4 Super Simple Ways to "Green" Your Lifestyle

Going green is a process, and a never-ending one at that! It may seem overwhelming at first, but here are 4 very simple ways to get started:

Get a rain barrel
It just rained. Think of all the water you could have collected if you just had a rain barrel! You can use rain barrel water to keep your garden growing when we have a dry spell. Every Sunday from 8am-noon the Bowie Lion's Club sells rain barrels for $75. For more info, contact bowielions@gmail.com!

Trade your paper towels for "unpaper" towels
Paper towels are handy, aren't they? So true. But they are also quite wasteful! We use them once and then toss them away. It is getting more and more popular to forgo paper towels entirely in exchange for cloths that do the exact same thing. You can easily find a pack of cloths in the store--OR to be even more green, you can cut up some old t-shirts! Just toss them in the wash when you're done.

Switch to natural, non-toxic cleaning products
One very simple way to green your home is to start using homemade, all-natural cleaners. Many store-bought cleaning products are expensive and contain ingredients that are quite mysterious. One of the best simple cleaners is simply white vinegar and water. Fill a spray bottle with one part vinegar and one part water and there you go! You have a new all-purpose cleaner! Baking soda is another amazingly cheap and simple cleaning product. Make a baking soda paste with a little water and use it to pick up stubborn stains in your shower. Google to your heart's content and become a believer in green cleaning! 

Plant some trees
If you haven't heard, The City of Bowie is aiming to increase our tree canopy, but a lot of that will depend on you and me deciding to add trees to our own properties. Trees can provide shade to our homes, which reduces utility costs. Trees can even increase your property value and make it more attractive to buyers! (Not that you'll ever want to move away from Bowie, right?)

These 4 tips are just the beginning. There are endless ways to take tiny steps towards making your home a healthier, more environmental place to live. 

How has your family gone green?