The Many Benefits of a Relaxing Bath
Epsom salts (named after the Surrey town) contain magnesium, so can soothe tired joints and muscles, especially after workout. A cup in the tub is enough, even a short soak can refresh tired legs.
Do not use Epsom salts on broken skin. Avoid for diabetes, kidney disease, eating disorders or low-magnesium diets. Stop if you notice skin irritation, itching, or dizziness.
Epsom salts are better than dead sea salt, from a sea that is dying. Despite the name, it supports 500 million birds (300 species) who rest during migration and many plants, fish, leopards and ibex.
If you do use scent, add a few drops of sustainable aromatherapy oils (not for pregnancy/nursing) to a warm bath and swish the water.
If you use ‘bath water diverters’, choose unscented biodegradable bath products (even sea salt could harm plants).
Bath Time Safety Tips
Avoid very hot baths (especially for heart/blood pressure conditions and pregnancy/nursing), avoid slippery oils and stand up slowly. Avoid
Avoid use of pet-toxic plants (also read giving dogs baths). Avoid facing plants to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows).
Safety for Baby Baths
NHS has a 2-minute video by a midwife (never leave babies alone, and avoid seats that can quickly detach). Run cold water first (test adding hot water with your wrist or elbow). Keep your baby’s head clear of the water, and don’t bathe straight after feeds (or if baby is hungry or tired). Avoid baby oils and talcum powder (don’t use cotton buds to clean ears, the cause of most infections).
Superbee Natural Loofah (to exfoliate the skin)
If you use a soak in the bath to remove dull flaky skin, choose a natural loofah (ENGLANDNAT10 for 10% discount) made from dried fibres of the luffa gourd). They even help with gentle circulation (always brush towards the heart, and avoid for medical conditions).
Unlike real sponges (real creatures cut away by divers with knives), these are natural exfoliators, when wet. Keep them air-dried, to avoid mould. After a few months, cut up and compost. Loofahs can result in fewer blackheads, and less ingrown hairs on legs and underarms.
Reborn: Recycled Plastic Bathroom Accessories
Reborn is a Wiltshire company, which makes quality bathroom accessories from reclaimed plastic waste, which helps reduce companies importing virgin plastic from Asia.
Designed to last years, the items are in mostly stone or grey or black, to blend in with any bathroom design. The range includes:
- A soap dish to help palm-oil-free vegan soaps drain quickly. It’s easy to clean, thanks to the smooth surface. Plus a liquid soap dispenser (with a wide stable base).
- A bathroom caddy (the raised surfaces allow air-flow and prevent mould).
- Holders for dental items (never use xylitol brands near pets).
We don’t recommend the toilet brush, as even recycled plastic could leach into the sea. Use a cloth or LuBeka toilet brush alternative.
To get virgin plastic bathroom waste items out of your town forever, have your community order a TerraCycle Bathroom Waste Box (everyone can pool a few pounds to pay). Then when full, it’s sent off using the prepaid label, and everything is made into piping or garden benches.
Stone Bath Mats (guaranteed for life)
Natural Step Bath Mats are a step up from soggy fabric bath mats, which soon become mouldy from constant use. And as around half of all people in England don’t put the loo seat down after flushing, all that airborne bacteria ends up on bath mats! These bath mats are bit more pricey, but designed to last for life.
These mats absorb 5 times their weight in water, yet still feel dry to the touch, as water quickly evaporates. The mats dry in seconds, and also grip the floor, to avoid moving on slippery surfaces.
To clean stone bath mats, just wash with mild soap water weekly, rinse and air-dry. You can brush off dust or hair with a soft broom.
I am a complete convert, who will never go back to fabric mats. Less water everywhere after my shower, and stay in position much better than my old mat, which I sometimes slipped on.
Dip & Doze (organic cotton towel bales)
So it’s the end of your bath! So rather than wrapping your body up in a scratchy polyester towel, indulge in some Dip & Doze organic cotton towels sold in sets of four, in neutral colours to blend with any bathroom design.
Unlike synthetic materials, these can safely be laundered, without leaching microplastics from washing machines into the sea. Avoid fabric conditioners, as they reduce absorbency.
Organic cotton is not just good for the planet, wildlife and farmers, but as the fibres are not treated with chemicals, they tend to last longer too. To reduce bacteria build-up, hang up after use, and wash hand after every couple of uses.
If using old towels to transport creatures to wildlife rescue shelters, remove the tassels (they could tangle in paws and claws).
