Want to create an eco-friendly bathroom experience? You’re in the right place because I’m sharing the ultimate zero-waste bathroom swaps list right here, right now!
Believe it or not, there are many ways you can reduce your waste in the bathroom, and most are fairly simple.
For Earth Month, I’ve covered a lot of ground by sharing and reviewing eco-friendly products to help you find the perfect zero-waste swaps for your bathroom.
This post will link to all of the reviews available, so be sure to bookmark it to reference as needed!
The Ultimate Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps Guide
Before we get into the guide, I do want to put one disclaimer out there for you:
If you’re things still have life left in them, the zero waste way is to use them up before transitioning to zero waste options.
Erin Tannehill, The Tannehill Homestead
Many people, including myself, are guilty of swapping things because they are trendy zero-waste things that we want. However, to truly be zero waste or sustainable, you need to use the things you already have until their usefulness has run its course.
With that being said, for the things that definitely need to be swapped for zero-waste options, let’s dive into the zero-waste bathroom swaps you can make!
1 // Soap Bars
Soap bars in lieu of liquid soap are one of the easiest swaps you can start with, which is why it is first on the list.
You’ve got a few options with soap bars.
You can opt for the regular soap bar, soap ends, or soap mash bars.
These are great options, but the soap ends, and soap mash bars take it a little further to ensure that nothing goes to waste for the soap maker.
Check out my shower routine to learn more about these options.
2 // Shampoo + Conditioner Bars
Similar to soap bars, shampoo, and conditioner bars eliminate a couple of more plastic bottles from your home.
I recommend you check out what KealiaOrganics has to offer and swap out your plastic bottles for bars!
3 // Natural Loofahs
Believe it or not, natural loofahs are a vegetable that can be grown in your backyard garden! The vines and flowers are beautiful, too!
Again, this swap reduces the plastic you have in your home if you use plastic loofahs.
What I love most about natural loofahs is that work amazingly well to clean your body and can also be used as cleaning scrubbers. [Of course, you’d want two different loofahs for those uses.]
4 // Razor
Traditional razors have a lot of plastic components and are very wasteful.
Switching to a safety razor is a great, zero-waste swap that has gotten easier with LeafShave’s modern take on the safety razor. So if the traditional safety razor intimidates you [like it does me], LeafShave’s razor is the perfect option!
5 // Bathroom Rug
You may not have thought about this before, but a lot of rugs are made with plastic or other materials that cannot be recycled.
One way to change that is to use a 100% cotton rug. I personally have this rug from Walmart, and I love it! It washes well and has lasted for years so far.
6 // Natural Fiber Towels
Speaking of fabric, you also want to consider the towels you’re using. Are they 100% natural fiber towels?
If not, consider switching to 100% cotton or linen towels once the life of your current towels is done.
7 // Lotion Bars
Lotion bars work great and eliminate the need for plastic bottled lotion. They work well and last quite a long time.
Here are some lotion bars on Etsy that you could try!
8 // Shave Bars
Shave bars are a great way to stop using canned shaving cream, especially because these cans are hard, if not impossible, to recycle.
Shave bars work like shampoo and conditioner bars and are a great zero-waste bathroom swap!
Check out this shave bar on Etsy by the same person who makes the lotion bars!
9 // Dry Shampoo
Did you know that you can use ingredients found in your kitchen to create dry shampoo? It’s true and oftentimes cheaper!
Check out this article from Good Housekeeping for their 5 DIY Dry Shampoo Recipes!
10 // Hair Ties
There are a couple of options for hair ties to make this zero-waste bathroom swap work.
- Pick up any hair ties you find, wash/sanitize them, and use them.
- Purchase hair ties made of only natural materials.
There are a lot of hair tie options I really like on Etsy.
11 // Hairbrush and comb
Choosing a hairbrush and comb that are made of wood is actually better for your hair and scalp.
This is one simple zero-waste bathroom swap you can make when needed that really makes a big difference in the health of your hair.
12 // Plastic-Free Deodorant
I am so in love with Little Seed Farm and their deodorants! They are a solar-powered farm that focuses on creating quality, eco-friendly bathroom products, and they do a great job at it!
They offer a plastic-free deodorant, as well as travel-size samples. While the samples do come in plastic, what I love is that you can find the perfect scent for you before purchasing a full-size deodorant.
I personally chose their Jasmine Green deodorant and love it! However, after trying their travel-size samples, I also found that I’m obsessed with their Rosemary Patchouli scent, as well!
