Eliminating Plastics: Shower Edition

Things covered in this issue: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash/soap, Shampoo/conditioner containers, Shower Curtains

Just a quick glance around the bathroom probably results in you seeing numerous types of plastic. Shampoo bottles, body wash bottles, soap bottles, and many other things are made of plastic. In this issue I will look at alternatives to all the plastic bottles as well as products that prevent the use of bottles for some things all together.

Shampoo
Shampoo is next to impossible to find in a liquid form in anything but plastic bottles. If you insist on using liquid shampoo, putting it into a stainless steal dispenser and buying it in gallon bottles is one way to save on the plastic waste (but still doesn’t keep you from having some contact with plastic). Another alternative is to use bar shampoo. Below I have put links for stainless steel dispenser bottles (glass could break in the shower and be no fun at all), healthier options of liquid shampoo, and bar shampoo options.

Stainless Steel Dispensers (same links as kitchen dish soap dispenser in previous issue):

• Soap Dispenser 1
• Soap Dispenser 2 with Sponge Holder
• Soap Dispenser 3
• Soap Dispenser 4

Liquid Shampoo with minimal chemical additives (and in large bottles):

• Bulk Shampoo and Conditioner you can add your own scent to
• 1 gallon grapefruit scented shampoo that benefits breast cancer
• 1 gallon unscented shampoo
• 1 gallon tea tree and lemon shampoo

Shampoo Bars
I have used shampoo bars before with medium-long hair and had no problem with them. Bar shampoo is also great for traveling as you don’t have to worry about it leaking in your luggage (or being confiscated by air security). They are relatively light weight for hiking/camping as well. There are all sorts of chemicals in typical liquid shampoo that aren’t present in most bar shampoos. Also, bar shampoo typically comes in a paper or cardboard package (eliminating the plastics!).

• Herbal Bar Note from website: those of you who are new to shampoo bars may find that your hair feels slightly sticky or gummy at first; your hair will take some time to get used to a chemical-free cleanser. Using a vinegar rinse for the first week will help to make the transition. Simply mix 2 Tablespoons vinegar (cider vinegar works best) into one cup of water and apply to your hair after using the shampoo bar. Leave in your hair (the smell will dissipate), or rinse out if you prefer. After time, you will not need the rinse and will not even need a conditioner.
• Burt’s Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar (Google Shopping Search Result)
• Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo Bar
• Vegan Shampoo Bars
• Jojoba Shampoo Bar
• Handmade goat’s milk shampoo bar
• Handmade Beer Shampoo bar
• Handmade Pet Shampoo Bar
• Handmade Dandruff Helper Shampoo Bar
• Handmade Men’s Shampoo Bar with Case
  

How to make your own shampoo bars here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2012740_make-shampoo-bars.html

Conditioner
The best all natural conditioner I have found was mentioned in the note above. I spray my hair with a mixture of 1/3 apple cider vinegar and 2/3 water every day after I shower. The vinegar loses its scent once your hair dries and also naturally fights the bacteria that makes people’s scalps itch. It leaves your hair shiny and healthy. You can also apply the vinegar in the shower and rinse it out after several minutes as you would conditioner. If you insist on using conditioner, however, I have several links below for buying it in bulk.

• 1 gallon Nature’s Gate Herbal Conditioner
• 1 gallon unscented conditioner
• 1 gallon tea tree and lemon conditioner
• 1 gallon green tea conditioner

Soap/Body Wash
When it comes to cleansing your body using bar soap is best for avoiding plastics. If you insist on using body wash however, here are some links to buying it in bulk so you can put it into a reusable stainless steel container (links above).

• 1 gallon tea tree and lemon body wash
• 1 gallon allergen free body wash
• 1 gallon Dr. Bronner's Organic Pure-Castile Liquid Soap Lavender

How to make your own liquid or bar soap here: http://www.make-stuff.com/formulas/soap.html

Shower Curtains
Typically at least the shower curtain liner in a shower is some sort of plastic. I have found some cloth alternatives that are linked below.

Natural Cotton Shower Curtain (no need for a liner)

Curtain Liner 2 (cotton as well)

Be sure to use medal or wooden hooks to hold up the curtain! (Can buy at most any department store).