Top 7 Tips To Making A Greener Bathroom

Every room in your home has the potential to be made more environmentally friendly. The bathroom is no exception to this rule. Here a few friendly tips to help you make your bathroom a greener and happier place for not only you but for the planet as well. Your green bathroom improvements will also save you money in the long run.

1. Take a shower instead of a bath.
   Taking a bath uses significantly more water than a shower does. Showers use less water, which is good for the environment and for your wallet when your monthly water bill arrives.
2. Use a low flow shower head.
   This is a tie in to our first tip: low flow shower heads use less water but can apply the same force. These shower heads are great for the environment since they use approximately 50% less water. You will have to make a small initial investment in the new shower head but you will save money on your water bill in the long run.
3. Use recycled toilet paper.
   This is a simple step many of us never even consider. Recycled toilet paper saves trees from being destroyed to create more paper. The more trees we have, the better the quality of our air and thats something we all can enjoy.
4. When cleaning the bathroom, use vinegar.
   It may sound strange but it is highly effective. Mix white vinegar and water in spray bottle and use to clean virtually any surface in your bathroom. Vinegar does a great job of removing stains from tile grout or streaks from mirrors. If the smell bothers you, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon to the mixture for a light citrus scent. By cleaning with vinegar you can avoid using chemicals in your home but still get the same squeaky clean shine you love.
5. Fix leaky faucets and toilets.
   Bathroom leaks are common problems that often go ignored. Leaks in the toilet or faucet pipes will cause water loss that will add up over time. If you live in a two floor home or have a basement, the water will end up leaking to the lower floors which may cause more problems around your home. The simple step of repairing leaks will save you a lot of water and money both immediately and in the long run.
6. Get green shower curtains.
   Traditional shower curtains are made of vinyl which releases potent chemicals during its manufacturing process. Try using an eco-friendly material such as organic cotton or recycled plastic.
7. Use your products until they are finished.
   Seems intuitive, but you might be surprised how many half used bottles you have lying around. If you buy a bottle of shampoo, a bar of soap or any other cosmetic product, use it until it is finished. Continually replacing products that are only half used is a waste of resources and money. When you do finish with a bottle, try to replace it with an organic, biodegradable product. These products are easier on the environment and safer to use on skin and hair.

Remember, every little step counts and there are many more ways to become more eco-friendly. Doing so will be good for you personally, as well as beneficial to the environment. If you want to learn more about creating a greener home, take a look at my article on tips to making a greener kitchen.

Submitted by guest blogger, Joseph: A little more about myself. My name is Joseph and I am passionate about home remodeling and dcor which is both beautiful and environmentally friendly. I work with the green remodeling company Granite Transformations who, like myself, want to see a greener, more eco-friendly world. I am honored to be able to write as a guest for the green eco services blog.