It is a creative a great approach to helping people find zero-waste products they will truly enjoy using.
Check out Little Seed Farm Deodorant now!
13 // Skin Care
Regardless of what steps you take with your skin care, Little Seed Farm also has you covered!
Whether you use face cleansers, moisturizers, serums, masks, or whatever your preference is, it is possible to find zero-waste solutions for them.
I do believe less is more, but everyone has their preferred skincare routine. Just make sure you choose products that are zero-waste, and you’ll be one step closer to a zero-waste bathroom!
14 // Reusable Makeup Wipes
Did you know that you can create your own makeup wipes at home and not waste money on single-use wipes? You sure can!
I really like Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop’s 2-ply UNpaper Towels. They are really soft but have the right amount of texture to clean your face.
15 // Reusable Toilet Paper, even if just for #1
Speaking of reusable wipes, consider using reusable cloth wipes in lieu of toilet paper to save a lot of money and trees!
Check out why I recommend this swap and the specific unpaper toilet paper options I recommend in this blog post.
16 // Dual Flush Toilet
While this isn’t exactly zero waste, it does reduce the amount of water you use, which embraces the zero waste lifestyle.
My husband and I installed one in our shop apartment and love it! You can really tell a difference between the two options as far as water usage is concerned.
Related Post: 7 of the Best Ways to Save Water in the Bathroom
17 // Toilet Cleaning Brush
Similar to the loofah, you can choose a natural fiber brush in lieu of plastic.
While I do not recommend tossing your plastic toilet cleaning brush if it still works fine, I do recommend you choose a natural fiber brush when it needs replacing.
18 // Eye Wear
Whether you wear contacts or glasses, there are zero waste options to choose from in lieu of plastic.
For glasses, opt for metal or wood frames. See if your eye doctor has a take-back or donation program for old glasses.
For contacts, you can recycle your contacts, blister packs, and top foil through Bausch + Lomb’s One by One Program.
19 // Bamboo Toothbrush
I’ll admit that this zero-waste bathroom swap took a little getting used to because of the texture difference. However, I love my bamboo toothbrush, and I think you will, too!
I’m currently using this bamboo toothbrush.
20 // Silk Floss & Mouthwash
Floss and mouthwash are two products that can easily be swapped for zero-waste options.
I recommend silk floss.
For mouthwash, I mix water with a little witch hazel and peppermint oil.
You could also try oil pulling in lieu of mouthwash in the morning to help remove any germs and bacteria from your mouth.
21 // Toothpaste
For natural, zero-waste toothpaste, I recommend the original zero-waste toothpaste – Davids toothpaste! They have a few different options that I really like, including herbal citrus and peppermint toothpaste.
What makes Davids unique is the aluminum tube paired with a metal tube key to ensure you don’t waste a drop of toothpaste.
Once you finish the tube, you cut it open, clean it out, and recycle it!
The toothpaste works really well to prevent plaque buildup, and I love how fresh it leaves my mouth!
Another couple of options are tooth tabs and tooth powder, but I personally don’t have any experience with them.
22 // With Your Period
There are three ways you can create a zero waste period, and I’ve reviewed a lot of these products to help you determine which are the best options for you!
- Period Panties
- Reusable Menstrual Pads
- Menstrual Cup – Pixie Cup | Lola
Check out the review posts to get all the details and reviews!
23 // Bathtub spa products
The last zero-waste bathroom swap you can make is with the products you use when taking a bath. Look for products that come in paper or cardboard wrapping or even a metal container that can be reused.
Some bath bombs come in plastic wrapping, but you can find some that are in zero-waste packaging.
You don’t have to sacrifice the luxury spa bath experience, so enjoy it with products that are zero-waste.
Final thoughts
Transitioning to a zero-waste bathroom is not all that hard when you take it one step at a time.
Save this ultimate zero-waste bathroom swaps guide to help you make the transition in a sustainable way that works for you!
Also note that the quote, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” includes living zero waste.
Don’t worry about making swaps for things that still have life left in them. Wait until that item is no longer useful, then check out the recommendations and reviews I’ve linked to in order to make the changes you’re ready for. That is how you truly live a more zero-waste lifestyle.
I’d love to know what zero-waste bathroom swaps you’ve made and plan to make in the future! Let’s chat below in the comments about it!
ACL says
Thanks for sharing these ideas.
Erin Tannehill says
Of course! Glad you enjoyed it!