Going green is good for you. Eco-friendly products are often better quality, and they leave the Earth in better shape for future generations. If you’re worried about harmful chemicals and carcinogens (ingredients that cause cancer), sustainable items are a great choice. One of the worst offenders is plastic, both environmentally and health-wise. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is in everything from plastic shower curtains to tupperware to children’s toys. You should avoid PVC shower curtains because “hot steamy conditions promote the release of phthalates,” according to Mother Nature Network. And why are phthalates bad? The Breast Cancer Fund explains the problem with these plastic-softeners: A 2012 study found that women working in the automotive and food-canning industries have nearly a fivefold increase in risk for premenopausal breast cancer, likely because of their exposure to phthalates, BPA and flame-retardants. Phthalates have also been linked to birth defects, asthma, neurodevelopmental problems in newborns, fertility issues and obesity [emphasis mine].

Dr. Oz (yes, Oprah’s pal) even says phthalates “may lower testosterone and metabolism levels, causing you to gain weight and lose muscle mass.” Who knew your shower curtain could make you pack on the pounds? Bottom line: Your stinky plastic shower curtain smells because it contains more than 100 potentially hazardous chemicals. Hot showers in a confined, stuffy space like the bathroom only make it worse. So how can you choose an eco-friendly, non-toxic shower curtain?Sushi Making Kit Chapters PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) is a vinyl made without chloride, so it doesn’t offgass. Pixie Bobs For Sale In IndianaBut like PVC, it’s waterproof and affordable. Working Whippet Pups For Sale Uk“I throw mine in the wash a few times a year with towels (for scrubbing) and a 1/2 cup of vinegar.

Spotless and effortless,” notes one reader on Apartment Therapy. PEVA and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) aren’t perfect. Their manufacture uses petrochemicals. But they’re better for you than PVC shower curtains, because they have fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If the rest of the non-toxic shower curtains below don’t seem realistic, try PEVA or EVA. Go with a hemp, linen, or organic cotton shower curtain. You can wring hemp out and put it in the washing machine. Plus, it’s breathable and resists mold. Hemp shower curtains aren’t cheap, though. They often cost $80 to $100. Cotton, linen, and hemp also all absorb water to some degree, unless you use a liner. Cotton and linen will attract mold more than hemp and other materials. But unlike PVC, these options are biodegradable or recyclable to some extent. (Burning PVC gives off dioxins, which can also cause cancer.) Like cotton, linen, and hemp, polyester is porous (unlike plastic). But at least it’s lightweight and can be popped in the washing machine.

As one Apartment Therapy commenter raves, “I recently converted to a 100% polyester liner and I love it. It can be thrown in the wash with non-chlorine bleach and comes out fresh as a daisy.” You can even find mildew-free, water-resistant polyester shower curtains. Water-resistant, washable nylon can be a great choice for a non-toxic shower curtain. Supposedly it dries quickly, too. Ripstop nylon shower curtains in particular are strong, thin, and long-lasting. Not only is our Serenity shower curtain 100% recyclable, but it won’t rust or mold. And depending on the type of shower (walk in, curbless etc.), the coiled wire fabric keeps almost all the water inside the shower. This odorless, non-toxic shower curtain is stylish and sexy as well — two things you can’t say about a vinyl shower curtain! We hope these non-toxic shower curtains gave you some ideas. Your other option, of course, is a glass shower door (although not even that is immune to mold). Or you can get really creative and buy a recycled boat sail as your non-toxic shower curtain.

