A well-presented property can be the make or break of an early sale and many people work hard to get their property in tip-top condition – not just the main fabric of the building, but a thoroughly good clean throughout.

However, while cleaning and maintenance make a difference to the saleability of your property, the way in which you undertake them can also make a difference to our environment – positive or negative. We hope it will be positive as you make choices regarding your property. Here are some alternative ideas:

Always repair dripping taps promptly as they can waste 13 litres of water a day.

Baking soda (75mls) in 200mls of vinegar is a powerful but environmentally friendly drain-cleaning solution, following a run of boiling water.

Paint, oil and solvents can be particularly harmful. We waste 6.2 million litres of paint every year in the UK–so why not donate any leftovers to community projects?

Only use washing machines/dishwashers when full. Avoid washing clothes at high temperatures, and turn the iron off as you begin your last item of clothing.

Choose plants that don’t need much water, such as lavender, buddleia or wallflowers.

Replace old light bulbs with energy efficient ones, and conventional batteries with rechargeables.

Donate what you can to charity shops rather than filling up land-fill sites.

Make the effort to use council recycling facilities for bottles, newspapers, etc.

Making compost from your biodegradable waste is an easy and satisfying way of improving your garden soil.

You don’t have to become a card-carrying member of Greenpeace, but sometimes a simple awareness of environmental issues can play a small part in improving our environment for future generations.  

Peter Ryder

Managing Director

Thorntons Property