My Top 3 Eco Swaps for your Bathroom

The easiest most effective swaps for your Bathroom - all designed to be minimum effort and maximum impact. In this post we'll tackle; plastic waste, deforestation, toxicity and more.

In this post I'll outline the easiest most effective swaps for your bathroom. You'll notice I haven't touched on everything - there are many more swaps you could make. It seems the bathroom is where most of my plastic containers end up. It has taken me many years to work through everything in the cupboard under sink, and there are definitely still things I need to sort through. Remember, don't just get over excited and chuck everything away to start again (unless of course there is a good reason too - I'll talk about unwanted chemicals in beauty products in a later post). The trick is to slowly finish off the products you already have and gradually introduce swaps, so they stick. Check out my blog on how to get started for more tips.

What I've picked out here are the absolute fail-safe swaps to get you started. The ones that are the easiest to implement, can be easily maintained and will make a big difference to you and the environment. If you stick with this blog the more challenging swaps will come later on. If you've already made these swaps, nice one! Feel free to jump ahead and check out new swaps. I will be talking about hair, make up, beauty, and more in future blogs.

Swap # 1: Soap Bars by Friendly Soap

What's the problem?

Remember that I said the typical cleaning spray is 95% water packaged in a plastic bottle and only 5% cleaning agent? Well, you guessed it, with shower gels it's a similar issue. Composed of about 80% water, not only does it mean we're mostly shipping water around the world, but it actually means they are much less concentrated than soap, so get used up more quickly. Then, there's the more obvious issue of the fact that shower gels are packaged in plastic bottles, which are often also wrapped in plastic to prevent leakage.

What's the solution?

Bring back the soap bar. And I'm not just talking about shower gels here - you can also replace the hand wash we all have in a plastic pump beside the sink too. There are so many wonderful companies producing delicious smelling eco-friendly soaps out there. Boots now stocks eco-friendly brands like Eco Warrior. My personal favourite is Friendly Soap, a company that prioritises ethics over profit. Their soaps are made from natural, cruelty-free, and plastic-free ingredients, and they're a great value at around £2.60-£2.90 per bar. Considering soaps can replace shower gel, hand wash, shaving cream, cleanser and even face wash, (I have tried them all) they're an eco-friendly option that can seriously save you money. Just make sure you have plenty of soap racks so your soap lasts for as long as possible.

Swap #2: Bamboo Toilet Roll by Naked Sprout

What’s the problem?

There are three major issues with modern toilet roll. One of the most apparent and alarming consequences of our global demand for paper products is deforestation. Paper is predominantly made from wood pulp, often supplied through extensive logging of forests. Tissue production may be a particular culprit - the soft toilet paper preferred in the UK is often sourced from virgin wood pulp. This means the destruction of trees that have grown over decades for the sake of something that is going to be flushed or thrown away after one use. Second, once the pulp has been made, it is bleached using harmful chemicals to make it white. Lastly, most toilet rolls, once produced, are wrapped in plastic packaging and shipped to supermarkets to be sold.

What’s the solution?

Out of all the eco swaps I've tried, this is the one a lot of people seem to already be doing. There are many brilliant brands using alternative materials to make their toilet roll. Choosing recycled or bamboo-based alternatives can help mitigate deforestation, and it’s important to check that your products carry FSC certification to ensure responsible forestry management. Another great way to reduce pressure on forests is to recycle the massive amounts of cardboard and paper already available. My top toilet roll swap is Naked Sprout. They use both bamboo and recycled materials, and their carbon footprint is 50% lower than that of other eco brands because they generate renewable energy on-site at their factory. They also don't bleach or wrap their rolls. The absence of bleach does mean you’ll have a brown roll, so if switching from white to brown feels like too much of a leap, brands like "Who Gives a Crap" and Cheeky Panda are great alternatives. Cheeky Panda is now stocked in Tesco and Boots, which is a fantastic step forward. The more we support eco-brands and get them into mainstream shops, the more these swaps will become the norm.

Swap #3: Metal Safety Razor by UpCircle

What’s the problem?

If you’ve read one of my earlier blogs, you’ll know that single-use razors are a real pet peeve of mine. How did an industry manage to steadily shift from the highly effective, durable metal safety razor to a plastic razor that rusts after just a few uses? Razors are a prime example of how corporations have forced consumers into repetitive shopping habits for their own profit. Shoppers are left with a lower-quality product that they have to buy repeatedly, rather than a long-lasting product that could serve them for years. The truth is, it was more convenient for companies to create disposable razors and keep customers coming back.

What’s the Solution?

Good news! Metal safety razors are making a comeback. Brands like Wilkinson and Gillette are reintroducing more sustainable, reusable versions, which are now available in supermarkets and larger retail stores. I personally use a safety razor by UpCircle, which gives a super close shave and is very easy to use. Don’t worry about the myth that safety razors are more likely to cause cuts — it’s simply not true! For men, my husband loves his Baxter of California razor. Though the initial cost may be higher than a plastic razor, replacement blades come in packs of 10 and cost around £3.49, which will save you a lot of money over time.

These are just a few of my favourite eco-friendly bathroom swaps. Not only are they better for the environment, but they can also save you money in the long run. Have you tried any of these swaps yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!