10 Easy Fall Swaps for a Sustainable Home
Photo by alex geerts on Unsplash
As the crisp autumn air settles in, it’s the perfect time to rethink some of your home habits and make a few sustainable swaps for fall. These simple, eco-friendly changes can help you reduce waste, save energy, and cultivate a cozy, green home environment. Whether you’re prepping for cooler weather or just looking for ways to live more sustainably, here are 10 easy fall swaps that will make a big impact.
This post contains affiliate links for sustainable products. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Tine + Tumbler!
1. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Shorter days mean more time with the lights on, so this fall, swap out your old bulbs for energy-efficient LED lighting (affiliate link). LEDs use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last longer, too. Make your home cozy and sustainable with warm-toned, eco-friendly lights.
2. Opt for Eco-Friendly Fall Decor
Autumn is a wonderful time for seasonal decorating, but you can reduce waste by choosing natural and reusable materials. Decorate with pumpkins, gourds, dried flowers, or even DIY your own from recycled materials. Skip the plastic and instead embrace earth-friendly decor that can be composted or reused. I love using old ribbons or twine (affiliate link) or reusing different colors of floral wire (affiliate link).
3. Layer with Organic Cotton or Wool Blankets
As the temperature drops, instead of cranking up the thermostat, reach for blankets made from sustainable materials like organic cotton or wool (affiliate links). These natural fibers not only keep you warm but also have a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives.
4. Compost Your Fall Leaves
Instead of bagging up fallen leaves for landfill, start a compost pile. Composting leaves, along with kitchen scraps, is a fantastic way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden come spring. This is one of the simplest ways to embrace a sustainable home in fall and there are plenty of stylish bins (affiliate link) to put your kitchen scraps in making it easy to get started.
5. Seal Drafts and Insulate
Reduce energy waste by sealing drafts around doors and windows and adding insulation where needed. A well-insulated home stays warmer in the fall and winter, cutting down on heating costs and conserving energy.
6. Choose Reusable Coffee Cups and Containers
As we head into pumpkin spice season, bring your own reusable coffee cup or thermos to your favorite café. You’ll reduce single-use plastic waste, and some places even offer discounts for bringing your own cup. The same goes for food storage—switch to reusable containers for leftovers and snacks. These Stasher silicone bags are my favorite!
7. Upgrade to Sustainable Cleaning Products
Fall cleaning is a great opportunity to transition to eco-friendly cleaning products. Look for brands that use biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients in recyclable packaging. Both Blueland and Grove Co. (affiliate link) carry a variety of sustainable products. This simple swap keeps harmful chemicals out of your home and the environment.
8. Use Recycled or FSC-Certified Paper Products
Autumn tends to bring more indoor activities like reading or writing. For these cozy moments, make sure your paper products are sustainably sourced. Choose recycled or FSC-certified paper for books, notebooks, and even toilet paper.
9. Replace Disposable Air Fresheners with Natural Alternatives
Instead of buying disposable air fresheners that contain synthetic chemicals, try natural alternatives like essential oil diffusers or simmering a pot of cinnamon and cloves. These options not only smell amazing but are much healthier for your home environment. Plus if you add water and sugar in a 1:1 ratio with the spices you’ll end up with a flavored simple syrup you can use in your cozy fall drinks.
10. Thrift or Upcycle Your Fall Wardrobe
Rather than buying brand-new clothes for fall, check out secondhand stores, clothing swaps or upcycle items you already own. Layering pieces like sweaters, scarves, and boots are often readily available at thrift shops, helping reduce fashion waste while keeping your wardrobe fresh for the season.
Final Thoughts Transitioning into fall doesn’t mean you have to leave your green habits behind. With these 10 easy fall swaps, you can continue to live sustainably while enjoying the beauty and coziness of the season. Small, mindful changes add up, and they can make your home eco-friendly while reducing your overall environmental impact.