How to Make Kid Spaces Greener
by Kaitlin Krull
If, like us at Modernize, you appreciate the desire to live a cleaner, more environmentally conscious life, then you probably have measures in place throughout your home to help save energy and live “green”. However, it can be a little tougher sticking to your eco friendly ways when you live with children. Here are a few tips to help you keep your kids’ spaces just as green as the rest of the home (and just maybe encourage them in their own ecological journey).
Use environmentally friendly materials
This first tip seems like a no brainer for environmentally conscious families, but it can be difficult to source quality fabrics and materials for children’s toys, furniture, and other accessories. Before making any big purchases, make sure furniture is painted with no VOC paints or stains, mattresses are free from PVCs, and any plastic toys are BPA free. Choose accessories such as pillows, throws, rugs, and bedding made from natural material such as organic cotton, wool, hemp, jute, and bamboo. When it comes to toys, natural wood is always best if you want to be sure to stay away from harmful chemicals (plus they last so much longer than their plastic counterparts!).
Go green…literally
While most of us understand the invaluable role plants play in our ecosystem, we can easily forget that our homes work exactly the same way. Stock your kids’ playrooms and bedrooms with a few basic leafy green plants (make sure they’re not poisonous, of course) to freshen up the air and brighten up the place. If you’re a fan of learning via interacting, then you’re in luck: plants can also encourage your kids to think about botany and wildlife while helping to cultivate an appreciation and love for the environment. Talk about getting the most for your money!
Clean without chemicals
It comes as no surprise that many of the household cleaning products on the market today are full of man-made, dangerous chemicals that not only pose a physical threat to children but can also do more harm than good to their immediate environment. If you want to stay away from chemicals like these altogether, consider making your own cleaners from common products such as vinegar and baking soda, to name a few. Top tip: if you’re making your own cleaning products and want your house to smell better than a fryer, consider adding a few drops of pure essential oils to help the process along and make your home smell fantastic. If you can’t quite face making your own eco friendly cleaning products, brands such as Method and ecover give great results with none of the harmful chemicals—and they’re available in stores everywhere.
Experiment with renewable energy
If this piece of advice seems like a bit of a stretch to you, bear with me. While the technology behind renewable energy sources such as solar power might be beyond your little ones, it’s never too early to learn about recycling in all its forms. By teaching your kids to recycle and reuse materials in their everyday situations, you reinforce positive behaviors that will stick with them throughout their lives. As far as gadgets are concerned, experiment with solar powered appliances and chargers, energy saving light bulbs, and smart thermostats with your children throughout the house so they can learn the basics of green living.
