With solar panels for your home, Frederick homeowners know that this goes a long way in decreasing their carbon footprint. However, when you are working to live a more sustainable life, there are other things that you want to do. There are several that are simple, and you can get started with them this week to make a big difference.

Herb Garden

An herb garden can save you a lot of money and will help to ensure that you are eating more naturally. This will naturally green up your space and your waste. For example, you can clip off only the amount of herb you will actually use so that you will not have any waste. You will also not have to worry about the plastic and Styrofoam packaging that fresh herbs often come in.

Use Natural Cleaners

A little lemon juice, water, baking soda, white vinegar and elbow grease can clean just about everything in your home. There is no need for chemical-rich cleaners. When you use a natural cleaner, you can be sure that no chemical residue will be left on your surfaces and that your home is both clean and eco-friendly.

Collect Some Rainwater

If you have a porch or balcony, collect a little rainwater. You can then use this to water your herb garden and any other live plants in your home. This water will not be suitable for drinking or bathing, but it is perfect for watering live plants. Just check local laws since this is not permitted in all municipalities.

Reuse Old Containers

Once your peanut butter runs out, keep the jar and lid and clean it out. This will make a good storage container for things like powdered sugar, regular sugar and flour. You can also use small, clear jars for hygiene products like Q-tips or to hold toothbrushes, makeup brushes and other small items. This will save you money and will prevent those plastic and glass jars from ending up in a dump somewhere.

Place Some Plants

Live plants will help to keep the air in your home cleaner and more breathable. This is especially important in the winter when you are not opening windows to let any fresh air in. You can simply place a few houseplants throughout your home. One in every room is generally enough. You may also want to consider container gardening for a few fresh vegetables.

You can see that in addition to solar panels for your home in Frederick, there are several other options that can allow you to live a more sustainable life. Even adding one of these will give you a number of benefits.