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Creating a Non-Toxic Bathroom: A Physician's Guide to Healthier Materials and Better Water and Air Quality
By Dr. Meg Christensen | Updated November 2025
Read the guide below, or click on a category to shop for healthier bathroom products.
Shower Curtains and Liners
Bath Stones and Mats
Organic Bath Towels
Non-Toxic Air Fresheners
Best Shower Filters
Effective Bath Filters
Why a Healthy Bathroom Matters
Your bathroom is one of the most chemically complex rooms in your home. Between hot showers that aerosolize chlorine and other water contaminants, high humidity that promotes mold growth, synthetic fragrances from air fresheners, and PVC shower curtains that off-gas phthalates, your bathroom environment significantly impacts your daily chemical exposure and respiratory health.
This guide walks you through creating a healthier bathroom by addressing water quality, material choices, air quality, and cleaning practices—all backed by research and my experience as a physician evaluating home health products.
Water Quality and Filtration
Why does bathroom water quality matter for health?
Your bathroom water exposure is more complicated than your standard drinking water concerns. When you shower or bathe in hot water, you're exposed to water contaminants in three ways:
Dermal absorption - Some chemicals can be absorbed through your skin.
Inhalation - Hot water aerosolizes volatile chemicals like chlorine, chloramines, and VOCs, which you breathe directly into your lungs.
Ingestion - Water filters are less common for bathroom sinks
What contaminants are in unfiltered shower water?
Municipal tap water commonly contains:
Chlorine and chloramines - Disinfection byproducts that irritate skin and respiratory tract
Heavy metals - Lead, mercury, and arsenic from aging pipes and natural water sources
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) - Industrial contaminants that vaporize readily in hot water
Trihalomethanes (THMs) - disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter
PFAS - "Forever chemicals" increasingly detected in water supplies nationwide
Microplastics - Tiny plastic particles present in most tap water
Well water can contain additional contaminants including:
Bacteria and parasites - E. coli, giardia, cryptosporidium
Nitrates - From agricultural runoff
Pesticides and herbicides - Agricultural chemical contamination
Do shower filters really work?
The shower filter market is filled with exaggerated claims and minimal regulation. Many brands claim "99% removal" of contaminants without providing independent verification. Look for filters with:
NSF/ANSI certification - NSF International tests filters against specific standards (NSF/ANSI 177 for chlorine removal) and verifies performance claims
Published test results - Legitimate manufacturers provide third-party lab test results showing actual removal percentages for specific contaminants over time
Specific claims, not vague marketing - "Removes heavy metals" without specifics is just marketing
Without third-party testing, you're trusting manufacturer claims that don't reflect real-world performance, or may simply be fabricated. Given that shower filtration is one of your most important water quality interventions—you're breathing and absorbing this water daily—verification matters.
Since you're breathing aerosolized shower water directly into your lungs and absorbing it through your skin for 10-20 minutes daily, even partial contaminant reduction provides meaningful health benefits—but only if the filter actually works as claimed. Shop third-party tested shower filters with KDF and carbon filtration.
Do bath filters work?
Bath filters can work, but with important limitations you should understand before investing in one.
The challenge with bath filtration:
Minimal filtration media: Bath filters, especially bath balls, tend to be small and have very little filtration media, even less than most shower filters, for removing contaminants
Ineffective filtration media: gimmicky materials are common in bath filters, like “magnetic energy balls.” These do not remove chlorine. Worse, having 8 kinds of random filtration media reduces the amount of what actually works— KDF or activated carbon.
Volume and speed: Bath filters must process 25-50 gallons of water very quickly to fill a tub in a reasonable timeframe (10-15 minutes). This rapid flow rate means that even with ideal filtration media, water rushes through too quickly for optimal contaminant removal
Design flaws: standard bath balls allow water to spill over the edges and evade purification
A bath filter that works will have a relatively large amount of legitimate filtration media like calcium sulfite, KDF, or activated carbon. It will force all of the water to flow through it. Ideally, it would have testing to show that it works, too.
What bath filters may be able to do:
Reduce chlorine and chloramines (primary benefit)
Make bath water gentler on skin, especially for eczema or sensitive skin
What bath filters CAN'T do:
Comprehensive filtration like under-sink drinking water systems
Remove fluoride (requires specialized filtration not practical for bath volumes)
Eliminate all contaminants—expect partial reduction, not complete removal
Who benefits most from bath filters:
Young children who take frequent baths
People with eczema, psoriasis, or chemical sensitivities
Families in areas with heavily chlorinated water
Anyone who takes long, hot baths regularly
The practical reality: If you or your children take regular baths, the right bath filter can provide meaningful—if incomplete—reduction in chlorine and chemical exposure during an extended skin contact activity. Young children especially benefit, since they have higher surface-area-to-body-weight ratios and more permeable skin, increasing their dermal absorption relative to adults.
