PLEATSMAMA | Editorial Vol.3

In the context of carrying out my goal to reduce the amount of plastic used in my daily life, the space I decided to implement change to first was my bathroom. The average household bathroom is generally replete with plastics, and mine was no exception. Hair and body care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, and hand washes all come in plastic bottles, while normal toothbrushes are made of plastic as well. As much as the bathroom is a space that is used frequently every single day, I noticed the number of plastic products constantly being replaced—and consequently being thrown out—remained extremely high.

Taking all this into consideration, I decided to start the “plastic-free bathroom for Earth’s tomorrow” project.

Although it would be great if our readers are inspired to purchase the products that are introduced in this editorial, the purpose of this month’s issue is not to promote the products of certain brands but is rather geared toward raising awareness. I hope the information provided in this piece will ultimately help readers to take the necessary steps in transitioning their own bathrooms into a plastic-free space.

The first product I would like to introduce is the shampoo bar. Because of my thick hair, the product I had the greatest reservations about changing was the type of shampoo I use. I was under the impression that a shampoo bar wouldn’t create as much foam as the conventional type and would leave my hair feeling stiff, as if I had washed it with a laundry detergent soap bar. It was also unclear for how long a single product would last. Despite all these inhibitions, I decided to give it a chance. The only regret I have is not having used it sooner.
The bar produced plenty of bubbles not long after it was directly applied and left my hair feeling soft, without any trace of stiffness. My scalp also felt cleaner than when I had previously washed it with liquid shampoos. Based on my experience, the shampoo bar will last about two months for people with thick, long hair.

I generally use bar soaps when washing my hands but would use shower gels without question when washing my body. Seeing as there was no specific reasoning behind this, I bought a body bar soap as soon as the shower gel I was using ran out. The first thing I noticed was how much more convenient using bar soap was compared to using shower gels. Since I would apply it directly to my body, this simple change substantially reduced the amount of time I spent in the shower. Furthermore, I also liked how the solid bar’s corners would round, taking on a cute, interesting shape of its own over time. Its gradually decreasing size would also allow me to accurately predict how much longer I would be able to use it for before having to replace it. Lastly, the pleasant smell emanating from the bar—even when I wasn’t using it—was also an additional source of enjoyment.

The third product I would like to introduce is the natural bamboo toothbrush. Bamboo is an eco-friendly, biodegradable material. Although there are plenty of options being sold on the market, I didn’t have high expectations regarding the functional advantages being advertised. My personal takeaway was that the bamboo toothbrush worked just as fine as the conventional ones, while it simultaneously granted me the benefit of reducing one more plastic item in the bathroom. The bamboo toothbrush had no noticeable downsides as a substitute. If I were to pick just one, it would be that this alternative product, unlike the plastic toothbrush, remains wet after use and needs to be dried thoroughly afterwards.

I only recently became aware of the existence of solid toothpaste. Thus, it hasn’t been too long since I’ve started using it. Resembling a mint or a piece of candy, the product produces a lot of foam once you pop it into your mouth and start to chew. All you need to do afterwards is to brush your teeth as you would normally do with conventional toothpaste. It’s as simple as that. Solid toothpaste is easy to use and compact, making it a versatile product perfect for daily life and on-the-go situations. Once it runs out, the tin case containing the toothpaste can be effectively used to store other items, such as a shampoo or soap bar.

🛀
Today’s bathroom for Earth’s tomorrow

I consider myself to be a sensitive and cautious person when it comes to my own bathroom. As much as it is a space where I both begin and end my days, I was always driven by the strong desire to fill it with products of unquestionable quality. Even if a certain product were to help me uphold my goal of being environmentally conscious, its functional capabilities would ultimately determine whether I would continue to use it or not. Fortunately, the items I have introduced throughout this issue have left me satisfied, for they are extremely practical and adhere to my ethical standards.

In the end, changing my bathroom into a plastic-free space was easier than I had previously anticipated. I came across many new brands and was surprised by the variety of personal care products they offered, each with varying scents, ingredients, and uses. The most important thing to remember is to take plenty of time selecting the right product for your own body, since most of these products will be applied to your skin. Although this process can take a lot of time, I personally found it rewarding considering the positive impact my choices would have on the environment. I hope our readers will be inspired to undergo their own individual processes, contributing to the creation of more innocuous spaces in this world.

