Sustainable living has become a lifestyle choice for many and thanks to modern technology and innovative design, creating a sustainable bathroom that features environmentally friendly products has never been easier. In this blog we look at 10 simple ways you can make your new or existing bathroom sustainable.  

1. Reduce your water consumption by installing Touchless Tapware

Handwashing is an important part of our everyday lives and thanks to COVID-19 many of us find ourselves washing our hands regularly throughout the day. Now that the recommended time for handwashing is 20 seconds we are seeing a lot of clean water literally going down the drain. Innovative technology like Touchless Tapware can help us to reduce our water consumption by up to 60% and optimize our hygiene when handwashing. The controlled waterflow and automation functions ensure the water only flows when you’re ready to wash your hands, providing a sustainable alternative to regular handwashing. Not only is Touchless Tapware incredibly easy to install, it will make a real difference to your water consumption (and water bill).

 

2. Use sustainable personal care products

Thanks to the large range of eco-friendly and organic (or chemical free) products on the market, it is much easier to choose sustainable personal care products for use in your bathroom. Parabens and Sulfates are the most common chemicals you want to avoid in your bathroom products, as they are harmful to our health and also the health of marine mammals. Purchasing refills for your bathroom products like hand soap and body wash are also easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably. Aesop and Thank you Co are two brands that take sustainability seriously, and create products sans nasty chemicals, and without compromising on the quality of the products.

3. Eliminate one-use products like toilet paper

We live in the age of smart bathrooms, and nothing is smarter (or better for the environment) than ditching toilet paper completely. Cue the Smart Toilet, a game changing technology that washes AND dries you, eliminating the use of toilet paper entirely. Some Smart Toilets win additional sustainability points – for example the Evo Smart Toilet which is made from high-quality ceramic that requires NO harsh chemicals to clean.

4. Choose Bathroomware made from natural, recyclable products

Bathroomware like your bath and basin form the foundation of your bathroom, and typically are the hardest products to recycle once you replace them. After a renovation or remodel ceramic products often end up in landfill, causing irreversible harm to the environment. Selecting Bathroomware that are made from natural, recyclable products is an incredibly easy way to make sure your bathroom is sustainable. Luxury European brand Bette make their baths and basins from diamond glazed titanium steel combined with purely natural materials such as glass. Each bathtub and basin is 100% recyclable and they are produced completely solvent and chemical free.

Another eco-friendly feature of these bathtubs is a transparent polymer film applied to all Bette bathtubs called BetteGlaze®. It is water-repellent, allowing droplets to roll off easily without leaving streaks or deposits, which makes cleaning easier. All that needs to be done to clean the surface is to simply wipe it with a damp cloth. There’s no need for strong cleaning agents, which saves time and helps the environment.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, Bette baths and basin are available in an array of colours and dimensions. The BetteLux Shape range is available by Special Order and can be customised to suit your coloured tapware or interior colour scheme.

Thanks to its environmental benefits and stylish designs, Bette Bathroomware is an elegant, durable and sustainable choice for any modern bathroom.

 

5. Select an environmentally functional shower

If your shower predates 2007 then chances are your shower is pumping out between 18-20 litres of water per minute. This is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than the new standard of 9 litres per minute which most showers adhere to now. Updating your shower rail set or shower system is a hassle free way to preserve precious water.

 

6. Save water by using the half flush button

Are you guilty of always pressing the full flush button? Using the half flush (when appropriate) is a simple way to save water! If your toilet has a WELS 4 star rating, chances are it’s using 4.5 litres per full flush, and 3 litres per half flush. If the average person uses the toilet between 4 and 10 times per day, you can save 1.5 litres every time you flush, which could total up to 15 litres!

If your toilet has less than a WELS 4 star rating, you might want to consider upgrading to a more environmentally friendly toilet. Luckily there are many toilets to choose from like back-to-wall, wall-faced, wall-hung and close-coupled that suit all needs and budgets.

 

7. Use sustainable cleaning products

Another way to make a bathroom more eco-friendly is to use sustainable cleaning products. The bathroom is an area of the house most people want to be exceptionally clean. And most people opt for strong, intensive cleaning products. Ammonia or bleach-based products are common. They have great antibacterial and antifungal properties, yet are particularly bad for the environment and can be toxic.

A simple alternative may be to make your own cleaners from natural products such as white vinegar and lemon. Not only does this combo cut through grease and oil very well, but it is also very gentle to the environment. There are also plenty of environmentally friendly cleaning brands available if you’re not particularly a fan of the smell of vinegar. It’s always a good idea to check labels of cleaning products to see whether non-toxic ingredients and fragrances are used.

 

8. Choose to air dry your bath towels rather than use the dryer

It’s so tempting to throw your towels into the dryer. They may come out warm and fluffy, but it’s much more beneficial for both the environment and your electricity bill if you air dry them!

 

9. Natural vs artificial light

If you’re renovating your bathroom, choose to optimise natural light. Large windows or a sky light is a perfect way to do this. Not only will this reduce your electricity consumption, but we also look our best in natural light!

 

10. Recycle your glass and plastic products

It doesn’t often occur to people that recycling extends to the bathroom. With the majority of bathroom products sold in plastic and glass packaging, it’s a no-brainer that we should be sorting our bathroom waste for the red and yellow bins.

 

Creating a genuinely eco-friendly bathroom that’s both stylish and easy to clean has never been easier. With a little forward thinking, and by choosing products and brands that actively embrace a sustainability ethos, your bathroom can become an all-natural oasis.

 

Interested in learning more about creating a sustainable bathroom? Talk to the team at Argent.

Our bathroom experts have all the right know-how to recommend the perfect products for your needs so that you can make that final decision with confidence.

Click here to get in touch with us today. We have Resource Centres in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Or give our Customer Support team a call on 1300 364 748.