Want to reduce your plastic usage? With these clever plastic-free bathroom products and tips, you can zero-waste the smallest room in the house in no time.

The bathroom can be a sea of plastic. Between shampoo and conditioner bottles, shower gel, toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and cleaning product bottles, it’s no wonder that the bathroom is one of the most plastic-heavy rooms in our homes.

Yet plastic is not fantastic. According to UNEP, globally, we produce about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. And of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated globally so far, less than 10% has been recycled.

If you are looking to reduce your plastic usage in the bathroom, then I’ve got heaps of clever tips and plastic-free product recommendations to help.

It’s quite a big post, and it would be easy to feel overwhelmed. But I am all about progress over perfection. There’s absolutely no need to bin all the plastic in your bathroom all at once. Consider it a journey. Use up what you have, and when you need to replace something check here for an alternative. And remember, if you can’t find an alternative that suits you, there’s zero shame involved.

The Ultimate Guide To Plastic-Free Bathroom Products

Try these products to help you go plastic-free and green your hygiene routine:

Solid Soap Bars

One of the easiest plastic-free bathroom swaps to make is to switch from liquid hand wash and liquid shower gel to bar soap. It also can work out cheaper, as bar soap doesn’t contain as much water as shower gels or liquid soaps. This means they tend to last longer, saving you money as well as plastic.

However, not all bar soaps are equal. Palm oil, animal-derived ingredients, plastic, and toxic chemicals can all creep into our soap. 

My top tips are to:

• Shop for vegan brands. Plant-based ingredients are just as effective as animal-derived ones. Yet some manufacturers use animal-derived substances like sodium tallowate and stearic acid. Glycerine may also be animal-derived. However, there are loads of vegan soaps out there. Look out for the Leaping Bunny label endorsing cruelty-free soaps.
• Consider palm oil-free soap. The mass production of palm oil has led to the destruction of rainforests, which has a knock-on effect on the climate, biodiversity and human rights. Although many companies source palm oil sustainably, with many members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the RSPO has been criticised for not doing enough to break links with deforestation. 
• Opt for plastic-free soap. Although bars of soap can be sold unwrapped, or in paper or cardboard, many brands still wrap their soap in plastic wrap.
• Opt for natural soap. We’ve been using soap for thousands of years, and it is very effective in the fight against germs. Soap doesn’t need complex synthetic chemicals to be effective, yet some of the soaps available now are far from natural. Opt for soaps that don’t contain Triclosan – an antibacterial agent – as use over time may give rise to antibacterial resistance.

One of the best eco-friendly brands to try is Friendly Soap, an all-natural soap brand available at Ethical Superstore that packages its soap in cardboard. All of its soap is palm oil-free and vegan-certified. As well as being vegan, all soaps are cruelty-free, as Friendly Soap does not test its soaps or ingredients on animals.

For more recommendations check out my guide to sustainable soap brands.

Plastic-Free Shampoo Bars

Just like soap bars, shampoo bars are fantastic plastic-free swaps for those bulky plastic shampoo bottles that clog up your bathroom. Some shampoo bars can replace anywhere between 2 and 4 bottles of shampoo, adding up to a whole lot of plastic savings.

However, It can be tricky to find the perfect bar. My top tips are:

One of my top recommendations is the St Clements Bar by Ethique (available at Holland & Barrett). This sustainable brand packages its pH-balanced shampoo bar in cardboard. I also love that my hair feels clean and fresh after every wash – with no greasy or waxy feeling.

Alternatively, you can check out my guide to the best shampoo bars for every hair type – as recommended by Moral Fibres readers – to help you find the right bar for your hair type.

Plastic-Free Conditioner

Plastic-free conditioner is a product I’ve personally found a bit tricky to swap to. I’ve not been too impressed by any conditioner bars that I’ve tried. Most have left my hair feeling really rough and dry. Or worse – feeling greasy and waxy. Not exactly the qualities that I look for in a conditioner. Meanwhile, I haven’t been too wowed by any conditioners that I’ve tried that come in glass bottles.

Instead, I’ve had the most success switching to hair oil instead of conditioner. My favourite is Evolve’s weightless hair serum, which comes in a glass bottle. I add a few drops to freshly washed, damp hair and then let my hair dry. My hair feels really soft, smooth, and tangle-free, plus it smells like a chocolate orange (not a bad thing!). It also lasts for absolutely ages.

Otherwise, I consider this an area that is still a work in progress!

Related Reading: When Can I Call Myself Zero-Waste?

Liquid Refills

If you’re not ready to make the switch to solid soap and shampoo bars, or hair oil isn’t for you, then don’t worry. You can still opt for plastic-free bathroom products simply by switching to liquid refills.

