Small Swaps For A Greener Bathroom

A few thoughtful changes in the bathroom can lower water and energy use without any fuss. Soft textiles, a smarter tap and a better shower head all help everyday routines feel just as good while using less.

Soft towels with a lighter footprint

Towels get used every single day, so it makes sense to choose ones that are kind to the environment as well as your skin. Look for options made entirely from sustainably sourced cotton, soft against the skin, absorbent and quick to dry, which matters in a compact bathroom where towels need to dry fast between uses. A hand towel and bath towel together cover most needs without taking up too much storage space, ideal for flats and townhouses with smaller linen cupboards.

VÅGSJÖN towel, set of 6, dark grey, 30x50/50x100/70x140cmLUDDVIAL bath towel, white, 55x120 cmVÅGSJÖN bath towel, bright blue, 70x140 cmGULVIAL bath towel, yellow, 70x140 cmVÅGSJÖN bath towel, dark grey, 70x140 cmVÅGSJÖN bath towel, white, 70x140 cm

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Shower curtains made from recycled bottles

A shower curtain is one of those items that quietly does its job, so it is worth picking one with some thought behind it. Some are made from recycled PET bottles, with each curtain using just over four bottles that would otherwise go to waste, cutting down on raw materials and giving plastic a useful second life. It is a simple swap that fits easily into any bathroom, whatever its size, and works well in Malta's humid summers where curtains need to be practical as well as tidy.

BOLMSÖ dog bed, outdoor dark grey, 63x68x55 cmUTSÅDD pet bed, light grey, MUTSÅDD dog bed, light grey, LUTSÅDD pet bed, light grey, SUTSÅDD scratching mat, natural, 25x63 cmUTSÅDD cat house, green, 33x38x33 cm

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A tap that defaults to cold

Mixer taps with a cold-start function are a genuinely useful upgrade for Maltese homes, where water heating accounts for a fair share of household energy use. Lift the lever straight up and only cold water flows, so energy is only used when the tap is twisted to call for hot water. Over time this can save up to 30% on energy linked to that tap, a small habit change that adds up, especially in a household where the bathroom sink gets constant use through the day.

ÄLMAREN kitchen mixer tap, stainless steel colourLAGAN single-lever kitchen mixer tap, chrome-platedKALLSJÖN pillar tap, chrome-platedGLYPEN mixer tap, stainless steel effectDELSJÖN kitchen mixer tap, brushed black metalDELSJÖN kitchen mixer tap, brass-colour

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Shower heads that use less water, not less pressure

Water conservation matters in Malta and Gozo, and the shower is often where the most water gets used in a single sitting. Shower heads and showers fitted with a built-in flow regulator cut the amount of water passing through without weakening the spray, so the shower still feels strong and satisfying. Using up to 30% less water per shower, this is an easy change to make during a bathroom refresh, particularly useful in households with several people showering daily.

KOLSJÖN shower hose, chrome-platedLILLREVET single-spray handshower, white, 8 cmVALLAMOSSE single-spray handshower, chrome-plated, 80 mm

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Small changes like these make a real difference over a year of daily use, and Maltashopper can get them to homes anywhere on the islands.

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