Home / Guides / Bathroom and personal care

Bathroom and personal care

Solid products swap out many plastic bottles. Try one at a time: shampoo or soap bars first, then a safety razor or deodorant if you want to go further.

What to look for

  • Ingredient lists you are comfortable with, especially for sensitive skin.
  • A drying dish or tin for bars so they last longer.
  • For razors: replaceable metal blades that fit your hand.

What to avoid

  • Switching everything at once. Products differ in how well they suit your hair and skin.
  • Health or skin claims you cannot check.

Editor's pick

Greendoor Orange Shampoo Bar, 75 g

Greendoor

Greendoor Orange Shampoo Bar, 75 g

natural fibre

Why it is on the list: A 75 g solid shampoo sold in a folding paper box, so it replaces a liquid shampoo bottle without plastic wrapping around the bar.

Watch out for: Solid bars need to dry between uses (a draining dish helps) and the listing quotes an orange-oil fragrance, which some people react to.

Check price on AmazonDetails

Price and stock are shown on Amazon.

Quick comparison

ProductMaterialBest forWatch out for
Greendoor Orange Shampoo Bar, 75 gGreendoornatural fibreEveryday hair washing and travelSolid bars need to dry between uses (a draining dish helps) and the listing quotes an orange-oil fragrance, which some people react to.
boep Fragrance-Free Solid Shampoo Bar, 60 gboepnatural fibreSensitive scalps and fragrance-free routinesAt 60 g it is a small bar (the listing says up to 60 washes), so heavy users will need to repurchase more often.
DOP Solid Shampoo with Vitamins, 65 gDOPnatural fibreMainstream-brand entry into solid shampooThe listing mentions colourants and fragrance in the ingredient list, so it is not a minimal-ingredient bar.
PlantBase Deodorant Cream in Tin, Rosemary/Orange, 50 mlPlantBasemetalSwapping a plastic deodorant stickThe cream is applied with the fingers, which some people find less convenient than a stick, and it is not an antiperspirant.
PIMO Deodorant Cream MEN in Glass Jar, 50 mlPIMOglassMen who want a glass-packed deodorantThe listing does not say what the lid is made of, so check the product photos before assuming the whole pack is plastic-free.
pandoo Metal Safety Razor with 10 Blades, SilverpandoometalReplacing disposable plastic razorsSafety razors take some technique compared with cartridge razors, and used blades are sharp and need careful disposal.
Kanzy Metal Double-Edge Safety Razor Set with 10 BladesKanzymetalBudget entry to safety-razor shavingThe listing gives few material details beyond 'metal', so finish and build quality are harder to judge than with established razor makers.
Living Crafts Washable Cotton Pads with Laundry Bag, 7 pcsLiving Craftsorganic cottonDaily make-up removal and cleansingReusable pads have to be washed and dried regularly, and seven pieces may not cover a full week for daily users.
Hydrophil Nature Pads Reusable Make-Up Remover PadsHydrophilorganic cottonSensitive-skin cleansingThe listing gives no clear pad count, so check the number of pieces in the pack before ordering.
ART-CRAFT Wooden Soap Dish with Drain ChannelART-CRAFTbambooKeeping shampoo and soap bars dryThe listing says nothing about a protective finish, so an untreated wooden dish can stay damp and wear if it sits in standing water.
Kent MG3 Oval Beech Wood Hairbrush with Natural BristlesKentwoodShort to medium hair and a long-lasting brushNatural bristles are animal-derived, so this is not a vegan option, and the listing does not state what the cushion or any binding is made of.
Q-tips Cotton Swabs with Paper Stem, 9 x 206 pcsQ-tipspaperReplacing plastic-stemmed cotton budsThe listing does not say what the cube boxes are made of, and paper stems can soften when wet.

Our shortlist

We have not physically tested these products. Our shortlist is research-based: we check what the listing says, favour non-plastic main materials and name the limits we can see. Always read the listing for sizes, certifications and care instructions.

Common questions

How long does a shampoo bar last?

Many sellers say one bar replaces two or three bottles, but it varies with hair length and use. Let the bar dry between uses.

Are safety razors hard to use?

There is a short learning curve. Use light pressure and a fresh blade.