Sustainable Life Hacks // Bathroom Top 10

Just a little note to say I’m not sponsored or paid to say any of the following and this is not an advertisement, just a personal review of some of my favourite products.

1. Toilet Paper

I have a subscription to Who Gives a Crap. 100% recycled toilet paper delivered right to your door. You’ll never have to lug home a multi-pack of toilet paper wrapped in plastic from the supermarket again. Each roll comes wrapped in bright coloured fun paper so they even look cool in your bathroom and the website makes it super easy to adjust the amount of rolls in each delivery or change the delivery date. It’s pretty much £1 a roll with free delivery – I paid £24 for 24 rolls and that’s lasted me and my housemate 4 months. It may sound expensive compared to normal toilet paper but these are ‘jumbo’ rolls with 400 sheets, whereas normal rolls only have 180 sheets, so you're getting 2.2 times as much paper per roll. They also donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world. Sign up for a free trial here and feel happy every time you wipe your bum.

2. Toothbrushes

There are so many options out there so I will just share my favourites. My dentist recommended I used softer bristles to prevent my gums receding but I recommend you check with your own dentist what your teeth need.

a) The Humble Brush are FDA approved, Vegan, Cruelty-free, Certified Organic and manage oral health outreach projects to help keep smiles on the faces of kids that live in the most vulnerable areas around the world. The handle is made from 100% biodegradable, sustainably-grown bamboo but make sure you pull out the nylon bristles and recycle them at the end of it’s life. Comes with soft bristles.

b) The Truthbrush come from my home county Devon and use sustainable, organic bamboo handles and plant based bristles so the whole thing will biodegrade. Soft and Medium bristles available.

3. Razors

Did you know women pay “pink tax” on things like razors? We pay more for self care items literally because they are pink. How about we fuck that gender based price discrimination right off and all buy a sustainable metal safety razor? Mine was £11.99 from Mutiny Shaving Co. For a more in depth review of the razor you can read my blog post about it here.

4. Shampoo

Have you tried a shampoo block yet? No more plastic bottles (YAY!) and they can go in your hand luggage when travelling. I’ve tried quite a few different brands and a lot have left my hair dry, but this one is specifically for dry hair and I’ve been loving it. There is no transition period and your hair will be feeling like 'normal' if not thicker, brighter and cleaner, from day one. It’s vegan, eco friendly, zero waste and also lasts a lot longer than some of the others I’ve tried. Available from The Kind Store here.

5. Conditioner

Finally a plastic free conditioner in a glass jar. The conditioner bars just didn’t work for me so I’m so glad to have found this Lavender and Rose Geranium Hair Conditioner with Broccoli Seed Oil from Handmade by Wild Sage & Co. At £20 it may seem a little pricey but a little bit goes a loooonnngg way and I’m astounded how long it’s been lasting. I condition my hair about three times a week and it lasted about three months. A treat for your hair and beats buying a plastic bottle to coat your hair in micro-plastics.

6. Body Wash

I do love a good old bar of soap but I have to be careful as I tend to be allergic to a lot of them. I really like the Moher Soap Co Lavender and Oatmeal bar, they do however use RSPO palm oil. I don’t have much plastic in my bathroom but I absolutely love this Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash from REN that comes in a 100% recycled bottle, with 20% reclaimed ocean plastic. Sulphate free and cruelty-free.

7. Cotton Ear Buds

You know we shouldn’t be using these guys right? But we still do … so lets make sure we aren’t using plastic ones. Thanks to our friends at City to Sea many of the big companies have started using paper instead of plastic, but to be sure I’d recommend using bamboo ones from someone like Hydrophil or The Bam and Boo.

8. Period Products

An estimated 1.4 billion tampons are flushed down the loo in the UK alone each year and many of them contain a layer of plastic inside, have a plastic tampon applicator and are wrapped in plastic. Try using a moon cup, period pants or a reusable tampon applicator with organic tampons. For a more in depth review about plastic free periods you can read my blog post here.

9. Toothpaste

I’m still searching for the ultimate toothpaste. I’ve tried Georganics, Truthpaste and Lush Tooth Tabs and they are all pretty good but I think this one comes down to personal preference. My favourite is Kingfisher fluoride free which is vegan & gm free but comes in a plastic tube that I don’t think is recyclable so I’ll update this as and when I try new pastes.

10. Deodorant

After much searching, I found my favourite natural deodorant in a glass jar. I use the gentle one from The Natural Deo Co. For a more in depth review you can read my blog post about it here.