Review & Giveaway: Plastic Free Swaps for the Bathroom from EarthBits

(AD - Gifted) I am always looking for ways to be more eco-friendly and reduce my families use of plastic. I am happy to spend a little more money, but the products need to be good. Sometimes it can feel like a bit of a gamble though, because not every product is worth the money. Last year I tried a shampoo bar and I didn’t get on with it at all, but EarthBits persuaded me to have another try. EarthBits sent me a selection of beauty hygiene products to try and are providing a bundle for a giveaway too. How did I get on with the plastic free swaps for shampoo, deodorant and teeth cleaning? 

A delivery of eco products for the bathroom: a deodorant tin, jar of toothpaste, bamboo toothbrush and shampoo bar. All in their packaging
Review of vegan, plastic free deodorant, 2in1 shampoo and conditioner bar, toothpaste and toothbrush

Plastic Free Eco Swaps For In The Bathroom

Zero Waste Path Normal Hair 2in1 Shampoo & Conditioner received for review shown out of packaging and surrounded by leaves
Zero Waste Path Normal Hair 2in1 Shampoo & Conditioner received from EarthBits

2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Bar for Normal Hair - Zero Waste Path Review 

This 2 in 1 solid shampoo for normal hair is SLS free and handmade in Cambridge (UK) from vegan ingredients including argan oil and jojoba oil. They also make 2 in 1 bars for Dry Curly Hair, Oily Fine Hair and Itchy Scalp. I previously bought a different make shampoo bar because I wanted to cut down the use of single use plastic in the bathroom, but I ended up giving up on it after a few weeks. I had read that hair sometimes needs a transition period, but it made my hair feel disgusting after the first wash and it didn’t improve even when I stuck with it for over a week. I don’t know if the shampoo was wrong for my hair type, if it was wrong for our water (we have hard water) or if it was just a badly made bar. If you experience problems like this when you try a shampoo bar, the EarthBits website have some great tips on how to using shampoo bars. As much as I want to be more eco-friendly I don’t want my haircare routine to be hard work.

The Zero Waste Path 2in1 Shampoo and Conditioner doesn’t need a transition period due to it’s pH level of 5.5 and I was relieved that straight after washing my hair felt clean and well, normal! The 70g bar is square and fits nicely in the palm of my hand. I find I only need to use a really small amount with my shoulder length hair and I suspect it will last much much longer than the 40 washes ZWP suggest.

I held the bar under the shower then made some lather which I applied to my hair. I left my hair to dry naturally as normal, I didn’t apply any products and it looks great. I normally wash my hair every other day and I haven’t had to change this since trying the 2 in 1 bar. My hair is coloured and I think it would benefit from a more intensive treatment every few weeks, but for my regular use I am totally converted.

Tin of deodorant open to show the cream inside and surrounded by leaves
Zero Waste Path Deodorant comes in a recyclable tin

Lavender and Tea Tree Deodorant - Zero Waste Path

As a long time user of anti-perspirant switching to deodorant was a bit of a change. Where as anti-perspirant stops you sweating (by clogging the pores) deodorant wont make you sweat less, but it should stop bacteria making your sweat smell. I’m not sure if testing the deodorant out during a heatwave was brilliant timing or not. I definitely noticed feeling more damp under the arms, but have heard you can sweat more during a transition period so it will be interesting to see how this settles down. The big question though is: did I smell?

The vegan Zero Waste Path deodorant comes in a metal tin which easily pops open when you squeeze on one side. One of the things I had to get used to is the fairly solid cream is applied with your fingers. Different companies do plastic free stick deodorants if you prefer to apply it directly to under your arms. The deodorant I was sent is Lavender and Tea Tree which smells really nice, but there are a couple of other combinations available as well if you aren't a fan of lavender.

I apply the deodorant in the morning after washing and enjoy the pleasant smell of it most of the morning. I even suggested my partner smell my arm pits at one point, he declined. By the afternoon the smell has faded, but it is still doing it’s job. After using the deodorant for a week I find I am regularly sniffing under my arms to check and fortunately I last the day without that not-so-attractive body odour smell.

I’m not really sure how much I should be putting on, but I have been applying a fine layer in a similar area to where I grow arm pit hair. At first I thought the deodorant was being used quite quickly, but I think it will easily last me a couple of months. When finished the tin can be reused or recycled.

My old anti-perspirant works well on a normal or even hot day, but I often “stress sweat”. I don’t necessarily feel sweaty when this happens, but when I am nervous or stressed about something I really pong. I often experience the same issue when I am ovulating and my body temperature is slightly higher.

Since starting to use the deodorant I haven’t noticed a sweat smell during the day at all. As I write this on Friday lunchtime I haven’t had a shower since yesterday morning and there is only the mildest hint that I need a shower despite it being over 30 degrees celsius yesterday and today.

An open jar of georganics charcoal activating toothpaste, the bamboo applicator and bamboo toothbrush
Are eco-friendly dental products any good?


