How to Create a Green, Eco-Friendly Bathroom
When it comes to going green, the possibilities are endless, which can be daunting. Where do you even start? How much will it cost? How long will it take to actually make a difference?
These are just some of the questions you may be asking, and they’re all valid. We’re here to address those concerns and put your worrying mind at ease. If there’s one thing you take away from this post, let it be that it’s okay to start small. Small victories lead to bigger ones.
So, with that in mind, we’re going to start small right along with you, in one of the smallest places in your home — your bathroom! Don’t feel that you have to implement every single green practice or product that we suggest.
Try out a few things, and when you realize just how satisfying it is to be an advocate and supporter of going green, add a couple more. The satisfaction and savings you receive by using these products and practices will only continue to grow.
So without further ado, here are five ways you can go green in your bathroom.
5 Green Tips for an Eco-Friendly Bathroom
Test for Toilet Leaks
Your toilet could be the source of significant money and water waste. Unfortunately, you cannot always hear a toilet leak. In order to test for toilet leaks, all you need is a few drops of food coloring. If you don’t already have food coloring, you can purchase it at your local grocery store for under $2.00.
Put a few drops of food dye into the toilet tank and then wait about 10 minutes. Then, look in the toilet bowl to see if the coloring has seeped into the bowl. If the water has changed color, you have a leak on your hands. Side note — don’t flush your toilet during this process.
If your toilet is leaking, address this issue in a prompt manner. Ignoring a leaking toilet could waste up to 1,000 gallons of water every month! Fixing bathroom leaks can be easy or difficult. It just depends on your situation.
Watch the video below to see if you can fix the toilet leak yourself. Most likely, you’ll need to either adjust the toilet chain or replace the flapper.
Use this toilet diagram as a reference:
If you can’t fix your toilet leak, call your local plumber and have them come fix the leak.
Turn the Sink Off While Brushing and Washing
Breaking this habit can have a big impact on your water use. Once you’ve started a brushin’ let the water stop a rushin’. Doing so will save about 4 gallons a minute. For a family, that’s hundreds of gallons per week.
Over the course of a month, you can save upwards of 400 gallons and put some green into your bathroom and wallet.
Limit Showers to 2 Minutes
Around 80% of our daily water usage happens in the bathroom, with showers accounting for most of that use. We can reduce our water use and save a lot of money by aiming to keep our showers under 2 minutes.
Here are some tips for taking shorter showers:
- Take cold showers. Not only will this cut down on your shower time, but cold showers also have many additional benefits, including increased alertness, stimulating weight loss, reducing stress, and improving circulation.
- Listen to 2-minute shower songs. To respond to the Cape Town water crisis, South Africa’s biggest artists teamed up to recreate their top tracks to help make 2-minute showers fun and euphonious. Listen to them on Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
Use Safe, Natural Products
Just because a product is popular and smells good does not mean it’s safe. When it comes to keeping the air in your bathroom smelling fresh and clean, it’s important to use products that won’t harm the quality of your air or the environment. While aerosol cans are no longer contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer, they’re still harmful to the environment.
According to Scientific American, aerosol cans “still contain hydrocarbons and/or compressed gases notorious for their contribution to global warming.”
Instead of using aerosol sprays, opt for natural, environmentally friendly products. Consider using Poo~Pourri, a safe disinfectant spray that’s known for preventing bad odors from leaving the toilet, and of course, for their witty commercials.
In terms of beauty products, you may be surprised how many toxins get released, not just into the air, but also on our bodies. Research the next product you plan to buy and make sure it is natural and eco-friendly.
Additionally, if you are thinking about painting your bathroom, make sure you use paint with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Install Faucet Aerators and Low-Flow Fixtures
Most bathroom faucets have them, but check if yours has a high-efficiency faucet aerator installed. Faucet aerators reduce your water use, much like low-flow shower heads, making it quick and easy to earn your money back.
Aerators are easy to clean and install. Just watch this video:
When it comes to installing a low-flow showerhead, toilet, faucet, or urinal, look for the WaterSense® label.
For more tips on going green in your bathroom, ask us about:
- Low-Flow Showerheads, Toilets, and Faucets
- Dual-Flush Toilets
- Energy-Efficient Bathroom Lighting
- Tankless Water Heaters
If you notice any plumbing leaks, have them fixed immediately! One leaky toilet can easily waste over 6,000 gallons of water a month.
Contact Fix-It 24/7 for expert plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical service in Denver and the surrounding areas.
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