Go Green: Winterize Your Cottage

Days are getting shorter, nights are getting cooler, and back-to-school is creeping ever closer. In short, the end of summer is upon us, and it's getting to be that time when we close up the cottages and beach houses until next summer. While no one really wants to say good-bye to their summer retreats, you can make the transition to autumn a bit more friendly with a few eco-friendly tips and tricks.

Turn Off the Water and Drain the Pipes

It's a good idea to turn off the water at your cottage or beach house when you close up for the winter. There are a few practical reasons for this. Aside from the fact that there's no need for the water to be on, you can avoid leaks, burst pipes, cracked toilets, and other unpleasant surprises when you return the following spring.

Drain your pipes by turning on all the taps, flushing toilets, and draining the hot water heater. Leave all taps open so that any moisture can escape. Toilets hold water in their internal pipes, so the only way to prevent your toilet from cracking over a cold winter is to pour some antifreeze in—just be sure to use the pink RV antifreeze.

Clean Green

When you're cleaning the summer home, use eco-friendly products. Biodegradable and phosphate-free products are a must. Phosphates increase algae blooms in water, which adversely affects aquatic ecosystems. Be sure to avoid products containing strong-smelling chemicals, such as ammonia, as these are often harmful to your health. Vinegar is a fantastic all-purpose cleaner, and baking soda is a wonderful abrasive.

Don't Burn Trash

By the end of the summer, your family has probably accumulated a wealth of junk. It might seem like a good idea to burn that trash, but there are risks. It's never a good idea to burn anything other than paper or untreated wood, since other items may contain harmful chemicals. But at the end of the summer, there's another risk: forest fires. The last thing you want to do is burn down swathes of forest, not to mention your summer retreat. So save the fire for next year and take your trash home with you, where you can dispose of it properly.

Unplug Everything

Many electronic devices draw power even when they're not in use. It's energy consumption you can't see, hence the moniker, Phantom Power. Not only is it a waste and an unnecessary expense, it's easily avoidable.

Using power bars when you're at the cottage is a simple solution, but when you're heading home at the end of the summer, don't forget to unplug either power bars or individual electronics. A power surge can also create a fire that will send your summer dreams up in smoke. So double check, and maybe even triple check, to make sure nothing remains plugged into an electrical outlet.

Clean the Kitchen Thoroughly

Part of being an eco-friendly cottager is respecting the environment. A kitchen that harbors food smells or even fruity detergent scents can be a beacon to a bear. If the bear is hungry or aggressive enough, they may break into your cottage, leaving a mess and damage behind. Ensure your home is free of enticing scents, and the bears will leave it alone.

By integrating these simple tips and tricks into your routine for closing your summer house for the season, you can help support the environment and do everything possible to ensure you return to a retreat where your worst worry will be a thick layer of dust.