3 Easy Eco-Friendly Life Changes You Can Make Today

At MDM Developments, we love making the beauty of Ontario’s countryside accessible to homeowners with all the additional benefits of condo living. Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is one way to protect the gorgeous natural wonders of Ontario and the planet from the dangers of overconsumption. Living an eco-friendly life means living in a way that is low impact on the earth through less waste and more eco-conscious choices. Read more to learn how you can be more eco-conscious and live an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Why Is Being Eco-Friendly Important?

All it takes is a few small changes to start supporting your hometown environment. By adopting a more eco-conscious life, you can look forward to a deeper relationship with the natural world and a better understanding of your consumption habits (which could lead to saving money and the planet!).

Zero Waste Lifestyle

When you’re able to make environmental consciousness part of your every day, it’s easy to live a low-impact life. The first change you can make is trying to live a Zero Waste Lifestyle. While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when this movement re-entered the zeitgeist, it’s clearly on the rise, with more and more folks adopting the 5 Principles of Zero Waste in their everyday lives.

The 5 Principles of Zero Waste Living

Refuse

• Say “No” to single-use products, like cups, water bottles, or bags. A great way to do this is by visiting your local Refillery.

Reduce

• Buy only the things you really need!

Reuse

• Repurpose/repair items or buy second-hand if you need to purchase.

Recycle

• Avoid waste in the first place by recycling what you can (check your municipality’s recycling guidelines here).

Compost

• Since most household waste is organic, compost these materials to benefit your home garden.

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DIY Cleaning Products

Homemade cleaning products is a great way to save money. Making your own cleaning products can  reduce waste by allowing you to reuse containers and avoid purchasing cleaning products with harmful chemicals or limited uses.^[1] 

Here are a few eco-friendly cleaning products you can DIY to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle^[2].

Bathroom Cleaner

This is the perfect cleaner for tubs, tiles, sinks and even grout!

Combine these ingredients in a sealable jar:

• 1 ½ C baking soda

• ½ C warm water

• ½ C liquid dish soap

• 2 TBS white vinegar

• OPT: splash of lemon juice (needed if you’re using this mixture for grout)

Rub your solution onto the grout, soap scummy tile, or porcelain/ceramic surfaces and rinse clean with water or scrub away as needed.

Surface Cleaner (Without Vinegar)

This cleaner is a sustainable option for cleaning without the sometimes-harsh vinegar smell.

Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle:

• ¼ C vodka (which has some disinfecting properties)

• 2 ¾ C distilled water (for streak-free shine)

• ¼ TSP your favourite essential oil

• A couple of drops of tea tree oil

Spray onto your desired surface and clean with a microfibre cloth.

Stainless Steel Appliance Cleaner

An easy recipe for getting your appliances to look shiny and new!

Combine in a spray bottle:

• A few drops of dish soap

• Water

Spray onto your surface and use a microfiber cloth to wipe in the direction of the grain.

Reduce Energy Consumption at Home

One of the hidden bonuses of living an eco-friendly lifestyle is that many changes are also great for saving money and reducing your energy consumption. Here are some easy adjustments you can make that should lead to overall savings in energy and funds.

• Did you know that a clogged lint filter can extend a dryer’s dry time by 30%? Cleaning your dryer’s lint trap regularly will keep it operating properly and reduce the amount of energy your machine uses.[3] Fun fact: dryer lint makes great kindling for lighting barbeques, fireplaces, or campfires[4].
• Ditch your dryer completely by hanging your clothes to dry! A small clothesline is a perfect use for a balcony (as long as it abides by condo corporation guidelines).
• Reduce heat in your kitchen during the summer by using your barbeque or making salads, smoothies, and other cold meals. This will reduce appliance usage and save on cooling costs.[5]
• Replace any old appliances, lightbulbs, windows and more that may be costing you money. A fridge that doesn’t close properly will waste more money over time than it would cost to get a new fridge.
• Use smaller appliances like your microwave or air-fryer instead of your oven whenever possible to save power when cooking.

Get more great tips here!

Becoming more environmentally friendly is an important way to keep the natural beauty of Ontario and the world flourishing for many years to come. Creating eco-friendly products at home and reducing energy consumption are great ways to start living a Zero Waste lifestyle and saving both money and the planet. It’s important at MDM Developments that we all become more eco-conscious to take care of the planet we call home.

Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook and let us know what you do to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Read More:

The Top 5 Benefits of Owning a Condo in Winter

A Taste of Simcoe County

The Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Condo