So to get you started on making the change to an eco-friendly home, there are many things you can do to make your lavatory much more eco-friendly. That can include little things like adding a bidet toilet seat to limit your use of toilet paper or major things like adding a grey water system to re-use your sink and shower water in your lawn. In addition to those quick ideas, here are some things to consider for going green in the bathroom.
Water Conservation
Water is a precious resource and we can still do more to save for generations to come. Reduce water usage in your bathroom by installing a dual-flush toilet. If a new toilet isn’t within your budget, try this toilet tank trick: Fill a 1-liter plastic bottle with sand, pebbles and water. Put the bottle in your toilet tank away from moving parts. It will displace some of the water in the tank and ultimately use less water the next time you flush.
Speaking of toilets that use less water, you may want to replace your old toilet with a good quality macerating toilet system. This fixture liquifies waste products and decreases the amount of water used in the bathroom, making it ideal if you want an eco-friendly space.
Another way you can reduce water usage is by installing aerating faucets in your sink and shower. Showers are one of the leading methods of wasting water in the bathroom. To conserve water, turn the water off when your washing and shampooing. Using water when it’s time to rinse can help save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water over time!
Non-toxic Cleaners
Because the bathroom is such a small room in a home, ventilation tends to be a problem. Especially when it comes to cleaning. There are plenty of options these days for non-toxic cleaning products, but the best cleaning products are natural ones you can make with ingredients right from your kitchen. Baking soda and vinegar are staples of a home for good reason! Mix the two together to create a simple all-purpose cleaner that will remove surface stains and sanitize your bathroom surfaces without the eye-watering, nose-tingling symptoms of traditional bathroom cleaners.
Natural Fibers
Do you use a shower curtain? If so, is it PVC free? Polyvinyl Chloride plastic, or PVC plastic, releases chemical gases and odors and, more importantly, cannot be recycled. When using shower curtains, use natural, mold resistant curtain materials or PVC-free shower curtains. Your bathroom should also have adequate ventilation to ensure your shower curtain won’t grow mold. The best option for a shower is a glass door, which removes the threat PVC materials pose altogether. You can use natural fibers in other areas of the bathroom as well, such as organic cotton or bamboo towels and washcloths. Bamboo towels are fast drying and made out of a highly sustainable and renewable resource. Organic cotton towels are made without the use of pesticides and harsh chemicals in the weaving process.
Now that you’ve got the basics, you’re ready to make your bathroom a clean, safe, and eco-friendly environment during this Earth Awareness Month. Remember that going green applies to you personally and the environment around you. These eco-friendly tips brought to you by The Bath Outlet.
