Although we all know that environmentally friendly practices are essential, sometimes it can be challenging to change our habits, especially when going green means spending more money. Sometimes it feels like we need to choose between being eco-friendly and saving money.
But what if I told you that there are ways to make your bathroom more environmentally friendly without spending a lot of extra cash? Here are some tips I have applied in my own home to make my bathroom more eco-friendly on a budget.
Invest in a Low-Flow Showerhead
This is one of the simplest ways to save water and energy in your bathroom. A low-flow showerhead can save you up to 2,900 gallons of water per year per person. In my house of five, that’s a savings of over 14,000 gallons of water annually! And low-flow showerheads don’t have to be expensive. You can find them for as little as $20.
Install a Low-Flow Toilet
If you’re in the market for a new toilet, consider a low-flow model. Low-flow toilets use less water than traditional toilets and can save you money on your water bill. There are lots of different types of low-flow toilets on the market. So, do your research to find one that will work best for your home and needs.
Use a Reusable Shower Curtain
We use shower curtains for a few months and then throw away. But they don’t have to be disposable. You can find shower curtains made from sustainable materials like hemp or bamboo. Or you can repurpose a tablecloth, sheet, or curtain that you no longer use into a unique shower curtain.
If you’re on the way to renovating your bathroom, think about glass shower panels that will last much longer than a shower curtain, and look a lot nicer too. It’s an investment, but one that’s worth it in the long run.
Ditch the Disposable Razors
Disposable razors are not only bad for the environment, but they’re also bad for your wallet. A good quality razor that you can reuse will cost you more upfront, but it will last much longer and save you money in the long run. You can find reusable razors made from sustainable materials like bamboo.
Replace Your Towels With Eco-Friendly Options
Towels are things that we use and then wash and use again. But not all towels are created equal when it comes to their environmental impact. Traditional towels are made from cotton, which is a water-intensive crop. And they often contain harmful chemicals from the dyes and finishes used on them.
Eco-friendly towels are made from sustainable materials like bamboo or hemp. They use less water to produce and don’t contain harmful chemicals. And they’re just as soft and absorbent as traditional towels.
Let Your Towels Air Dry
After you shower, hang your towels up to dry instead of throwing them in the dryer. This simple change can save a lot of energy. Clothes dryers account for 6% of household energy use. If you must use a dryer, make sure to clean the lint trap. A build-up of lint can make your dryer less efficient.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Most commercial cleaning products are full of harmful chemicals. And those chemicals can end up in our water supply when we use them and then flush them down the drain.
Eco-friendly cleaning products are made from natural ingredients and are just as effective as their chemical-laden counterparts. You can find them at your local grocery or health food store, or you can make your own.
Use a Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Toilet bowl cleaners are some of the most toxic cleaning products. They’re full of harmful chemicals that can be dangerous to your health. And they often end up in our water supply when we use them and then flush them down the drain.
Fortunately, there are some non-toxic alternatives. You can find toilet bowl cleaners from natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. Or you can even make your own to save money and avoid those harmful chemicals.
Make Your Own Bathroom Cleaners
Hello DYI lovers, you can make your own bathroom cleaners with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. For instance, vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner. And You can use baking soda to clean and deodorize many surfaces in your bathroom.
There are lots of recipes for DIY eco-friendly cleaning products online. Or you can experiment and come up with your own. Make sure you test them on a small area first to ensure they don’t cause any damage.
Switch to Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is something that we use and then flush down the toilet. So it’s important to choose an eco-friendly brand. Although it may sound silly, not all toilet paper is created equal for its environmental impact.
Eco-friendly toilet paper is made from sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled paper. And it’s usually chlorine-free, which means it doesn’t contribute to the production of harmful chemicals like dioxins. You should look for brands that use recycled paper or paper from sustainable forests and avoid brands that use bleaches or other toxic chemicals in their products.
Invest in Eco-Friendly Beauty Products
Many of the beauty products we use end up in our water supply. And those chemicals can be harmful to both our health and the environment. So it’s important to choose eco-friendly beauty products, at least some of the time.
Fortunately, there are more and more eco-friendly beauty products on the market. You can find eco-friendly shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and even makeup. Again, these products may be slightly more expensive than their conventional counterparts, but they’re worth it for your health and the environment.
Save Energy by Taking Shorter Showers
Showering is one of the most significant uses of water in the home. In fact, showers use more water than any other appliance. So if you want to save water, you need to take shorter showers.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your showers under five minutes. And if you want to save water, try to keep them under three minutes. You may not be used to such a short shower, but you’ll get used to it after a while, and your water bill will thank you.
The Bottom Line
Making your bathroom more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. There are several small changes you can make that will significantly impact. The best part is that most of these changes will also save you money in the long run. So there’s really no excuse not to go green in your bathroom.
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