Celebrating and preserving the Earth starts right in your own home! In honor of Earth Day, First Home Mortgage is sharing some of our favorite habitat-healthy habits.
Install a Rain Barrel
Rain barrels are an easy and inexpensive way to store natural rainwater, which can be used to water your garden, lawn, and even indoor plants. Be sure the drain spout you are collecting from is clean and free of debris, and always keep the screen on top of your barrel tightly in place, to prevent any insects from breeding inside. A variety of different rain barrels can be purchased, or you can make your own! HGTV offers step-by-step instructions for an attractive DIY rain barrel here: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/how-to-make-a-rain-barrel-pictures
Create a Compost Pile
Composting leftover scraps reduces landfill waste and helps your garden thrive! Beginning to compost requires very few supplies. A pail for collecting your compostable waste indoors, and a composting bin, pile or tumbler for outdoors is all you need. For smaller yards, a composting tumbler is the best option because it prevents odor and insects. Some everyday items to compost include: produce trimmings (such as potato peels), coffee grounds, tea bags, grass clippings, dead leaves, and other garden waste. In time, these once worthless scraps will become nutrient rich soil to bring out the best in your lawn and garden! Find a complete guide to composting for beginners here: https://pela.earth/blogs/news/composting-for-beginners
Grow Your Own Herbs (and Even Veggies!)
Herbs are small enough to thrive in any sunny window and can be grown indoors year-round. Growing your food at home is the most environmentally friendly option, provides your kitchen with the freshest possible herbs, and improves the air quality in your home. If you have outdoor space for a traditional or container garden, you can take it one step further and grow your own vegetables as well. Fully composted soil can be a major benefit to your outdoor gardens, but be sure not to use it indoors (as it will be home to many tiny organisms). While some plants are best left to seasoned gardeners, a host of vegetables are easy and low maintenance enough for beginners to grow. Not sure where to start? Find 9 Easy Vegetables to Grow for Beginners, here: https://www.lifescarousel.com/easy-vegetables-to-grow/
Reduce Paper Waste
Limiting paper waste in your home is a wonderful way to reduce your environmental impact. Utilizing cloth dishtowels over paper towels and cloth napkins over paper napkins, are two easy and affordable ways to make a big difference over time. Requesting paperless billing and electronic receipts is another excellent measure to cut down on all that paper. When disposing of paper waste you can’t avoid, always opt to recycle when possible. Find a quick list of recyclable paper products and more information from the American Forest and Paper Association, here: https://www.afandpa.org/priorities/recycling/whats-recyclable
Natural cleaning products are healthier for the environment and your home. Lemons, white vinegar, baking soda, and borax all work together in different ways to achieve the shine and fresh scent you crave. Store-bought air fresheners that are not all-natural can damage air quality, so it’s best to avoid them. Boiling cinnamon sticks is a great alternative to add some sweet scent to your space, and simmering vinegar mixed with water while cooking fish or other strongly scented foods can help absorb any unwanted odors. If you lack the time or inclination to whip up your own natural cleaners, more and more varieties are now available for purchase in stores and online. Find some quick all-natural cleaning recipes and tips here: https://kingcountygreen.com/2022/04/08/eco-friendly-tips-and-tricks-for-spring-cleaning/
First Home Mortgage takes our own steps to limit our environmental impact. Our offices utilize paperless technology and recycling, our Corporate location boasts water saving appliances and fixtures, and many employees across the company now work remote, decreasing gas consumption and transit pollution!
If you or someone you know is looking to purchase or refinance a home, please reach out to one of our experienced and helpful Loan Officers today!