DIY Projects for a More Sustainable and Eco-Friendlier Home

Some people love taking on DIY projects around the house to make home improvements on a budget using their own skills. But what if these endeavors could also make your house more sustainable and eco-friendlier too?

Here are some ideas for DIY projects that will benefit your house and be easy on the environment at the same time.

DIY Drying Rack

Doing laundry may seem harmless enough, but washers and dryers use a lot of energy in a household. An easy way to make your laundry routine more sustainable is to ditch the dryer and build your own drying rack to use instead. You can easily build a drying rack in varying sizes with just a few basic materials and tools.

Here are some resources for your DIY project:

• Shelterness – 11 DIY Functional Laundry Racks For Every Space
• Modern Builds – DIY Foldable Clothes Drying Rack

DIY Rain Catcher

In a time when many places are experiencing droughts, it is important to save every last raindrop that we can. One great way to do this is to use a rain barrel that catches rainwater, which you can later use in your garden or for cleaning projects instead of turning on the tap.

Here are some resources for your DIY project:

• Student BaySavers Projects – Build Your Own Rain Barrel
• Just Measuring Up – This Is the Easiest Way to Save Rain Water

DIY Compost Bin

Composting is an excellent way to reuse food scraps while also helping your garden grow. This will keep leftover food out of landfills and help fertilize your plants in an eco-friendly way.

Here are some DIY tips for creating a compost bin:

• Backyard Feast – How to Build the Ultimate Compost Bin
•  The Spruce – 15 DIY Compost Bin Plans

Reuse Paper and Plastic Bags

It’s easy to reuse paper and plastic bags that you get from the store for future shopping trips, trash can liners, and storage. But you can also get creative buy turning your bags into DIY projects, such as baskets and bowls.

Here are some ideas for inspiration:

• Do It and How – Paper Woven Basket
•  Reuse Grow Enjoy – Upcycled Bags Basket Bowl

Other Sustainable DIY Ideas

Creating a greener home environment can help you reduce your family’s impact on the planet while saving you money too. Depending on how handy or crafty you are and how much time you have to spend on household projects, here are some other ideas to consider tackling yourself or hiring a professional to help with:

• Add eco-friendly insulation to your walls
• Install sustainable flooring with bamboo, cork, or other non-VOC materials
• Switch to an energy-efficient air conditioner
• Use eco-friendly paint on your walls and furniture
• Choose eco-friendly cleaning products
• Install solar panels on the roof
• Use a smart thermostat for heating and cooling