Bathroom Swaps
4 min read
1. Toothbrush Swap that plastic toothbrush that will NEVER decompose for a bamboo compostable toothbrush. There are many brands you can choose from, but make sure you pick the one that best suits you and comes in the least packaging as possible.
2. Floss
Toss that floss! (don't be wasteful, finish it first) But seriously, use silk floss. It will compost down, and comes in a reusable glass container with a metal lid.
3. Shampoo
Most shampoos contain parabens and sulfates that actually dry your hair out, and come in plastic packaging. Yuck! Make the switch to shampoo and conditioner bars, they come in zero packaging and are natural and good for you hair.
4. Toothpaste
There are many options when it comes to zero waste toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste, and I have a recipe for it here. You can buy toothpaste in a recyclable tube, or get toothpaste tabs. Test them all and find out the best for you!
5. Tongue scraper
These nifty little things are great for getting off any extra bacteria left on your tongue, and are metal!
6. Mouth wash
Many mouth washes dry out your mouth and actually cause more bacteria growth which leads to bad breath. You can replace those awful brands in plastic containers, and make your own! I have a recipe here for a super moisturizing mouth wash, thats zero waste!
7. Toilet paper
Remember that plastic that wraps your toilet paper? Well, its sitting in a landfill somewhere. Sickening right? Eliminate anymore plastic bits entering landfills and buy toilet paper wrapped in paper. You can add the packaging right into your compost pile, along with the cardboard tube it is wrapped on.
8. Body wash
For body wash some prefer a liquid soap and others a bar. If you prefer a liquid soap try to find a store where you can buy it in bulk and refill your container each time. If you prefer a bar soap, find a place that sells natural soaps with little to no packaging.
9. Body scrub
Body scrubs tend to contain plastic beads to exfoliate your skin. More times than not those beads will end up in the ocean. Instead of buying plastic filled scrub, you can make your own. There is a recipe for that here. You can store this in a mason jar in your shower and reuse every time.
10. Lotion
To reduce the plastic waste in the bathroom, swap out that lotion bottle for coconut oil in a glass jar. This will leave you super smooth and may I remind you, zero waste. ;)
11. Menstrual cup & pads
Yes, yes, this is a "gross" topic but, if left alone it could become a huge issue. The menstruation cup has health benefits along with environmental ones as well. Tampon companies are not required to disclose any chemicals or materials added to their products. I made the switch to a reusable menstruation cup to do my body better AND the environment! For pads, you can find cloth pads that are reusable and machine washable that are made with 100% natural cotton that leaves you feeling clean. Once your pads have reaches their end of life you can compost them down in fabric compost.
12. Loofah
Your typical loofah is made of plastic that sits in your shower and grows lots of bacteria, these again will take many years to compost down. A better alternative for you body and earth would be a natural loofah or sea sponge that break down, and can properly dry in your shower.
13. Razor
Swap out your ordinary disposable razor, for a stainless steel safety razor. The razor blades can be recycled in razor or metal recycling. The handle itself can me used countless times and pays for itself after 2 months!