Save The Planet, Pocket The Dosh

One of the tasks during my month-long sabbatical from housework was to talk knowledgeably for up to a minute on any subject we fancied.  Having bored the group rigid for weeks on why they should vote – democratic right, decisions are made by blahblahblah – I realised that it’s time to stop talking when people stop listening, so I surprised them with some household tips instead.  As I last shared tips with you in July 2009, I thought you could hear them as well.  Most of them are common sense but it amazes me how many people say, ‘Ooooh, I never thought of that before.’

• Use lamps with lower wattage bulbs – but don’t use two lamps with 60 watt bulbs if your overhead light is using a 100 watt bulb; you’ll be using more energy
• Take a shower instead of a bath
• Turn down the boiler thermostat by 10 degrees – it will be hot enough for your needs, but saves a lot of energy over the years
• If you have an old boiler, rather than heat up the water to wash a sinkful of dishes, put in cold water to lather, and boil the kettle (using just enough for your needs) to warm it up for washing
• Use a bowl in the sink to wash dishes
• Always replace damaged seals on fridges and freezers
• Use the right size pan on stove rings.
• Leave the lids on while you cook; it’s much more energy efficient
• Turn off the ring a few minutes before the food is cooked – it will remain hot enough to finish cooking
•  Turn off at the wall all appliances not in use – you will save £7 a year.  It may not sound like much but it’s better off in your pocket than theirs
• Old birthday and Christmas cards make great gift tags and postcards for competitions
• Keep jars and plastic tubs for storing food in the fridge; you can also pour used oil into them instead of pouring it down the sink or toilet
• Used computer paper and some junk mail make excellent drawing paper for the children (then put in the recycle bin)
• Use the end of wallpaper rolls to line cupboards and drawers (or throw it in the recycle bag); the kids love to draw on it as well
• If you don’t want or need household goods that are still in good repair, donate them to charity, give them to a friend or offer them on Freegle or Freecycle
• Shut your doors to keep heat in
• Open your doors and windows for free air freshener

I put in that last one so that I could tell you about the time I watched a reporter struggle not to laugh in my face.  I was once interviewed for a magazine article on recycling.  I’m a bit daft, as you know, so when she asked me what I thought about aerosols such as air fresheners I didn’t think, as a normal person would, ‘Oh, she’s talking about the damage to the ozone layer.’  No, I responded in a confidential whisper, ‘Well this is strictly off the record but, if I’m alone in the house and I go to the toilet, if you know what I mean, I don’t spray afterwards.’

Save the planet: lock up the dozies!