If you seek to make your home as eco-friendly as possible, then your bathroom is the best place to start.
And here’s why.
The bathroom is the place where most utility consumption takes place, especially water and electricity.
And since green living is all about cutting back on these resources, choosing an eco-friendly bathroom is only the most logical thing you can do.
If your current washroom is not as environmentally friendly as you’d wish, don’t fret. You can always turn it into your dream green toilet by tweaking a few things here and there.
Here are great tips for remodeling your green bathroom.
Meanwhile, before you make any purchase decision, there are factors you should consider when selecting bathroom fixtures for your home.
3 Main Points to Keep in Mind When Choosing Bathroom Fixtures
1. Flexibility
It is important to consider how resilient your bathroom fixture is in handling its required functions. Good bathroom hardware is one that does not easily degrade with every touch or use.
Remember that the fixture will likely get wet over and over again in the bathroom, but it should be in a position to maintain its functionality.
It is therefore not advisable to use materials such as organic wood as it would easily rot over a short period of time.
Instead, go for materials that are not easily affected by moisture, such as nickel, brass, or bronze. They are also easy to rub and clean without necessarily degrading their material.
Avoid bathroom fixtures made of iron as it easily corrodes over time once it oxidizes when in contact with moisture.
In the place of iron, you can go for bathroom fixtures made of stainless steel. If you insist on using iron fixtures, it is advisable to paint some water-resistant coating over them to act as a protective cover.
Bathroom fixtures made of glass are also an option, but they are not highly recommended for obvious reasons.
Bathroom falls can be quite nasty, and if there are glass fixtures in the bathroom, it gets worse. They can get pretty slippery when in contact with water making them prone to accidents.
To increase the resilience of your plastic and metal bathroom fixtures, you can use commercial finishes to coat them.
It is however advisable to confirm with the sellers the materials their products are made of before applying such finishes. You can also feel the weight of the fixtures on your hands.
A heavy fixture would mean that heavy gauge material was used to make it, and it could be of good quality.
2. Cost
The cost of bathroom fixtures is one of the most important considerations when making purchase decisions. The most costly and lavish bathroom hardware does not necessarily mean that it makes the best buy.
You can still get quality bathroom accessories and fixtures without breaking a bank.
Eco-friendly materials such as antique brass or recycled bronze can give you some beautiful yet inexpensive bathroom fixtures.
They are also quite easy to find, and their affordability will ensure you don’t leave a crazy dent in your pocket.
In fact, if you lay your hands on lustrous stainless steel, you will likely get a bathroom fixture that performs just as great at a very pretty price.
3. Design
Your personal taste and preference will largely influence the design of bathroom fixtures you choose to buy. Consistency in design will give you a scheme that will make your bathroom attractive.
If you decide to go for lavish designs, then stick to over-the-top bathroom fixtures. Otherwise, your bathroom would look out of place if there’s a mix of antique turn-of-the-century pieces and sleek high-tech décor in the same space.
There’s no fixed rule, though.
If your taste is lavish with a bit of lush décor here and there and you wish to insert a little of your personal character and quirkiness, then, by all means, go for it.
If you desire to mix metals and you feel that vibe, do it!
However, mixing metals would be quite weird in the bathroom than it would in the kitchen for example.
The bottom line is your design is a personal decision.
If what you currently have does not match your taste, then you can always consider spray coating or painting them, especially when you are remodeling your bathroom.
You don’t have to replace all fixtures afresh. Just ensure that your coating is waterproof and is specially formulated for the kind of fixtures you have in your bathroom.
For a sustainable bathroom design, your bathroom fixtures should not only be about the shapes, shades, styles, and finishes but also the design of your bathroom in its entirety.
The size of your bathroom also plays a role in the design of the fixtures you choose.
Common Materials Used to Make Eco-friendly Bathroom Fixtures
Bathroom fixtures can be made of different materials, including steel, bronze, brass, wood, bamboo, zinc, or plastic. All the above materials all present unique benefits.
Wood and bamboo, however, are not highly recommended for bathroom fixtures due to their high rate of degradation and decay.
1. Biodegradable Plastic
For a green bathroom, the use of biodegradable plastic is advised.
This is because if the plastic is not biodegradable, chances are it will cause pollution, which beats the ideals of eco-friendly living.
The advantage of using biodegradable plastic is that it is inexpensive and does not contain any lead. However, it is less durable and will not last long in the bathroom.
2. Zinc and Zinc Alloys
Despite being the cheapest material used for making bathroom fixtures, it is also the least rigid and, therefore, not durable.
If you are looking for a long-lasting, eco-friendly bathroom fixture, then those made of zinc and zinc alloys should be last on your list.