Many brands, like Miniml and Faith In Nature, have refill stations in zero-waste shops up and down the country, where you can refill shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand soap. There’s no need to buy a new bottle – just use any bottle you have to reduce waste and cut costs.

If you don’t have access to a local refill shop, then again, don’t worry. Many brands make it easy to refill and repeat at home – and let you send back the packaging to be reused again and again. Some of my zero-waste favourites include:

• Miniml. For sustainably made personal care products, Miniml is a great choice. Buy a 5-litre liquid refill carton, and once done, send it back to Miniml, who will wash and reuse the carton again and again.
• Faith In Nature. At Faith In Nature (available at Big Green Smile), you can buy 5-litre cartons of all its beauty products to refill your own bottles at home. These can then be returned to Faith In Nature for recycling when empty.
• Bower Collective. If you lack storage space, or can’t afford to buy in bulk 5-litre sizes then Bower Collective is for you. Here you can buy sustainable refills in 1-litre pouches. When you refill your bottles, pop the pouches back in the post to Bower Collective, who will reuse and recycle them.

Plastic-Free Bubble Bath

If you love a good bubble bath, then there are still plastic-free products available. I mainly use a squirt of liquid shampoo or body wash as my bubble bath, but if you are looking for something more specific then here are your best options:

• Bath Bombs – My kids love bath bombs – when they were younger, they certainly made it easier to coax them into the bath. However, bath bombs don’t come cheap and finding the balance between getting my kids to enjoy bath time, and a low cost per bath was a tricky one to find. In the end, the best balance I found was to use mini bath bombs, like these mini bath bombs from Etsy that come in a cardboard box. At £6.99 for a box of 21, this works out at 33p per bath bomb. With all the fun of standard-sized bath bombs, these mini ones are perfect for shallower baths that kids have.
• Plastic-Free Bubble Bath – For a very indulgent plastic-free bathroom treat, I sometimes use Neal’s Yard Foaming Bath. My favourite is the orange and geranium-scented one. It smells delicious and creates a luxurious foam. The pretty glass bottles are also refillable and recyclable.

Reusable Makeup Wipes

Most single-use makeup wipes are either made of plastic or packaged in plastic. And while some may be labelled as fine to flush, the WWF warn that when these wipes are flushed down the loo, they mix with grease and other contaminants, causing major sewer blockages. Instead, try switching to reusable pads that you can wash and reuse again and again.

If you can crochet, here’s how to make your own makeup wipes. Alternatively, you can buy pads from most retailers. Pale-coloured pads come with a bit of maintenance to keep them stain-free. If you’re not up for that then I recommend opting for dark coloured pads, which won’t show up the stains.

Zero-Waste Toothpaste

This would be no guide without reference to that absolute bathroom essential – toothpaste.

Sourcing plastic-free toothpaste for your bathroom can be tricky as many zero-waste products don’t contain fluoride.

If fluoride is an essential ingredient for your dental care needs then some of the best brands that do include this ingredient include:

• Ben & Anna – For fluoride toothpaste in a glass jar, then Ben & Anna is the brand to try. Available at Ethical Superstore, it provides all the benefits of regular toothpaste without the plastic.
• Parla – Looking for a no-mess way to clean your teeth? Parla’s very minty toothpaste tablets with fluoride are for you. Simply chew the tablet to activate the foam and then brush. Find Parla at Bower Collective.
• Happier – If dental tablets are not your thing, then check out Happier toothpaste – available at Bower Collective. This vegan-friendly and plastic-free fluoride toothpaste comes in an old-school aluminium tube.

Plastic-Free Toothbrushes

It’s estimated that, in the UK alone, we collectively bin 200 million toothbrushes each year. That’s a whole lot of plastic heading straight to landfill.

If you’re looking to green your dental routine, then consider switching to a plastic-free toothbrush. Bamboo or wooden toothbrushes can picked up from heaps of shops, such as &Keep, and make for a good low-waste alternative.

Do note that most eco-friendly toothbrushes have nylon (plastic) bristles so aren’t entirely plastic-free. This means you have to remove the bristles before composting the handle when your toothbrush needs to be replaced.

If you want a more sustainable solution, Battle Green – available on Etsy – sells a bamboo toothbrush with plant-based bristles derived from castor oil. It’s still technically plastic but is made without fossil fuels. Battle Green says that when your toothbrush is done you can snap the head off your brush and send it back to them. Battle Green then pay to recycle the brush heads through a UK-based waste management business.

Zero-Waste Dental Floss

Don’t forget to floss! Personally, I have struggled to find a good plastic-free floss. I have tightly packed teeth, and nothing I’ve tried so far works as well as conventional satin tape. It’s an area that’s definitely a work in progress in my own plastic-free bathroom journey. If you have better tooth alignment than mine, try these plastic-free dental floss suggestions.

