Making a bathroom green is about making a series of small changes. Look for ways to reduce your water and energy use, to clean without toxins and to decorate with environmentally responsible products. Living green is about living better, not about spending more. Check out these simple, low-cost ways to green a bathroom and enjoy a more Earth-friendly home:
Switch to Green Bathroom Cleaners
Get rid of all of those toxic bleach- and ammonia-based bathroom cleaners once and for all; they're not good for you or the environment. White vinegar and baking soda are all you really need to clean your bathroom the green way.
Equal parts of vinegar and water can be used to sanitize toilets and sinks, to shine mirrors, to prevent mold growth in the shower and to mop floors.
Need a good tub and tile scrubber? Then try baking soda. Mixed with a small amount of water, it makes a great scouring powder.
Use Less Water
A green bathroom is a water-conscious bathroom. Look at your current water usage habits and see if there are places where you can cut back. Some changes that will help to make your bathroom green:
Turn the water off while you brush
Repair leaks. According to the US Geological Survey a faucet that drips 60 times a minute wastes 2,777 gallons of water per year.
Install a faucet aerator. This simple device reduces the amount of water that comes out of your bathroom faucet while maintaining good water pressure.
Take shorter showers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a 5-minute shower takes 4 to 5 gallons of water, while a 20-minute shower takes 16 to 20 gallons of water.
Upgrade to a low-flow shower head. They use a miserly 2.5 gallons of water per minute or less.
Wash bath towels less frequently. Aim for once every two to three days instead of after each use, and you'll wash fewer loads of laundry each week.
Use Less Energy
A green bathroom is also an energy-conscious bathroom. Look for ways to reduce the amount of electricity and natural gas that you use in your bathroom.
Lower the temperature on your hot water heater. The US Department of Energy recommends setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees.
Install a bathroom fan with a built-in timer. The fan will turn off automatically after 20 minutes, so that no more warmed or cooled air is pulled out of your house than necessary.
Use natural light when possible.
Install CFL or LED bulbs in light fixtures. According to the US Department of Energy, compact flourescent (CFL) bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Install a tankless hot water heater. These use 24% to 34% less energy (up to 50% less for point-of-use units) and provide heat on demand.
Seek Out Eco-Friendly Bath Products
Eco-friendly bath products fit in perfectly with the goals of a green bathroom. Look for shampoos, conditioners, soaps, deodorants and lotions made from natural, non-petroleum ingredients. Seek out recyclable toothbrushes and razors for a fully green experience.
Decorate with Green Bathroom Products and Accessories
You needn't sacrifice style to enjoy a green bathroom. Here's a roundup of some fun and stylish green bathroom products to consider:
Green bathroom towels made of organic cotton, bamboo or hemp
Natural-fiber shower curtains instead of PVC curtains
Cork bath mats
Recycled glass tiles
Bamboo or cork flooring
VOC-free paints and stains
Formaldehyde-free cabinets
Leftover pieces of granite for countertops as opposed to custom pieces
Secondhand fixtures and accessories, purchased from thrift stores, salvage yards and yard sales
Of course, not all green products have to be stylish to earn a place in your bathroom. A few practical products to consider for your green bathroom:
Non-toxic caulks and grouts (those that are VOC-free)
Recycled toilet paper
A timer to make sure you stick to those shorter showers
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