11 Eco-Friendly Bathroom Products For Sustainable Scrubbing

It’s reported that 72% of people do their best thinking in the shower. So, next time you’re mid-scrub, think about how you can up your game for a zero waste bathroom with sustainable bath products.

How did we ensure we’re living the green eco dream each time we go to the loo?

By considering materials, material sourcing, thoughtful packaging, and prioritizing those brands going the extra mile for the planet with various sustainable business practices.

We’ll be refreshing all of our articles over the coming months in line with our new Brand Rating System that considers 22 criteria from chemical use and animal welfare to climate change and circular business practices. To brush up on the new system (which helps us find the cleanest, most sustainable, and ethical brands), have a read of our explainer.

There are two main plastic-free bathroom products for your eco hair care routine: shampoo and conditioner bars or refillable options of your favorite planet-friendly ‘poo.

For the former, Ethique ensures luscious locks in a consciously concentrated way. Their handcrafted Live and Let Shine™ pack has all you need for balanced hair.

The restoring and palm oil-free shampoo and conditioner duo features cocoa butter and coconut oil to support smooth tresses. The zero-waste bars replace EIGHT 350ml bottles, supporting a healthy planet.

Everist also offers a zero waste liquid alternative to shampoo and conditioner via 100% recyclable aluminum concentrated tubes.

Switching to zero-waste shampoo and conditioners is an easy first swap on the journey to more eco-friendly sanitary wares.

Eco-friendly bath products aren’t just better for the planet, they’re often better for your skin, being absent all kinds of synthetic fillers that are (at best) useless and (at worst) toxic.

Carbon Neutral Everist helps keep plastic waste out of the shower by prioritizing recyclable packaging materials and ingredients that are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of synthetic fragrances.

Low-waste lather is available in the form of a Body Wash Concentrate Tin, an aluminum tin filled with 3x concentrated plant-based ingredients. Read: an entire bottle of body wash in a 100ml travel-friendly tin.

Providing concentrates without a container at all, Ethique’s back at it again with their Invigorating Bodywash Concentrate. Suitable for all skin types, the Orange & Lime body wash makes 350ml of liquid in a plastic-free way. You just add the water 😉

Another option to leave yourself smelling sustainably sweet is using body wash refills, either from brands who offer mail-in bottle returns or at a local zero waste store.

Don’t forget the zero waste hand soap, consider you’ll be using this multiple times a day.

Talking of sweet, how do we get clean ‘pits without stinking up the planet in the process?

With zero waste deodorants, of course!

Sustainable packaging is EcoRoots’ specialty, and it’s what you’ll get in their eco-friendly alternative to deodorant in plastic packaging: their Zero Waste Deodorant.

The non-toxic formula features natural and organic ingredients and ticks all the boxes being free of cruelty, aluminum, parabens, baking soda, and animal-derived ingredients. Suitable for sensitive skin, it uses essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances.

You’ll find two types: deodorant tubes utilizing compostable cardboard and a cream, which comes in a reusable glass jar with an aluminum lid.

A natural bathroom often means a natural body. For soft, supple, sustainable skin, ditch the harsh chemicals and unnecessary plastic waste and opt for zero waste lotion instead.

Using reusable and recyclable materials for their refillable face moisturizer, we can turn to Plaine Products to renew, soften, and smooth skin.

Using rich plant oils and extracts, the safe, paraben-free formula will combat fine lines and wrinkles and support skin health with potent antioxidants and nutrients.

Georganics joins people twice daily to help them brush in a way that’s better for our planet.

Black is the new white (teeth), which is why you’ll find bacteria-trapping and stain-removing activated charcoal in their Charcoal Mineral Toothpaste Tablets.

Instead of fluoride, SLS, and glycerin, they’re made with mineral-rich powders like kaolin clay and calcium carbonate. Instead of a plastic tube that is almost never recyclable, the tablets come in a reusable glass jar.

If you want a conventional fluoride-containing clean with an unconventional flavor, they’ve also got an Orange Fluoride Toothpaste. Like the tablets, it’s packed with vegan, cruelty-free ingredients that are COSMOS-certified and mostly organic.

Zero waste toothpaste is an eco bathroom essential. Make the switch to either of the above and you’ll cut out the need for EIGHT plastic tubes every year.

Don’t forget to floss!

Georganics also offers a vegan, castor oil dental floss made from biobased PA1010. We’d opt for this one over their fluoride floss, which is made from polyester. We’d also avoid their non-vegan floss made from ahimsa silk due to the ethical implications of so-called “peace silk”.

When it comes to eco-friendly bathroom accessories, there’s no simpler swap than making the switch to a sustainable toothbrush.

