Not all superheroes wear capes. Moms are tasked with the huge responsibility of bringing a human (or, humans!) into the world and doing all they can to keep them happy and healthy. They take action every day to create a more sustainable, brighter future for tomorrow. If you ask us, that sounds like the perfect grounds for superhero status.
Here are 5 little hacks to help every supermom save energy and resources at home.
Hang dry your baby’s clothes.
Even though dryers have become increasingly efficient (and in some ways, more eco-friendly) over the years, air-drying your baby’s clothes the old-fashioned way is still the best option for the environment by using less electric energy and harnessing the sun’s power for free! And who doesn’t love the smell of freshly aired clothes?
If you are able to hang clothes outside, the sun is one of the best ways to naturally bleach whites and disinfect damp laundry. If you live in an apartment, don’t worry. Air-drying clothes isn’t just for families with yards. Try laying clothes flat on a pop-up drying rack or hanging them from a shower rod. Any spot in front of a window is also a great choice to utilize the natural light!
Photo by Luis Tosta on Unsplash
By skipping the dryer, you also skip out on the harsh ingredients in dryer sheets and save a little extra on the monthly electricity bill! Other benefits include it being a gentler option that prevents shrinkage and helps elongate the life of onesies and swaddles while they fit your little one, and preserves it for your next one, or someone else’s.
Compost your baby’s diapers with DYPER™.
Did you know 20 billion disposable diapers are tossed in the trash every year in the United States? Have no fear: DYPER is here. The diaper subscription company has teamed up with TerraCycle to redirect their diapers away from landfills through the REDYPER™ composting program.
DYPER’s bamboo viscose diapers are free of chlorine, latex, alcohol, lotions, TBT (tributyltin) and phthalates, and with REDYPER, composting soiled diapers is easy and accessible to anyone who can ship a box, easing the eco-minded parent’s concerns about the damage disposable baby diapers have on the environment.
As a subscriber to the service, you will receive all the necessary bags, boxes and prepaid shipping labels needed to safely transfer your baby’s used diapers for sorting and delivery to DYPER’s composting facilities. While no one particularly enjoys changing diapers, the knowledge that you are keeping them out of landfills makes the process a little more pleasant.
Whip up fresh fruit and veggie purees for your little ones.
Store-bought baby food can be expensive, so why not try making some homemade purees that are delicious and nutritious? All it takes is a few simple steps! Start by cutting up your baby’s favorite veggies such as carrots, zucchini, and sweet potatoes while you bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Monitor the veggies as they boil and check for tenderness.
Remember, the mushier, the better! And here’s a bonus green tip: After you finish boiling the veggies, save the water and pour it into a bottle. Freeze the bottle upside down so the water freezes in the nipple of the bottle. Now, you have an eco-friendly teething tool to help soothe your baby’s sore gums.
Make your own all-natural cleaner.
When life gives you lemons, make a non-toxic cleaning spray to help get your home sparkling clean and keep chemicals away from your family! This easy, zero-waste recipe only has two ingredients: lemon peels and white vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar makes it a great natural disinfectant while lemons are known for their antibacterial and deodorizing properties.
Here’s how to get started: Place a mason jar or another upcycled glass container on your kitchen counter to collect lemon peels in. Once you have acquired 5-8 lemons worth of peels, pour in enough white vinegar to completely cover the peels. Then, seal the container and let the mixture sit for 2-3 weeks.
Photo by Crema Joe on Unsplash
When it’s time to open the container, strain out the lemon peels and pour the final mixture into an empty spray bottle. If you have any extra, store it in the glass container until your spray bottle needs a refill. Happy cleaning!
Power everything down when it’s time for lights out.
Even supermom needs time to relax and recharge! At the end of a long day, the best way to decompress and settle in for the night is to turn off computers, TVs, phones and all other electronic devices. The artificial blue light emitted by these devices increases your alertness at a time when your body should be getting sleepy, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
Initiating a digital curfew an hour or two before bedtime gives your body more time to unwind before hitting the hay. Plus, turning off all of your devices when they are not in use helps to save energy overnight. We have a tendency to leave devices in stand-by mode to avoid having to fully reboot and restart the next morning. While convenient, this method doesn’t actually reduce energy consumption.
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Little things add up when you are a parent trying to protect the planet. What’s better for the environment is almost always good for the health, safety, and well-being of families and those around us. Eco-friendliness, like good parenting, isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it!
What are your favorite sustainability hacks you use at home? Tell us in the comments!