Bexley/Beverly Hills Blog

With 2021 behind us, and the flavours of Christmas still present on our taste buds, it’s time to stop and take stock of what lies ahead for the future. We all have the best intentions of doing what we can to save our planet but sometimes we just don’t know where to start.

Our suggestion is that you start at home. Living sustainably and saving energy is easy with small actions that have a big impact. 

Our top 5 tips to make it easy to be green

1. Passive cooling

Next time you feel the temperature rising, consider these ideas instead of heading straight to the air conditioner.

• Open the doors and windows at the end of a hot or muggy day to allow the lowering temperature outside to replace the warm air inside your home.
• Cool yourself with a shower or cool drinks rather than cooling the entire house.
• Dig out those shorts or lighter fabrics that have been hiding in the back of the cupboard all winter

2. Swapping products

If only bamboo had been discovered before plastic was invented! Fast-growing and adaptable, bamboo is here to save the day. Make the choice to purchase bamboo products for disposable cutlery, picnicware, and cups. Bamboo can also be used to produce all manner of clothing, and being as gentle on the skin as natural cotton, bamboo offers a very realistic solution for people who suffer from sensitive skin.

3. Transport solutions

While public transport is a viable option for those who live in areas well serviced by trains, buses and light rail, driving is still the first and most obvious solution to get to work for many commuters… or it has been up until recently. New electric personal vehicles such as electric scooters and electric bikes may not be taken seriously yet in Sydney but they are growing in popularity for their functionality, cost-effectiveness and fun.

If you live close to your place of work, these personal electric modes of transport can save you money. Best of all, these personal electric vehicles are great for the environment.

4. Change up your blinds 

As a homeowner in Sydney you may be considering changing your blinds to keep out those hot sun rays that the Australian summer is known for. When you do come to choosing your blinds, keep practicality top of mind. The wide range of choices available to us means that we can find blinds that provide a great relief in summer with their light-blocking capacity and can even help in keeping those air conditioner energy bills under control. Some blinds companies offer blinds with thermal backing. We can say from experience that even a one-degree drop in temperature can make all the difference.

5. Environmentally friendly cleaning products 

It’s not easy to change habits, but it’s not impossible either. Start with these great options and get into a new way of cleaning.

• Use a bi-carbonate of soda and vinegar mix for a general cleaning solution. 
• Make a paste with bi-carb of soda and a touch of concentrated detergent like Morning Fresh to clean away grease and grime around the home.
• For a nice fresh laundry wash, try using one quarter of your normal detergent quantity with a couple of tablespoons of bi-carb soda. 
• Save energy and have your clothes feeling freshly aired by putting them out on the line instead of in your dryer. Natural sunlight is effective in sanitising your clothes, which is a big bonus to add to your next pile of laundry.

While we’re on laundry and cleaning: did you know that the biggest impact you can have is washing your clothes and linens in cold water? Just make sure you use a specialist cold-water detergent; they’re designed to work best in cold water and get your washing perfectly clean.

Now is the time for us to get into the right mindset of sustainable living. It doesn’t take hard work, just a new thought process and before you know it, we’ll all be saving the world together.