Sustainable Bathroom Guide: It can often be the most wasteful room in the house, but these simple tips will aid you towards the goal of creating an earth-conscious and sustainable bathroom space.
By Liz Buckley and Marie Nieves
What is an eco-friendly bathroom?
An eco-friendly bathroom minimizes the use of resources, wastes and energy. There are different ways to do this – from installing LED lighting to using water-efficient products.
The benefits of eco-friendly bathrooms are numerous – they reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your utility bill. They also provide positive health effects like improved indoor air quality by adding plants or aromatherapy diffusers (the latter treats odors like mold).
Is taking a bath sustainable?
The water consumption of a bath can be anywhere from 1.7 to 12 gallons. It is dependent on the size of the tub and the amount of time spent in it. If you are trying to cut back on your water usage, you can use a shower instead or find more eco-friendly baths, like stand-alone tubs available in the market.
Could taking a bath be sustainable? The answer is yes, but not without some effort. By taking shorter and less frequent baths, you can save up to 20% less water than if you were constantly taking baths every day. You should also limit the time you spend in the tub and hold off on using more soaps and shampoos.
Is taking a shower sustainable?
Showers are one of the most common areas where people consume water. Americans use nearly 400 gallons of water in the shower in a single day. One way that can help reduce this amount is by taking shorter showers or turning off the shower while you brush your teeth.
For those who care about the environment and want to take a shower that is as eco-friendly as possible, here are some things you can do. You can use less water, avoid excess heat, and reduce your carbon footprint by adjusting and controlling the water temperature and flow. You will have to ensure that it has a low flow to conserve water. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you could purchase a heated shower head that uses electricity rather than natural gas or oil for its heating element. Alternatively, if you don’t like using your shower head for temperature control purposes, another option is to install an energy-efficient shower head that uses less water for heating purposes.
Showers are one of the most important aspects of our daily lives. They are an essential part of our hygiene, but they can also contribute to a significant amount of resource consumption that substantially impacts the environment. This is why reducing shower time is an essential step for sustainable bathroom practices. A 25-minute shower can consume as much as 250 gallons of water per year!
Some people might be hesitant to cut down on their shower time because it takes so long to get clean. But, ponder the benefits of taking shorter showers, like saving money by using less soap and shampoo, minimizing water use and minimizing air pollution by decreasing shower times.
6 Tips for a Sustainable Bathroom
Bid Farewell to Single-Use Bottles
With the prevalence of disposable plastic bottles, it has become increasingly difficult to reuse them. Single-use bottles create a lot of waste. Say good-bye to single-use bottles and welcome eco-friendly and sustainable bathrooms.
A growing number of products have started to feature eco-friendly packaging that’s more sustainable than their traditional counterparts, such as reusable bags and bottles. Some companies have taken it one step further by offering refillable packages that can be used over and over again!
Use Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Shampoo and conditioner bars are a popular trend in the world of hair care. They are eco-friendly and are for multiple uses.
These shampoo and conditioner bars have been around for years now, but the trend is just starting to gain momentum with consumers. By using shampoo and conditioner bars, you can create a sustainable bathroom. These products contain less packaging waste and are more affordable than traditional bars.
Add Plants
Plants are a natural way to create an eco-friendly, sustainable bathroom. They will make your bathroom feel more cozy and natural. Some plants like ferns and ivy can beautify the fixtures, while others like orchids and birds of paradise thrive on the extra humidity. Plants can absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Additionally, plants can help the room’s air quality because they can remove toxins from the air that human bodies release by breathing.
Line Dry Instead of Using a Machine
While many people are going the machine-to-dry route, some people have found a less expensive and more eco-friendly alternative. Line drying your clothes and towels is not only cheaper, but it can potentially be more efficient.
Line drying your towels can save you a lot of money by lowering energy consumption and can reduce your carbon footprint.
Save Water with Every Flush
The average toilet consumes over 10,000 gallons of water each year. Dual flush systems or low-flow fixtures installed in bathrooms can help you save water while also reducing the amount of water wasted from flushed toilets. These systems are available in the market for commercial and residential bathrooms, and they come in different sizes to meet your needs.
Consider Skincare & Makeup Ingredients Before Purchasing
When it comes to skincare and makeup, most of us know that the ingredients used in these products may be harmful to our health. Switching out some of these for more natural alternatives is a great way to reduce the environmental impact in our bathrooms. A perfect example of this is the beeswax-free and vegan lipsticks you may have seen on sale recently at your local store.
Many cosmetics companies are now offering more vegan options due to consumers’ increasing concern about animal testing and sustainability issues, and some skincare brands are likewise taking steps towards sustainability. To make cosmetic and skincare products more sustainable, companies should consider skincare ingredients and environmental impact before coming up with their products.
