12 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Eco-Friendly

Sharing is caring!

If you’re planning a renovation, why not make your bathroom eco-friendly? Certain tiles and other materials often mean less environmental impact than other options. Also, many eco-friendly choices might mean lower utility costs after renovation completion! Your everyday routine can also impact the environment overall.

To make a bathroom eco-friendly:

• Choose eco-friendly tile and countertop materials
• Install a water-efficient showerhead
• Opt for LED lighting
• Install a dual-flush toilet
• Create a recycling center in the bath
• Save water where you can
• Buy eco-friendly bath products

These are just a few ways to make your bathroom renovation more environmentally friendly, during and after your project. If you’re an eco-conscious homeowner, keep reading! Exploring these and other options in more detail ensures your bathroom is as “green” as possible.

How to Make a Bathroom Eco-Friendly When Renovating

First, let’s discuss how to make a bathroom renovation project more eco-friendly. Second, we’ll discuss how to sustain earth-friendly practices in the bathroom after project completion!

1. Choose eco-friendly tile and countertop materials.

Not all tiles and countertop materials are kind to the environment! For example, harvesting stone often involves blasting and water consumption. Shipping materials internationally creates pollution from planes, cargo ships, and trucks.

In turn, you might consider eco-friendly materials for your bathroom renovation. These include:

• Bamboo grows quickly and replenishes easily. Also, harvesters can gather bamboo without killing the plant.
• In the same way, harvesters can remove cork bark from trees without cutting them down completely. Consequently, cork flooring offers excellent advantages for the environmentally conscious homeowner.
• Using recycled or reclaimed tile, or remnants from other jobs, keeps those materials out of landfills.
• Glass recycles very easily and is very eco-friendly! In turn, consider glass countertops if possible.
• Also, metal recycles easily and offers a hygienic surface for bathroom countertops.

2. Use low VOC paints.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals often found in some paints and other coatings. Manufacturers create low-VOC or zero-VOC paints from natural ingredients. In turn, these release fewer harmful emissions when applied. When planning a renovation, ask your contractor about using low-VOC coatings.

3. Consider natural insulation.

If your renovation project includes replacing the room’s insulation, consider natural materials. Wool, cellulose, and cotton are non-toxic and renewable. Additionally, they often have higher insulation properties than conventional options! Consequently, they’re both environmentally friendly and more effective overall.

4. Opt for LED and energy-efficient lighting.

When planning a bathroom renovation, you might not consider your lightbulb choice. However, you might note that energy-efficient options such as LED bulbs consume less energy. Also, these produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs. You’ll then spend less money on electricity overall with energy-efficient lighting choices.

5. Install a dual-flush toilet.

Dual-flush toilets offer two flushing options, one for liquid and another for solid waste. In turn, you can select an appropriate water volume use with each flush! A dual-flush toilet can reduce water consumption by 20% or more annually.

6. Install other water-saving fixtures.

When planning a renovation, ask your contractor about other water-saving fixtures. These might include low-flow faucets and showerheads. Low-flow fixtures have aerators that reduce water usage while still offering good pressure.

7. Address leaks during renovation.

Ask your contractor to check for and repair leaky pipes, faucets, toilets, or showerheads. Even minor leaks waste hundreds of gallons of water over time! Not only does this waste natural resources but it also means higher utility costs overall.

How to Make a Bathroom Eco-Friendly Year-Round

Once you’ve completed a renovation project, you can still ensure an eco-friendly bathroom. Note a few adjustments you might consider to your daily routine:

8. Take shorter showers!

Showers are often the biggest water consumer in any bathroom. To combat this, consider installing a shower timer. Also, you can simply buy a timer from the kitchen department of your local store. Keep an eye on it as you shower and challenge yourself to create the fastest shower routine possible.

9. Use natural and non-toxic cleaning products.

Cleaning products are often harmful to the environment and your health! In turn, consider natural, non-toxic products. Additionally, you might use everyday products to clean including vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and plain water!

10. Use eco-friendly toiletries.

One good way to ensure an eco-friendly bathroom is with biodegradable toiletries. Also, look for those with minimal packaging. Use bar soap and haircare products rather than liquid. Lastly, look for eco-friendly and sustainably sourced options.

