As someone who values the Earth on a very high level, I am always trying to find ways to lower the amount of waste I produce. One of the best areas to focus on is the bathroom.

Make-up remover wipes, cotton rounds, cotton swabs, toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner/soap bottles, hair brushes, razors, menstrual products, toothpaste tubes – so many things we use in our bathrooms turn to waste. Fortunately, there are also just as many things we can do to help eliminate this issue.

Tip 1: Ditch the cotton products and switch to reusable items.

I purchased reusable bamboo cotton rounds from Greenzla on Amazon, and I love them. I use them to remove makeup/wash my face. They could also be used to remove nail polish, but I would recommend having different ones for that than the ones you use on your face. They come in a pack of 20 though, so that shouldn’t be too hard. They are eco-friendly, machine washable, and climate pledge friendly. They even come with this cute little mesh bag to put them in before you throw them in the washer. These little bad boys knock out cotton rounds and makeup remover – so they’re a double-whammy. I just put some micellular water on them, and it removes my makeup like magic.

Another cotton problem? Cotton swabs. Now listen, I don’t enjoy my ears being wet when I get out of the shower, so believe me when I say, this one was a hard one for me to let go of. But honestly, you aren’t really supposed to put those things in your ears anyway. As far as drying my ears, I just bought some of those soft, thin baby wash clothes, put one over my finger, and used it to dry my ears. To clean my ears, I bought one of those earwax removal tools that has the spiral tip on the end. It’s silicone, so you can just wash and reuse. They sell them on Amazon.

Tip 2: Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap/Lotion/Toothpaste Tubes – So much plastic.

Every single one of these has an easy fix – bars and tabs. You can buy soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in bars that have no need for wrapping of any kind. They are sold all over the place and are usually pretty easy to find locally. Some great places are Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, farmers markets, and Lush Cosmetics just to name a few. A good way to make them last longer is to store/use them in mesh bags. As far as toothpaste – ever heard of toothpaste tabs? It’s almost like a little mint that you pop in your mouth, chew it up a little, then brush your teeth like normal. Lush also carries these, and you can find them online at several stores. My favorite brand is Bite. They ship to you in these cute glass bottles that are 100% recyclable. However, you can order refills from Bite that come in a little envelope to refill your bottle, so it’s best to just hang onto it.

Tip 3: Hairbrushes

This one is quick and easy – buy the ones made with a bamboo handle.

Tip 4: Razors & Shaving Cream

Please, I beg you, don’t buy disposable razors. That’s so much waste. Get you a good quality razor that will last a long time with replacement heads. Want to do one even better? Buy a safety razor with a lifetime guarantee. Now as far as shaving cream, I am not a man, so I cannot speak on what will work for your face. However, I use a conditioner bar as my “shaving cream.” Fellas – let me know if this is a possibility for you, ’cause I have no idea.

Tip 5: Toothbrushes

Now I am not a saint in this area. I have an electric toothbrush, because I have some gum issues that require a real good clean or else. However, I have to believe that solely replacing the toothbrush head is better than replacing the whole toothbrush. The best alternatives though, are the toothbrushes made from bamboo. Sooooo many plastic toothbrushes get thrown out on a regular basis – and I get it, they get gross – but if you buy the ones made with a bamboo handle, then you are doing much better and the Earth thanks you.

Tip 6: Menstrual Items – Fellas, continue if you want, but this one isn’t really meant for you – but we love an educated man.

Ladies, I know that it is no secret that tampons are not that healthy for you. They can even cause toxic shock. And pads? Well, that’s a lot of cotton thrown out. Thankfully, there are many alternatives. Menstrual cups like Saalt and Diva Cup have become a huge topic as of late. They take some getting used to, and it can take a while to get the hang of getting them out, BUT they are honestly more comfortable and can be kept in for up to 12 hours. As far as pad replacements, Thinx underwear are a good option. You can also buy reusable pads that you just throw in the washer. I know, I know. You’re probably thinking “ew!” But honestly, what’s the difference between that and washing your panties out after you’ve bled through? None. Just throw them in the washer and get over it.

These 6 tips alone will make a huge difference in lowering the amount of waste you produce and none of them are hard. Want to get real crazy? Buy a bidet attachment for your toilet and ditch the toilet paper. I, myself, have not tried this one, but if you do, let me know how it goes. Apparently it cleans your bum better anyway.