Take these 5 easy, cost effective tips to detox your bathroom for a cleaner, healthier and most luxurious space to look after yourself.
Swap to Natural Bath & Body Care
We cannot stress how important this is! It is well known that your skin is your largest organ but did you know it can absorb up to 60% of what you put on it? Just think about the way nicotine patches work coupled with the fact that 80% of the chemicals in personal care products have never been tested for safety! That is not a good combination.
The results were even proven last year when an Australian report published in the International Journal of Chemistry, found that natural products are better for your skin and the environment compared with chemical based ones.
Make the change to natural, organic, cruelty free products that will protect and nourish your skin instead of exposing it to toxins and stripping it of it’s natural oils, all while improving your health, the environment and animal welfare.
Simply start by replacing your body and skin care products as they run out with natural alternatives. This is our area of expertise so please feel free to contact us for any advice or recommendations on products best suited to your skin type and lifestyle.
A good money saver is to make your own beauty products! Coconut oil is a great multi-purpose beauty treatment for skin, hair and teeth.
2. Avoid Mainstream Air Fresheners
The Natural Resources Defence Council conducted a study called, ’Clearing the Air: Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners" where they found that 86% of air fresheners that they tested contained dangerous phthalates. Phthalates are toxic compounds that are mainly used in plastic to increase their flexibility, transparency and durability. Not something you want to be breathing into your lungs right? Also according to the NRDC research, most phthalates are known to negatively interfere with hormones, mainly in males. Additionally, phthalates in air fresheners are associated with allergic symptoms and asthma.
Same goes with artificially scented candles. According to the Environmental Protection Agency certain types of candles have been found to discharge the chemicals benzene and ketones, so it's good to look for scented candles using organic essential oils and and beeswax instead of paraffin wax and artificial fragrances.
If you don’t have the option to open a window, try an organic air freshener instead.
Bath the kids with a natural bubble bath
Like you love a hot bubble bath at the end of a big day, so do your little ones but according to the Environmental Working Group ’every day, children are exposed to an average of 27 personal care product ingredients that have not been found safe for developing bodies" plus many commercial bubble baths contain sulphates, parabens and artificial colours and fragrances, which can cause eczema-like skin reactions.
Plus, it is said that no-tear formulation bubble baths may contain chemicals that actually numb children’s eyes to stop them from stinging, even more reason to choose a natural bubble bath!
4. Filter Your Shower Water
As we discussed in Part 1, regular tap water can contain many impurities, chemicals and contaminants such as heavy metals, bacteria, chlorine, ammonia and fluoride. Investing in a chlorine shower filter is the best way to remove those nasty contaminates as well as dirt and rust to ensure you are washing your body in the cleanest most pure water possible. This is especially beneficial for those with dry, sensitive or problem skin. You can read more about how to How to Minimise Our Exposure to Chlorine here.
5. Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Not only are harsh chemical cleaners commonly used in the bathroom such as bleach, mould killer and toilet cleaner, toxic to your body and skin, they are expensive and smell terrible.
To save money, the environment and your health, try making your own DIY cleaning products! They are so simple and cost effective. For bleach, simply make up a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar and borax, for sink mildew and bathroom mould, try spraying it with a mix of vinegar and a little natural soap then sprinkling it with baking soda, same for a toilet bowl cleaner! If this sounds like a bit too much effort, we’ve got you covered with a range of natural cleaning products.
