There is a growing awareness of the need to be more environmentally conscious in everyday decisions. That includes the things you do around the house. If you are looking to green up your daily routine, these three steps can help you get started in the right direction.

1. Maximize Your Space

It seems that houses have gotten significantly larger over the past generation or two. Where a family of four once happily occupied 1,000 square feet of space, many families would now consider that unacceptable. While this may seem completely unrelated to the environment, the two are actually deeply connected. Simply put, larger houses require more stuff. From the materials used in construction to carpeting and fixtures, big houses command a large number of resources. Add in the bigger furniture needed to fill oversized rooms, and you start to see why it matters.

There has been pushback against the larger home trend lately, with an increasing number of people opting to return to smaller — sometimes even tiny — homes. If you are thinking of going this route, you'll need to do some research. For example, you may be used to a king-sized bed, but a quick check of mattress sizes compared to tiny home dimensions highlights the incompatibility of the two. It doesn't mean you have to be uncomfortable. The increased demand means that manufacturers have been hard at work creating furniture and storage options specifically designed for smaller spaces.

2. Rethink Your Cleaning Routine

One of the quickest and easiest ways to boost your eco-friendliness is to give your cleaning routine a complete makeover. In most cases, you'll want to do this gradually, replacing items as you use them up. Otherwise, you'll need to learn how to safely dispose of household chemicals, since most should not be washed down the drain or tossed in for the regular trash pickup. You have a couple of options when it comes to green cleaners. The first is to look for more eco-friendly commercially available cleaners when you go shopping. These are becoming much more popular, and you can generally find them at grocery and big box stores.

Some people choose to take a more hands-on approach and use basic ingredients to make their own cleaning supplies. If you decide to give it a try, you'll want to keep a few staples on hand. These generally include baking soda, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and natural soap. Hydrogen peroxide is also very popular, and it is great for breaking up tough stains like blood and mold. Then, head to the internet for recipes and tips for how best to use these natural products to keep your house clean and sanitary.

3. Cut Back on Power Use

Modern households use a lot of power. According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling tend to make up the largest share of that, so that is a great place to start cutting back. Adjust your thermostat by five degrees for at least half the day. Use fans in the summer to create airflow and a feeling of coolness and add an extra layer in the winter for a cozy, warm feeling. You'll be surprised at what a difference it makes in energy consumption, and how little you notice the difference.

Tech gadgets and small appliances can add to electrical use. Invest in surge protectors that can be turned off to eliminate phantom power drain on things like the microwave, television and charging stations when they aren't in use. This is especially helpful if you are out of the house for a large portion of the day.

Small changes in your laundry habits can also add up to substantial energy conservation. Use the coldest water setting appropriate for the items you are washing. Most detergents — even the natural ones — work perfectly fine in cold water. Use the smallest load setting, too, or wait until you have a full load if your machine isn't adjustable. Hanging clean laundry on a clothesline makes the process even more eco-friendly.

Being eco-friendly doesn't have to be a hassle. Cutting back on power use, downsizing to a smaller home and updating your cleaning products can have a big impact.