6 Ways to Keep a Kid's Bathroom Clean & Green

Moms- here are some great ideas to help you keep your child's bathroom free of harsh chemicals and toxic fumes. Test out some of these ideas to help the environment and your kid!

Ditch the Liquid Soap

Somewhere along the way liquid soap replaced good old fashioned bar soap, and we're not sure why. What we do know is that bar soap lasts quite a bit longer and is a lot more eco-friendly with its packaging. The average bar soap is wrapped in a slip of paper or cardboard, which can be recycled or even better, composted. Liquid soap containers can usually be recycled too, but one is likely to go through 3 before the soap bar has dissolved. Most health food stores have an extensive selection of colorful, fragrant bars in delightful packaging. Your children will enjoy selecting a soap of their own and may be that much more likely to jump in water at bath time.

Find a PVC-free Shower Curtain

The majority of shower curtains are made of polyvinyl-chloride, otherwise known as PVC. The plastic smell can invade your bathroom for weeks and the toxic fumes can off-gas even longer. These shower curtains are the easiest to find, whether it be in a high-end children's boutique or your local drug store. Regardless of the price tag, the fumes are equally toxic. With the money you're going to save by using bar soap, splurge on an organic hemp shower curtain that will last a lifetime. If you're stuck with a stock of the PVC version, recycle it, or spread it open outdoors until the smell of plastic is completely gone.

Mix-Your-Own-Cleaners

Traditional cleaners are loaded with dyes, alkylphenolic compounds, organic solvents, phosphates, and fragrance. To avoid lining the bathtub and coating the counters with unhealthy chemicals, mix your own cleaning solutions. Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide will terminate the fiercest germ. And a little baking soda can remove the toughest layer of bathtub or toilet grime. Most moms consider a clean bathroom a top priority. Now cleanliness doesn't have to come at the price of health.

Buy SLS & SLES Free Products

If your shampoo, bubble bath, or body soap produces rich lather or giant bubbles, beware. Chances are the product contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Ether Sulfate. The chemicals aren't intentionally harmful, but during their production an accidental by-product called 1,4-dioxane is created. Dioxane has been attributed to certain cancers and detected in tumors. Unfortunately, companies will continue to use these ingredients as long as people associate cleanliness with bubbles. Opt for those without these additives. There will be fewer suds but a lot more safe.

Maintain Bacteria Free Bath Toys

Bath toys are breading grounds for bacteria, which defeats the purpose of the bath. Although most rubber duckies, dolphins, and sail boats have a small opening to squeeze out the excess water, the inside is still far from dry. If you are able to see the bacteria, feel a thin layer of slime, or detect the smell of mildew, it's time to sanitize. To kill the germs and maintain the unsoiled clean toys, purchase a large jug of vinegar. Pour the entire contents into the tub and add hot water until all the toys are submerged. Let them soak as long as possible, preferably for 6-8 hours. If the bacteria is too dense to disintegrate, try soaking the toy in solid vinegar for a day and using a pipe cleaner to scrape out the remaining gunk.

Install a Bathtub Water Filter

Chlorine helps keep our water systems safe. Unfortunately it also causes us to smell like we've exited a swimming pool instead of a bathtub. Luckily there's a solution in the form of a dechlorynator ball. These little devices are inexpensive and attach to the bath or shower spout to remove 80-90% of the chlorine before it soaks the skin. The filters are good for about 200 uses and the shell can be recycled. Since a baby's skin absorbs chemicals and toxins more easily than an adult's, it's important to protect those precious bodies from the very beginning.

About Mother's Green House

Jordan Catapano and Lauren Maher established Mother's Green House in 2007 to consult expectant women and families with small children on creating a healthy, green home environment.