Five Simple Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Bathroom

Your bathroom hasn't been updated since the 1990s and you’re prepared to make an environmentally conscious leap in to the 21st century, but where would you begin? Fortunately, bathroom necessities - in the toilet to the vanity - came a long way in the past 15 years, meaning the ideal of having a modern and eco-friendly bathroom could be realized. The following are five approaches to create an eco-friendly, stylish bathroom.

Much more Doubt, Go “Low-Flow”

The term “low-flow” is usually found on bathroom accessories and necessities, however, you aren’t sure what the term means and just how it can positively affect your monthly water bill. Basically, low-flow products carry out the same duties as their traditional counterparts, but newer technologies permit them to use much less water. For example, a traditional toilet uses around 3.5 gallons water each flush. A low-flow model only requires 1.6 gallons per flush. A low-flow shower head sprays a couple of.5 gallons of water each minute, while a traditional model wastes Four to five gallons per minute. Low-flow technology is becoming so advanced and commonplace that lots of these products are also becoming less than traditional ones, meaning you are able to help save the world without breaking your financial allowance.

Recycled Ceramic Is Always the best choice

When it comes time to redesign your bathroom, there are a variety of tile and flooring options. From granite and travertine to linoleum and porcelain, you are able to revamp the look and feel of the bathroom at any number of prices. If you want to create a modern and eco-friendly bathroom, choose recycled ceramic products, that are a lot easier to find than you may think. Aside from being relatively inexpensive when compared with granite, travertine and about every other kind of natural stone, recycled ceramic is durable, easy-to-clean and resistant against water damage. Seek out a product that’s produced from 55- to 75-percent recycled material.

Choose “Green” Cleaning Products

You've stayed, energy and money so your bathroom doesn’t board Mother Nature’s toes, but you still use potentially hazardous products to get rid of soap scum, fingerprints and stains. There are a variety of manufacturers that create “green” cleaning products, a few of which are reasonably priced but still more costly than their traditional competition. If your green product’s price doesn’t fit your budget, consider creating your personal environmentally friendly products with items found beneath your kitchen sink or inside the bathroom drawers. From white wine vinegar and baking soda to cream of tartar and fresh lemon juice, there are inexpensive ways to concoct your personal safe, inexpensive all-purpose cleaners.

Recycle Your Water

It’s estimated a leaky faucet that drips once per second wastes 3,000 gallons water per year. If this much water is wasted with a slow drip, can you think of the thousands of gallons your family uses annually to clean their hands or brush their teeth? For approximately $2,000 you can install a gray-water recycling system in your sink that stores and uses water you put down the drain. The tank than diverts and recycles water each time you flush the toilet. The systems can be found across the United States and retrofit for your existing plumbing in only a couple of hours. The initial investment might seem pricey, however the long-term savings and effect on environmental surroundings makes installing the system worthwhile.

A Few Final Touches

• Apart from installing a low-flow toilet or creating a stylish shower surround with recycled porcelain tile, there is a multitude of other techniques to create an environmentally friendly bathroom:
• Select a green shower curtain made of organic cotton or hemp. These items are durable and water-resistant so you may not even require a PVC liner.
• Shower using the window open. This will save money on electricity by turning off your bathroom’s exhaust fan.
• Incorporate greenery. Apart from being aesthetically pleasant, bathroom plants might help purify the air and reduce humidity.