Go green in the bathroom
The bathroom is a great place to go green: it's a room where you typically find lots of toxic chemicals; and water and energy usage in the bathroom often far outstrip its modest size relative to the rest of the house.
If you can find ways to cut down on chemicals and resource consumption in the bathroom, you can improve your impact on the environment. Here are some ideas:
1. Think Organic Cotton
Bath linens made from organic cotton are not only comfy and soft, but they require less pesticide to produce than regular cotton towels. Manufacturers that use the slightly more expensive organic cotton also tend to use natural dyes and softeners that are less toxic to the environment than man-made chemicals and are gentler on sensitive skin.
Consider replacing your vinyl shower curtain with a heavy cotton duck curtain. The plastic in a shower curtain is PVC, and the plasticizers in PVC are hormone disrupters. Those toxic ingredients can become airborne. At the very least, air out the curtain in the sun until it doesn't smell anymore.
2. Try an All-Natural Approach
Natural bath products are friendlier to your skin than chemical-laden offerings from major cosmetics companies and they won't create toxic air pollution. Shop around for natural touches such as 100 percent beeswax candles, which are natural air fresheners and do not contain potentially harmful petroleum products, and handmade soaps.
A bathroom in harmony with nature can be a true oasis. Create an ambiance in your bathroom that is beautiful and serene by using whatever elements connect you personally to nature. My own bathroom was once a very dark, dingy place, but I put in a deep soaking tub and windows on two sides so I could lie in the bath and look out at the sky. It's really beautiful.
3. Be Water-Wise
A low-flow showerhead can reduce water consumption by 30 percent, yet still provide a pressurised spray. Another nifty gadget, a grey-water diverter, sends used water from the shower or bath to a collection container (such as a JoJo tank) for distribution to your garden.
4. Use Recycled Building Products
Remodelling your bathroom? Seek out tile made from recycled materials for floors, baths, showers and countertops. Thanks to recycling's popularity, colours and finishes are plentiful. Recycled glass tile and concrete countertops are particularly popular choices in today's bathrooms, as is Bamboo flooring, furniture and countertops.
5. Clean Green
Finally, get rid of the harsh chemicals you use to clean tubs and toilets. Pay attention to the warning labels on cleaning products; the terms used, from least to most toxic, are 'caution', 'warning' and 'poison/danger'. Aim for products that say 'caution' only or seek out environment-conscious brands.
Lest you think green cleaners can't do tough jobs, try this solution for clogged drains: pour a cup of dry baking soda down the drain followed by three cups of boiling water. If the clog doesn't dislodge, follow with a cup of vinegar. The fizzy reaction should overpower even the most stubborn clogs.
