Zero-waste bathroom swaps: How to make your bathroom routine eco-friendly

Bathroom routines can take a bit of time. Whether it’s your morning shower, evening skincare ritual or your weekly wipe of the surfaces, when you stop and think about it there are a lot of products being used. Unfortunately, for most of us, this means a lot of single-use plastic and waste. However, it’s possible to do your bit to help the planet with these eco-friendly swaps.

Bamboo: Plastic-free bathroom swaps

As a rapidly renewable resource, bamboo is an ideal product for your sustainable home. It only takes five years to grow to maturity, meaning that it’s better to use than hardwood which can take decades to grow. Thankfully bamboo is increasing in popularity as a result, so it’s easy to swap some of your products. Next time you need to buy toothbrushes, cotton buds or razors, opt for more eco-friendly bamboo versions.

Stay fresh with natural deodorants

There has been a bit of negative buzz surrounding aluminium in antiperspirant deodorant, so natural deodorants are on the rise. Instead of reducing sweat like aluminium does, natural deodorants often use drying ingredients like baking soda as well as antibacterial oils and waxes to tackle body odour.

You may need a few days for your body to adjust but then you should find a natural deodorant can be just as effective. Try Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant and see how you get on.

Ditch cotton wool for reusable cotton pads

Thorough make-up removal is important for the skin – but unfortunately, this can often mean a lot of cotton wool going in the bin.

This doesn’t need to be the case: have you ever considered reusable cotton pads? There are plenty on the market – and you can even make your own. Simply pop them in the wash with your usual items and reuse once they’re dry.

Switch up your sanitary products

It’s no surprise that regular tampons, sanitary towels and pantyliners – often all flushed down the loo - are no good for the environment.

The good news is that there are eco-friendly swaps for all of them. You can buy or even make reusable cotton pads and pantyliners which you can simply wash after every use. Eco-friendly tampons are not reusable but there are some available that are 100% cotton and completely biodegradable.

That’s in addition to the most hyped reusable period product of all – the menstrual cup. Made of medical-grade silicone, it’s long-lasting, recyclable and you can sterilise it after each use.

There’s even special leak-free underwear for periods which absorbs the liquid, meaning you don’t have to use any other period product. Again, you can stick them in the wash like normal, ready to use again the next month.

Wash your body with cotton shower puffs

Shower puffs are great; they exfoliate and you don’t have to use as much shower gel as you would do otherwise. However, most of them are single-use plastic which is a no-no in an eco-friendly home. This one is a very simple swap though – there are now cotton shower puffs on the market, which you can just wash when they need it then reuse.

Stay on top of the cleaning with reusable bathroom wipes

Your new zero-waste bathroom routine doesn’t need to stop at personal care. Use old cloths, fabric swatches – or even cloths you’ve made yourself with unwanted cotton clothes - to reduce waste and you’ll get the same results with your own cleaning solution. Here’s how to do it:

1. Pour 125ml of white vinegar and 250ml of distilled water into a jar and mix well

2. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oils

3. Add a couple more of lemon extract

4. Gradually add your cloths into the jar and turn them so they absorb all the liquid

5. Seal the jar tightly and voila! Each batch should last about two weeks – and you can simply wash the cloths once you’ve used them.