Going Green in the Kitchen: Simple Steps You Can Take Now

I think lots of people would like to be more green, to adopt more eco-friendly habits, but it can seem overwhelming. Here are some simple steps you can take now that will help save you money while you save the environment.

Use Real Plates.

Don't use paper plates. To make the task of washing dishes easier, ask all family members to rinse their plates and load them in the dishwasher or stack them neatly in the sink. You could even keep a dish pan of sudsy water in the sink and ask family member to wash their plates when they finish eating.

Use Cloth Napkins.

If you don't have any and don't have much money to spend, head to your local thrift shop. I bought eight cloth napkins for $3.96 at a thrift shop near me and they looked brand new. Washing them isn't much work; I just throw them in the laundry with my clothes and it only takes a minute to fold them once they come out of the dryer.

Use Rags Instead of Paper Towels.

Don't go out and buy rags, just cut up old tee shirts, towels and sheets and use those. If you have plenty, when you need to clean up a really icky mess, you can just throw the rag away. For most ordinary messes, though, just use the rag as you would use a paper towel and toss it in the laundry.

Use Reusable Containers to Store Food

Instead of Ziploc bags and disposable plastic cling wrap, use reusable containers to store leftovers. Glass containers are better for the environment, and probably better for your health as well, but plastic containers are cheaper so buy those to start with if money is an issue. Save the glass jars that foods like pickles, applesauce and spaghetti sauce come in and reuse those for storing leftovers, too.

Get a Coffee Maker with a Basket-Style Filter.

Instead of using disposable coffee filters, invest in a coffee maker with a basket-style filter that comes with the machine. Stores like Walmart and Target carry them and they aren't too costly.

Keep the Freezer Full

Believe it or not, your freezer uses less energy when it's full. If you can't afford to go out and buy a whole freezer full of food right now, don't worry. Use a big bag of ice cubes to take up some of the empty space.