Lifestyle

7 Simple Ways to Save the Planet Whilst You Shower

1. Set a timer

It’s easy to lose track of time under the soothing water of a hot shower, getting lost in our thoughts or simply enjoying the peace and quiet, but our shower habits can have a negative impact on the planet and our bills. There’s no clear answer on how much water a shower uses but it can be anything from 9-15 litres per minute. Start by setting a 10-minute timer on your phone, if you step out before the timer goes off – great! If you’re still mid-shampoo when it goes off try to wrap it up as soon as possible and think about ways to speed up next time. 5-10 minutes is the optimum shower time to avoid dehydrating the skin. The less water we use, the better it is for us, the planet and our bank account.

2. Turn off the water

If you’re struggling to cut your shower time down or want more ways to save water (and money!) then consider turning off the water when you’re not using it. This could be when you’re shampooing, conditioning, brushing your hair, or shaving. Remember, just one minute of showering can use 9-15 litres of water so turning it off at these moments can certainly make a difference.

3. Turn down the temperature

Hot water uses energy, which in turn produces carbon; the leading cause of climate change. Less heat means less carbon, which reduces the impact on the planet and our monthly bills. But did you also know that having the temperature too high can lead to dry skin and hair? Itchy skin after showering? Hair colour fading too quickly? All signs it could be time to turn down the heat. If you have a temperature gauge, anything between 35-38°C is ideal. If you don’t, aim for something that feels lukewarm. Turning down to cold for the last few minutes, or however long you can handle, can have added benefits for your body and mind too.

4. Get a shower regulator or change your showerhead

There are now eco-friendly shower heads that can save water by reducing the flow rate and spray pattern or by adding air to the water. But before you go buying a new showerhead, try reducing your water usage in the ways that we’ve mentioned above, first. You can also get a shower regulator that reduces your water flow.

It’s good to test how much water your shower uses per minute to see if it’s worth getting either of these. You can do this with just a bucket, a measuring jug and a phone, check out this simple video. Before using a regulator we were using 10L per minute and after, just 7L per minute. Some water companies were giving them out for free so check with your water provider or you can buy them cheaply here. If it’s worth the swap, shop around to find a regulator or showerhead that’s compatible with your existing shower.

5. Switch to eco-friendly products or use less

According to the British Plastics Federation, the UK recycles less than half of its plastic packaging. With the average adult in the UK disposing of 312 plastic bottles a year, it’s time to look at how we can reduce the amount of plastic in our bathrooms. Shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, body scrubs and body moisturisers can all take up space on our bathroom shelves and eventually in our landfills. Thankfully, there are lots of products that now use no plastic packaging or 100% recycled and recyclable plastic packaging. If you are in the market for, our platform is your best choice! The largest shopping mall!

I’ve previously used products from Ethique, which are plastic free and long-lasting and Faith in Nature, which are made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastics and smell divine! These products do tend to be a little more pricey (depending on what you usually buy) but following the steps above will have saved you some money so why not invest it in products that don’t harm the planet?

Another way to cut down on plastic use in the shower is to be conscious of how much product you’re using. For shampoo and conditioner, you should aim for the size of about a 10-piece. If you have short or fine hair try using less and adding to it, if you need to. Start with a 10p piece for shower gel too and add more depending on how well it lathers. Although loofahs, puffs, poufs and mitts can make the product lather more, it’s best to avoid using them as they are a breeding ground for bacteria and need to be replaced every 1-2 months to avoid mould buildup. It’s also difficult to tell if and how they can be recycled so the chances are they’ll also end up in landfill if not recycled the correct way.

6. Avoid disposable products

Disposable products can be appealing as they’re usually cheaper than their non-disposable counterparts – razors are a good example of this. But if you buy disposable razors you’ll need to throw the whole thing away which means more plastic waste. Whereas with non-disposable razors you just replace the head so you can keep the handle. Usually, the handle will fit with any head so look out for the heads that are on offer. Disposable razors also tend to have only 3 blades (possibly what makes them cheaper) which can lead to more cuts and a shave that’s not as smooth.

7. Use your towel for longer

Using your towel for longer means using less energy to wash it and dry it if you use a tumble dryer. It’s often recommended to change your towel every three days but how many times a towel is used within those three days depends on individual showering habits. So how often you change your towel really depends on how often you shower.

The most important thing is to make sure your towel is able to dry out fully between uses. In the summer, hang towels on an airer in between washes and in the winter put them in the airing cupboard or on a radiator airer to help them dry out more quickly. Three days should be used as a minimum and if you can get more uses out of it then do so.

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