Create an eco-friendly home

With sustainable practices top of mind and a revived shift toward conscious consumption, Americans everywhere are seeking ways to lead a more sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle.

Bosch home appliances defines this as the commitment to empowering consumers with more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible products. Check out the following key features and practices that make sustainable living easy.

REDUCE ENERGY USAGE

By using less energy, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save on your household bills. If you’re purchasing a new refrigerator, laundry pair or dishwasher, look for the Energy Star label.

Also, a simple eco-conscious practice is letting your leftovers cool post-mealtime before storing them in the refrigerator.

SHOP SMARTLY

You can reduce your carbon footprint when you buy locally sourced fruits and vegetables in season, which don’t need to be transported for long distances.

Another green way to shop is bringing reusable totes to avoid the plastic bags provided at the store. Consider using a cotton or other reusable produce bag as well when picking fruits and vegetables.

LIMIT FOOD WASTE

Focus on appliances that keep your food fresher longer and organize your refrigerator to keep items in view.

Another way to combat food waste is saving leftover ingredients for meals you can prep ahead and stretch across multiple days.

USE ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS

Make your own all-purpose cleaner with natural ingredients. For example, let orange peels sit in a jar with white vinegar seven to 10 days, drain the liquid into a spray bottle and you’re left with a great cleaner.

BE WATER WISE

There is a widespread myth that dishwashers use more water than hand-washing. On average, hand-washing uses about 27 gallons per load compared to the dishwasher which uses around three.

Saving water outside the kitchen is just as important; choose a laundry pair with a washer designed to reduce water consumption. A good rule of thumb is “less is more” — avoid adding too much detergent to the washer, as the machine will take longer to rinse and will use more water.

This article is courtesy of BrandPoint.