Eco-friendly Toothbrushing

Toothbrushes and toothpaste have got incredibly high tech and scientific over the years. I love how clean my teeth feel after brushing but I feel bad about the huge amount of waste that ends up in landfill. EarthBits sent me jar of Georganics Charcoal Activated Natural Toothpaste and a bamboo toothbrush from The Truthbrush. To give them a good test I tried using the toothpaste with my normal toothbrush, the bamboo toothbrush with my normal toothpaste, and both together. I am happy to say that my teeth felt well cleaned in all the combinations I tried.

The toothpaste is a silver colour and you apply a pea size amount with the bamboo applicator. It comes in a glass jar with aluminium lid inside a cardboard box. Having to apply the product with the applicator was a bit of a faff because I don't have a handy surface near my sink or a 3rd hand, but that's a small issue really. The toothpaste doesn't foam when you brush because there are no added (unnecessary) foaming agents used in more commercial toothpastes, but the clean is great. The toothpaste smells slightly minty due to the addition of peppermint oil which is meant to be great for preventing gum disease, I couldn’t really taste the mint though.

The bamboo toothbrush from The Truthbrush has a comfortable to hold round bamboo handle which is partially dipped in pink water based paint. EarthBits currently sell the medium brush in 4 different colours and a child size one in 2 colours so you can tell them apart from the rest of your family's. The bristles are made from 62% castor oil and 38% nylon (which is needed for brushing quality and is pretty normal to have plastic bristles on bamboo brushes). The Moso bamboo is from a sustainable forest and is a type pandas don’t like to eat apparently.

The bristles are softer that I am used to, but that’s good for my gums and I’m seeing this as a sign to revisit my brushing technique. I wasn’t happy with the clean from a previous bamboo toothbrush I tried as the bristles were too soft, but this one cleans my teeth well, even after a week of use. I don’t feel the toothbrush cleans as well between my teeth as my old plastic one so I probably need to start flossing (Georganics make a reduced plastic floss which is available from EarthBits too).

About EarthBits


One of the hardest things about plastic free switches is finding the right one for you. They are often more expensive that the alternatives and it feels painful if you make the wrong choice. The family behind EarthBits have worked hard to research and select great products that are environmentally friendly, durable, high quality and avoid unnecessary waste wherever possible. Many of the suppliers are local to them in Yorkshire.

If you are looking to switch from plastic and products high in chemicals the prices will be more expensive than in the supermarket, but not only are you adding less plastic to landfill, you are supporting more eco-conscious companies, using less potentially harmful chemicals on your skin that we don’t know the long term effects of and the products often last longer too. You might want to use eco cleaning products in your bathroom too and there are lots of home made options.

To win your own bundle of products enter via the Rafflecopter widget below before midnight on Sunday 30th August 2020. UK entry only, full T&Cs in the widget. Items sent in prize bundle may vary subject to availability.

I would love to hear which plastic free swaps you have tried in the comments.

Thank you for reading, and as always any shares are very much appreciated.

If the widget isn't viewing correctly below you can also find it here
a Rafflecopter giveaway

thank you


73 comments

  1. Straws - plastic to paper, non plastic storage boxes and food bags - all so much better!

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  2. I've swapped platic glasses for hemp mde ones and they are fine.

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  3. I have started using natural shampoo in a refillable container

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  4. We have picked the bathroom as the battle ground to reduce plastic. The first thing we did a few years ago was giving up shower gels and moved to bar soap.
    A year ago I moved to solid shampoo and conditioner. With fine curly hair this was nerve wracking but my hairdresser said my hair condition is better so that's a big win.
    We have tried various powdered charcoal toothpastes which have been good.
    I have also moved to plastic free period products. For that I have swapped to Flo tampons and pads which you can actually get in Boots.

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    1. Lots of great swaps. I haven't heard of those period products before, but it is great you can get plastic free products like that in high street shops now.

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  5. I love the metal straws, I think they are great!

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  6. Plastic bags for canvas bags

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  7. We use reuseable cleaning cloths and "unpaper" towels in our kitchen.

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  8. Straws - metal ones are so much better!

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  9. I no longer use disposable cups and am happy to make the change

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  10. I've tried toothpaste tablets - My main worry about them was lack of fluoride but in terms of using them they were fine. Interesting to hear how good that deodrant is.

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  11. I use canvas bags when out shopping.

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  12. I try to re-use most things rather than use once and throw away

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  13. I no longer put fresh fruit/veg in plastic bags, i try and leave them loose of put them in a re-usable tub at the shops

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    1. Well done. I keep forgetting my reusable fruit and veg bags when I go shopping.

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  14. I swapped shampoo in plastic bottles for shampoo bars. Really easy.

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  15. bars of soap and refillable shampoo and conditioner bottles

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  16. shampoo bottles to bars - ok really :)

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  17. I don't know if they still do it but I used to take empty plastic bottles back to the Body Shop for refills.

