These days more and more people are switching to an eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle. With such a tremendous focus on renewable energy and preserving the environment, interior designers and manufacturers have now developed sustainable solutions to problems and renovation techniques that are eco-friendly.
Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house, which means it is susceptible to damages and wastage. With just a few tweaks here and there, you can redesign your bathroom to make it more eco-friendly.
Going green certainly does not mean you compromise on the pleasures of a hot shower or bath, but it helps in maintaining a much-needed balance.
1. Install Fixtures Made of Natural Materials
If you are interested in renovating or redesigning your bathroom to make it more eco-friendly, you can start by changing those archaic fixtures.
Nowadays, interior designers and manufacturers have produced green alternatives for a variety of bathroom accessories and necessities such as cabinets made from natural and organic materials. These are free from dangerous pollutants, chemicals, and materials that can significantly harm the environment once they are disposed of as they are non-recyclable.
You can also opt for countertops which are made of wood, stone, glass, or natural stone such as marble or granite. Not only do these look better but are far more eco-friendly than acrylic, MDF, etc.
2. Use LED or Other Energy-Saving Light Source
There is no better source of light than natural lighting, so we recommend keeping hooded windows in your bathroom to let in the sunlight.
However, if it is wintertime or nighttime, then you may need eco-friendly LED lighting that not only looks spectacular but also saves electricity bills from piling up. LEDs are known to have an 80% to 90% efficiency, which means that most of their energy is transformed into light rather than heat.
Traditional incandescent lighting loses 80% of its energy by producing heat instead of long-lasting light. LEDs also last for decades, unlike traditional bulbs. You can purchase them in different styles like string lights, side lamps, bulbs, etc., and they are also available in a variety of colors.
3. Remove Shower Curtains
Shower curtains made of vinyl are disastrous for the environment. Firstly, they are non-recyclable so alternative ways need to be found to dispose of them. When they are burnt, they produce dangerous fumes laced with chemicals that are not just harmful for the planet, but also for human beings.
According to research conducted by the non-profit organization, Center of Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ), it was found that shower curtains pose a toxic threat to human health.
Better, greener alternatives to shower curtains are non-PVC shower curtains or shower screens. Shower screens are extremely durable and are also much easier to clean on top of being eco-friendly.
4. Repair Damages to Your Toilet
Did you know that your toilet alone uses 27% or more of the water consumed in your home? This is far more than any other equipment or appliances including washing machines, dishwashers, baths, and showers, etc.
One excellent way of transforming your bathroom into an eco-friendly space is by replacing your traditional toilet with a low-flow model that can help in reducing the amount of water wastage. This could save up to 5000 liters of water on average.
Low-flow toilets, which are extremely popular and even mandated in the United States, consume around 1.6 gallons of water per flush, which equates to less than 6 liters. Thus, they are incredibly eco-friendly and keep your water bill from piling up.
If you are in the process of remodeling your bathroom, keep an eye out for toilets that are labeled ‘high efficiency’. These will give you the water you require while also saving up on the leaks.
5. Use Environmentally Friendly Products
People today are switching to sustainable ways of living in every possible way. From using only cruelty-free, vegan beauty products, to converting to veganism. Much like the green products you use for beauty purposes, you can also purchase greener cleaning products for your toilet.
Homemade solutions such as vinegar and lemon juice mixtures can be used as alternatives to harmful chemicals when scrubbing out grime, mildew, and dirt. You can use reusable cloths instead of sponges to clean and wipe the floors and areas behind the sink and toilet.
Little things like these can make all the difference when you are switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle.