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Create an Eco-friendly Bathroom on a Budget

When it comes to updating your bathroom with new accessories, it makes sense to choose items which are both purse-friendly but have good eco-credentials too. We’ve come up with a few ways that you can update your bathroom without being a drain on the earth’s resources;

What Eco-friendly Changes Can You Make in Your Bathroom?

Are you sitting comfortably?

If you need a new seat for your toilet, there are plenty of options to choose from other than using wood. Rubberwood, for example, has excellent eco credentials: it’s a by-product of the latex industry so rather than any of the tree going to waste the excess wood has been used to create toilet seats. These seats provide a gorgeous wood-grain effect without the need to cut down another tree unnecessarily so are forest-friendly and sustainable. This product is no more expensive than plastic or wooden seat so keep an eye out for this ecologically sound option when buying a new toilet seat.

Bridging the gap

If you fancy the idea of a bath bridge to hold your book and drink while you’re relaxing in your new bath, why not go for an earth-friendly product made from bamboo? Known to be a fast-growing, rapidly replenishing material, bamboo has great eco-credentials and is both lightweight and strong, so it’s an excellent alternative to wood yet coordinates well with a wood-grain finish. Bamboo is often cheaper than other options and will last much longer than rust-prone metal or plastic that becomes brittle over time.

Just a drop in the ocean

If you’re going for a complete bathroom makeover, consider installing a shower or narrow bath to save water each time you bathe. A bath with a smaller capacity will provide a deep bath with less water, and a shower will save both water and the energy used for heating the water each time you wash. Choosing these eco-friendly options when you renovate your new bathroom suite will save you money in the long run and will prevent water wastage.

Painting preparations

When you consider that the production of one litre of paint can result in up to 30 litres of toxic waste from the petrochemical industry, it makes sense to choose a more eco-friendly option. Not only will a water-based or chemical-free paint improve the earth’s environment but it will also improve the toxicity levels in your own home. Some gloss paints can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for up to five years after painting, polluting the air you breathe and aggravating respiratory conditions such as asthma. These paints might be a little more difficult to source but the benefits to your family and the earth as a whole make it worthwhile paying a little more when redecorating your bathroom.