Whatever shower curtain you use, ventilate your bathroom by cracking a window or running the fan. That will help improve your indoor air quality. And when you’re done with your shower curtain, give it another life as a drop cloth. Now you’re one step closer to a healthy, environmentally friendly life. Have you ditched PVC? What kind of shower curtain do you have? Tags: green design, green living, health, non-toxic, safety, shower curtain G.I.L.I. got it love it Joan Rivers Classics Collection Linea by Louis Dell'Olio Liz Claiborne New York LOGO by Lori Goldstein Laptop Bags & Cases View All Tech Cases & Accessories Dooney Sports MLB Collection My Saint My Hero WEN by Chaz Dean GPS Navigation & Car Tech Cases & Accessories Home Projects & Tools All For The Home Clearance ED On Air by Ellen DeGeneres In the Kitchen with David Fitness Equipment & DVDs Health & Fitness Clearance Sunny Health & Fitness

Current Item On Air Items Recently On Air Watch QVC TV Live Head to our homepage.Use our "search" box above.If you think the error's on us, tell us by leaving feedback.A spa bathroom lets you pamper yourself with little indulgences for a fraction of what you'd spend at the spa. To create your own spa bathroom, just think "relaxing" with calming candlelight, soothing scents, and big, fluffy towels. Then add a few personal touches to create your own retreat in the middle of a bustling household. The spa experience always starts with the aroma when you walk through the doors, the calming scents help you transition from traffic-mode to tranquil. Get the same effect in your own home with personal aromatherapy blends. Add aromatic essential oils to drugstore Epsom salts for a professional mineral bath that is a treat for the senses. To refresh and revitalize, try scents like tea tree and eucalyptus. Ylang ylang and neroli are perfect before bedtime. For a relaxing mini-facial for puffy eyes, use Victorian Trading Company's Eyes Tea, filled with fennel, chamomile, and rose petals.

Create a sanctuary with aromatherapy and a calming drink. To get a refined spa look, clear your counters by stashing less attractive products in linen-lined baskets. Then dress your counter with elegant glass jars like The Container Store's Vibe Containers. Fill them with lovely bath products like Organic Bath Company's flower-shaped Bath Petals. They not only please the eye, the lavender vanilla scent soothes the soul. Personalize the containers with scrapbooking tags tied with twine. Then add a glass vase of blooming lavender to your countertop, nature's own aromatherapy. Create a glow with soybean candles from the Victorian Trading Company. A spa should make you feel good and look good, so do like the spas do and lower your lighting. Turn off the overhead and place small jar candles on the counter and candle tins around the tub. Candlelight flatters every skin tone. Don't be afraid to mix large and small pillars with votives and tea lights; just choose a single scent to keep the aromas from clashing.

Specialty candles, like Victorian Trading Company's Soybean Beauty Candle, melt into a smoothing emollient you can massage into your skin to make it velvety. Smith & Hawken's Teak Stool evokes a spa-like feel. When it comes to setting a spa mood, don't forget the acoustic music and soothing sounds of nature. Spa music is designed to transport you to a place of inner peace, and you can have it for the price of a few CDs. Get a small CD player and store a selection of CDs in a tidy wooden box. Then with just the touch of a button, you can close your eyes and listen your way to inner calm. Put Yourself on a Pedestal The finest spas have a serene space where guests can relax while they leave the stresses of the day behind. Create your own relaxation zone with a sleek Teak Stool from Smith & Hawken, the perfect perch for a foot soak. To make an authentic footbath, fill a large bowl with warm water and your own aromatherapy salts. Now you can give your feet a pampering pedicure without teetering on the side of the tub.

The teak tub tray from IKEA provides a perch for batch necessities. Nothing says "ooh la la spa" like fluffy cotton towels. When it comes to these bathroom necessities, a little splurge can make a big splash. Instead of regular bath towels, go for oversized bath sheets, like 100-percent Turkish Cotton LuxeSPA Allure Towels from Bed Bath & Beyond. At 40 inches by 70 inches, these ultra-soft towels are so big they'll warm you from head to toe — literally. To complete the spa effect, hang a natural cotton shower curtain from simple chrome hooks. Then add a matching bath rug, the plushest you can find. Your footsies will thank you. What's the best reason to have a spa bathroom at home? You can soak in the tub whenever you want. With a wooden tub tray from IKEA, your bath essentials will always be at your fingertips. Fill your tub caddy with exfoliating oatmeal soap, a pumice stone, and a natural loofah sponge. An organized space is a relaxing space, and that's what a spa bath is all about.