How To Make Your Bathroom Eco-Friendly | More Bathrooms

Published: 27 August 2020 · Last Updated: 8 November 2023

We’re looking for ways we can decrease our carbon emissions. The bathroom is no different, as it contributes to our carbon footprint.

Over the years the world has become more conscious of our growing CO2 emissions and the bathroom industry has acted in helping to reduce this. There are bathroom features available and other little design tricks that you can make to help reduce your carbon footprint and become eco-friendly.

Why should you become more eco-friendly?

It is our responsibility to ensure that we look after the earth to ensure its longevity. So, by becoming more environmentally conscious, we can start to adopt small eco-friendly habits that can lead to major positive impacts.

How to become eco-friendly?

Now you’re aware, you’re probably wondering how to become more eco-friendly. Here are a few tips that you can include as part of your daily lifestyle:

> Preserving eco-systems

> Conserving energy

> Reducing water wastage

> Embracing innovative eco-friendly technologies

Ways to be eco-friendly in 2023

Is your bathroom eco-friendly?

It is probably worth going into your bathroom or shower room and doing an audit to see if you’re being eco-friendly, possibly looking for ways to increase, or maybe you are not at all and you want to begin having a positive impact on the earth.

An example of how you should conduct a bathroom audit looking at your bathroom features like your faucets checking to see that they properly fit and are fastened, reducing the chances for water wastage.

You could also inspect and search the products you use and see if you can opt for more eco-friendly products.

How to make your bathroom eco-friendly?

Thanks to research and our expert team members in the bathroom industry, in the rest of this article we are going to share our top eco-friendly ideas that we think would be beneficial for the upkeep, durability and aesthetic look of your bathroom/shower design.

1. Reducing water wastage

As a nation, it has been reported that we waste a couple of litres of water every single day, and the average use of water that each person uses each day is roughly 150 litres.

So, what can you and your household do to help reduce water wastage?

> Low-flow fixtures

To tackle water wastage we urge you to strongly consider having fit low-flow fixtures. This includes a low-flow faucet which is designed to decrease water wastage by approximately 30%. The same goes for other low-flow fixtures such as showerheads and toilets.

> Swap baths for showers

If you enjoy a long soak in the bath, consider reducing how many baths you have, and opt for a shower instead.

> Dual flush toilet

Toilets account for nearly 30% of the overall water usage within the home. For a single appliance that’s more than any other in the home including the washing machine, dishwasher, and shower.

The alternative to having a normal toilet is to have a dual-flush toilet. This eco-friendly option helps to reduce water wastage by allowing you to choose between a full or half flush, depending on how much water is required.

On the other hand, you can install an eco-flush toilet system which uses around 3 to 5 litres of water. In comparison to a traditional toilet that uses between 7 – 9 litres of water.

2. Repurpose & upcycle

This next idea is pretty cost-effective and simple in so many ways.

> Upcycling unused cabinets

If you have a chest of drawers or a cabinet lying around in your house unused, you can put it to good use by reusing it as a quirky bathroom storage. This could also include adding a fresh coat of paint to add character to your bathroom at minimal cost.

> Reduce waste from your bathroom amenities

Brands are now packaging their products with minimal plastic or 100% plastic-free materials. You can add to your bathrooms’ eco-friendliness and select solid shampoo and conditioners that use plastic-free packaging.

> Eco-friendly toilet paper

Bamboo eco-friendly toilet roll is the most prominent material that is used and advertised by companies who are trying to promote eco-friendly toilet paper. We think it is certainly a consideration for your bathroom as it is biodegradable and decomposes naturally.

3. Eco-friendly lighting options

> LED lighting

Fitting LED lighting in your bathroom is a long-term solution as it is both eco-friendly and saves you money in the long run. LED bulbs are reported to last up to 14 years and are far more efficient than regular bulbs as their energy is converted to light rather than heat.

> Motion sensor lighting

These are a game changer, especially for those who occasionally forget to turn off the light when they leave the bathroom. Installing a motion sensor lighting means that it detects any bathroom activity and will turn on or off accordingly.

> Natural light

If you’re considering a full bathroom refurbishment, the installation of a large window could allow extra natural lighting to enter the available space. This would remove the need to turn the bathroom lights and save you extra money in the long term.

Natural light, combined with reflective fixtures like mirrors or chrome features in your bathroom, can help make a space feel larger than as the light bounces around the room.

If you’re wondering if making window alterations is something that you want or want to make that step into becoming more eco-friendly. A part of our fully project-managed service is that we have a team of experts from design to installation with vast experience, who are there to deliver our clients with complete peace of mind.

4. Using eco-friendly cleaning products

Another nice budget-friendly idea that you can look to do as you start on this journey to becoming eco-friendly in your bathroom is to create your own natural cleaning products that include baking soda and vinegar.

We also advise you to buy from an eco-friendly cleaning brand. We should also mention that you are not limited to these, there are many chemical-free products that you can purchase that will keep you on track to becoming eco-friendly and most importantly your bathroom clean!

Installation of smart devices

As you know the rise of smart technology in all areas of the home is on a steep trajectory. They’re built for efficiency and sustainability, and the majority are eco-friendly. So how can we make your bathroom eco-friendly?

> Smart showers

They are innovative and very simple to use with some having a sustainable embedded as part of the device. Smart showers also have the ability to track your and your family’s water usage, and just like the low-flow showerhead, it reduces water consumption. This bathroom feature can certainly contribute to your bathroom’s eco-friendly transformation.

> Smart thermostats

A feature that is still relatively new and becoming more and more popular in households. As you can guess these smart thermostats, save you money which is always good! A top feature of this is that it is connected to your Wi-Fi and provides you with the option of turning on and off the heating remotely.

The other options that we have already mentioned were motion sensor lighting and motion sensor taps that both detect activity and will turn on and off correspondingly.

6. Renewable energy

> Underfloor heating

This is an eco-friendly heating system that operates at a lower temperature. It has the option to be powered by renewable energy sources, meaning that it is energy efficient. The best part is that it is quick to heat the floor and the rest of the room.

> Solar-powered heaters

A long-term bathroom feature that is quite feasible investing in solar-powered heaters is an eco-friendly solution for your bathroom design as the heaters use the energy that has been taken by the sun for hot water. This means that if all households were to have this fit as part of their bathroom concept, we would reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

7. Regular maintenance

> Bath/shower & taps

An idea that is easy and would make your bathroom eco-friendly if kept under control. That would mean regularly maintaining your bathroom and checking features such as your bath or the shower, the taps, and toilet fixtures to ensure they’re in good nick. Keeping these under control would prevent leaks from happening ultimately causing water wastage and damage to your bathroom.

> Electrical Appliance

Other regular checks that you can make are the electrical appliances that are used inside your bathroom and ensuring that they’re in good condition.

> Cleaning ventilation systems

Cleaning your bathroom ventilation is absolutely crucial to the longevity of your bathroom/shower room, and this is also part of the journey of making your bathroom eco-friendlier. cleaning the extractor fan means that you improve the room's air quality remove moisture and prevent mold from growing.

8. Proper ventilation

This moves us on nicely and how having proper ventilation allows us to have an eco-friendly bathroom. In addition to cleaning your ventilation systems which prevents mould, when revamping your bathroom design you should think of having an energy-efficient extractor fan, which like some of the smart technology features, senses when you walk in the room and turns off when it is not needed.

9. Recycled or sustainable materials

Adopting the use of recycled or sustainable materials can help make your bathroom eco-friendly. The options that you may want to consider for your bathroom renovation.

> Bamboo flooring

Opting for bamboo flooring is a sustainable material option that is a renewable resource and claimed to be more durable than wood. This option can form part of your overall minimalist or zen-designed bathroom, fitting in seamlessly.

> Recycled porcelain and ceramic

Your bathroom fixtures could be made from recycled porcelain and ceramic materials, they’re identical as if they are new so this is kind to our environment!

10. Native plants

We thought we would conclude our ideas by giving you a simple suggestion.

This is mainly for those who are considering having a ‘garden area’ in the bathroom. Bringing the outdoor vibe into your concept. This is a top proposition to make your bathroom eco-friendly.

Choosing to plant native plants is the best option as they adapt to their environment, improving the room's air quality absorbing pollutants and producing oxygen. They require less water than just ‘normal’ plants and their best feature is that they’re aesthetically appealing.

Some native plant options are:

> Aloe vera

> Orchid

> Spider plant

> Air plant

Of course, there are many more options that are available to you, but that depends on the available space, preference, and suitability.

Do you need help revamping your bathroom into an eco-friendly design?

Well, that is our top ideas and in-depth information on how to make your bathroom eco-friendly. As we mentioned it is our responsibility to ensure the future of the earth and we can certainly do our bit by helping you do so in your bathroom.

If you’re considering having a new bathroom/shower room renovation and like to make it eco-friendly, we have a team of experts who carry out a full design and fit service and can certainly deliver this. You can book a free design appointment or call us to arrange for a designer to visit your home.

FAQs

Can I implement eco-friendly bathroom practices in a rental apartment or without major renovations?

The answer is absolutely that you can, there are many little alterations you can add to make your bathroom/ shower room eco-friendly. Some of those simple changes include switching from normal bulbs to LED lighting. Another change is to consciously reduce your water wastage.

How can I calculate the return on investment (ROI) for eco-friendly bathroom upgrades?

Calculating the ROI is to estimate the initial cost of the upgrades that have taken place. Then look to compare the savings on the utility bills. So that would be to divide the initial cost by the annual saving to determine the payback period. Most eco-friendly upgrades have relatively short payback period.

How can I incorporate more eco-friendly practices in my daily bathroom routine, such as reducing water waste while brushing my teeth or washing my face?

Turning the tap off whilst brushing your teeth or washing your face is something that you can include as part of your daily routine. This could also include using a glass of water to rinse your mouth instead of contributing to water wastage by running the tap continuously.

Are there any sustainable options for bathroom flooring that are both eco-friendly and water-resistant?

Yes, the sustainable options that are available are bamboo and maybe engineered wood. These materials are durable and can withstand moisture when they are properly sealed.

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