Insightful Zero Waste Bathroom Alternatives

What is lying under your bathroom vanity? The average Americans bathroom is stacked full with single-use, disposable, toxic items that are often used every day. Imagine how much waste those daily Q-tips and monthly rolls of dental floss creates. When moving towards living a low waste lifestyle, the bathroom is normally the last place people turn too, but the second most wasteful part of the home.

The average American uses 10 cosmetic products per day, which also means being exposed to hundreds of different chemicals on a daily basis. What most people don’t realize is that the products marketers make you think you need, are not strictly regulated. Manufacturers can add pretty much whatever they want into your skin care, personal hygiene, and hair care products. Shocking, right?

In reality, there are so many zero waste, healthy alternatives to every single product that goes under your bathroom vanity, in your shower, and on your skin (and work better too!) Your body will fall in love with products that nourish and hydrate your skin, brighten your teeth, make your hair feel super soft, and your personal hygiene routine will be on another level! You will also save tons of money long-term.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE ZERO WASTE BATHROOM ALTERNATIVES ARE:

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1. BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH

Billions of disposable plastic toothbrushes are tossed out every year across the world. They either end up in the landfill or the ocean where it will take them thousands of years to break up, and can cause major harm to wildlife. Bamboo toothbrushes work just as great, the handles are compostable, and the bristles are so tiny, the waste is almost none. You can also repurpose the handles as garden markers!

2. SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER BARS

One of my favorite zero waste swaps! Traveling is so much easier, you know exactly what you are putting on your hair and scalp, they work better, create an amazing foamy lather, leave no residue, work for both hard and soft water, save tons of disposable plastic bottles from littering the earth, and your hair is left soft, healthy, and clean! One shampoo bar lasts over 50 washes, replacing around 2 medium sized shampoo bottles! Checkout our shampoo bars here. They are safe for all hair types: thin, thick, color treated, straight, curly, those that have dandruff, sensitive scalps, dry or oily hair, dreadlocks, babies hair, and even bald heads! You can also use them on your body.

3. REUSABLE FACIAL ROUNDS

Cotton balls and cotton rounds come packaged in plastic, they are only used once, most store-bought cotton balls have pesticides and herbicides in them, they are unsustainable, and the cost adds up. Reusable facial rounds are great because they last a long time, can be thrown into your washer, work just as great, will save you money, and are way more sustainable! You can purchase them in many materials such as bamboo and sustainably sourced organic cotton, or you can make your own with an old flannel material!

4. STAINLESS STELL RAZOR

Most people are nervous about switching to one of these bad boys because they sound intimidating. I am here to tell you, they are not! They give you the cleanest shave and some of the newer models are very forgiving. They are easily recyclable (but should last you a lifetime) and there are a bunch of step-by-step videos online on how to properly use them! They are great for both men and women. We love this one.

5. TOOTH POWDER OR DIY TOOTHPASTE

Most store-bought toothpaste contains many unnecessary, toxic ingredients. Some of the chemicals that have been found in popular toothpaste brands are SLS, pesticides, artificial colors and sweeteners, and more. Some brands also contain Microbeads for extra “scrubbing power” which are actually tiny pieces of plastic that go down your drain and straight into the ocean, harming our marine ecosystem and wildlife. Toothpowder or DIY toothpaste is much better for you, only containing a few, important ingredients, and actually work! Our favorite Toothpowder is this one or this one. You simply wet your toothbrush bristles and dip them into the jar of powder!

The powder works as a scrubbing agent and whitens your teeth, makes your mouth feel minty fresh, removes plague and more! A great zero waste toothpaste recipe is found here.

6. SOAP BAR/ SHAVE BAR

The easiest swap! You can go into almost any drug store or grocery store, and good chances you’ll find a soap bar. Not sure what quality it will be, but you get the point! Soap bars are the same as bottled soap, but with no bottle (obviously). Make sure to watch out for Palm Oil in your soap bar, because it is very unsustainable. There are many different kinds of soaps for different wants, like acne, dry skin, exfoliation, etc. We have a few amazing soap bars that come shipped with as minimal, eco friendly packaging as possible!