Self-care is essential for maintaining healthy skin and a sense of well-being, but have you ever considered how your skincare routine affects your plumbing? Many of the beauty products we use, from luxurious bath bombs to exfoliating scrubs, can wreak havoc on your drains, leading to clogs and costly repairs. Fortunately, with a few mindful practices and smart product choices, you can care for both your skin and your plumbing.
At Anthousai Apothecary, we’ve made it our mission to offer cruelty-free, vegan, and all-natural products that not only pamper your skin but also minimize environmental impact. Our foaming scrubs are a perfect example—crafted with ingredients like sugar, salt, shea butter, and sunflower oil, they’re as gentle on your pipes as they are on your skin. Let’s explore how you can enjoy self-care without the hassle of clogged drains.
Body Products and Ingredients That Cause Drain Clogs
1. Bath Bombs
Bath bombs turn an ordinary bath into a luxurious spa experience, but they can be a nightmare for your pipes. Ingredients like essential oils, cocoa butter, cornstarch, flower petals, and glitter often don’t dissolve in water. Over time, these materials can build up in your pipes, creating stubborn blockages.
Solution: If you love bath bombs, try placing them in a mesh bag or old piece of pantyhose before using them. This allows you to enjoy the fizz and fragrance while catching debris before it goes down the drain.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is popular as a moisturizer and even as a shaving cream replacement. However, it solidifies at temperatures below 76°F, making it prone to hardening in your pipes. Even if it melts during your shower, it can cling to hair and other debris in the pipes, creating a sticky clog.
Solution: Check the ingredients of your skincare products for coconut oil and use them sparingly. At Anthousai Apothecary, we avoid coconut oil in our scrubs to reduce the risk of clogs while still delivering amazing skincare benefits.
3. Body Scrubs
Body scrubs are fantastic for exfoliating and rejuvenating your skin, but not all scrubs are created equal. Many contain coffee grounds, oatmeal, or crushed seeds that don’t dissolve in water, causing blockages over time. Even sugar, a dissolvable ingredient, can sometimes act as a sticky residue in pipes.
Solution: Choose scrubs with dissolvable ingredients like those in our foaming scrubs at Anthousai Apothecary. Our sugar and salt-based scrubs dissolve in water, while our whipped shea butter and sunflower oil formulas rinse away cleanly, leaving your pipes clear. Plus, they’re packaged in recyclable metal tins, making them eco-friendly too!
4. Makeup
Waterproof and long-lasting makeup is great for all-day wear, but it’s not so great for your plumbing. These products are often hydrophobic, meaning they repel water and can stick to the insides of your pipes.
Solution: Use makeup wipes or reusable cotton pads to remove makeup before washing your face. Dispose of the residue in the trash instead of rinsing it down the drain.
5. Clay Face Masks
Clay masks are excellent for detoxifying your skin, but they can harden in your pipes just like they harden on your face. Bits of clay can stick to the pipe walls, narrowing the space for water to flow.
Solution: Wipe off excess clay with a damp paper towel or reusable pad before rinsing. Consider using a mesh drain cover to catch any leftover particles.
6. Antibacterial Soaps
While antibacterial soaps can be effective, they’re not ideal for homes with septic systems. These soaps kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, disrupting the balance needed for your septic system to function properly.
Solution: Opt for regular soap bars or body washes. At Anthousai Apothecary, all our products are free from harsh chemicals and made with natural ingredients, ensuring they’re safe for your home and the environment.
7. Toothpaste in the Shower
Brushing your teeth in the shower might seem like a time-saver, but toothpaste residue can harden in pipes, especially in less frequently flushed shower drains.
Solution: Stick to brushing your teeth at the sink, where frequent water flow helps keep your pipes clear.
Alternatives to Prevent Clogged Drains
1. Using Safe Products
Whenever possible, choose products with fully dissolvable ingredients like sea salt and sugar. Anthousai Apothecary’s foaming scrubs are a great option, as they dissolve completely in water and come in a variety of nourishing formulas to suit your skin’s needs.
2. Drain Protectors and Maintenance
Invest in drain strainers to catch hair, exfoliants, and other debris before they enter your pipes. Regularly clean your drains with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by boiling water to keep them flowing smoothly.
3. Proper Product Disposal
Dispose of solid residues like coffee grounds, flower petals, or clay mask remnants in the trash instead of rinsing them down the drain.
Environmental Considerations
1. Reducing Water Usage in Skincare
On average, skincare routines use a significant amount of water—up to 120 liters per day for some routines! Turn off the tap during each step to conserve water and save on utility bills.
2. Eco-Friendly Skincare Options
Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at Anthousai Apothecary. Our products are packaged in recyclable metal tins and made with all-natural, cruelty-free, and vegan ingredients. By choosing eco-friendly options, you can care for your skin while reducing your environmental impact.
Conclusion
Self-care doesn’t have to come at the expense of your plumbing or the environment. By being mindful of the products you use and how you dispose of them, you can enjoy a luxurious skincare routine without worrying about clogged drains or costly repairs.
At Anthousai Apothecary, we’re committed to helping you achieve glowing skin with products that are as kind to your pipes as they are to the planet. Our foaming scrubs are a perfect addition to your routine—effective, eco-friendly, and designed with your skin and plumbing in mind. Try them today and experience the difference!