eco-friendly hygiene

Here’s How to Promote Eco-Friendly Hygiene

Hygiene routines range from person to person and may comprise several products aimed to improve quality of life and well-being. However, not all products or practices are sustainable.

Promoting an eco-friendly hygiene practice is worth considering as more people seek ways to live a greener lifestyle. After all, it’s one area you have complete control over.

If you’re interested in taking greater responsibility for the environment by switching up your hygiene habits, these five simple tricks can help you get started.

1. Opt for Reusable Wipes

Many people probably don’t think twice about their nightly routines. Women, especially, may grab the nearest makeup-remover wipes or cotton balls to clean their faces out of convenience.

However, you can’t recycle or compost these materials, which creates extra landfill emissions. Additionally, flushing them down the toilet can cause considerable environmental damage.

Opting for reusable makeup removal cloths is a more eco-friendly alternative for better hygiene. Even better, you can purchase cloth made from organic cotton. Throw them in the laundry after a few uses and use them again.

2. Use Hair Care Bars

Shampoos, conditioners and body wash often contain unsafe chemicals that are environmentally toxic. Their containers also add to the world’s current plastic pollution problems.

However, hair care bars are an eco-friendly solution to the effects of traditional shampoos and conditioners. Such bars prove to be much better for your hair, as well.

In addition to their affordability and significantly lower environmental impact, hair care bars generally contain natural oils and minimal-to-no chemicals. You can also buy many hair care bars without packaging, while others come in a cardboard box you can recycle. 

Just be sure to purchase products without palm oil — its demand has led to massive deforestation in some parts of the world.

3. Minimize Water Use

The average American household uses 40 gallons of water per day, 17% of which accounts for showering.

Residential water usage flushes chemicals and harmful products down the drain, emptying into vital water bodies — and as the global population increases, water conservation is dire.

As you make the transition to natural hair care and body wash products, you should also try the following water-conserving methods:

  • Limit your shower to no more than five minutes.
  • Turn the water off while lathering your hair and body.
  • Purchase a water-conserving showerhead.

Understandably, a long, hot shower is quite enjoyable and may even be therapeutic for the 20% of American adults suffering from mental health conditions. However, saving water as part of your eco-friendly hygiene routine is best.

4. Reduce Plastic Disposables

Practicing eco-friendliness in your hygiene regimen can be as straightforward as cutting back on plastic disposables, such as razors and toothbrushes.

Disposable razors may be cheaper, but they don’t last long and usually end up in a landfill — meaning you’ll need to buy them regularly and generate more waste. Meanwhile, toothbrushes can take 500 years to decompose in the environment.

Investing in a double-edge razor or a bamboo toothbrush are great ways to cut back on disposable plastic waste. You’ll get a better shave and the bamboo will have an easier time breaking down.

5. Make Eco-Friendly DIY Products at Home

Do-it-yourself wellness and cleaning solutions are much better for the environment than most commercial products. Using natural ingredients you probably have in your pantry, you can create everything from skincare essentials to deodorants to disinfectants.

For instance, several body scrubs and exfoliators contain microbeads — and even after undergoing wastewater treatment, 15 billion microbead particles end up in oceans, rivers, lakes and streams. Instead, you can boost your skincare routine with a DIY natural coffee scrub including coconut oil, avocado oil, coffee grounds and brown sugar.

You might also decide to improve your home’s air quality with eco-friendly cleaners. For example, mixing white vinegar with baking soda or lemon removes stains, dirt and grime. Just be cautious not to mix white vinegar with bleach, as doing so creates a lethal chlorine gas.

Otherwise, studies have shown hydrogen peroxide is more effective at killing germs than most ammonium-based cleaning products. Wipe your phone and devices with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol, but steer clear of porous countertops like granite or quartz.

Greener Hygiene for a Healthier Planet

Small changes can lead to impactful results. Your daily hygiene practices can significantly help create a healthier planet. Making these eco-friendly changes will also prove beneficial for your health and well-being.

Post a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *