Sustainable Showers: How to Cut Water and Energy Bills

We all know that showers use less water than baths. And in today’s modern world, many people prefer them. But of course even power showers use a lot of water and energy. And there are other issues like toxic shower gels, and blocked drains full of hair etc. Let’s look at a few ways to take a more sustainable shower.

New showers should be find. Older showers may benefit from water-saving showerheads (which aerate so it’s like a rain shower but saves money). To check if you need one:

Place a 2-litre container on the shower floor. If it takes less than 12 seconds to fill when shower is running on full, you could benefit from a low-flow shower, which is easily replaced.

If you need one, your water board may offer one for free. Always use a qualified electrician to fit one. Always check as some are not suitable for certain showers or gravity-fed systems.

If your showerhead is clogged with limescale, Mira has a post on how to fix (and prevent) using cleaning vinegar (instructions are different for fixed showerheads). Learn how to fix a dripping showerhead.

The biggest financial cost of taking a shower is not the water, but the cost of heating the water. So simply don’t spend half an hour in the shower, if you want to lower your bills!

Also take showers off-peak, if you’re on a time-of-use tariff. Keeping the room warm through closed doors and draught excluders will also mean you are less likely to need a hotter shower.

Due to detergents you can’t really use shower water for other purposes. But one thing you can do if you wish, is to use a bowl or bucket to catch it, and then use it to flush the loo. It may be a bit ‘hippy’, but if you’re on a water meter, this could save you lots of bills.

How water-saving showerheads work?

Water-saving showerheads simply work by restricting the flow of water and mix it with air, to maintain strong pressure while using less water. Some reduce water usage by up to 50%, by altering how water is delivered.

Depending on the models used, the showerhead may force air into the water stream, restrict flow, or pulsate or give out ‘spinning droplets’.

Some heads use ‘laminar flow’, which creates non-aerated individual streams of water that retain heat better, and provide a ‘soaking sensation’, while still using less water!

Panda bamboo towels are made from the world’s fastest-growing grass, so naturally eco-friendly and anti-bacterial, ideal to wrap up warm after a relaxing bath or shower. Made from a blend of bamboo and quality cotton, they are sold in a beautiful array of natural shades and sizes.

Sold with a 1-year guarantee, the bamboo means these towels become softer each wash, instead of scratchy. And are beautifully absorbent. There are also matching towels for children (with cute panda ears!)

Bath safety tips (for adults and children)

Choose unscented bath products if pregnant/nursing. If you use bath water diverters (that hang out the window to reuse water for the garden), only choose unscented biodegradable products – even sea salt could harm plants and pets/birds/wildlife drinking the water below). 

Test the water before you get in the bath, and always stand up slowly when you get out (avoid very hot baths for heart/blood pressure conditions and pregnancy/nursing. Limit baths to 30 minutes or so, and avoid slippery bath oils (a non-slip bath mat helps to stay safe too).

NHS has a 2-minute video by a midwife on safe baby baths (never leave babies alone for a second, and avoid bath seats, as these can quickly detach).

When running a bath, test temperature by adding hot water with your wrist or elbow, keep your baby’s head clear of the water, and don’t bath straight after feeds (nor if a baby is hungry or tired). Avoid baby oils and talcum powder (don’t use cotton buds to clean ears, the cause of most infections).

Keeping pets safe near bathrooms 

Avoid pet-toxic plants in bathrooms or other rooms (read more on pet-friendly gardens – some indoor plants like lilies or sago palm  can even harm, by a tail brushing past). Likewise, keep scented oils (esp. citrus) away from pets (never use xylitol toothpastes – or gums/baked goods containing it – in homes with pets).

Avoid facing indoor plants to outdoor gardens (and use curtains/blinds/screens over windows), to help stop birds flying into windows.

Zero waste shower gels

Green People Aloe Shampoo & Shower Wash is a super two-in-one organic way to keep clean, ideal for travel. Free from harsh foaming agents or scalp-irritating alcohol, this gentle organic formula contains just 10 ingredients and is cented with a light floral lavender scent. Sold in a sugar-cane squeezy tube, that’s easy to recycle.

As essential oils should be be avoided for pregnancy/nursing, choose the a scent-free shampoo instead.

This shampoo & shower gel contains:

• Aloe vera (soothes and hydrates hair)
• Lavender oil (soothing and calming)
• Lavandin oil (anti-inflammatory)

Many zero waste beauty brands use cocoa butter and citrus oils in some skin creams (and zinc oxide) in sunscreen. Wash and rinse all of these ingredients off, before letting pets kiss you, as all are toxic. Read more on natural sun protection. 