For families prioritizing bath time, especially for young children with eczema or sensitive skin, removing chlorine and chloramines can provide noticeable improvements in skin comfort and reduced irritation. Browse bath water filters.
Shower Curtains and Bathroom Textiles
Are vinyl shower curtains toxic?
Yes—vinyl (PVC) shower curtains are one of the most problematic items you can have in your bathroom.
Vinyl shower curtains contain:
Phthalates - Plasticizers that make PVC flexible, linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and developmental concerns in children
VOCs - Off-gas for months or years, especially when heated by hot shower steam
Organotins - Antimicrobial additives that are endocrine disruptors
The "new shower curtain smell" is off-gassing VOCs. Research analyzing new vinyl shower curtains found they released over 108 different VOCs into bathroom air, with concentrations high enough to exceed indoor air quality guidelines.
The problem intensifies with use: Hot shower steam heats the vinyl, accelerating chemical release. Your enclosed bathroom becomes a concentrated exposure, and you're breathing these chemicals during and after every shower.
What are the safest shower curtain materials?
The safest shower curtain options are natural materials with strategies to prevent mold, or health-certified synthetic materials that require less maintenance:
GOTS-certified organic cotton or natural hemp with regular maintenance - Naturally grown without pesticides, processed without toxic chemicals, and woven tightly enough to gently resist water. These curtains should be machine-washed regularly (every 1-2 weeks) to prevent mildew. They're best used with a separate liner or in bathrooms with good ventilation.
OEKO-TEX certified polyester - If you prefer less maintenance, choose curtains certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which tests for over 1,000 harmful substances including phthalates, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and other chemicals. These curtains must pass strict limits for chemical content to receive certification.
PEVA - Lowest maintenance option for bathrooms prone to mold and mildew. PEVA doesn’t require chemical additives to make it flexible like PVC, and it’s a relatively safe choice in part because its inherently mold-resistant.
Because shower curtains hang in your humid bathroom where they're repeatedly exposed to hot steam, and because they cover a large surface area right next to where you breathe, choosing curtains made from certified materials protects your daily air quality. Shop OEKO-TEX certified and organic shower curtains. On that page, I also list the clever maintenance strategies I recommend for natural fabric shower liner options.
How do I choose non-toxic bathroom towels?
Your bathroom towels have direct skin contact after every shower, making material choices important.
Conventional towels often contain:
Formaldehyde resins - Added for "wrinkle-free" properties and color setting
Optical brighteners - Synthetic chemicals that make whites appear brighter
Synthetic dyes - Can contain heavy metals and cause skin irritation
Softening chemicals - Applied to make towels feel fluffy, but reduce absorbency and can irritate sensitive skin
The safest towel options:
GOTS-certified organic cotton - Grown without pesticides, processed without toxic chemicals, with strict limits on dyes and finishing treatments. GOTS ensures the entire supply chain from farm to finished towel meets health and environmental standards.
OEKO-TEX certified cotton or linen - Tests the finished towel for over 1,000 harmful substances, ensuring the final product you're rubbing on your skin is free from dangerous chemicals even if the growing process wasn't certified organic.
Certified organic or OEKO-TEX options eliminate unnecessary chemical exposure during this vulnerable contact. Shop GOTS-certified organic towels.
Bathroom Air Quality and Mold Prevention
Why is bathroom humidity bad for health?
Bathrooms naturally have the highest humidity levels in your home due to hot showers and baths, often reaching 70-90% relative humidity during use. This excessive moisture creates multiple health concerns:
Mold growth - When humidity stays above 60% for extended periods, mold spores (which are always present in air) can colonize surfaces. Bathroom mold releases spores and mycotoxins that you inhale, potentially triggering:
Allergic reactions (sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rash)
Asthma attacks and respiratory irritation
Chronic sinusitis
In rare cases with certain mold species, more serious health effects
Off-gassing acceleration - High humidity and heat speed up the release of VOCs from materials like vinyl flooring, conventional paint, particleboard vanities, and PVC shower curtains
Bacterial growth - The pink slime you see in your tub isn’t mildew, it’s bacteria! Humid environments support bacteria proliferation on surfaces, in drains, and on towels
The confined space of most bathrooms means these contaminants concentrate in the air you breathe during your morning and evening routines.
How can I prevent mold in my bathroom?
Preventing mold requires controlling humidity and addressing moisture problems:
Immediate actions after showering:
Run your exhaust fan during and for 20-30 minutes after every shower (or longer if you don't have a window)
Open windows if weather permits
If you have glass shower walls, squeegee after each shower to remove standing water
Hang wet towels with a little space, without bunching them up on hooks, if possible. Or, choose rapid-dry materials.
