’ll help you be greener. Start with one and once you’ve got that mastered move on to another until eventually, doing all three is a cakewalk.
Here are 3 eco-friendly DIY projects that’ll make you and your family greener:
DIY Laundry Detergent For Green-Friendly Washing
Commercial laundry detergents like Tide and Gain often contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and our health. In fact, New York was the first state to ban laundry detergents with harsh chemicals.
But by making your own laundry detergent, you not only reduce your exposure to these chemicals, but you also minimize single-use plastic waste. Not to mention, it’s cheaper for you in the long run!
Here’s a simple recipe using common household ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of washing soda
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 bar of grated soap (choose a natural soap without synthetic fragrances or additives)
- Optional: Essential oils for fragrance (e.g., lavender, lemon)
Instructions:
- Combine the washing soda, borax, and grated soap in a bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until well-blended.
- Optional: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant scent.
- Store the mixture in an airtight container.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons of the DIY laundry detergent per load.
A Green Way To DIY Cold Brew Your Coffee
This DIY is for all the coffee lovers out there. Especially if you love cold brew. By making your own cold brew coffee, you can indulge in your favorite caffeinated treat while reducing waste from disposable coffee cups, bottles, single-use filters, and more.
Here’s the easiest way to cold brew your own coffee at home:
Ingredients:
- Coarsely ground coffee beans
- Filtered water
Instructions:
- In a jar or pitcher, combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans with 4 cups of filtered water.
- Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated.
- Cover the jar and let it steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- After steeping, strain the coffee using a reusable cheesecloth.
- Dilute the concentrate with water or milk to your preferred strength.
- Serve your homemade cold brew coffee over ice and enjoy!
DIY Green-Friendly Beeswax Paper
Disposable film wrap is one of the worst plastic out there because it’s non-recyclable. Fortunately, you can ditch the stuff altogether for an eco-friendly alternative, reusable beeswax paper. Use beeswax whenever you need to cover food to keep it fresh or seal something like you would with film wrap.
Here’s everything you need to get this project started:
Ingredients:
- Thin cotton fabric (preferably organic)
- Beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 200o F
- Cut the fabric into desired sizes for your beeswax wraps.
- Place the fabric on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle beeswax pellets or grated beeswax evenly on the fabric.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and let the beeswax melt (approximately 5-10 minutes).
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and ensure the beeswax is fully melted and evenly distributed.
- Lift the fabric wraps carefully and let them cool for a few seconds until they become stiff.
- Mold the wraps around containers or food items using the warmth of your hands. The beeswax will harden again once cooled.