Help me come up with a list of EF changes to our household

gymdog81

DH and I are working on making our household more ef.  We recycle a lot, try to buy more used items, turn off lights when we are not in the room, CD, and are changing our bathroom products to more natural products.  What other suggestions do you have?

papagena

EF cleaning products (make your own and it's super cheap!)
Reuseable shopping and/or produce bags
get rid of paper towels - use cheap washcloths
unplug electronics when not in use
Use CFL lightbulbs or put regular light bulbs on dimmers (they have dimmable CFL's, but frankly, they currently suck)
Buy products with minimal packaging
Buy locally when you can - especially groceries - try your local farmers market

I still have to make some of these changes in our household!  

tmp-214118062502913

Put up a clothes line - if you can't in your yard a retractable one in your shower can at least handle some laundry.

Heavier drapes on windows to insulate against heat and cold.  Also depending on the age of your home, draft dodgers on windows and doors (easy to make with some cloth sewn into a tube, fill with sand and tie or sew the edges shut.

Think before you purchase - do you need it?  Can you buy in bulk to reduce packaging?  Can you purchase used?  Can you go in with a friend or neighbor to buy in bulk?  Can you borrow it from another?

Unplug your cell and iPod chargers when not used.  SO easy, you don't even think that they use energy when not used but they do!

bluewalrus

A few other ideas...

Switch to crocheted dishcloths (I got ours on Etsy).  Not only will you not be buying/tossing sponges, but they can go in the washer/dryer.  No more stinky sponges!

Switch to the Diva Cup and/or Mama Cloth.

Eat less meat (I am for about 4 - 5 vegetarian nights per week).  

Someone posted the other day about washing your clothes after every other use (or more) instead of after every use.