DIY Del Ray: Five Ways to Go Green

Whether you're undertaking a major home renovation or looking for a weekend project around your home, there are a lot of ways you can incorporate green features. We've shared many of these projects on DIY Del Ray, so in the spirit of Earth Day, here's a recap of some of our favorite eco-friendly ideas.

1. Install a Rain Barrel 

Rain barrels are a simple way to collect rain from rooftops for watering your garden, lawn and household plants. They are inexpensive and easy enough to make yourself and many local groups offer classes for a small fee. Read more

2. Turn Your Backyard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat

Leslie and her daughters worked together to accomplish this relatively easy task. Their back patio now provides food, water, cover and a place for many different species of wildlife to thrive and raise their young. Read more

3. Consider Green Elements for Your Next Home Renovation

Melissa and Bruni added a green roof to the shed they built. The roof is not only attractive but it also reduces storm water runoff, creates a habitat for wildlife and filters pollutants and carbon dioxide from the air. Read more

Sarah and Bob made conscious decisions to include green elements such as reclaimed wood, formaldehyde-free plywood and low VOC paint and finishes. They also installed skylights to lower electric bills and recycled excess building supplies. Read more

Wanting to be better stewards of the earth, Virginia and Sherrie made a bold decision to go off the electric grid and now power their home with these incredible solar panels. Read more

4. Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Pure Prana yoga studio shared its homemade recipe for an herbal cleaning solution which you can use at your own home as an all-purpose disinfectant for sinks, toilets, countertops and just about anything. Read more

Mellenie makes her own eco-friendly soap and loofah and uses herbs from her backyard garden to make them smell oh so good. Read more

5. Upcycle, Reuse and Salvage

One of my favorite places to visit for salvaged materials is Community Forklift, just a small loop around the beltway. Habitat for Humanity’s Restore down Route 1 is also a great local resource for used cabinets, building supplies, furniture and household goodies that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Read more

For more ideas around your home, visit http://www.diydelray.com