Based on these tips, you can see that creating your own eco-friendly, sustainable bathroom is possible with some simple changes and without too much effort. All you need is the willingness to implement these changes and improvements in your home.
Greening Your Home: More Sustainable Bathroom Upgrades
By Marie Nieves
When it comes to big upgrades and sustainable households, bathrooms are probably not the first thing that crosses anyone’s mind. But bathrooms are all about utility and, in such circumstances, even small upgrades can lead to tectonic environmental and financial benefits.
Let us take a look then at some of the steps that every homeowner, experienced or not, can take to transform their bathroom into a genuine eco-friendly heaven. They might range from low-flow fixtures to harnessing natural light, but they will all set you in a more sustainable, greener direction.
The Potential of Low-Flow Fixtures
Let’s start with a simple yet impactful upgrade: low-flow fixtures. These eco-friendly alternatives to traditional bathroom fixtures can do wonders in terms of cutting your consumption at the very core. For instance, a low-flow toilet uses much less water per flush, saving you money on your water bill while conserving this precious resource. Low-flow showerheads are equally effective – they manage water usage without compromising your daily experience.
Furthermore, let us not forget the water you use needs to be heated – lowering water consumption keeps energy consumption in check as well.
Brighten Up with Natural Light
Maximizing natural light in your bathroom not only lowers your energy consumption but also creates a welcoming ambiance. This number can be simply addressed with larger windows or skylights which allow for abundant sunlight during the day. This way you will cut your household’s dependence on in-house lights and, in turn, electric energy.
To address privacy concerns, opt for frosted or textured glass that allows light to enter while maintaining your solitude. Leveraging the power of natural light primarily means taming wastes. Take improved visual appeal as an added bonus.
Also, it is good to remember that some countries like Australia are providing incentives for sustainable households. Implementing the upgrades in this vein can open the way to some very lucrative rebates and grants.
Monitor, Maintain, and Save
Once you’ve used as many sustainable le upgrades as you can, it’s crucial to monitor them and see the results they are putting on. Regularly check for leaks in your low-flow fixtures and address them promptly to prevent water wastage. Also, sticking to eco-friendly cleaning routines ensures the room remains clean and emerald green. The same goes for the plumbing network since water preservation is an integral part of green initiatives.
This is a good time to mention that you should try to find only reliable professionals and stick with them since plumbers who know your in-house pipe network and plumbing quirks will be able to drastically cut response times and keep water waste at a minimum. Let’s take Australia as an example once more. If you live in Brisbane, look for an experienced plumber from Belmont or some other nearby neighborhood to ensure timely reactions.
Sustainable Materials for a Greener Look
When it’s time to revamp your bathroom’s aesthetics, choose sustainable materials and eco-friendly finishes. Bamboo and cork, both renewable resources, make excellent choices for flooring and cabinetry. Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and adhesives not only protect indoor air quality but also promote a healthier living environment. Choosing sustainable materials and finishes reduces your and sets the foundations for a bathroom that’s both beautiful and pleasant to stay in.
Repurpose and Reduce Waste
Before embarking on a full bathroom renovation, consider what elements can be repurposed. A fresh paint layer can breathe new life into an old bathroom vanity. If you are creative you can go for a full spa vibe. Like in the previous examples, this level of frugality reduces waste as well as saves tangible sums of money.
Other outlets for disposable fixtures and materials are initiatives Habitat for Humanity that offer help to the ones who need it the most. The green movement is not about protecting the environment as much as setting human society on sustainable foundations as well.
Eco-Conscious Cleaning and Personal Care Products
Your bathroom’s sustainability isn’t just about the space itself. The time you spend here is the time spent using certain types of products. Well, try to ditch the ones dangerous to the environment and look for biodegradable soaps, shampoos, and cleaners. Replace disposable paper towels with reusable cleaning cloths.
This may sound superfluous at first, but you will make your household a healthier place to be. And after all, what are environmental struggles for if you are going to compromise your personal well-being as soon as you enter your home?
Wrapping-up
In the very end, making your bathroom more eco-friendly is a practical and responsible choice that benefits both the environment and your budget. Low-flow fixtures, natural lighting, sustainable materials, repurposing, eco-friendly products, and regular maintenance are all steps you can take to create a greener bathroom. We hope you will focus your efforts in this direction since your life, your budget and your environment can do nothing but benefit from the actions you are going to take. So, roll up your sleeves and make sure your bathroom starts shining in bright green colors.
Author bio: Marie Nieves is a passionate blogger with an eye for design, a flair for storytelling, and a love for culture. She contributes regularly to various blogs and online magazines, all while satisfying her wanderlust by exploring states and countries near and far.