Miniml Bodywash & Bubblebaths are the ideal swap to keep on hand for an eco-friendly foamy bubble bath (they also double up as shower gels). Made with biodegradable ingredients (and Yorkshire water), all scents are naturally derived, and the bottles can be taken back to shops to be refilled (or use the QR code to send them back for washing, refilling and sending back to you).

Choose from:

• English Lavender & Chamomile
• Nourishing Coconut
• Tea Tree & Mint
• Pink Grapefruit & Aloe Vera

There are discounts for regular subscriptions, and students.

Choose unscented bath products if pregnant/nursing. If you use bath water diverters (that hang out the window to reuse water for the garden), only choose unscented biodegradable products – even sea salt could harm plants and pets/birds/wildlife drinking the water below). 

Silicone hair catcher

Brush your hair before entering the shower, to remove loose strands (especially if you have long dark hair! Each month, pour half a cup of bicarbonate of soda and then 1 cup of cleaning vinegar in the drain, then flush with hot water after 10 to 15 minutes (this keeps pipes running free).

The best preventive measure is a silicone hair catcher. This simply fits over the drain to stop hairs clogging, so you can just remove and bin them.

Never put loose hair (from showers or haircuts) in gardens (not pet fur). Birds don’t need this, it can choke or go mouldy, and even get caught around legs, cutting off circulation. Birds have been making nests for thousands of years, they don’t need our help with ‘extra materials.

It’s good to pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain each week, to melet away built-up soap scum that can trap hair in shower cubicles.

Why avoid chemical drain cleaners?

Chemical drain cleaners are bad for the planet and can also cause toxic burns to you. They can burn your skin and destroy plumbing pipes, and even crack porcelain. When rinsed down sinks they then cause harm to aquatic life and marine systems, and chemicals can even erode sewers over time.

You can recycle empty cleaning bottles at kerbside. For bottles with product, recycle at your local council’s hazardous waste department.

Kleen shower-friendly soaps

Although bar soaps cut out the packaging of plastic shower bottles, they do tend to go a bit squishy. So to rid the hassle of buying slatted soap dishes, you can buy vegan bar soaps (with no palm oil) that are sold with attached ropes. You can then just hang them up after use, and let gravity dry them out.

Choose unscented bathroom toiletries for pregnancy/nursing. And avoid shea butter for latex allergies. 

Kleen Soaps are big chunky bars, which should last a few weeks in the shower. They retain moisturising glycerine, so don’t dry your skin out, like normal soaps. Choose from:

• Unscented oat milk soaps
• Activated charcoal soaps (for acne)
• Floral soaps (for feminine ladies!)
• Exfoliating pumice soaps
• Pink clay & lemongrass (for dry skin)
• Tall, dark and handsome (for men!

Friendly Soaps on Ropes (made in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire) are similar, sold in packs of 6, to save on postage.  There’s an unscented aloe vera soap, ideal for pregnancy/nursing, sensitive skin and allergies. Other versions include:

• Relaxing lavender
• Zingy lemongrass
• Exfoliating peppermint poppyseed
• Woody patchouli sandalwood

For toxic bathroom products, recycle empty bottles with kerbside collections. For bottles with product, dispose of them at your council’s hazardous waste department.

Plastic-free shower curtains

When time comes to replace your mouldy plastic shower curtain, DUWAX is a waxed cotton alternative, that is free from ‘forever chemicals’ and does not cling to your body, when you step out the shower!

Even during use, this shower curtain hangs stable, and is not blown about. The special fabric is not ruined by water (don’t machine-wash) and over time even develops a nice patina. After use, just hang dry (it’s particularly suited to floor-level walk-in showers). Can be custom-made.

Most shower curtain damage is due to limescale deposits. Remove with a paste of citric acid and gently wipe the surface with a plastic-free cloth.

For heavy deposits, immerse the curtain a bucket of diluted citrus acid and water, then rinse thoroughly with clear water. Keep away from children and pets.

Why choose a plastic-free shower curtain?

Shower curtains are often made from nylon, which is basically another word for plastic. They need to be made with oil, help to fund wars and climate change, and often go mouldy. They are often cold and slimy and uncomfortable.

If you don’t have a glass shower screen, a waxed cotton shower curtain is likely the next best thing! Best suited for walk-in showers to hang freely, a waxed shower curtain also drapes well, and won’t ‘cling to your body or blow in’ during your shower.

Just ensure it has good ventilation to dry between uses, and don’t leave standing in pooled water.