Leave bathroom door open after you’re done to allow air circulation
Monitor humidity levels: An indoor air quality monitor helps you understand your bathroom's humidity patterns and verify your ventilation strategies are working. Ideally, bathroom humidity should return to below 50-60% within 30-60 minutes after showering. If it stays elevated longer, you need better ventilation or dehumidification.
Since bathrooms cycle between very high humidity during use and (hopefully) normal levels between uses, monitoring shows you whether your exhaust fan is adequate or if you need additional interventions. Browse indoor air quality monitors.
Use a dehumidifier if needed: In bathrooms without windows or with inadequate exhaust fans, a small dehumidifier can maintain healthy humidity levels between shower uses. This is especially important in humid climates or if multiple family members shower consecutively, keeping humidity elevated throughout the day.
Look for dehumidifiers sized appropriately for small spaces (most bathrooms are 40-100 square feet), with easy-to-empty water tanks and automatic shut-off.
Because bathroom humidity directly affects your respiratory health and determines whether mold can colonize surfaces you'll be exposed to daily, managing moisture with monitoring and dehumidification prevents problems before they start.
Replace fabric bath mats with diatomaceous earth bath stones:
Traditional fabric bath mats are a hidden contributor to bathroom humidity and mold problems. They absorb large amounts of water after every shower, can stay damp for hours, creating a consistently moist surface that promotes mold, mildew, and bacterial growth. They also add humidity back into the bathroom air as they slowly dry and can develop musty odors from repeated dampness. Finally, they require frequent washing.
Diatomaceous earth bath stones offer a better alternative for most people:
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a naturally porous sedimentary rock made from fossilized algae (diatoms). Its microscopic structure contains millions of tiny pores that rapidly absorb water through capillary action, then release it through evaporation.
Benefits of DE bath stones:
Instant drying - Absorb water from your feet in seconds, then dry themselves within minutes
No mold growth - The rapid drying prevents moisture buildup that mold needs to colonize
Reduce bathroom humidity - Unlike fabric mats that slowly release moisture into air for hours, DE stones dry very quickly and don't contribute to prolonged humidity
Natural antimicrobial properties - DE's porous structure and rapid drying naturally resist bacterial growth
Low maintenance - No washing needed; occasional light sanding refreshes the surface
Durable - Last 2+ years with proper care
Since traditional fabric bath mats stay damp and contribute to the chronic humidity that allows mold to thrive in bathrooms, switching to a diatomaceous earth bath stone eliminates this moisture source while providing better functionality. Shop diatomaceous earth bath stones. If you prefer a standard bath mat, choose one that is certified to be low in harmful chemicals and dries quickly.
Are conventional air fresheners toxic?
Yes, conventional air fresheners are among the most concerning products you can use in your bathroom.
Most air fresheners (including sprays, gels, plug-ins, and automatic dispensers) contain:
Phthalates - Used to make scents last longer, these hormone disruptors aren't listed on ingredient labels because they're protected as "trade secrets" within the term "fragrance." Studies have found phthalates in 12 out of 14 air freshener products tested, even those labeled "unscented" or "all-natural."
Synthetic fragrances - Aside from often being phthalates, any synthetic fragrance can contain dozens to hundreds of unlisted chemicals, many of which are respiratory irritants or allergens.
VOCs - Including formaldehyde (carcinogen), benzene (carcinogen), toluene (neurotoxin), and styrene.
The problem is worse in bathrooms because:
The enclosed space concentrates chemicals
High humidity and heat from showers increase evaporation rates into the air
Automatic dispensers release chemicals continuously, even when the bathroom isn't in use
Air fresheners don't actually "freshen" air—they mask odors by either overwhelming your sense of smell with strong fragrances or coating your nasal passages with oils or chemicals that inhibit odor detection. Meanwhile, they're adding harmful chemicals to your bathroom air.
What are safer alternatives to synthetic air fresheners?
The best approach is addressing the source of odors rather than masking them:
For bathroom odors:
Improve ventilation (exhaust fan, open windows) for fresh air
Address any mold or mildew issues
Clean regularly with non-toxic cleaners
Ensure toilet and drains are clean and functioning properly
For pleasant scent (optional):
Place natural odor absorbers like baking soda in an open container
Diffuse pure essential oils (ensure proper ventilation; avoid if you have asthma or are sensitive)
Light non-toxic candles made from beeswax or soy with cotton wicks (ensure adequate ventilation)
Avoid greenwashing: Products labeled "natural," "green," or "eco-friendly" air fresheners may still contain synthetic fragrances and phthalates. Look for products that:
List all ingredients (not just "fragrance")
Use pure essential oils rather than "fragrance" or "parfum"
Because you're repeatedly breathing bathroom air in an enclosed space where humidity and heat can amplify chemical exposure, eliminating synthetic air fresheners removes a significant source of daily VOC and hormone disruptor exposure. Shop non-toxic air fresheners and bathroom scents.
