One of the busiest rooms in our home? The bathroom. It is a room that gets a full workout—beginning at dawn and ending long after the sun has gone down. It is a room everyone (including most guests) will visit at some time during each day, which can make it one of the most eco-unfriendly rooms in our house. A few quick changes to your bathroom will make this busy little room better for our planet, and better for your family.
Take these steps to make your bathroom more green:
Use Less Water
Did you realize that toilets use approximately 27% of the water consumed in your household? This is more than your washer, dishwasher and sinks—giving you an unbelievable opportunity to save water just by installing a low-flow toilet or installing a dual-flusher. The low-flow strategy can also be applied to your shower heads and sink faucets.
Go Natural with Your Linens
Who doesn’t love coordinating bathroom towels, linens and shower curtains? Instead of just paying attention to the color, pay attention to the material, looking for products made from organic cotton or bamboo. These materials are not only good for the planet, but good for your health—bamboo is known to have antibacterial qualities and organic cotton is safer for your skin (and feels wonderful!).
Think Biodegradable
There are numerous paper products working hard in your bathroom—including toilet paper and tissues. While it may be difficult to find a non-disposable alternative, look for products composed of 100% recycled paper. Try to avoid things that are disposable such as razors and toothbrushes and when cleaning, use reusable towels instead of disposable cleaning wipes.
Get Pretty, Clean & Green
Look through your personal care products to see if their ingredients come from natural sources and/or if the product packaging is recyclable. If not, consider changing to more healthy alternatives, which, thanks to brands such as Burt’s Bees and Ecco Bella, allow you to be kinder to the planet without skimping on your beauty. Also, while you are busy getting ready to look your best, think about how you can conserve energy and water. Let your hair air dry instead of plugging in a dryer and turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth.
Clean Green
Most bathrooms are small and often not well ventilated, making cleaning with nontoxic cleaners a must. You can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or invest in a safe eco-cleaning product such as our Ecospirit ™ Bathroom Cleaner, it will cut through the soap scum and germs leaving behind a shine you can see and inhale.
Talk to us: What tips do you have for making your bathroom more green?