We are reminded on an almost daily basis of the importance of leading an eco-friendly life. Our planet and our health depend upon it so it is everyone’s responsibility to make the necessary changes in their lives to help.
You can make almost everything in your life eco-friendly, from the food you consume and the products you use, to the car you drive and the clothes you wear. But rather than starting on the inside, why not start on the outside? Throw away the chemical weed killers and harmful grass cutters, and find ecologically friendly ways to maintain your garden instead.
But among the brightly coloured pesticides and herbicides lurking at the back of your shed, your garden furniture is a hidden culprit. So if you insist on buying new garden furniture after one or two winter seasons have taken their toll, perhaps you should think again.
Restore the Old
Forget the expression ‘out with the old, in with the new’; restoration is the way to go. You’ll save money, give your garden furniture a new lease for life and by not buying new, you are reducing the need for new materials, which is ultimately an eco-friendly move!
If your garden furniture is made of plastic, you will need to clean it thoroughly to restore its former shine. Rather than buying expensive and noxious chemicals that will do the rest of your garden no good at all, mix lemon juice and vinegar together and clean your furniture that way. A good scrub with this natural mixture will remove the algae and make your furniture shine again, without causing any harm to the environment.
If your outdoor furniture is made of wood, then restoring it will first require a good clean. Then all you need to do is ensure that you buy an eco-friendly wood varnish which is free of VOCs, acrylics, oils and harmful emissions.
And If You Must Buy New…
If your old furniture is beyond restoration, firstly contact your local council and find out where and how you can dispose of it in a legal and eco friendly manner.
When buying new, it’s important to ensure that your purchase it as ecologically friendly as possible and doing its bit to protect our environment. It’s a great idea to choose furniture that has been made with recycled materials or alternatively, find furniture that is made from a recyclable material such as aluminium and rattan. There are equally some materials that are harder wearing than others and will therefore last longer, reducing the need for replacement.
If you choose to buy wooden furniture it’s important to select wood that has been sustainably sourced, so make sure to buy your picnic table or wooden garden bench from a company that prides itself on its ethical values and environmentally friendly production.
Eco friendly furniture, proper recycling, compost and organic gardening are all essential components of a healthy garden and as your garden is your own little patch of the planet, it’s important to get it right.
Do you have any other tips for keeping your garden eco-friendly?
