Tips in Achieving a Greener Bathroom

Tips in achieving a greener bathroom

A bathroom is an essential part of a house that most people spend a fraction of their time just to get some peace and quiet. Behind closed doors, it is by far the most used area in one's house whether a person lives in a condo unit or in a cottage in the suburbs. Therefore, it is only logical to invest in making your bathroom a better place to spend your most precious time.

Now some people would argue that the bathroom doesn't really need proper attention. As long as you have something to flush down your "shit" (sorry but I can't think of a better term to use) and something to wash away the dirt on your body then that's it. But ladies and gentlemen, the issue I am seeing with this kind of thinking is that the bathroom is a serene place where you and your body is exposed to all sort of unseen organisms. A recent study done by some German baubiologie (a German word for building biologists) showed that an unhygienic bathroom is directly proportional to a lot of health issues. From dust to pollens to molds, a lot of unwanted reactions are documented from these sources just because a bathroom is not properly installed.

This brings us in the discussion of alternative solutions in fighting these unwanted health issues. My philosophy is that whenever there are issues or problems affecting my life, I always go to the root of the cause, and in this case the bathroom. So best alternative solution - Greener Bathrooms

Greener Bathrooms are the key in creating a more Eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle. It assures people that when installed properly, bathrooms could last a lifetime. Now we have to assume that not all are aware of architectural design or know the best practices in building a house so it is best that we discuss basic concepts in green architecture so that by the time you are ready to build your own nest, you have an idea on what you want for your place. Since green architecture is such a broad topic, we will limit this article in discussing fundamental principles pertaining to your bathroom.

So what does it really mean to have a greener bathroom? Simple... when you are in your planning stage, just remember this few suggestions:

Greener Bathroom Tip 1: Install Tiles in all areas exposed to Water
Making sure that you install tiles in areas of your bathroom that gets wet is a great way in avoiding mold production. Tiles are made to last a lifetime and with proper maintenance, it can even last till the next owner of the house. And for the price-conscious folks, home depot offers great items that are cheap but durable at the same time.

Greener Bathroom Tip 2: Replace your Bath tubs with a Shower
According to a recent study done by the United Nations Environment Programme, bath tubs waste more water than showering. So whenever you encounter an environmentalist, they will always tell you to shower instead of taking a bath since majority of today's shower heads are equipped with sensors that can control the water flow coming from the tank. So in short, taking a shower instead of long baths saves water and at the same time saves you space and money since showers are installed vertically in a limited space and quick showers can lessen your monthly water bill.

Greener Bathroom Tip 3: Change your Galvanize pipes to Copper
Galvanize pipes tend to be corrosive in a span of time so it means that in 4 or 5 years time, you have to replace all your pipes. Which means it will cost you more money for renovation and it is not environmental since fixing requires newer raw materials. Having a true environment-friendly bathroom means it must lasts a long time to avoid short-time renovations.

Greener Bathroom Tip 4: Look for Eco-Friendly Individual Items and Fixtures
Bundled or set fixtures are tempting but I suggest go for individual items. This will allow you to choose unique items that you can mix and match in order to get the look that you want. This will also allow the buyer to practice effective product stewardship since the buyer is involved in choosing the best Eco-friendly items for his/her bathroom.

Greener Bathroom Tip 5: Look for non-toxic paints
Newer paint technology is now being offered as non-toxic and environment-friendly. When you go to your local paint shop, a lot has change since the late 70's and more and more non-hazardous paints are being offered to consumers. Also, try looking for paints that will last for a couple of years so that you won't need to paint the untiled walls of your bathroom every now and then.

Greener Bathroom Tip 6: Ask an Expert
To be sure that you are on the right track, always consult an expert. A lot of architects or designers today are well aware of greener alternatives. And don't be afraid to ask if the expert knows any cheaper alternatives that doesn't compromise the quality and I'm pretty sure that these experts know a lot of these great items.

So there you have it, simple suggestions that can make your next bathroom a greener and more healthier place to spend your quality "me" time.