Tag Archives: Bathroom

Eco-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of Mold in Your Bathroom

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Most homeowners have black mold in their homes without even knowing. Most types of mold grow in dark, warm, and humid places that are often hidden, such as bathrooms. Removing bathroom mold can be challenging, but it’s essential not only for the aesthetics of your bathroom but also for your health and indoor air quality. With the right conditions, mold can grow within 48 hours, and leaving it untreated might lead to several health conditions, including respiratory illnesses and aggravated allergies, and asthma. Therefore, you should clean mold immediately and find ways of preventing recurrent growth.

Unfortunately, most conventional mold cleaning products are made from harmful ingredients. The Environmental Working Group found ingredients that irate the lungs in half of these products. However, you can avoid these harmful products and consider eco-friendly and overly effective cleaning products. These natural mold cleaning products include:

Eco-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of Bathroom Mold

1. Vinegar

White vinegar is a safe and affordable natural mold cleaning solution that clears mold growth in the bathroom and other surfaces expertly. The solution has antibacterial properties that make it effective in cleaning and preventing mold growth. Regular vinegar used for cooking contains 5% of acetic acid. However, you should use white vinegar with 6% to eliminate mold. The extra percentage is what makes it effective. You can find this in your local home improvement stores.

To use the solution, transfer undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it directly into the surface with mold. Let it sit for one hour, use a scrub brush to loosen any stubborn mold, and wipe the surface with warm water.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

You can also clean your bathroom mold effectively using hydrogen peroxide. In a humid environment such as South Florida, hydrogen peroxide can be an effective measure for mold remediation. It is a three-in-one agent with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that is safe to use and environmentally friendly. You can use the solution to kill mold from porous household materials, such as woven furniture.

To use hydrogen peroxide, mix two parts of water with one part of hydrogen peroxide solution in a spray bottle. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can soak the solution in a towel and wipe the affected surface directly. Allow the solution to settle on the surface for 10 minutes, scrub it with a toothbrush, and wipe the remaining mold with a towel.

3. Tea Tree Oil Solution

Tea tree oil solution is not only effective in keeping spiders away but also a natural and safe option for getting rid of mold from your bathroom. This natural fungicide is a strong cleaning agent that can kill and prevent mold spores from growing. To make this solution, mix one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water and adjust the ratio of this mixture accordingly.

Shake the solutions to mix and apply using a spray bottle for better coverage. After applying to the area covered by mold, leave it for one hour to dry, then wipe the surface using a dry towel or microfiber clothing. Always use gloves or other protective gear since it can irritate your skin despite being a natural solution.

4. Grapefruit Seed Extract

The grapefruit seed extract is well known for its myriad health benefits. However, very few people know of its effective cleaning abilities. What makes this product very effective in cleaning mold in the bathroom and any other rooms in your home is the presence of polyphenols or limonoids and naringenin in the extract.

These compounds are effective in killing bacteria in carpet spills and laundry, which often promote mold growth. When used to fight bathroom mold growth, these acids penetrate any growth, preventing mold spores from recurring.

To use the solution;

  • Mix ten drops of grapefruit seed extract with one cup of water
  • Spray the solution and let it sit for between 10 minutes and one hour, depending on the saturation of mold, then wipe the residue
  • As with other natural remedies, use a spray bottle to saturate all the affected spots in your bathroom.

5. Lemon Juice

While this isn’t the strongest solution, lemon juice is widely available in most kitchens. Besides being natural, everybody likes the enticing smell of fresh lemon. That said, slice and juice five or more lemons depending on the size of the affected area. Pour the solution and leave it for five minutes, then wipe using a damp towel with warm water.

If the mold growth proves stubborn, you can scrub the bathroom floor, walls, or ceiling using a toothbrush. For optimal results, mix the lemon juice with hand or dish soap and some water.

Conclusion

The presence of mold in bathroom predisposes occupants to various health hazards, particularly respiratory problems. In severe cases, it can aggravate pneumonia, especially if someone had pre-existing health conditions. If you suspect mold growth in your bathroom, purchase a mold testing kit to confirm its presence. The above natural solutions can help in clearing small-scale mold growth. However, if the growth is extensive, hire mold remediation experts for professional services.

Tips to Make Your Bathroom More Energy-Efficient

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The recent intense and repeated heat-waves suggest that we stop taking our environment for granted. In fact, it is now high time for us to ‘man up’ and pay attention to our environmental responsibilities so that our planet can regain its much-needed equilibrium. Today we live in an otherwise environmentally conscious era. So it is imperative that we all pay due attention to our overall energy usage.

There is sound reasoning behind this strategy. In fact, essentially lowering our overall use of energy means that we can reduce our ‘environmental footprint,’ that is, the overall impact of our energy usage on not just the environment alone, but also lessen the burden on our wallets as well, great deals on https://www.bellabathrooms.co.uk/

It is pertinent to note that the bathroom is one of the single most wasteful places in the house, in terms of prolonged energy usage.

