9 simple ways you can make your bathroom more eco-friendly

Shampoo bottles, disposable razors, plastic toothbrushes – our bathrooms are littered with, well, just that – litter. Luckily, there are innovative products out there to help you reduce your global footprint, one product at a time.

Shampoo bars

You thought soap bars were just for your body? Ho-ho, think again! Shampoo bars are the latest eco-friendly craze. The bars are made from natural materials, often without the icky chemicals which strip hair of its natural oils and moisture. And once the bar’s used up, there’s no clunky plastic bottle to throw into the ocean – hooray!

Walnut scrub

Australia has been slow in banning the microbead – the little plastic beads are found in literally thousands of personal care products. The little suckers have terrible environmental effects, and often end up back in the fish we eat. And they’re so unnecessary. Natural alternatives – such as body lotions with crushed walnut shell – do an even better job of exfoliating the skin, without killing the planet.

Bamboo toothbrush

How many toothbrushes do you think you’ve used in your life? 50? 100? 500? They’ll all be sitting in landfill for the next 900 years. Bamboo toothbrushes are made from sustainable bamboo, are completely organic and, best of all, are fully compostable. You can even buy a year’s subscription, and have a toothbrush mailed to you every month.

Mooncup

Men, look away – this one’s for the ladies.

Mooncups are soft silicone cups designed to catch menstrual fluids, without the need for plastic-wrapped and non-degradable feminine hygiene products. The look might scare you at first – but I promise, it’s not that bad. The cup folds up for insertion, blocks any leakage, and only needs to be emptied a couple of times a day.

Who gives a crap

Feel even more relaxed on the loo knowing you’re doing something good too. Who Gives a Crap toilet paper is made from 100% recycled paper – not trees! – have no inks, dyes, or scents, and donate a whopping 50% of their profits to help build toilets to communities in need.

Reusable make-up wipe

Removing makeup is an absolute essential, unless you want to end up like that woman with mascara deposits in her eyelids – no thank you! And sometimes, makeup is necessary – how else would we hide that hangover at work? But don’t use harsh chemicals or disposable wipes – the Face Halo is a reusable microfiber pad that uses water to get rid of makeup.

Soap bar

I know what you’re thinking – soap bars are old, gross, and used solely by grandparents. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Head over to the Queen Victoria Market to find some handmade, fabulous smelling bars infused with pressed petals. Wrap it up in beeswax paper or a cute altoid tin, and take it travelling to avoid throwaway plastic bottles.

Stainless steel razor

The US EPA estimates two billion razors are thrown away each year. That’s a lot of hairy plastic. Instead, invest in a stainless steel razor – the initial cost is higher, but replacement blades are cheap, and can last more than a month if dried between uses. Replacement blades are also recyclable – though dispose of them in a can for safety.

Bamboo towels

Bamboo is one of the most sustainable solutions on the planet. It can grow over a metre a day, is resilient, and needs no fertilizers or pesticides. Plus, it’s great for your skin too. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and more absorbent than cotton. It’s also soft and silky to the touch, making for a luxurious pampering experience.