I WOULD LIKE TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE BUT...

A guide to the easiest changes to maintain a sustainable life

Written by Paige Adams & Luka Steele

Photos by Melissa Areiza

"I don't know exactly what that means."

Environmental sustainability is about developing habits that avoid negatively impacting the future of generations while still meeting the immediate needs of the present. Many people are not familiar with the concept or find it daunting. Forming new habits can be hard, but there are many small ways to incorporate sustainability into your home life.

“I prefer to take cheaper routes.”

Sustainability doesn’t have to cost money but should, in fact, help save money. The reduction of waste through making a habit of home-making products and fixing or revamping personal items will reveal endless achievable savings.

“Shopping at thrift stores is difficult because I rarely find my size.”

Thrift shopping can be a major money saver and a way to spice up your wardrobe with new-to-you and vintage items. Thrift shopping can also help support local businesses. Unfortunately, the size selections may be less than what a large corporate store might have. An easy solution is to find items in a larger size and later alter at home. Any clothing item can become completely new with a little bit of sewing effort and will also allow for a perfect custom-to-you fit.

DIY Two-Sided Tee

• Take two t-shirts (will be easier if they are of similar size and fabric. Can be with or without graphics, your choice)

• Cut both shirts down the center

• Choose which sides of the shirts you want to keep

• Turn the chosen pieces inside out

• Pin the front together and sew with ~1/2 inch seam allowance (try not to stretch the fabric unevenly)

• Pin the back together and sew with ~1/2 inch seam allowance

• Done!

Scan the QR code to watch the video this tutorial came from!

“I only get so many rewears out of an item before it falls apart.”

Take up sewing as a habit. A broken strap on a dress or a snag on a blouse does not have to result in a complete loss. Repairing minor flaws on a wardrobe favorite only requires minimal knowledge of stitching techniques.

If you don’t own a sewing machine, hand sewing may be more time consuming but can be very useful as well. There are many ways to revamp or take in clothing items without the help of a sewing machine. Small tears can be repaired, and straps can be reattached through some simple hand sewing with just a needle and a thread. If you’re familiar with sewing, then try some complete t-shirt revamps, like this two-sided tee.

“I don’t know how to sew.”

No sew, no problem! If you don’t know how to sew, you can take advantage of some no-sew tricks to update the fit of a thrift store find or an old t-shirt or even to give a new style to an item. A t-shirt can be edited into a crop top, a completely new style, or even a brand new accessory with just the use of scissors. Check out some no-sew DIY revamps on some thrift finds here.

Turn old over sized T-shirts into new-to-you, trendy tops. Cut out a v-neck, shoulder accents, or even off for a crop top or fringe for added style.

Turn an old top into a cute tote bag. Cut the sleeves and the neck to create the handles. Next turn your shirt inside out, cut fringe at the end, then tie the fringe pieces together to create the bag shape. Flip it back right-sideout and you have your bag!

Turn an old crop top into a cute hair accessory by cutting off a strip from the bottom and twisting it into a headband.

“I can’t afford to make my own cleaning products,” or, “I don’t have the time.”

Making your own cleaning products can turn out to be much cheaper than purchasing ready-made cleaners. Making your own products will allow you to clean your home while having the comfort of knowing that you’re not exposing yourself or others to harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia. Some easy starting points for a sustainable home can be a homemade laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaning spray.

All-purpose cleaning spray

Yields 1 bottle

What you’ll need: 1 cup water, 1 cup

distilled white vinegar, 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil, 1 upcycled spray bottle from your last spray cleaner purchase—rinsed thoroughly and cleaned of any labels.

Directions: Combine all ingredients into the spray bottle and lightly shake to combine all contents.

All-purpose cleaning spray (without vinegar)

Yields 1 bottle

What you’ll need: 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of castile soap—a vegetablebased liquid soap made from natural ingredients, which can be found at a local grocery store in the laundry and/ or cleaning supplies aisles, 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil, 1 upcycled spray bottle from your last spray cleaner purchase—rinsed thoroughly and cleaned of any labels.

Directions: Combine all ingredients, adding the water first, into the spray bottle and lightly shake to combine all contents.

DIY Laundry detergent

Yields 20 gallons detergent

What you’ll need: One 10 gallon bucket with a lid— can be found at a local hardware store as a one time reusable purchase, 1 bar Fels-Naptha laundry soap, 1 cup Borax detergent boosting powder, 1 cup Arm and Hammer super washing soda—these items can all be found on the laundry soap aisle at any local grocery store for around a $10 total, and the powders will last you multiple batches.

Other tools: A cheese grater,a medium to large sized pot,a large whisk, and easy sink access for lots of water.

Directions:

-Bring 8 cups of water to a light boil on medium heat. -Grate your Fels-Naptha soap bar over a cutting board or plate for easy transfer. -Combine with boiling water, stir the shredded soap mix with a whisk periodically as it melts down. -Add Borax powder and super washing soda to the bucket. -Fill with warm water to a halfway point. -Once your shredded soap and water mixture is melted, combine the contents into the bucket mixture. -Stir with the whisk, filling the remaining volume with water. -You may add essential oils for a scent if you like. Your result should be a thin liquid mixture. -Set overnight, and the mixture will gel over into a thick liquid detergent, requiring another whisking the next day. -Transfer to an easy to dispense container—an old laundry detergent container works well—with equal parts detergent and water. -Shake thoroughly. One load of laundry calls for one capful of final mixture.