In the context of carrying out my goal to reduce the amount of plastic used in my daily life, the space I decided to implement change to first was my bathroom. The average household bathroom is generally replete with plastics, and mine was no exception. Hair and body care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, and hand washes all come in plastic bottles, while normal toothbrushes are made of plastic as well. As much as the bathroom is a space that is used frequently every single day, I noticed the number of plastic products constantly being replaced—and consequently being thrown out—remained extremely high.

Taking all this into consideration, I decided to start the “plastic-free bathroom for Earth’s tomorrow” project.

Although it would be great if our readers are inspired to purchase the products that are introduced in this editorial, the purpose of this month’s issue is not to promote the products of certain brands but is rather geared toward raising awareness. I hope the information provided in this piece will ultimately help readers to take the necessary steps in transitioning their own bathrooms into a plastic-free space.

The first product I would like to introduce is the shampoo bar. Because of my thick hair, the product I had the greatest reservations about changing was the type of shampoo I use. I was under the impression that a shampoo bar wouldn’t create as much foam as the conventional type and would leave my hair feeling stiff, as if I had washed it with a laundry detergent soap bar. It was also unclear for how long a single product would last. Despite all these inhibitions, I decided to give it a chance. The only regret I have is not having used it sooner.
The bar produced plenty of bubbles not long after it was directly applied and left my hair feeling soft, without any trace of stiffness. My scalp also felt cleaner than when I had previously washed it with liquid shampoos. Based on my experience, the shampoo bar will last about two months for people with thick, long hair.

I generally use bar soaps when washing my hands but would use shower gels without question when washing my body. Seeing as there was no specific reasoning behind this, I bought a body bar soap as soon as the shower gel I was using ran out. The first thing I noticed was how much more convenient using bar soap was compared to using shower gels. Since I would apply it directly to my body, this simple change substantially reduced the amount of time I spent in the shower. Furthermore, I also liked how the solid bar’s corners would round, taking on a cute, interesting shape of its own over time. Its gradually decreasing size would also allow me to accurately predict how much longer I would be able to use it for before having to replace it. Lastly, the pleasant smell emanating from the bar—even when I wasn’t using it—was also an additional source of enjoyment.

The third product I would like to introduce is the natural bamboo toothbrush. Bamboo is an eco-friendly, biodegradable material. Although there are plenty of options being sold on the market, I didn’t have high expectations regarding the functional advantages being advertised. My personal takeaway was that the bamboo toothbrush worked just as fine as the conventional ones, while it simultaneously granted me the benefit of reducing one more plastic item in the bathroom. The bamboo toothbrush had no noticeable downsides as a substitute. If I were to pick just one, it would be that this alternative product, unlike the plastic toothbrush, remains wet after use and needs to be dried thoroughly afterwards.

I only recently became aware of the existence of solid toothpaste. Thus, it hasn’t been too long since I’ve started using it. Resembling a mint or a piece of candy, the product produces a lot of foam once you pop it into your mouth and start to chew. All you need to do afterwards is to brush your teeth as you would normally do with conventional toothpaste. It’s as simple as that. Solid toothpaste is easy to use and compact, making it a versatile product perfect for daily life and on-the-go situations. Once it runs out, the tin case containing the toothpaste can be effectively used to store other items, such as a shampoo or soap bar.

🛀 Today’s bathroom for Earth’s tomorrow

I consider myself to be a sensitive and cautious person when it comes to my own bathroom. As much as it is a space where I both begin and end my days, I was always driven by the strong desire to fill it with products of unquestionable quality. Even if a certain product were to help me uphold my goal of being environmentally conscious, its functional capabilities would ultimately determine whether I would continue to use it or not. Fortunately, the items I have introduced throughout this issue have left me satisfied, for they are extremely practical and adhere to my ethical standards.

In the end, changing my bathroom into a plastic-free space was easier than I had previously anticipated. I came across many new brands and was surprised by the variety of personal care products they offered, each with varying scents, ingredients, and uses. The most important thing to remember is to take plenty of time selecting the right product for your own body, since most of these products will be applied to your skin. Although this process can take a lot of time, I personally found it rewarding considering the positive impact my choices would have on the environment. I hope our readers will be inspired to undergo their own individual processes, contributing to the creation of more innocuous spaces in this world.