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  18. I always carry a shopping bag with me, and we've just switched to soap bars

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  19. I bought my first shampoo bar back in January and I’m still using it ( just). Not only has it saved me money and reduced my plastic waste but my hair is in pretty good condition too.

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  20. I bought my first shampoo bar back in January and I’m still using it ( just). Not only has it saved me money and reduced my plastic waste but my hair is in pretty good condition too.

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    1. That's great. I'm interested to see how long this bar lasts me now that I have found one I like.

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  21. I bought my first shampoo bar back in January and I’m still using it ( just). Not only has it saved me money and reduced my plastic waste but my hair is in pretty good condition too.

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  22. I've just bought my first set of bamboo cotton buds. They're fine, but do break fairly easily. On the whole though, I think it's worth the swap and I'll just have to be more gentle with them!

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  23. I use paper straws in my home, and I always carry bags to the supermarket.

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  24. We use sustainable cloths instead of disposable wipes

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  25. Jeanet Richardson9 August 2020 at 22:29

    One of my plastic free swaps is to take reusable string bags for buying loose vegetables in the supermarket.

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  26. I'm trying bicarb of soda and apple cider vinegar instead of shampoo and conditioner, it's going really well so far!

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  27. Lots of shopping bags, straws and lots of plastic Tupperware.

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  28. We've invested in some lovely cloth and canvas shopping bags to avoid using plastic bags, and it's so much better!

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  29. I tried metal straws but didn't like them! I'm now looking for another alternative to plastic straws.

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    1. It's definitely hard to get used to the different feel isn't it. I think I struggle with metal and glass straws being so hard and silcone too soft. I think my preference is for bamboo ones at the moment when they are made well.

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  30. Now refilling large glass containers to dispense hand wash and body wash. Trying bars for shampoo, conditioner and washing up next.

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  31. Always use jam jars to store rather than plastic bags x

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  32. I use shampoo bars and also beeswax wraps instead of clingfilm

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  33. I've recently just started using shampoo bars! The ones I have smell amazing!

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  34. I've got shampoo and conditioner bars which come in cardboard boxes that are fully recyclable, switched my deodorant to a solid one that comes in a cardboard tube and switched out all my dental products for eco friendly ones (toothpaste tablets, bamboo brush and interdental brush and plastic free floss)

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  35. Metal straws and cups - Bamboo toothbrushes - shampoo & conditioner bars ( great) beeswax wraps

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  36. Shopping bags, straws and face wipes have been swapped here

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  37. Bamboo toothbrushes. An excellent substitute for plastic ones.

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  38. I swapped to natural deodorant and I've never felt better for it to be honest!

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  39. cloth nappies - and love them!

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  40. I have tried washing up powder which was good and lathered up better than I thought it would

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  41. plastic straws to metal, much better than the paper straws

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  42. I always use my bags for life & I bought some silicon straws as the grandchildren love using straws in their drinks. Both seem normal now as I've done it for so long.

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  43. I buy paper straws instead of plastic ones & I never use plastic shopping bags

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  44. I make my own soap and bar soap shampoo, and not only do I reduce plastic, but I enjoy knowing what goes into my products x

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  45. Fabric shopping bags for everything, but also bamboo straws and toothbrushes which are great!

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  46. Michael Knappett29 August 2020 at 07:30

    I now use bars of soap for handwashing instead of bottled handwash.

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  47. I use canvas bags instead of plastic

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  48. I dont ever use plastic shopping bags anymore and I love the reusable lunch wraps for the kids lunches at school

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  49. all the family now have their own water bottle so i have stopped buying single use water bottles
    CAROLINE WATSON

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  50. Straws. Much prefer the metal ones

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  51. Selena Longworth30 August 2020 at 12:38

    We used paper and metal straws. I've switched to cloth sanitary pads now after reading every traditional pad is the same as 6 carrier bags!

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  52. We have swapped plastic straws for stainless steel ones at home, and take them with us when we go out, we have also swapped plastic shopping bags for reusable canvas shopping bags.

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  53. I use refillable bottles and go to the local shop to fill up on soap and shampoo

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  54. I use bars of soap and washing up liquid refills which are a great success. I have a reusable water bottle, coffee cup and cloths bags and do my best to remember to take them with me.

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  55. Plastic bags have been replaced by cloth and canvas ones

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  56. Bags have been an easy switch. I tried bamboo picnic cutlery but it was quite rough and sharp. I'll use normal metal cutlery from now on.

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  57. using a shampoo bar instead of my usual shampoo

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  58. l use the re-usable cotton pads and l love them

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  59. I’ve been using a reusable coffee cup and filling it at home and in the office for travelling

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  60. Using reusable make up pads has been a good change for me.

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  61. We swapped plastic straws for paper ones but they were rubbish so we changed to metal ones. We also swapped shampoo for shampoo in a bar which is rwally good.

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