3. Brass
If your greatest desire for bathroom fixtures is to purchase hardware that is sturdy and durable and does not corrode even where there’s frequent contact with moisture, then brass is your best bet.
It may not come cheap, but it is definitely worth every penny spent.
4. Stainless Steel
The downside of bathroom fixtures made of stainless steel is that they tend to rust with constant contact with moisture.
This is especially true for cheaper hardware and will likely last for less periods than those made of good brass.
Typically, stainless steel tends to be a bit more expensive than brass, but the extra coins spent may not necessarily be worth your while.
4 Eco-friendly Bathroom Fixtures to Consider
The main eco-friendly bathroom fixtures you should consider for your green bathroom include:
· Eco-friendly Toilets
· Eco-friendly Faucets
· LED Lights
· Eco-friendly Shower-Heads
With the above facilities, you can be sure to turn your resource gobbling restroom into a green bathroom.
Let’s now talk about each of them.
1. Eco-friendly Toilets
A composting waterless toilet design is the best fit if you have decided to adopt a green lifestyle. The waterless toilet fixtures are affordable and easy to use and since they save resources high utility bills will be a thing of the past.
The best composting toilets include the Sun-Mar and Nature’s Head brands. You can read the best reviews of these giant brands here.
2. Eco-friendly Faucets
Another bathroom fixture whose purchase decision requires much consideration is the faucet. This is because it is highly used in the bathroom by users as they wash their hands after each toilet use.
If the faucet is the high-flow type, there will be a lot of water going to waste. This is even worse, especially where kids are involved since they are likely to leave the taps running.
The best eco-friendly facets are those that limit the amount of water per wash. You can opt for a motion sensor faucet that only discharges water when a user’s hands are under the tap.
Here is a review of an eco-friendly faucet from the VIGO brand.
VIGO Single Hole Bathroom Faucet
The VIGO single-hole bathroom faucet is a low-flow fixture that conserves water and would be ideal for an eco-friendly bathroom.
It is made of solid brass, which makes it sturdy and durable for continuous bathroom use. A 7-layer corrosion-free and rust-resistant plated finish outfits the faucet.
The fixture has a soap dispenser with a matching finish that can be purchased separately.
Features
1. Low-flow rate of 1.2 gallons per minute
2. Premium hardware
3. Compatible with 1 to 3-hole installation
4. Single handle lever control
5. Anti-rust
6. ADA compliant
7. Made of brass
Pros
1. The low-flow rate does not compromise water pressure
2. The ceramic disc cartridge is made of sedal, which makes it durable for up to 500,000 uses
3. It is eco-friendly
4. Durable
5. Easy to use
Cons
1. The faucet is quite pricey
3. LED Lights
Make your bathroom eco-friendly by installing LED lights to save electricity in the home.
Let’s review the following ceiling lamp.
LE Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture Waterproof LED Ceiling Light for Bathroom Porch
It is eco-friendly and can save up to 85% on electricity bills. It has a long life span and can last for over 20,000 hours without degrading over time.
Features
1. IP54 water-resistant
2. Dust-proof
3. 5000K Bright White Light
4. Non dimmable
5. Wattage- 15 Watts
Pros
1. Easy to clean
2. Long life span
3. Excellent performance
4. Gives the feel of natural light
5. Modern
Cons
1. Prime shipping is available on Amazon, but the product price is higher. Other sellers offer lower prices but don’t provide prime shipping.
4. Eco-friendly Shower-Heads
Shower-heads are a huge component of eco-friendly bathrooms. For green living, choose a low flow fixture that is highly efficient and cuts down water consumption in the bathroom.
Let’s review the following shower-head.
Happy Shower System
The Happy Shower System is from the XIAOF-FEN brand.
Features
1. Contemporary styled
2. Core material of valve is ceramic
3. Bath shower mixer
4. Exposed Shower Faucet
5. Exposed B & S Faucet
6. Single handle
7. Brushed surface
Pros
1. Eco-friendly
2. Long lifespan – 500,000 times useful life for the cartridge
3. Easy to install
Cons
1. Pricey
2. No sufficient information and customer reviews on the product
Questions People Ask About Eco-Friendly Bathrooms
Is it possible to make my modern bathroom more eco-friendly?
Yes. You can achieve the kind of interior and functionality you desire for a green bathroom. Get tips on how to go about it here.
Which is a more eco-friendly option, bath, or shower?
We’d say bath, which utilizes about 60 liters of water compared to 136 liters used per scrub in a shower, according to the Environment Agency. In short, one shower is equivalent to two baths.
Wrapping Up
Getting eco-friendly bathroom fixtures for your composting toilet is one of the best decisions you could ever make, and have yourself to thank for.
Not only will you improve efficiency in your home but also cut down on utilities and reduce your ecological footprint.
