Reusing items makes sense, not just for your bank balance, but also for your health and for the earth. It can save you time and is a great starting point on your journey to self-sufficient living. In addition, I’ve found reusing things to just be far more practical than having to rely on single-use alternatives.
That’s what this blog series is all about – small steps to greater self-sufficiency, and it all starts in the home.
In case you missed them, the first two blog posts are HERE and HERE. Both are about simple, practical changes you can make in your kitchen. Today is about the bathroom.
There are lots of little things in today’s post, but don’t let that overwhelm you. just start with one.
Things to change in the bathroom
They’re such tiny rooms, but they contain some of the most heavily packaged, non-biodegradable and single-use items in our homes. Here is a list of bathroom and laundry items you can switch. Just pick one to start with:
• Wool dryer balls – add these to a load of clothes going into your tumble dryer to reduce drying time
• Razors – switch to rechargeable battery powered
• Single-use nappy liners – switch to the reusable kind, such as those made from fleece
• Makeup remover pads – use simple cloth wipes or make your own
• Cotton wool balls – use cloth wipes
• Plastic nappy bags – switch to reusable wet bags.
• Plastic hair brush – choose wood or bamboo
• Plastic toothbrush – choose wood or bamboo
• Plastic pegs – choose wood or bamboo
• Plastic cotton buds – switch to cotton buds with a bamboo or wooden stick (or stop using them entirely)
BONUS – Wet Bag Ideas
Take an inventory of your bathroom and laundry. Think of three ways that you can use wet bags to replace existing storage solutions that perhaps aren’t as ecofriendly or compact when not in use.
Here are some ideas:
• Instead of having a giant laundry hamper taking up space in the laundry, have a wet bag on the end of each child’s bed. They can put their dirty clothes in here and bring it to the laundry on set days. This really helps kids to develop a sense of responsibility for their belongings. If they forget to take it to the laundry, they’ll soon run out of clothes or find their favourite t-shirt missing!
• Use a small wet bag for each child’s swim gear. Use it as a grab-bag that you can have in the bathroom or laundry cupboard, ready to go with everything they need – towel, swimmers, goggles, swimming cap.
• Instead of purchasing a nappy bucket, try a wet bag on the back of the laundry door. You can dump the nappies in the machine without touching them (bonus!) and throw the bag in after them for a really hygienic nappy storing solution.
Be sure to check back next week for more bathroom ideas.
