It feels great to step into a hot shower after a long day, but self-care isn’t much of a use unless I have a toxin-free bathroom. I’ve recently discovered chemicals that leach from shower liners and other plastic items can hurt my health. While you’re getting yourself clean in your shower, surrounded by soothing scents of eucalyptus, look at your plastic shower liner. That plastic is sitting in the same hot, humid steam as you, and it’s leaching particles into the space where you cleanse your body.
Plastic shower liners, shampoo bottles, and soap holders are just a few of the harmful items within arm’s reach. When heated, they release toxins like Bisphenols, or BPA, into your environment. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors [1] and have other negative health effects. Even reusable, recycled plastics are leaching chemicals into the environment around us! Maybe it’s time for a toxin-free option.
The good news is that you can create a beautiful non-toxic bathroom without breaking the bank. In this article, we will review why a toxin-free bathroom matters, impacts on your health and the environment, and a list of my favorite budget-friendly alternatives to those problematic plastic products in your bathroom.
Let’s ditch the plastic and demystify building a toxin-free bathroom!
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Why Should You Reduce Your Plastic Use?
Three big reasons to go plastic-free are: bisphenol A, phthalates and microplastics.
You’ve probably heard of the first two compounds before. Called ‘forever chemicals’, these don’t seem to leave the ecosystem once introduced. Evidence is mounting that these forever chemicals can cause health problems[2] and are just as hard to eliminate from your body as they are from the environment.
Microplastics are the third on that list of reasons to ditch plastic because researchers are discovering more and more problems related to plastics shedding into the environment. It’s not just bad for the environment, microplastics are unhealthy for humans as well.
Some of the health problems associated with forever chemicals and microplastics include cancer and endocrine disruption. Researchers have also found connections between forever chemicals and toxic effect on cholesterol levels, fetal development and reproductive health.
Avoid forever chemicals like BPA and phthalates by reducing the amount of plastic in your home. A toxin-free bathroom is a great place to start because there are a lot of alternatives to plastic available.
Plastic Toxins and Wet Skin: A Risky Combo
Did you know that wet skin absorbs things better than dry skin? That’s why a lot of skin products suggest application directly after a shower. It’s also why you should care what’s in the air when you’re relaxing in your steamy retreat after a long day. A toxin-free bathroom ensures you have the best environment to get truly clean.
If you’re using conventional bathroom accessories, what’s in the air during your shower is a cocktail of harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. These forever chemicals can absorb into your skin faster since it’s wet and are more likely to be in the air after a hot shower.
Help Out The Environment
Forever chemicals and microplastics stay in the environment. They come from washing machines and plastic toys, dishwashers and landfills.
Landfills are brimming with plastic shower liners and toilet brush cleaners, soap holders, old rugs and other plastic items that have outlived their usefulness. These plastic items disintegrate in landfills and add even more toxins to the environment as they degrade. By making conscious choices to reduce plastic use, you are not only creating a healthier home, you are also contributing to a healthier planet.
Create A Spa Aesthetic
Picture walking into a spa with soft lighting, gentle music and natural smells in the air. Little jars of Q-tips and cotton balls are on the counter. Cucumber water sits in a big decanter on a bamboo table. When you close your eyes and picture the ultimate spa, do you see any plastic?
When you swap plastic for natural materials in your bathroom, you elevate the whole space and create an aura of relaxation. Even a toilet brush feels more luxurious when it’s not made out of plastic!
5 Easy Swaps for A Toxin-Free Bathroom
Glass, ceramic, bamboo, stainless steel and natural wood are great alternatives to plastic. Choose one of these materials instead of plastic for your toxin-free bathroom. Depending on your style, you’ll find beautiful sets of soap dispensers, toothbrush holders and other accessories in natural materials that look incredible.
1. Swap Out Your Shower Curtain
Plastic-free shower curtains are tricky to find if you are trying to renovate on a budget! I invested in Rawganique’s hemp shower curtain. I’m happy with my decision and view it as a beautiful and healthy investment. You can find organic cotton shower curtains too, as well as shower curtains made from hemp and linen.
There aren’t many options for finding a practical toxin-free shower curtain liner, either. The best alternative I’ve found is to go with a non-PVC liner made from EVA, which researchers say doesn’t leach toxins.
2. Organic Towels and Bath Mats
Investing in chemical-free organic cotton towels and mats is a great way to take care of your health. Since towels come in direct contact with your wet skin, it’s important to choose ones that are free from harmful chemicals and synthetic dyes. Other natural fabric alternatives to organic cotton, include linen and hemp. I’ve also found a very stylish bathroom mat made from natural rock – diatomaceous clay. The stone mat is super absorbent and dries quickly.
3. Bathroom Décor & Accessories
Glass cotton ball holders make my bathroom look put together and chic, but they also provide a great alternative to plastic toiletry holders. You can find cotton ball holders and other accessories in wood and stainless steel, but I love the way the glass displays my products. Check out this toothbrush holder and soap dish also made from diatomite! Here’s another version of a toothbrush holder in stainless steel if that fits your toxin-free bathroom aesthetic better.
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4. Plastic-free oral care
You’ve swapped out your plastic toothbrush for a version in bamboo and exchanged your plastic holder for something in stainless steel or made from diatomite. Now it’s time to focus on the toothpaste itself.
For the longest time I thought it was impossible to find an effective toothpaste that doesn’t come in a plastic tube. But I’ve found the solution in Bite toothpaste! This brand sells solid toothpaste in little squares packaged in glass. They sell both fluoride toothpaste and fluoride-free toothpaste in these convenient little squares.
5. Toxin-Free Personal Care Products
People use around 9-12 personal care products each day, like shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup, and hair styling stuff. That means we’re getting hit with a bunch of toxins unless we’re careful. So, switching to natural personal care products is a simple but effective way to reduce the toxins in your bathroom and look out for your health.
Shampoo bars are more economical, often lasting at least twice as long as liquid shampoo. They usually come with minimal to no packaging, making them an ideal plastic-free option. If you’re not a fan of shampoo bars, don’t worry. For those seeking high-quality alternatives, Ethique offers these cool concentrates- shampoo and conditioner that you can mix with water at home, so you can reuse the containers you already have. It’s a great way to get the benefits of solid bars with the convenience of traditional liquid products. Their products are made with pure, natural ingredients, free from harmful chemicals, ensuring your hair stays healthy and vibrant while also being eco-friendly.
Ready to Relax In Your Fresh, Toxin-Free Bathroom?
Now that your bathroom renovation is complete and the space is free from plastic and other materials that leach harmful chemicals, you can finally relax!
And you might find that you like spending time in the bathroom much better now that it’s toxin-free. I know when I cleaned my bathroom of all the harmful chemicals, I felt lighter and closer to my best self!
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7846099/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7068600/
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701520/COCAMIDOPROPYL_BETAINE/
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