11. Set up a recycling center in the bathroom.

Add some bins in the bathroom for items like plastic bottles, cardboard packaging, and empty toilet paper rolls. Do the same for batteries, expired medications, and other hazardous waste. Check with your city or county about safe disposal of these items.

12. Keep the bathroom maintained and in good condition.

As said, water leaks waste natural resources and can also risk wood rot and mold. Addressing these issues means using more natural materials and harsh products! Consequently, it’s vital that you keep the bathroom in good condition year-round. Fix leaks promptly and address moisture buildup, to avoid mold growth, wood rot, and other costly repairs.

How Do You Create an Eco-Friendly Bathroom Design?

If you have the luxury of creating an entirely new bath in your home, consider an eco-friendly bathroom design. Check out a few tips to discuss with your contractor:

• Plan for as much natural light as possible. Natural light means using less electricity for overhead lighting!
• Adding operable windows in the space also means having to use a vent fan less often. In turn, you’ll save energy just by opening a window!
• Optimize the layout and space overall. If you choose an efficient layout for your bathroom, you’ll use fewer building materials.
• Plan your eco-friendly bathroom design around available materials. For instance, if you can only find 100 square feet of recycled tile, plan for a bathroom that size.
• Create a plan for harvesting water in the shower. For instance, create room for buckets in the shower. Use these to capture water while you wait for it to warm up. You can then use that water to flush toilets or water houseplants.
• Consider energy-efficient ventilation. This might include better ventilation, to remove more moisture before mold forms. Also, your contractor might install vents that work based on need. In turn, they shut off once they’ve removed humidity in the space, saving on electricity use.

Eco-Friendly Bathroom Accessories

Using eco-friendly bathroom accessories also reduces energy consumption and waste. Here are some examples of eco-friendly bathroom accessories:

• Replace traditional plastic toothbrushes with ones made from sustainably sourced bamboo. Bamboo is biodegradable and grows rapidly, making it a renewable alternative.
• Choose towels made from organic cotton and without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
• Also, opt for shower curtains made from natural fibers like hemp, organic cotton, or linen. These are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals found in many conventional shower curtains.
• Always buy bathroom accessories with a high recycled material percentage. These include glass or porcelain soap dishes, toothbrush holders, or waste bins. Choosing recycled materials reduces the demand for new plastic and contributes to waste reduction.
• Choose refillable soap dispensers made from glass or stainless steel. Refill the dispenser with homemade liquid soap or a bulk liquid, to reduce packaging waste.
• If you need a new bath mat, choose one made from organic cotton, bamboo, or other sustainable materials. These are often softer and more absorbent, and better for the environment than synthetic mats.
• Most traditional toilet paper manufacturers make their produce from virgin wood pulp. To reduce this environmental impact, look for toilet paper made from recycled paper or bamboo.
• Avoid disposable cotton rounds, tips, and other products. Instead, purchase reusable cotton pads and other products. You can then wash and reuse these multiple times, reducing waste.

Are Bathroom Eco-Friendly Products Worth It?

The short answer is yes, bathroom eco-friendly products are worth your investment for several reasons:

• Eco-friendly products made from sustainable material, use less energy and water during production, and minimize waste. By choosing eco-friendly products, you contribute to conservation efforts, reduce pollution, and help protect natural resources.
• Many eco-friendly contain few if any, harmful chemicals, toxins, and synthetic ingredients. In turn, they’re healthier for you and the environment!
• Did you know that many eco-friendly products are more durable than their plastic counterparts? Since they’re not meant to be disposable, they often last longer. Consequently, you might save money in the long run by investing in eco-friendly bathroom items.
• Companies that prioritize ethical practices are often behind many eco-friendly products. These companies might be more inclined to adhere to fair trade practices and environmentally responsible manufacturing processes.

A Word From Our Team

Kansas City Kitchen Remodeling is happy to explain how to make your bathroom eco-friendly before and after renovation. Hopefully, we’ve given you some good ideas! Also, call our KC bathroom renovation contractors when you’re ready for a change. We’ll discuss all your options and prepare a comprehensive quote. For more information, reach out to us today.