Who says a bathroom can’t be both sleek and eco-friendly? Your bathroom is one of the most popular rooms in your home, so it makes sense that homeowners want to bring added value to this space. Creating a functional area that promotes healthy wellness practices and benefits the environment doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your dream bathroom goals. It can be surprisingly simple to create a bathroom that will make both you and the planet happy! Here’s how:
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Creating an eco-friendly bathroom
Upcycle
Upcycle your way to a sustainable bathroom. If you haven’t heard, sustainable DIY projects are in. Head to your local flea market to find pieces to refurbish or take a look at old fixtures you have at home that you can bring new life to. Reinventing your bathroom by upcycling old furniture beats sending items to the landfill and mindlessly producing more waste.
Water-Efficient Upgrades
If only bath time could be all the time. There’s no arguing that soaking in a tub after a long day is relaxing and helps relieve stress. There’s no need to cut out the occasional bubble bath, but making a conscious choice to take a five-minute shower instead can reduce your water footprint and save you money on energy bills.
According to EPA, recent research shows that standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute. If you do the math, that calculates to twenty gallons of water every time you shower! Replace inefficient showerheads with new, water-saving models. Products with the WaterSense label provide measurable savings and come in a variety of materials.
Eco-Friendly Products
Believe it or not, 80 billion shampoo and conditioner bottles are being disposed of worldwide–so shop for products with eco-conscious packaging. The products you purchase and use in your daily routine align with your lifestyle.
If you want to commit to a greener lifestyle, invest in environmentally sound items. Making an effort to be more sustainable at home can be as easy as swapping out your bathroom accessories and wellness products for eco-friendly alternatives. Choosing sustainable products may seem like a minimal effort, but making a conscious change to your wellness routine and the products you buy is a positive and impactful way to help the planet.
Regular Maintenance Checks
Old or new, the home you live in is subject to leaks. Keep your abode leak-free by performing routine maintenance checks on household fixtures. Fixing water leaks in your household can save about 10 percent on your water bill, and it’s a simple way to reduce your water usage. Common leaks like dripping faucets and showerheads typically require little work on your end to repair.
A burst pipe is a different story though. If you run into this problem (which might feel more like a disaster at the time), remain calm and call a real plumber near you to help fix your pipes. Before the plumber arrives, it’s smart and eco-conscious to save as much water as possible by turning off your main water valve–hopefully, you’ll prevent damage to your home, too! Before the plumber leaves, ask questions about how to help prevent a burst pipe from happening in the future. Being preventative and performing regular checks will help you stay ahead, save money, and avoid emergency situations (and the Earth will thank you).
Plan an Eco-Conscious Remodel
If you want to consider your long-term impact on the environment, take on a full bathroom remodeling project. While this indeed requires a lot of work, it is the perfect opportunity to create a greener bathroom. Plus, you can achieve your dream bathroom by incorporating beautiful, natural materials. Adding real stone tile to your shower not only looks fantastic but is long-lasting. A win-win for you and mother nature.
Reducing your carbon footprint can be done right at home if you follow these and other easy ways to live more sustainably. Remember, even the smallest changes to your daily routine will make a positive impact on the planet.
Photo Credit: Jose Soriano Chastity Cortijo
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