Green Your Routine: In the Bathroom

Do you want to start living a cleaner, greener eco-friendly life, (the one better for the environment and future generations), but not exactly sure how you can incorporate it in your bathroom?  No worries, because we're here to help!  Here are some really great products that can help you go green - in your bathroom.

Appliances and Fixtures
This is the best place to start when making your bathroom greener. The appliances and fixtures you will replace your old ones with will save water, energy, and still work just as great as your old ones did!  A few things you can do is install dual flush toilets and low flow shower heads.  Why? You're toilet actually uses more water than any other appliance in your house- somewhere around thirty percent of all the water you use, in fact. Dual-flush toilets have different settings for when you go, so you don't waste excess water just because you urinated.  Replacing your shower head with a low flow one, is another way to easily conserve water.

Linens and Curtains
Replace your old shower curtain for a green shower curtain. These shower curtains have been designed to last longer, and are most typically made out of completely organic materials that won't harm the earth. Make sure you buy a shower curtain that is made out of hemp or washable fabric - or you can replace them with glass or plastic doors.

You can also choose to replace your old bathroom towels with new, completely organic ones. Rawganique offers a line of plush, luxurious bath towels that are made from 100% organic cotton. (They have bath mats and rugs that are also made from the same organic materials as well.  Remember that you're trying to go organic if possible, so don't just throw your old towels away.  Instead, rip your old towels up and use them as kitchen and cleaning rags.

Toilet Paper
This one is simple. Use recycled toilet paper!  It sounds gross, but it's not actual toilet paper that's been recycled - it's other stuff that isn't quite as gross. It might cost you an extra 45 cents, but it's well worth it in your quest to become more Eco-friendly in the bathroom. Besides, buying brand new toilet paper without any recycled content in it usually means that you are supporting the destruction of old growth forests- you know, the ones that take hundreds of years to replace?

Green Cleaning Products
Instead of using nasty-smelling and even harmful cleaning products, go green by choosing a cleaning product that has been certified by Green Seal. Or you can even make your very own cleaning product at home with items that you know are all natural and organic.  A few ideas of products lying around your house that also make awesome cleaning ingredients include: vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and baking powder.  Some brands to look out for at your grocery store are below:

Dr. Bronner's Magic Castile Soaps - 25 uses in 1!  Clean your entire house, do laundry and wash your body, face and hair too.  Great for baby, kids and the entire family!  Online and instore at Target.

Honest - online at www.honest.com

Seventh Generation - online and at your local Walmart or Target

Green Works - online and instore at your local Walmart or Target

Method - Online and instore at your local Target

Beauty and Skincare Products
You can't just throw together a green bathroom yet continue to harm your body and the environment with harmful personal items. So instead of buying your run-of-the-mill skin or hair products in your local walmart, target or cosmetic store, choose something that specifically states it has been created out of natural or certified organic ingredients. Burt's Bees is a great family brand to start with.  It's been around forever and made with 99% natural origin ingredients!  My favorite product from the line is Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and Wash.  It's super creamy, hydrating, and never dries or irritates skin or hair.  Perfect for your baby or toddler.  Here are a few other brands that offer eco-friendly, non-toxic beauty and skincare products:

• Josie Maran Cosmetics - Online and instore at Sephora and at: www.josiemarancosmetics.com
• Tarte Cosmetics - Online and instore at Sephora and at: www.tartecosmetics.com
• Shea Moisture - Online and instore at your local Target 
• Lavera / True Natural - Online and instore at your local Target
• Afterglow Cosmetics 
• Everyday Minerals
• Pacifica - Online and instore at your local Target

Once you've replaced your old products with non-toxic, eco-friendly ones - you're well on your way to having a much cleaner, greener bathroom.  Follow these tips on how to be more Eco-friendly and save more energy and / or water in your bathroom:

• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth
• Take showers, not baths
• Turn the water off in the shower while you lather up
• Make sure you always turn off the light when leaving your bathroom (or any room)
• Use rags instead of paper towels when cleaning

Do you have some eco-friendly tips or products to share?  Leave me a comment in the comments section below.  I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Guest post by Amanda Green. Authro Bio: Amanda is a makeup fanatic and writer for SkincareHQ.org which recently featured a guide on the Best Foundation For Acne Prone Skin. Aside from makeup, Amanda enjoys travelling and playing with her dog Sadie. If you have questions or comments for Amanda, feel free to connect with her @Skincare_HQ on Twitter!

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