Doing things a little differently, etee has a Bamboo Toothbrush with Replaceable Head. Like it sounds, the Coral, Green, or Teal bamboo toothbrushes come in two parts to minimize waste every time you need a new toothbrush.

They’re also made with 100% castor bean oil bristles and FSC-certified bamboo. Note that the bristles are not yet biodegradable, so they need to be removed, along with the staple, before composting the rest of the head.

If you prefer a little vibration to help lift plaque from your pearly whites, fear not; etee offers a bamboo electric toothbrush, too.

Shave off some single-use plastic pollution by incorporating more reusable bathroom products into your hygiene routine: like a safety razor.

Disposable plastic razors aren’t just an annoyance for growing landfills, they also eat up a lot of money.

Taking care of all of your smooth, freshly-shaven needs, ZeroWasteStore offers a single blade safety razor that comes with ten free blades. You can purchase further packs of replacement blades. Once the blades can shave no more, they can be collected and sent for recycling via Albatross’ take back program.

Just be sure to properly learn how to clean a safety razor so it can be your trusty shaving companion for years. Fuzz-free without the fuss for you and the planet!

The average American uses over 140 rolls of toilet paper, making those in the US the global leaders in TP consumption.

Regardless of where you live, you can turn your bathroom into a planet-friendly one by changing how you wipe—even if you’re not quite ready for zero waste hygiene products in the form of reusable toilet paper.

Recycled toilet paper means no virgin trees and a manufacturing process that requires a lot less energy and water. It also creates less air pollution (40% less sulfur dioxide).

Who Gives A Crap gives a crap about this, which is why they offer 100% Recycled Toilet Paper.

As an extra bonus, WGAC’s toilet rolls come in brightly colored compostable paper that can be upcycled into zero-waste gift wrapping.

Serving as an alternative to plastic-based, chemical-laden sanitary pads and tampons, menstrual cups are one of the most sustainable bath and body products for menstruators.

Saalt is one brand prioritizing planet-friendly period care. Their Duo Pack is perfect for anyone getting started with a reusable menstrual cup.

It includes two sizes of medical-grade silicone menstrual cups to accommodate different menstrual flow levels and cervix heights.

Menstrual cups aren’t for everyone, though. Sustainble period underwear might be more your speed.

Fortunately, Saalt also offers a Sampler 3-Pack Bundle of period underwear for regular to high absorbency. Each leak-proof pair can absorb up to 2 sanitary pads or 3 tampons’ worth—all while keeping wearers dry and comfy.

The coziest sustainable shower products will feel good on your freshly-bathed body, clean toes, and our earth: organic towels and bath mats.

Boll & Branch is one of the best sustainable bedding brands—but they’re equally cozy when it comes to wrapping up post-bath.

Their Plush Bath Towel Set is made with the same supremely sustainable material: organic cotton, certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The additional OEKO-TEX certification means each of the two hand towels, bath towels, and wash cloths are free of GMOs and harmful chemicals.

You’ll also find a selection of GOTS-certified organic bath mats, like the Plush Bath Mat featuring luxuriously soft long-staple cotton.

One of the most eco-friendly shower products is that which replaces some of the most traditionally toxic ones: PVC shower curtains.

Swapping these out with non-toxic shower curtains ensures you’re not breathing in off-gassed chemicals mixed in with all that otherwise therapeutic steam.

We’d feel safe showering with Coyuchi’s Mediterranean Organic Shower Curtain. It’s made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and gets its clean, white color from hydrogen peroxide instead of harsh chlorine bleach.

Since it’s all-natural, it’s compostable—meaning even if it starts smelling too funky and needs to be disposed of, it’s still a totally zero waste shower product.

A low (to zero) waste bathroom likely won’t happen overnight.

Feel free to take your time in making sustainable swaps that work for you. If all you can do right now is upgrade your plastic toothbrush to a bamboo one, that’s definitely a step in the right direction.

If the concept of “zero waste” is too daunting, just think of it as low waste until you get a feel for things.

Also, consider that while many of these environmentally-friendly bathroom alternatives are more expensive than the conventional version, they’re an investment that will save you money over time.

Shampoo bars will last longer than a plastic shampoo bottle. A menstrual cup can be used for a decade or longer, saving you $10-15 a month in period product costs. A zero waste safety razor may last you the rest of your life (and prevent stubble in the process!).

Being made with natural ingredients, these eco-friendly products are also better for your well-being.

By staying clear of ingredients to avoid in skincare, they’ll reduce your risk of exposure to chemicals like volatile organic compounds, which have been linked to anxiety, nausea, headaches, and other chronic conditions.

We’re exposed to enough potentially harmful compounds on a daily basis. Why take our chance with personal care or beauty products that aren’t made with natural skincare ingredients?