Sustainable Showers (and biodegradable 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!)
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.
Friendly soaps on ropes!
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.
Miniml refillable body washes (and bubble bath)
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).
Do you need a water-saving shower head?
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.
Silicone Hair Catcher (for shower cubicles)
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.
Duwax (a wax cotton shower curtain)
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.
ShowerBox (free showers for homeless people)
ShowerBox (London, Birmingham and Barking) offers free mobile showers to prevent infections and skin issues, and enhance self-care for better chance of finding a job and stable home. Users also get hot drinks, fresh undies and free use of hair clippers.
Homeless people also need free public toilets (they can be arrested for indecency if urinating or removing clothes in public places). If there are no hostels, what are they supposed to do?
Rome, Miami and San Francisco all have dedicated free toilets for homeless people, why are we so far behind? It’s also safer for everyone, as addicts have safe disposal bins, for used needles.
We could also do with something like Orange Sky Australia (volunteers drive vans to different towns, so homeless people can take showers and launder their clothes for free).
Read more on how to help homeless people (and homeless people with dogs).
