Eco-Friendly Hygiene Recipes for a Van Road Trip
Solid shampoo, natural toothpaste, DIY deodorant… adopt zero-waste hygiene routines, good for you and for Réunion’s environment.
Travelling by van also means travelling more responsibly. In Réunion, natural areas are precious and fragile. Using biodegradable, natural hygiene products is a simple but essential gesture to preserve the rivers, soils and unique biodiversity of the island.
Good news: natural alternatives are often cheaper, lighter to carry and just as effective. Here are our best recipes and tips, tested on the road.
Why adopt eco hygiene in a van
When you shower outdoors or near a natural water point, conventional chemical products pollute the environment directly. In Réunion, watercourses feed areas of exceptional biodiversity — the slightest pollution can have significant effects.
Also, space is limited in a van. Solid products take up less room, won’t leak into your belongings and last much longer. A 60g solid shampoo easily replaces two 250 ml bottles.
By switching to solid cosmetics, you cut out on average 12 plastic bottles per person per year. A concrete gesture for the island.
Shampoo, conditioner and body
Solid shampoo is the star of eco van-life. Choose a model suited to your hair type (oily, dry, coloured), based on natural ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, white clay. One bar lasts about 60 to 80 washes.
For the body, Marseille soap or a natural superfatted soap is perfect. Effective, 100% biodegradable, it can even wash laundry in a pinch. Complete with a vegetable oil (coconut, sweet almond) as a universal moisturiser.
2 tbsp baking soda + 2 tbsp corn starch + 2 tbsp melted coconut oil + a few drops of tea tree essential oil. Mix, mould. Effective for 24h.
Face & dental care
For the face, jojoba oil or argan oil acts as a make-up remover, night care and lip balm in one product. Versatile, compact, natural. Washable cotton pads replace disposable ones.
For teeth, solid toothpaste tablets are practical and zero-waste. Otherwise, the baking soda + a few drops of peppermint essential oil mix is a classic that whitens and cleanses. Use in moderation (1-2x per week).
Go for a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush. Light, eco-friendly and just as effective as plastic models.
Laundry & van cleaning
The soap nut (sapindus) is the van-lifer’s ideal ally for laundry: natural, economical (5 nuts for 3-4 washes), 100% biodegradable. It can also serve as dish soap diluted in hot water.
To clean the van’s surfaces, diluted white vinegar (50/50 with water) disinfects, descales and degreases without leaving toxic residue. A few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil add fragrance and boost the antibacterial action.
Liquid Marseille soap + white vinegar + baking soda + soap nuts = 4 products that replace 10 conventional chemical ones.
Where to find these products in Réunion
Natural and zero-waste products are increasingly easy to find in Réunion. The open-air markets (Saint-Pierre, Saint-Paul) often sell local artisan soaps made with Réunion oils. Organic shops (Naturalia, Bio&Co) are present in the larger towns.
Réunion vanilla, geranium and vetiver are used in many local cosmetic products — an excellent souvenir to bring back and use throughout your trip.
Réunion essential oils (geranium, vetiver, ylang-ylang) are among the best in the world. Bring some back in your van!
Travelling green means leaving Réunion as beautiful as you found it — for the next travellers.
— The Location Van La Réunion teamTravel with a light conscience
Our vans come equipped with biodegradable cleaning products. Your adventure begins with respect for the island.
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