Making A Few Warm Weather Chores More Sustainable

Late spring and early summer mean perfect temperatures and getting outdoors for chores.  There are more chores than we can count of course, but the list usually includes washing the car and caring for your lawn.  Below are a few ways to make these activities more sustainable:

Washing the Car – The most eco-friendly way to wash your car is to let nature takes its course and do the work for you with a heavy rain.  If you are planning on washing your car the old fashioned way, here are some tips:

• Avoid using soaps that contain toxins like silicon, kerosene, mineral spirits, petroleum-distillates and phosphates.  These can have a harmful effect on our groundwater supplies and aquatic life.
• Driving your car up on the lawn to wash it will filter wastewater, prevent it from directly entering storm drains and water your lawn in the process.
• Make sure your hose has a nozzle that allows you to regulate the water flow. Otherwise, turn the hose off when not in use.
• Let you car air dry or make use of a reusable cloth rather than disposable towels.

Caring for your Lawn – The most environmentally friendly thing to do is to not have a lawn at all and instead take advantage of xeriscaping, which is landscaping that uses native and drought-tolerant plants, shrubs, and ground cover.  If you do have a lawn, here is what you can do:

• Choose an electric or push mower instead of gas powered.  It eliminates harmful emissions and avoids potential spilling of gas and oil that can get into storm drains and/or ground water.
• Planting the right grass for the climate in NC results in a healthy, low-maintenance lawn which requires less mowing, less watering, and fewer pesticides Contact your local garden center or landscaping company to find out what types of grasses will provide these results.
• Using a mulching mower leaves grass clippings on the lawn, provides a natural alternative to harmful chemical fertilizers, and keeps grass clippings out of overburdened landfills.
• Compost your grass clippings instead of sending them to the landfill.  This will eventually turn into nutrient rich soil that can be used in other parts of your yard.