1. Spray the shower with a natural mold-fighting solution after each use: This preventative measure can eliminate the need for toxic chemical mold-killers in the future– a few spritzes now will save a whole lot of scrubbing/re-grouting later. Fill a spray bottle with one of these suggested solutions, and keep it in the shower:
- White vinegar, or
- 2 cups water + 2 teaspoons tea tree oil, or
- Water + lavendar essential oil
2. Use baking soda as a tub and sink scrubber: The abrasive qualities are similar to that of “bathroom scrubbers” but without the unnecessary toxic chemical additions so often found in those products:
- Sprinkle it on straight and wipe with a sponge, or
- Combine with water to make a paste, or
- Make your own natural “soft scrub”
3. Open a window, crack a door, or install an exhaust fan: By implementing a venting strategy in this most humid of rooms, you’ll remove the dampness which is needed for the growth of mold. No mold, no need to use chemicals to clean the mold.
4. Clean mirrors with vinegar: Fill a spray bottle with a solution of half white vinegar + half water, and you’ll have sparkling mirrors with no need for eerie blue cleansers. If you have streaks after using this combo, add up to 1/2 tsp of liquid dishsoap to the bottle and try again (the streaks are most likely caused by your previous chemical-laden glass cleaner). And if you use old newspapers to wipe the mirror, you’ll have a lint-free shine with a no-impact paper use…don’t forget to recycle!
5. Switch to recycled toilet paper: This simple choice has immense implications, as old-growth trees are still being cut down in order to make single-use disposable paper products, such as toilet paper and paper towels. Switching to recycled TP is the smartest and easiest choice you can make.
6. Reduce your bathroom water consumption:
- Retrofit your toilet with a dual-flush handle
- Install an Aquis reclamation system
- Keep a bucket under the sink/in the shower to catch your waste water, for use on your plants/in your garden.
- Take shorter showers
- Put an aerator in your faucet
7. Use an environmentally friendly shower curtain: When it’s time for a new curtain, don’t buy a new PVC one – opt for a green one instead:
- Hemp
- Organic cotton
- Linen (+ an awesome cork bathmat!)
- Coated nylon (nylon doesn’t offgas like PVC, but still made from petroleum)
8. Install a low-flow showerhead: From an inexpensive model at your local hardware store to much more expensive super-fancy luxurious models, low-flow showerheads can cut your water consumption in half while still getting you squeaky clean.
9. Green your personal care:
- Use oil, or shea butter, or cocoa butter as a body moisturizer
- Choose either a replaceable head or recycled/recyclable plastic toothbrush (click for video of Preserve toothbrushes on the Sundance Channel)
- Switch to Dr. Bronners as soap/shampoo/toothpaste/etc (All One!)
- Find eco-friendly replacements for your shampoo, conditioner and hair care.
- Use replaceable-head razors instead of disposables, or switch to shaving with a straight-razor.
10. Install a compact fluorescent light bulb!
Source – TinyChoices.com |
