Simple Swaps for a More Sustainable Shower

Most people these days take showers over bath, because they save water and are usually more affordable than baths (although power showers do use a lot of water and energy).

If you like to take a morning or evening shower, here are some simple swaps that are good for the planet, and good for your pocket!

Choose unscented bathroom toiletries for pregnancy/nursing, and avoid shea butter for latex allergies.

Choose Shower-Friendly Soaps on Ropes

Although bar soaps cut out the packaging of plastic shower bottles, they do tend to go a bit squishy, so to rid the hassle of buying slatted soap dishes, you can buy vegan bar soaps (with no palm oil) that come with attached ropes. So just hang them up after use, and let gravity dry them out.

Kleen Soaps are big chunky bars, which should last a few weeks in the shower. They retain moisturising glycerine, so don’t dry your skin out, like normal soaps. Choose from:

• Unscented oat milk soaps
• Activated charcoal soaps (for acne)
• Floral soaps (for feminine ladies!)
• Exfoliating pumice soaps
• Pink clay & lemongrass (for dry skin)
• Tall, dark and handsome (for men!)

Friendly Soaps on Ropes (made in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire) are similar, sold in packs of 6, to save on postage.  There’s an unscented aloe vera soap, ideal for pregnancy/nursing, sensitive skin and allergies. Other versions include:

• Relaxing Lavender
• Zingy Lemongrass
• Exfoliating Peppermint Poppyseed
• Woody Patchouli Sandalwood

Miniml Refillable Body Wash (with Yorkshire water)

If you prefer a conventional shower gel, Miniml Body Washes (made with natural ingredients and Yorkshire water) are sold in refillable bottles. Use with a plastic-free shower puff or cotton flannel.

At end of use, just get the bottles refilled at participating stores, or use the QR code to print a label, and send back for washing and refilling, and the bottles will be returned to you with new product.

Choose from:

• Nourishing Coconut
• English Lavender
• Pink Grapefruit
• Tea Tree & Mint

Tubshroom (stop clogged bathroom & kitchen sinks)

Tubshroom is a one-off purchase to place in your shower room tray, to stop hair from blocking drains. T his prevents spending £80 on a plumber and garden floods.

To clean, just remove and wipe away hair and debris, rinse under water and replace. It’s also dishwasher-safe. This company also makes DrainShroom snake, which attaches to a power drill to clear clogged drains with ease.

Would You Benefit from Water-Saving Shower Heads?

New showers should be find. Older showers may benefit from a water-saving showerheads (which aerate so it’s like a rain shower but saves money). To check if you need one:

Place a 2-litre container on the shower floor. If it takes less than 12 seconds to fill when shower is running on full, you could benefit from a low-flow shower, which is easily replaced.

If you need one, your water board may offer one for free. Always use a qualified electrician to fit one. Always check as some are not suitable for certain showers or gravity-fed systems.

If your showerhead is clogged with limescale, Mira has a post on how to fix (and prevent) using cleaning vinegar (instructions are different for fixed showerheads). Learn how to fix a dripping showerhead.

Duwax (waxed cotton shower curtains)

When time comes to replace your mouldy plastic shower curtain, DUWAX is a waxed cotton alternative, that is free from ‘forever chemicals’ and does not cling to your body, when you step out the shower!

Even during use, this shower curtain hangs stable, and is not blown about. The special fabric is not ruined by water (don’t machine-wash) and over time even develops a nice patina. After use, just hangl dry (it’s particularly suited to floor-level walk-in showers). Can be custom-made.

Most shower curtain damage is due to limescale deposits. Remove with a paste of citric acid and gently wipe the surface with a plastic-free sponge.

For heavy deposits, immerse the curtain a bucket of diluted citrus acid and water, then rinse thoroughly with clear water. Keep away from children and pets.