Can an environmentally friendly shower curtain be the element that’s been missing from your bathroom?
If you’re looking for ways and elements to make your bathroom more eco-friendly, this is one you can start with.
Unless you have a shower cabin with a glass door, an environmentally friendly shower curtain is almost mandatory.
It prevents water from spreading all over your bathroom floor and gives your bathroom a more neat look.
What you need to pay attention to when choosing a shower curtain is the material it’s made of. Some materials are safer and more eco-friendly.
Some are chemical free, like a formaldehyde-free toilet paper, while others are not.
An environmentally friendly shower curtain can bring you several benefits.
Environmentally friendly shower curtain benefits
It keeps water away from your entire bathroom floor
When you are taking a shower, you are enjoying the moment, the hot water, and its relaxing effect. Or you are in a hurry, so you are paying attention to getting all the shower gel and shampoo rinsed.
You may be so caught in what you’re doing that you don’t notice you’ve spread water all over your bathroom floor.
With a shower curtain, you don’t have this problem anymore, as the water stops on it.
Make sure the environmentally friendly shower curtain is inside the bathtub. This will prevent the water from ending up on the bathroom floor.
Gives your bathroom a neat look
When you are having people over your home, you can pull over the environmentally friendly shower curtain to cover the bathtub.
You can also pull it away near the wall.
The idea is that the product can give your bathroom a neat look.
Complements your shower routine
Do you know that moment when you enter a shower and you detach from the entire world?
When you pull your environmentally friendly shower curtain, you can enjoy a wonderful shower and relax.
What makes a shower curtain environmentally friendly?
One of the most important details that defines an environmentally friendly shower curtain is the material.
In general, you will find two types of shower curtains:
- plastic shower curtains
- cloth shower curtains
Plastic shower curtains
Plastic shower curtains are usually made of vinyl or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
These are the common shower curtains you find in many stores. Their prices are relatively low, making them accessible to most customers.
They are usually resistant to mold or mildew.
Depending on the product you are buying, you can put them in your best energy rating washing machine.
It’s crucial you understand more about these materials.
PVC is a synthetic plastic polymer. It occupies the third place in the chart of the most produced plastic polymers in the world. The first two spots are occupied by polyethylene and polypropylene.
The problem with this material is that it has been linked to some toxic chemicals. Research has shown PVC shower curtains contain:
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- phthalates
- metals
- organotins
VOCs are chemicals which can cause liver damage, respiratory system, reproductive system, and central nervous system problems. These are more long-term health problems.
In the short run, they can cause irritations of the eyes, nose, throat, as well as headaches and nausea.
Here are a few examples of VOCs:
- ethylbenzene
- xylene
- toluene
Ethylbenzene and toluene have been linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Phthalates are another set of chemicals found in plastic shower curtains. They can cause reproductive problems.
Cloth shower curtains
What are cloth shower curtains?
They’re exactly the same as plastic shower curtains, except they are made of cloth such as cotton or polyester.
These products are usually washable and mold or mildew proof. They may be treated with substances to make them resistant to conditions of high humidity.
Compared to plastic shower curtains, these cloth ones may give your bathroom a more stylish look.
Make your own shower curtain
You also have the option to make your own shower curtain.
You just need to have some sewing skills. Choose the material you want (organic cotton, vinyl) and pay attention to your bathroom measures.
If you’re interested in making your own, learn more about eco-friendly toilet bowl brush products.
Conclusion
To answer our question of which is the most environmentally friendly shower curtain, it’s not enough to say this is the right product.
It’s essential you take into consideration the following aspects.
First, think of the chemicals you can find in the shower curtain. They can have certain effects on your health in the short or long run.
Second, think of what do you want from it, how do you want to clean it and how long can you afford to change it.
If we were to compare the three options mentioned above, the cloth and homemade items can make a more environmentally friendly shower curtain.