Three Easy Bathroom Swaps for Plastic Free July

This month is #PlasticFreeJuly, an initiative to help encourage the nation to think twice about the amount of plastic we use (and throw away) each day. We're on a mission here at Cuddledry to reduce our carbon footprint- and this is something that has always been at the core of our brand since the very first towel was produced almost 15 years ago. We've always used a highly sustainable mix of bamboo and cotton in our products, and we ship all parcels in biodegradable packaging too.

That said, there are still plenty of ways that we can all improve our eco ratings, and what better place to start than at bathtime. This week we're sharing just three easy bathroom swaps you can make for Plastic Free July- do let us know in the comments if you have any to add!

Adopt a 'buy it once' philosophy

When we demo our handsfree towels at baby shows, customers are often surprised at how big they are- almost the same size as an adult towel and way bigger than any other baby towel. There's a very good reason for that. We want you to be able to really wrap your baby up snuggly and warm- and not just for the first few weeks of their life. Forever! The handsfree towel is a great example of the 'buy it once' philosophy that will help towards reducing landfill. Lots of our customers tell us that their handsfree towel has lasted them well over 18 months as an apron style, and then for many years afterwards as a normal towel, maintaining it's softest and earning it's place in the bathroom for years and years. That's exactly what we intended!

Swap cheaper alternatives for good quality products that are going to last you, and move away from the the damaging throw-away culture we seem to have moved into. Buy bar soap instead of liquid, or re-use and re-fill liquid soap bottles rather than buying more and throwing old ones away. Buy bath toys that will last (hint: our Cuddleduck is made from 100% natural rubber and is made from one solid piece- no hole means no mould can form inside, thus reducing the need to replace it) and embrace the re-use principle of green living wherever you can. 

Ditch the plastic toothbrushes

Brushing your teeth is non-negotiable and the average person will go through at least 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime; sadly most of these brushes will be made from plastic. Time for a change?

Bamboo toothbrushes are not only made from eco-friendly and highly sustainable materials, but they are a lot more able to biodegrade too. The Hydrophil brushes in our accessories range are a perfect swap for your next toothbrush- the first climate-neutral toothbrush in Europe, the brushes are free from BPA, soft enough for delicate gums and vegan too, plus they're produced via fair working principles which ticks all the boxes for us.  

Save water

Bathtime doesn't need to be complicated. Young babies don't need a bath every day (top & tail washes are fine in between) plus don't forget to follow safety guidelines and keep the water depth low. When they're a little older and able to sit up, you can allow siblings to share the bath tub to save water. This can be a great way to strengthen sibling bonds and to encourage more independent self care and hygiene habits for all. It might seem daunting at first, so read this post for tips on how to manage it with a smile!

Showers are another option to save on water once your baby is old enough, and a great way to develop water confidence too. Again, this can seem daunting at first- hopefully the tips in this post will help. There are lots of others ways that you can save water in the bathroom- always turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, use a water saving device in the toilet, hang your bath towels out to dry to reduce the need for washing and tumble drying. Your Cuddledry towels dry super fast thanks to the bamboo fibres, and are completely fine to air dry overnight, ready for use again the next day.