Zero-Waste Mouthwash

Thankfully, effective zero-waste mouthwash is much easier to find. Whether you prefer metal bottles or dissolvable tablets, heaps of brands have made it easy to ditch unwanted plastic in the bathroom. I’ve rounded up my favourite sustainable mouthwash brands right here.

Zero-Waste Deodorant & Antiperspirant

Most deodorants and antiperspirants comes in plastic tubes or metal cans with plastic lids. If you’re looking for more sustainable alternatives then there are a few different options:

• Life Supplies – If using an antiperspirant is a non-negotiable, then have a look at this innovative brand. It offers refillable roll-on antiperspirant that helps to keep you dry and odour-free all day. Life Supplies says that one refill is equivalent to four plastic bottles. That’s a whole lot of plastic!
• Fussy Deodorant – If you’d rather avoid antiperspirant, and use a more natural deodorant then try Fussy. This vegan and cruelty-free brand has been recommended to me by so many Moral Fibres readers, as it helps keep you smelling fresh all day. It comes with plastic-free refills, and you can choose from a variety of scents.

Plastic-Free Toilet Roll

Another easy way to go zero-waste in the bathroom is to switch to plastic-free toilet paper. Once quite a complex picture, there are heaps of accessible options in 2025.

In terms of value and accessibility, I’m a big fan of Sainsbury’s recycled toilet paper. The toilet paper is made in the UK from FSC-certified recycled paper. The pack is wrapped in paper – no plastic here. It costs just £3.50 for 9 rolls, you can pick it up at your local supermarket. Plus there’s no need to find a place to store heaps rolls of loo rolls at a time!

Other options I like include Ecoleaf, which is also made in the UK from recycled paper and comes in a compostable wrapper. It does cost almost double though – it’s currently £7.35 for 9 rolls at Ethical Superstore.

I also really like Serious Tissues. I have a recurring subscription for a box of 45 toilet rolls, which costs £38.25 – with free delivery. These are all plastic-free and are made in the UK from recycled paper. I also love that they aren’t individually wrapped (I hate individually wrapped toilet rolls – it seems like such a waste of resources). Plus Serious Tissues plant trees with every order.

You can also check out my guide to the best plastic-free toilet paper for a more comprehensive look at the best options currently available.

Planet-Friendly Moisturiser

Many moisturisers come in plastic tubes, but it doesn’t have to be that way. UpCircle makes a wonderful plastic-free moisturiser that avoids palm oil and uses organic ingredients.

That’s not all there is to love about UpCircle. This British brand specialises in upcycling food waste ingredients into effective skincare products. So this moisturiser, for example, is made with the finely ground powder of discarded argan shells, a waste product of the argan oil industry. All of its products are also vegan and cruelty-free. Meanwhile, UpCircle never uses any SLS, SLEs, parabens, mineral oil, perfume or sulfates in its products.

Looking for more recommendations? Try my guide to the best zero-waste moisturisers.

Zero-Waste Razors

For fuss-free shaving that’s kind to the environment, consider switching over to a safety razor. Once you get over the initial fear factor it’s an easy zero-waste way to shave. Simply glide it along your skin without putting pressure down and I promise no cuts!

Jungle Culture sells beautiful men’s and women’s razors for £23.99 that are precision-engineered to provide a smooth and comfortable zero-waste shaving experience. Each has a textured grip and extra long chrome metal handle, to help shave hard-to-reach areas.

When the razor feels blunt, all you need to do is unscrew the head and replace the blade. The blade can then carefully be recycled with metal recycling.

Plastic-Free Shaving Foam

For a shaving foam alternative, Suma’s Shaving Soap (£3.25 from Ethical Superstore) is a great zero-waste choice. It comes packaged in recyclable cardboard packaging, so is very low waste.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, this made-in-the-UK coffee and cedarwood shaving soap is free from palm oil, parabens, SLS/SLES, phthalates, and triclosan. It’s also certified cruelty-free with no animal testing.

Reusable Period Products

Many single-use period products – including tampons and sanitary towels – contain plastic. If you’re looking for a more sustainable alternative I’d recommend exploring the world of reusable period products.

There are so many options out there that it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. Whether it’s reusable period pads, washable period pants, menstrual cups or other options, there are heaps of alternatives to explore. I’ve tried lots of options over the years. Some I didn’t like (menstrual cups). And some that I love (period pants). If period pants pique your interest, try my guide to the best period pants to help you find the right pair for you.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Finally, as well as keeping you clean, there’s no getting around the fact that we need to keep our bathrooms clean too. To cut down on plastic waste, I’m a huge fan of making my own planet-friendly cleaning products. Things like my homemade bathroom cleaning wipes, pictured above, help make plastic-free cleaning a breeze.