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This is the second part of Detox Your Home: In the Bathroom. For Part 1, click here. For the introduction this feature, click here.
Stuff that makes it easy being green
1. Soften your scrub. We love Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products, which are biodegradable and ammonia-, chlorine- and phosphate-free, because they smell wonderful and work great, too. Ecover's multi-surface and a toilet cleaners also get the green thumbs up. If you just can't wrap your brain around using a brand that Mom didn't turn to, try Clorox's Green Works line, which includes all-purpose, bathroom, and toilet-bowl cleaners made from environmentally preferred ingredients; it's also endorsed by the Sierra Club.
2. How low can you go? The one-gallon-per-minute showerhead by Bricor may minimize water use, but it packs a mighty punch as it "explodes" with aerated water. Coming in at a slightly higher 1.2 gallons per minute, the Lowest Flow showerhead from Gaiam is equipped with a "soap-up valve," effectively allowing bathers to pause water flow while they get sudsy or shave. Both swear your shower will be as pleasant as usual. Get the, er, low-down from Sara Snow in the video below.
3. Can do. When it comes to picking eco-friendly hoppers, the choices are virtually limitless. Some reuse grey water from the sink; other's, such as models from Caroma and TwoFlush, employ a dual-flush system that allocates only as much water as is needed. Still others, like the popular Envirolet, function sans water, by composting waste instead.
4. Get below the surface. Because the skin acts more like a sponge than a barrier, our bodies soak up anything that we rub into our skin. Luckily, high-quality natural skincare and grooming products are popping up on shelves well beyond the health food store. A few varieties we like include Dr. Hauschka, Nature's Gate, and Farmaesthetics. Interested in skincare so good you could literally eat it? Check out this recipe for Tomato Skin Cleanser.
Did you know?
- Hot water accounts for 13 percent of the average household's annual electricity bill, or about $247.
- A typical household uses 260 gallons of water per day. Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets can reduce that number by almost 20 percent.
- The average person uses about 10 personal care products per day, exposing himself to 126 unique chemicals.
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