Flush the Bad Habits: 5 Bathroom No-No’s to Break!

Simple swaps that are kinder to your plumbing, your body, and the planet.

We don’t often think of the bathroom as a place for environmental change but it’s one of the easiest spaces to make a positive impact. From the kind of toilet paper we choose to the way we freshen the air, our everyday habits in this small space can add up to something big, for better or worse.

Some common bathroom practices are not only harsh on the environment but also potentially harmful to your health. Think synthetic fragrances, plastic-wrapped products, and toilet paper laced with unnecessary chemicals. The good news? You don’t have to make drastic changes to clean up your act, just a few mindful swaps can go a long way.

Let’s break down 5 everyday bathroom habits to flush for good and why choosing options like bamboo toilet paper makes a whole lot of sense for your home and the environment.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

You’ve seen the label: “flushable.” But don’t be fooled. Most of these wipes are anything but. Unlike toilet paper, they don’t break down easily in water and often clog pipes, damage wastewater systems, and contribute to the dreaded “fatbergs” that plague sewer systems across Australia.

Once flushed, they can also make their way into oceans and waterways, endangering marine life. So, if you're after a fresh finish, there are better ways.

Swap it: Choose a bidet for a hygienic, water-saving clean or stick with high-quality, septic-safe bamboo toilet paper that breaks down quickly and doesn’t damage your plumbing. It’s soft, strong, and far kinder to the planet.

2. Buying Toilet Paper Wrapped in Plastic

Even if the paper itself seems fine, the packaging is often another story. Most mainstream toilet paper still comes wrapped in soft plastic, which usually can’t be recycled in your curbside bin. That means it ends up in landfill or worse, polluting our oceans. When you're trying to cut back on single-use plastics, this kind of packaging can undo your good intentions in one swoop.

Swap it: Choose plastic-free toilet paper wrapped in recycled paper instead. Eco Cheeks’ rolls are completely plastic-free from box to wrap, making it an easy, eco-conscious switch that doesn’t sacrifice convenience.

3. Using Chemically Treated Toilet Paper on Sensitive Areas

Many toilet paper brands still use chemical bleaches like chlorine, synthetic fragrances, and artificial softeners to create that bright white, perfumed finish. But these additives don't just affect the planet they’re also absorbed by your skin every time you wipe. Over time, exposure to these chemicals can contribute to irritation or even disrupt your body’s natural balance.

If you wouldn’t rub bleach on your face, it doesn’t belong on your bum either.

Swap it: Go for unbleached toilet paper that’s free from synthetic additives and toxic treatments. Eco Cheeks offers bamboo toilet paper that’s naturally unbleached, fragrance-free, and gentle on your body while being kinder to the planet, too.

4. Relying on Single-Use Plastic Bathroom Items

We often forget just how many disposable plastics live in our bathrooms, razors, toothbrushes, floss containers, cotton buds. These small items add up to a massive environmental footprint, especially since most end up in landfill due to the challenges of recycling mixed materials.

Swap it: Start with the easy wins: switch to bamboo toothbrushes, refillable floss containers, safety stainless steel razors, and reusable ear swaps. Choosing bamboo toilet paper is a low-effort, high-impact change. It’s biodegradable, renewable, and doesn’t rely on slow-growing trees or virgin forest pulp.

Unlike wood pulp-based toilet paper, bamboo regenerates quickly, requires no fertilisers, and is grown without pesticides, making it a clean choice for the planet and for your home.

5. Spraying Synthetic Air Fresheners and Using Chemical Cleaners

We all want our bathrooms to smell fresh and look clean. But many commercial sprays, fresheners, and cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, and other harsh chemicals. These can trigger allergies, pollute your indoor air, and harm aquatic ecosystems once washed down the drain.

Swap it: Look for non-toxic cleaners made with plant-based ingredients, essential oils, and biodegradable formulas. As for air fresheners? A jar of baking soda, a bundle of eucalyptus, or a natural diffuser can work wonders.

Small Changes, Big Flush-Friendly Wins

By breaking just a few habits, you can reduce waste, avoid hidden toxins, and feel good knowing your bathroom is working with the planet, not against it.

Here’s a quick recap of what to flush (from your habits list, not your toilet):

🚫 Don’t flush “flushable” wipes – even if the packet says so.

🚫 Ditch plastic-wrapped toilet paper – it's not worth the health or environmental cost.

🚫 Stop using fragranced, chemically treated toilet paper – your body deserves better.

🚫 Avoid single-use plastics in your routine – from toothbrushes to packaging

🚫 Say no to synthetic sprays and harsh cleaners – especially ones used in small, poorly ventilated spaces.

Do this instead:

✅ Choose non toxic toilet paper that’s kind to your skin and safe for the environment.

✅ Buy unbleached toilet paper made without chlorine or harmful chemicals.

✅ Make the switch to bamboo toilet paper, a fast-growing, eco-friendly alternative to tree-based paper.

✅ Pick products in plastic-free packaging whenever possible.

Better for You. Better for the Planet.

Your bathroom routine doesn’t have to cost the earth. Eco Cheeks makes it easy to choose non toxic toilet paper that’s unbleached, plastic-free, and made from bamboo, designed for your wellbeing and the world around you.

It’s time to flush the bad habits and roll into something better.