We use our bathrooms on autopilot. We shower and brush our teeth and put on makeup and use the toilet. But how many of your habits and items do you stop and think about whether they are safe or not? Keep reading, I’ve compiled 15 surprising things in your bathroom that may be making you sick.
I meant what I said about autopilot. I seriously think that the bathroom is the one room in the house that we don’t think about. We go in. We do our business (literally). And we get out. Let’s take a pause and go through the top 15 things in your bathroom that may be making you sick. Which are the ones you are most surprised about?
15 Surprising Things in Your Bathroom Making You Sick
1. Air Fresheners
Yes, I know. We make our bathrooms smell. Bad. But most air fresheners can emit over 100 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), terpenes, formaldehyde, and phthalates, many of which are linked to migraines and respiratory problems.
What to Use Instead:
Poo Pourri (the original)
2. Bath Products
Many bath and beauty products contain harmful chemicals, including ones that are known carcinogens and may cause cancer, and endocrine disruptors. These products are used on your skin, which is your largest organ, and may have an adverse effect both inside and out.
What to Use Instead:
Keep your bath products clean and simple and look for toxic-free products like those from BeautyCounter which are free of color, fragrance, oxybenzone, DEA, parabens, dioxin, PEG, and phthalates.
3. Cleaning Products
Bathrooms are known for their small spaces and mediocre ventilation. Many cleaning products on the market today contain harsh and toxic chemicals, which are made even worse without space to dissipate.
What to Use Instead:
All-natural cleaning products (store-bought)
Clean Your Green DIY Cleaning Products (free eBook)
Psst… want easy to follow instructions on how to make all of your favorite household cleaners… the all-natural way? It’s eezy peezy! Click below…
4. Door Knobs (and Light Switches)
A 2013 study found that only 5% of people washed their hands long enough to eliminate bacteria and germs from using the toilet. Ewwww gross! So guess where all of these germs and bacteria go right after using the loo? Yep. The door knob. Light switches are also known offenders to contain germs as well. It’s even worse during flu season.
What to Do Instead:
All-natural cleaning wipes (store-bought)
All-natural Lysol-type spray DIY
5. Faucet
Germs and bacteria love to hang out on your sink faucet! See door knobs above.
What to Do Instead:
All-natural cleaning wipes (store-bought)
PS – keep an old toothbrush under the sink and use it to clean the underside of your faucet.
6. Makeup Brushes
How often do you use your makeup brushes (and eyelash curler)? Every day? How often do you wash them? They come in contact with your skin and body fluids which is always a chance to become contaminated with bacteria.
What to Do Instead:
Once a week, rinse your makeup brushes with all-natural soap and let thoroughly dry.
7. Mildew
Back to poor ventilation. With high humidity levels, mildew can grow easily. While mildew is a type of mold, it’s not as toxic.
What to Do Instead:
Always run the fan after your shower for 15-30 minutes, and keep the door open. Ensure towels dry completely.
Use this Shower Cleaner DIY and treat mildew quickly when you see it.
8. Mold
Mold is not only ugly, but it can be the catalyst to some pretty serious health issues. The bathroom is one of those places where mold seems to be in abundant supply. Mold growth isn’t about cleanliness. It doesn’t matter how often you clean your bathroom. It forms when the eco-system in your bathroom (or home) is both humid and not properly ventilated.
What to Do Instead:
Article: The Right Way to Remove Mold in the Shower
9. Scrubbies
I don’t know too many people who use washcloths anymore. It’s all about the scrubby or loofah. And yes, you put soap on them, but they are also removing all of the soil, yeast, and bacteria from your skin.
What to Do Instead:
Rinse and dry well after each use. Once a week, toss them in the washing machine or the top rack of the dishwasher.
10. Shower Curtain and Liner
Vinyl shower curtains and liners contain phthalates and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which may be hazardous to your health.
What to Use Instead:
Swap your vinyl shower curtain and liner for ones that are made of fabric, or non-PVC polyester.
11. Showerheads
Name the last place in your bathroom that you would even think of cleaning. Yep. The showerhead. It gets clogged with soap scum and other bacteria that become airborne.
What to Do Instead:
Put a little distilled white vinegar in a glass spray bottle (and label it) and spray directly on your showerhead. Wipe off. Never mix vinegar with bleach as it causes a poisonous gas.
12. Skincare
Many skincare products contain harmful chemicals, including ones that are known carcinogens and may cause cancer, and endocrine disruptors. These products are used on your skin, which is your largest organ, and may have an adverse effect both inside and out.
What to Use Instead:
Keep your bath products clean and simple and look for toxic-free products like those from BeautyCounter which are free of color, fragrance, oxybenzone, DEA, parabens, dioxin, PEG, and phthalates.
Psst… wanna know which skin care ingredients are toxic, hormone disruptors, and carcinogens? Click below…
13. Toothbrush
We’ve all heard that you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Your toothbrush harbors a lot of bacteria, and changing your toothbrush often is a must.
Also, do you keep your toothbrush out on the sink? How close is your sink to the toilet? Did you know that when you flush the toilet, microscopic particles and bacteria are exposed in the air? And where do you think they land? Gross.
What to Do Instead:
First of all, I’m more of a fan of replacing it every month. It’s not an expensive item, even if you have a family. If you wish to go the eco-friendly route, I recommend a bamboo toothbrush instead of plastic. Easy peezy!
Always close the lid before you flush the toilet. And if you have a spot in your medicine cabinet, you can keep your toothbrush in there instead of out in the open.
In addition to your toothbrush, you can also make your own tooth powder DIY or purchase more all-natural brands of toothpaste.
14. Towels
Bath towels can harbor bacteria including athlete’s foot and E.Coli. If they do not dry properly, they can also get that gross mildew-ey smell.
What to Do Instead:
You don’t need to wash your towels after every use, but be sure to hang them up to dry completely.
Wash towels every 2-3 uses and I recommend making your own laundry detergent DIY or purchasing an all-natural brand.
15. Water
According to testing conducted by the Environmental Working Group, 250 chemicals were detected in American drinking water overall (160 of which are not regulated by the federal government). Even more worrying, 81 percent of systems tested had contaminants that have been linked to cancer. Some of the most notable offenders include Chloroform and Chromium-6, though more research still needs to be done on exactly how much of these we need to ingest to be at risk.
Contaminants found in water can be linked to diseases such as cancer, autoimmune-inflammation diseases, diabetes, thyroid problems, brain diseases, and liver, kidney, and nervous system problems. While you may not be drinking the water in your bathroom, you are brushing your teeth with it and using it in the bath or shower.
What to Use Instead:
Many chemicals simply cannot be filtered out. Pesticides, drugs, radioactive particles and fluoride are all common water contaminants that are very difficult to effectively remove. As a general rule, activated carbon filters are the best, although they cannot remove fluoride. For that, you need either a reverse osmosis system, a deionizer or an activated alumina filter, each of which can remove about 90 percent of the fluoride.
Water filters that are portable or attach to your sink are less costly, but not as effective. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, which is absorbing the water from your bath or shower. We invested in a whole home water filtration system. With my autoimmune disease and also being a cancer survivor, I’m not taking any chances when it comes to my health. I’m stacking the cards in my favor as much as humanly possible.
More Great Resources You Will Love
I’ve covered the 15 surprising things in your bathroom that are making you sick, and what to do instead. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll enjoy more articles on maintaining your healthy home!
Are you Inspired?
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Love, hugs, and keeping clean.
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