As a homeowner, you’re probably in the habit of doing many things a certain way. Whether it’s a specific type of soap you buy or a go-to store to pick up your home goods. If you’re looking to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle in your St. Louis home, there are many sustainable swaps that homeowners can make. Going room by room is a great way for homeowners to scan their current level of eco-friendliness and spot options to improve. Here are just a few ideas:

In the Kitchen

The kitchen is a perfect place to start when looking to be more sustainable. You might first look around for disposable items you could switch for reusable ones. Cloth “paper towels” you can throw in the wash instead of real paper towels you throw in the trash, reusable wraps instead of plastic wrap, and going for glass jars instead of packaged food, for example, are just a few switches to make your kitchen greener. Take a look at your soap and other cleaning products. Are there plastic bottles you might replace with glass? Or are there plastic bottles you already own that you might reuse instead of purchasing new ones? You might pick up some soap tablets you can add to your own bottle with water instead of buying a new plastic bottle of soap, for example. One other idea? If you don’t already compost, seeing if this is an option in your area can help you produce less trash each week.

In the Bathroom

Moving on to the bathroom, your shower is often an easy place to make a bit greener. All those plastic soap and shampoo bottles can easily be exchanged for bars. From body soap to shampoo and conditioner, there are plenty of plastic-free options to give you the same benefits. Other things like reusable cotton swabs can help you reduce waste. And things like recycled toilet paper can also be a good improvement. As with the kitchen, choosing zero-waste cleaning supplies for your bathroom is a great change as well.

In the Bedroom

Though it might not be the first place you think of, there are definitely some ways homeowners can be more sustainable in the things they use here. Looking at the materials your mattress and linens are made of and opting for more sustainable ones when it’s time to replace them is a great place to start. Using your window fixtures to make your heating and cooling more efficient is another option here - letting the sunlight in to warm a space, sealing windows in the winter that have a draft, and keeping sunlight out on hot summer days while using the AC. When it comes to your closet, looking for ways to recycle or donate old clothing and textiles is a way to be a bit more eco-friendly. And shopping in a thrift store is also a good way to reduce waste.

There are so many opportunities for homeowners to make more eco-friendly choices in their homes and establish habits that will help them be more sustainable. Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once, and even a few changes can make a difference. Are there other rooms in the house where you could make some more environmentally-friendly choices? What are some swaps you’ve made recently that you’d recommend? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!