9 Ways To Create A More Sustainable Bathroom

9 Ways To Create A More Sustainable Bathroom

Saving and preserving the planet may sound like a huge responsibility. But the truth is, implementing small changes in your habits and lifestyle choices can significantly help save the environment from overwhelming pollution. One step you can take to living an eco-friendly lifestyle is by switching your bathroom into an eco-friendly and sustainable space.

Bathrooms may not be the main offenders of environmental pollution, but you might be surprised by how wasteful they can be. Fortunately, doing a few changes in your bathroom can help reduce your carbon footprint at home and help preserve the environment. Take a look at these nine ways listed below to help you create a sustainable and eco-friendly bathroom.

Use Sustainable Toilet Paper

eco friendly and pretty toilet paper

One common waste you produce from your bathroom every single day is toilet paper. Toilet papers are a necessity which means getting rid of them from your bathroom is nearly impossible. Furthermore, every time you buy toilet paper from the supermarket, they are always wrapped in plastic.

Thus, it’s recommended that every time you buy toilet paper, make sure to buy them in bulk, in which all of them are wrapped in huge cardboard boxes. Don’t forget to request plastic-free options to ensure you’re not bringing more plastics into your home.

What’s more, it’s ideal to switch to sustainable options such as icare toilet paper and other brands. They are made from recycled papers or grown bamboo, and they’re also safe for the environment.

Switch To Shampoo Bars

Lush_shampoo (Wikimedia Commons)

Perhaps you’ve always used a liquid shampoo ever since you were born. While liquid shampoos are the most popular choice in terms of hair products, they may not be the healthiest option for the environment.

Liquid shampoos are individually packed in separate plastic bottles. Once they’re empty, most people quickly throw them away and eventually end up in landfills. For a more sustainable bathroom, it’s time to switch from liquid shampoos to solid shampoos. Solid shampoos are made in bars in which one shampoo bar is equivalent to two liquid shampoos.

It may take some time before you find a shampoo bar that works perfectly for your hair type. Once you find the perfect shampoo bar for your hair, you will soon get used to it, and both your hair and the planet will thank you.

Switch To Solid Soaps

things you can do when you have used soap bars

Just like the shampoo, it’s also recommended that you use soap bars than liquid soaps. Not only will this help create a sustainable bathroom, but it also lasts longer than liquid soaps, eventually saving more money from constantly buying liquid soaps. Make sure you check the ingredients of the bar soaps first and see to it that they’re chemical-free.

Meanwhile, for some people who don’t like the idea of buying solid soaps, you may still use liquid soaps. However, make sure you first find a place that allows you to refill your soap bottle without buying new soap bottles each time.

Reduce Your Shower Time

Man Refreshing on the street, Calcutta Kolkata India

Part of having a sustainable bathroom is saving water. As much as possible, strive to shorten your shower time in order to conserve energy and water. Meanwhile, if you’re living with a huge household, you might still end up using large amounts of water due to the number of family members taking a shower every day.

To conserve water, switch your regular shower head into an eco-shower head that can control and minimize the amount of water flowing from the shower.

Use Sustainable Toothbrush And Dental Floss

White bathroom with a sink next to a window at sunny day. Green plans on shelves and shadows on the background. Zero waste, eco friendly products, sustainability. Urban jungle. Wellness

Other personal care products you use every day are your toothbrush and dental floss. You probably know the general rule of dental care: switching your toothbrush every three months and flossing your teeth once a day. While these may sound harmless to the environment, your plastic toothbrush and dental floss may actually do some harm.

Dental floss is usually made from plastic. Some of them may also be coated with harmful chemicals to make it glide better between your teeth. Once you’re done flossing, the only option left to do with your used floss is to throw it in the trash bin and eventually end up in the landfill. The same goes for your toothbrush.

To achieve a sustainable bathroom, switch your plastic floss into silk dental floss. The silk dental floss is contained in a stainless-steel cap, and it’s refillable in case you run out. You can also compost your used silk dental floss, leaving no waste for the landfill. For your toothbrush, switch the plastic one with bamboo toothbrushes as they’re made with biodegradable material (bamboo) and packed in a compostable paper box.

Get Rid Of Plastic Shower Curtains

toddler having a bath

As much as using shower curtains can add style to your bathroom’s aesthetic, using them may be harmful to the environment. Shower curtains are made from plastic, and unfortunately, they are not recyclable. They also produce harmful fumes when you attempt to burn them as they’re made from toxic chemicals.

For a more sustainable option, consider using a shower screen instead of these plastic shower curtains. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they’re also easier to clean and can last longer. By the time you need to renovate and replace them, glass shower screens are also recyclable.

Dry Your Towels Naturally

tea towels are great substitute for paper towels

After a nice bath, most people would toss their used towels on the dryer. However, using your dryer frequently will only result in more production of harmful carbon dioxide. So, instead of using your dryer all the time, you can dry your towels naturally by hanging them in a well-ventilated and sunlit area.

This may take some time for sure, but natural drying is a much better option for the planet, and it’ll also protect your towels from wear and tear. What’s more, you can save more energy if you skip using the dryer altogether.

Go For Reusable Menstrual Cups

a variety of tampons (there's a menstrual cup there). Photo by גביע האלופות, Wikimedia Commons

Most tampons and sanitary napkins are often made from non-biodegradable materials, taking hundreds of years before they eventually decompose. For an eco-friendlier alternative, switch from your tampons and napkins to reusable menstrual cups. Not only are they eco-friendly, but you can save much money from not having to repetitively buy napkins and tampons since these cups are reusable and washable.

Use A Metal Razor

stainless steel razor
stainless steel razor

Another switch that can help preserve the environment is using metal razors instead of plastic ones. With this option, you only need to replace the blades when needed, saving you money from constantly buying plastic razors. With the used blades, you can collect them together and send them for recycling.

Takeaway

Choosing to create a sustainable bathroom may give you a sense of fulfillment, knowing that you’re reducing your waste production and saving the environment from further pollution. Preserving the planet only requires you to commit to simple changes with your habits and lifestyle, and creating a sustainable bathroom may be the best place to start.

 

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