🌱 Ecology

Eco-Friendly Hygiene Recipes for a Van Road Trip

Solid shampoo, natural toothpaste, DIY deodorant… adopt zero-waste hygiene routines that are good for you and for Réunion Island's environment.

📅 January 2026⏱️ 5 min read🚐 Van La Réunion

Travelling by van also means travelling more responsibly. In Réunion Island, natural spaces are precious and fragile. Using biodegradable and natural hygiene products is a simple but essential gesture to protect the island's rivers, soils and unique biodiversity.

The 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 Switch to Eco Hygiene in a Van

🌍 Key issues

When showering outdoors or near a natural water source, conventional chemical products directly pollute the environment. In Réunion Island, waterways feed areas of exceptional biodiversity — even minor pollution can have a significant impact.

What's more, space in a van is limited. Solid products take up less room, won't leak into your belongings and last much longer. A 60g solid shampoo bar easily replaces two 250ml bottles.

♻️ Positive impact

By switching to solid cosmetics, you eliminate an average of 12 plastic bottles per person per year. A tangible step for the island.

Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Care

🧴 Hair care

Solid shampoo is the star of eco van life. Choose a bar suited to your hair type (oily, dry, colour-treated) made with natural ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, white clay. One bar lasts around 60 to 80 washes.

For the body, Marseille soap or a natural superfatted soap is ideal. Effective, 100% biodegradable, it can also be used for emergency laundry. Round it off with a vegetable oil (coconut, sweet almond) as a universal moisturiser.

🍃 DIY deodorant recipe

2 tbsp bicarbonate of soda + 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp melted coconut oil + a few drops of tea tree essential oil. Mix, mould. Effective for 24 hours.

Face & Dental Care

😁 Face & teeth

For the face, jojoba oil or argan oil acts as a makeup remover, night treatment and lip balm all in one. Versatile, compact and natural. Reusable cotton pads replace disposable ones.

For teeth, solid toothpaste tablets are practical and zero-waste. Alternatively, a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of peppermint essential oil is a classic that whitens and cleanses. Use in moderation (1–2 times per week).

🪥 Toothbrush

Choose a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush. Lightweight, eco-friendly and just as effective as plastic models.

Laundry & Van Cleaning

🫧 Cleaning

Soap nuts (sapindus) are the perfect van-life ally for laundry: natural, economical (5 nuts for 3–4 washes) and 100% biodegradable. They can also be used as washing-up liquid diluted in hot water.

To clean van surfaces, diluted white vinegar (50/50 with water) disinfects, descales and degreases without leaving any toxic residue. A few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil add fragrance and boost the antibacterial action.

🧽 Minimal cleaning kit

Liquid Marseille soap + white vinegar + bicarbonate of soda + soap nuts = 4 products that replace 10 conventional chemical ones.

Where to Find These Products in Réunion Island

🛒 Local shopping

Natural and zero-waste products are becoming increasingly easy to find in Réunion Island. Local markets (Saint-Pierre, Saint-Paul) often sell artisan soaps made with locally sourced oils. Organic shops (Naturalia, Bio&Co) are present in the main towns.

Réunion vanilla, geranium and vetiver are used in many local cosmetic products — an excellent souvenir to bring back and use throughout your trip.

🌺 Local cosmetics

Réunion's essential oils (geranium, vetiver, ylang-ylang) are among the finest in the world. Pick some up for your van!

Travelling green means leaving Réunion Island as beautiful as you found it — for the next travellers.

— The Location Van La Réunion team