How can you save money and still do something good for this world? How to always be in a good mood? IKEA has released a book called Make Your Home Kinder, which shares the principles of a happy and sustainable life.
Sustainable living makes people happier
1. Always get a good night’s sleep. Cover windows with blinds or blackout curtains to keep the light and noise from the street out of the way.
2. Sleep cool. Open a window or turn off the heating in your bedroom.
3. Give new life to old things. Almost all unnecessary or discarded items can be turned into something new.
4. Look for old or used items and materials for your home. When buying old toys, make sure that they are not made of PVC or covered with lead paint.
5. Make cozy places at home where you can take a nap or read.
Air often and sleep with the window open
6. Breathe fresh air: Create a jungle at home with decorative foliage plants that will purify the air.
7. Try to use sustainable materials: traditionally grown cotton or fabrics made from bamboo, hemp or recycled polyester.
8. Hang blankets and rugs for airing (but be careful during flowering if you suffer from allergies).
9. Use biodegradable detergents and detergents.
10. When washing your laundry, try adding a little vinegar instead of rinse aid.
11. Clean clothes – clean conscience. If possible, wash in cold water using the shortest wash programs. Only start the machine when fully loaded.
12. Rather than washing clothes that you have worn once, ventilate them. This will save energy and protect your clothes from unnecessary wear and tear.
13. Organize your life! Determine a special place where you will hang your clothes for airing.
14. Save money on ironing – hang your washed laundry so you don’t have to iron it.
15. The mechanical floor brush allows you to clean quietly and pay less electricity.
Save water – take a shower, not a bath
16. When cooking, cover pots with lids and use hot water from the kettle to conserve water.
17. When you have to change faucets or shower heads, choose models that help conserve water.
18. To pay less for water, take a shower instead of a bath and do not wash for a long time.
19. Save energy with fabrics. The curtain on the front door will prevent the room from heating up in summer or cooling down in winter. Carpets also help maintain a comfortable temperature.
20. Switch to energy efficient LED bulbs. They use less electricity and are less harmful to the environment.
Herbs will fill your home with a magical spicy scent
21. Dry aromatic herbs in the house and use them all year round.
22. Grow your own vegetables and fruits for flavor, freshness and your own peace of mind.
23. Do not offend the bees! Plant plants that attract them and flower in lush colors.
24. Mulch the soil to retain moisture and pull out weeds that take water away from beneficial plants.
25. Plant edible flowers to make your meals brighter.
Come up with a cozy hut where you can read together or play
26. Place buckets under gutters, collect rainwater and use it for watering.
27. Preserve fruits and vegetables for the winter.
28. Only run the dishwasher and washing machine with a full load.
29. Do not drain the water in which you washed the vegetables: it can be used for watering.
30. Set up your home so that several people can live in it, and call your friends for help!
Organize your inventory so you don’t buy too much
31. Tidy up your closet to make the most of the space and not buy anything you already have.
32. Do not rush to throw away food. Trust your eye and nose, not just the date on the package.
33. Store bulk foods – rice, lentils, flour – in transparent sealed containers so that nothing is wasted and you can always see how much food you have left.
34. Start a separate shelf in the refrigerator with the words “Eat me”. Place foods that are nearing the end of their shelf life in there and eat them first.
35. When cooking, try to use organic foods first.
Introduce nature to children and garden together
36. Grow vegetables and herbs right in the kitchen.
37. Get the paddles of different sizes so that you can finish the contents of all the jars to the last drop.
38. Sort trash carefully. Almost any free space can become a marshalling yard.
39. Do not throw out weeds that have been weeded out – they are rich in nutrients. Soak them in water for a natural liquid plant fertilizer.
40. Make your own cosmetics and hygiene products. This way they will be clean, safe and without chemical additives.
Flowers and herbs will make your meals more interesting and delicious.
41. Plant as many trees as possible – they will create shade and it will become easier to breathe.
42. Ride your bike.
43. Unpack food, arrange it correctly in the refrigerator. Remove plastic wrap and store food in glass containers for longer shelf life.
44. Find out where the wood you buy for building or your furniture comes from. Look for wood from certified suppliers or recycled wood.
45. Plant the seeds in paper pots and watch them grow with the children.
Shopping on a bike is fun and rewarding
46. Lend your neighbors the right things and exchange everything with them – from tools to furniture. Give each other a ride if you can.
47. Choose plants that grow in your area that are best adapted to the climate and soil of the place where you live. They need less maintenance and less fertilization.
48. If your home is not gasified, buy an induction hob to save time and energy.
49. Brighten your home and save energy with reflectors and spotlights.
50. Set up a work area with an adjustable height table, where you can work while standing. This promotes proper blood circulation.