If you're planning to give your entertaining skills a workout this holiday season, you're not alone. After experiencing pandemic-related restrictions, we're all ready for a little more in-person fun. But before you welcome friends and family into your home, it's worth taking a long, hard look at your guest bathroom or powder room.
These workhorse spaces need to be neat, practical and as germ-free as possible, while also making guests feel welcome and pampered — and not grossed out. But how do you do that while still being eco-friendly? Disposable hand towels, scented hand soaps in single-use plastic dispensers, plush toilet papers and aerosol deodorizers aren't exactly known for sustainability.
Experts say, though, that there are environmentally responsible options for these products that don't require sacrificing your guests' comfort.
"In the past six to 12 months, I've seen so many innovations that it's easy to give guests a taste of luxury but cut down on excess waste," says Heather Muir, beauty director for Real Simple. "Reducing waste in your home can be super overwhelming. Just think about how many plastic bottles live in your bathroom right now. My advice is to take baby steps. Even little tweaks can help."
Here are some options for a clean and comfortable — but also more sustainable — bathroom.
Liquid soap. It's time to break up with the hand soaps in single-use plastic bottles. For cost savings and a more sustainable after-product, use refillable hand soap. "The system I like best is a glass dispenser you refill with product from an aluminum bottle that you can recycle like a soda can," says Danielle Jezienicki, vice president of sustainability for Grove Collaborative, which specializes in eco-friendly personal-care and home products. Refills, usually sold in recyclable packaging, also come in a concentrated form, typically tablets or liquid you dissolve or pour into water. You won't have to hunt them down at specialty shops; big-box retailers carry refills for brands such as Dial and Softsoap. You can buy starter kits and refills, or you can find an attractive dispenser and purchase refills.
Bar soap. Although bar soaps can outlast their liquid counterparts, some people are turned off by the gloppy mess many leave in dishes or by the excessive packaging. My suggestion: Shop local craft fairs for handmade bars. You are supporting local artisans, and these soaps often contain fewer ingredients and have minimal — if any — packaging. Depending on the vendor's recipe (and ask before you buy), you may also find that the bars won't get slimy or goopy, even with repeated use over a short time. Just be sure to use a dish with grooves or slats to allow the soap to drain, Muir says. Other options include individual biodegradable hand-soap sheets, such as those made by Grove Co., or dissolvable powdered hand soaps. Muir says that one of her favorites, from EvolveTogether, comes in dissolvable packaging.
Hand towels. Everyone who uses your powder room is going to wash and dry their hands. Experts say to skip the paper hand towels made for bathrooms. "I'm a huge fan of 100 percent organic cotton towels, because they are absorbent and quickly soak up water," says Betsy Cribb, homes and features editor at Southern Living. Cribb suggests buying multiple towels and swapping them out halfway through the evening. Those with enough counter space or a decent-size shelf can mimic a luxury hotel lounge by filling a basket or container with inexpensive, rolled washcloths. Add a bin for guests to drop the used towels into. After your event, toss the cloths in the washing machine and have them ready to use again next time. If you worry about damp towels spreading germs and feel most comfortable using paper towels, opt for ones made from bamboo, which is a fast-growing plant and is considered a more sustainable choice for paper products.
