We spend the equivalent of almost two years in the bathroom over the course of a lifetime, according to Encyclopedia.com. The bathroom has long been considered a refuge from hectic schedules, a place to get away from everyone and be alone for a moment of peace. For such a small room, it has big importance to our state of mind.
Bathrooms can be lavish and luxurious or zen and simple. More than any other room, it is easy to makeover the bathroom to be a reflection of our personalities and ideals. Re-making your favorite room into an eco-friendly haven can mean greater visual appeal and be more cost-effective over the long run. Leaky toilets, dripping faucets and toxic cleaners are costing you money in repairs and higher utility bills. Not to mention the havoc they play on your overall sense of wellbeing.
According to Energy Star, approximately 30 percent of household water consumption comes from the toilet. High efficiency, low-flow toilets conserve water and provide a more calming hygienic experience. Toto toilets is a US-based company that designs gravity-based toilets, low-flow shower heads, automatic sensor faucets, and sinks treated with a patented glaze to prevent debris, mold and bacteria from sticking to porous, ceramic surfaces. Replacing traditional fixtures with green technology such as the Toto® designs, your bathroom is quickly transformed into a high-tech, environmentally friendly oasis.
As you shop for eco-fixtures, look for the Water Sense certification. This partnership program of the Environmental Protection Agency makes it easy for consumers to save water and protect the environment by identifying high efficiency products that perform well.
Maintain a clean, healthy environment naturally by regularly spraying fixtures and tile with an all-natural cleaning product such as the GEC EcoSpirit cleaner, or a simple mixture of lemon and water or apple cider vinegar and water. Regular cleaning will prevent mold from forming, which is not only unsightly but also extremely dangerous to your health.
Replace your plastic shower curtain with an organic alternative. A recent study by the U.S. Center for Health, Environment and Justice found that plastic shower curtains could release potentially harmful materials into the bathroom. Instead, opt for curtains made with organic fibers such as cotton, linen or hemp.
Don’t forget the toilet paper! According to the National Resources Defense Council, if every household in America replaced one four-pack of traditional “virgin fiber” bath tissue with recycled toilet paper, it would save around 1 million trees per year.
Now that you have an eco-bathroom, outfit it with natural bath products made without artificial fragrances, chemicals, preservatives or sulfates. Shut the door, relax and enjoy your new eco-sanctuary.
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