You begin every day in your bathroom and usually, you end it there too. However, your bathroom can often be full of toxic chemicals that could not only be harmful to your health but also for the environment. Since we’re all trying to reduce our carbon footprints and become more eco-friendly, the bathroom is a great place to start going green. So, where do we begin? Here are some top tips.
Save Water
The most important thing you can do to go green in your bathroom is to save water. We all waste a lot of water on a daily basis. How often have you turned on the shower and let the water run while you were going to the toilet? And how often do you leave the water running while you’re brushing your teeth? How often have you chosen to take a bath instead of a shower?
There are lots of things we can do to avoid water wastage in the average bathroom.
First, you should definitely consider installing a low-flow showerhead and low-flow faucets. This will reduce your water use instantly without causing you to notice the difference. You should also seriously consider investing in a dual flow or low-flow toilet. If you’re very serious about saving the environment, a water-free toilet is an ideal solution. You can get more information here about how to choose a composting toilet for your bathroom.
Go Green by Ditching Disposables
Next, it’s time to look at the things which you dispose of in your bathroom. Paper towels and disposable wipes should definitely be left behind. Instead, switch to microfiber towels, sponges and reusable rags which can be washed and reused time and again to clean your sinks and mirrors. You should also have a reusable toilet brush and not a disposable one.
Get Rid Of Harmful Cleaning Products
Lots of bathroom cleaners contain very harsh chemicals which could not only harm your health but could also harm the environment. It’s time to get rid of those cleaning products and instead switch to green ones. Alternatively, make your own homemade cleaning products using household ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda.
Choose Green Personal Care Products Too
There are lots of different personal care products like soaps, cosmetics and lotions in your bathroom however some could be harmful to the environment and for you. Anti-bacterial soap, for example, can end up breeding super germs that are resistant to cleaners and which could be harming your body, not to mentioning damaging organisms and fish when they get into the water supply. Choose nature-friendly personal care products to eliminate this problem.
Remember, too, that you can whiten teeth with baking soda and cut down on the bleach chemicals.
Choose Organic Linens And Towels
When you’re next buying towels, make sure to choose ones made from materials such as bamboo and organic cotton. Standard cotton is pesticide-laden and chemically intensive. Therefore, switching to more sustainable alternatives is always a better idea and will profit the environment greatly.
Avoid PVC
Do you have a shower curtain in your bathroom? If so, check to ensure it doesn’t have PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in it. When PVC is manufactured, it often creates dioxins which are very toxic compounds. Once PVC is inside the home, it releases chemical odors and gases. It isn’t recyclable and leaches chemicals that eventually find their way into the water system. Therefore, always choose shower curtains that are guaranteed to be PVC free. Even better, go for a hemp shower curtain which is naturally mold-resistant and natural.
The Takeaway: Go Green, Stay Green
Once you’ve made eco-friendly changes to your bathroom, it’s important to remember that you still have to stick to your new green way of behaving. Whenever you carry out maintenance in your bathroom such as fixing a leaking faucet or unclogging the drain, don’t automatically reach for a chemical solution. Choose natural or homemade products and always think about how you can protect the environment first before taking any action in the bathroom.
With all this in mind, if you follow our top expert tips for going green in the bathroom you’ll be doing your bit to save the planet while also improving your own health and that of your family too. It’s definitely the right thing to do!
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
This blog celebrates all things home.
