Bathroom cleaning the organic way

If you’re hoping to clean your bathroom in a safe and sustainable manner, there are very few commercially available products to choose from. In most cities, even the humble supermarket is transitioning towards organic and environmentally friendly products. But take a peep inside your bathroom cleaning cabinets. Horror upon horrors, full of toxic chemicals! Take a deep breath and throw it all away. I’ll tell you how to deal with the bathroom without killing yourself and the environment.

Step one - Introduce as much air and sunlight as the structural layout of your home enables you to. Mildew and bacteria are challenged by ultraviolet light. So let them receive plenty. A good circulation of fresh air helps to dry out any damp recesses which might otherwise encourage mildew.

Step two - Change your thinking about bathroom hygiene. Rather than conducting a weekly cleaning task, consider the benefits of these quick and regular treatments. Problem germs can be removed each day without the heavy arsenal of disinfectants, scourers, and surface cleansers.

I fill a spray bottle with white cider vinegar and use this to treat all bathroom surfaces. The acetic acid kills harmful moulds and bacteria. Many of the essential oils can be diluted then applied as general-purpose disinfectants. Try eucalyptus or lavender. I’ve purchased family size bottles of eucalyptus oil from the local organic and wholefood distributors. If the grout between your tiles is dull, scrub them out with an old toothbrush and a liberal sprinkle of baking soda.

Step three - Abandon the plastic shower curtain. Yes plastic is practical but it’s torture for the environment. If you lower the water pressure and position the faucet strategically, you’ll save water and have less of a lake in your bathroom each morning.

Step four - Make sure any synthetic air fresheners are deposited where they belong. Yes, into the wastebasket. I can’t believe that anyone would want to aerosol those toxic cocktails around their bathroom. Let’s agree that natural odours should be treated with nature. Lavender or citrus potpourris are easy enough to make. Start with a handful of dried lavender or bergamot. Large quantities can be purchased from organic distributors or ordered from herbal remedy suppliers. Mix the dried flowers with a dozen drops of high quality essential oils of lavender or bergamot. Fill this mixture into muslin sachets and place these inside small earthenware pots which can sit on bathroom ledges etc.

Step five - Recreate the bathroom as a pleasant environment. Yes, we need functionality but it’s also a place to relax and reflect upon our position in the world. What about some music and a picture or two to feast the eyes? I prefer something classical like a cello concerto, but my husband’s a huge fan of Guy Sebastian.

Step six - Don’t forget to replace and replenish. Natural products are effective but they were designed to break down quickly and lose their strength as antibacterial cleansing agents. Discard your used solutions thoughtfully. Spent vinegar and eucalyptus oils should not be poured down the sink. Why not recycle these? They can be used to scrub exterior brickwork, concrete pathways, and ceramic tiles.

Step seven - Toilet paper. Try to source unbleached rolls which are manufactured from sustainable resources. Unless you reside in a large city with a vocal consumer base, you’ll most likely struggle to achieve this at your local supermarket. Speak with your nearest organic and wholefoods distributor. They should have the resources to point you in the right direction. Be warned that it’s difficult to order eco friendly toilet rolls in modest quantities. That’s okay once you discover a decent size group of friends who want to make a difference.

Step eight - Join one of the organic consumer movements and try to organise a petition that prevents the inclusion of unsafe chemicals in commercial cleaning products. Even if we encourage safety in our own homes and bathrooms, it’s virtually impossible to know what’s being used in public conveniences across the country.