When you take those long, warm sand luxuries showers, Flush the commode all too frequently or have plenty of dripping faucets, then all of these activities conspire and contribute towards putting a substantial dent in your wallet in the form of hefty bills, that just keep racking up at the far end of the month.

Now, the question arises how precisely, can we go about substantially reducing this almost inevitable use of such energy?

Making a few small changes is not very difficult but doing so can help you save a ton in terms of energy-related bills. Here is how:

Changing the shower head as well as sink mixer

Changing to a high-efficiency showerhead and sink mixer and faucet combo can effectively slice your shower and shave water consumption by half. As a matter of fact, newer models of faucets and showerheads can now easily provide the same sense of luxurious ‘feel’ of various other models while simultaneously using considerably less energy, in the bargain.

With the help of these models, you will not only be able to enjoy the same showers you had before but will be able to tell the difference only and only when you get your water bill at the end of the month!

Saving electricity with energy savers and solar panels

Many, if not most people are completely unaware of the fact that those extra bright lights above their sinks are actually power guzzlers, in every sense of the term. This is why it would be prudent to figure out if there are actually energy efficient light bulbs in your bathroom, or not.

The thing is that most people use at least 4 to 5 light bulbs in their bathrooms to make the place nice and bright. However, not using energy savers can be a huge waste of energy. This wastage can efficiently be curbed with energy efficient bulbs as well. It will be well worth it, since it is possible to curb energy usage by as much as 80% when using energy savers, in lieu of ordinary bulbs as such. If you want to go further into the picture, then you can also opt for solar panels to run your bathroom lights.

Curtail these really bad energies wasting habits

From using a hair dryer to an electric razor and trimmer combo, the odds are that the average house owner probably uses a lot of electrical appliances in the washroom on a more or less daily basis. If such is the case with you as well, then you should always unplug every device once you are done using it to see the huge amount of energy savings on the next monthly bill that you receive.

A rule of thumb: Even if the appliance has been powered off, it will nevertheless still continue to consume minute amounts of energy. This is why it is standard best practice to unplug the devices from the mains outlets to ensure that there is no additional drain on your power resources.

Always turn the faucet off whenever you can

One of the most harmful things you can do while being in the washroom is to keep the water running at full blast while you wash your hands and face or brush your teeth. The prudent thing to do is to turn off the water tap when you do not need all that water. Remember, should you leave the water running even as you brush your teeth, then you will almost certainly end up using between an estimated 4 to 5 gallons of water, every time you do so.

Now, just imagine that you repeat this behavior at least three times a day each and every time, you either wash your hand and face or brush your teeth. That is an estimated 12 to 15 gallons of precious water wasted just because you leave the faucet open.

Being environmentally responsible means being completely conscious of all of your bathroom related energy usage, so that you know when you should turn off the tap and save your water supply (and decrease your water bills as well, in the bargain).

Get into the shower when you open the faucet

If you are guilty of opening the shower and letting the water flow while you prepare breakfast or try to find your socks, when going for work, then this is something that you should really take care of, post haste. Apart from that, you can also get a smart meter installed so as to keep track of your energy usage.

Conclusion

In the light of the above, we can safely conclude that taking care of these small issues can lead to great benefits not just for the environment, but also decrease your power bill burden as well. So whether you are renovating your home or moving to a new house, these ideas can help you make your bathrooms more energy efficient.

The Ultimate Guide To Accessorizing Your Home

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Creating the perfect oasis in your home doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right accessories, you can instantly transform any space into the stylish and cozy place of your dreams.

Welcome to The Ultimate Guide to Accessorizing Your Home – where we’ll guide you in finding the pieces that will make your home look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.

How To Accessorize Your Home

What’s accessorizing, and why accessorize your dwelling?

Accessorizing means adding complementary color, texture, and design elements to a space to enhance its appearance and create a unique style. Accessories are often distinguished from furniture by their smaller size and lower price point, allowing you to replace or update them more frequently.

So why practice accessorizing in the first place? The reason for doing that is that it can add a personalized touch to any room, allowing you to showcase your creativity and taste. Besides, you can create visual interest, draw attention to certain features of a room, and make a small room appear larger. From using VistaCreate’s collage feature–click the link to learn more https://create.vista.com/create/collage/–to scavenging flea markets, accessorizing will empower you to inject life and color into an otherwise dull or outdated room.

Getting Started

1. Budgeting

When accessorizing your dwelling, it’s essential to determine your budget beforehand. It will help ensure you don’t go overboard and spend more than you can afford. Consider the type of look you’re trying to achieve and the accessories cost before making any purchases.

2. Identifying existing themes

Next, consider the space’s existing themes and color schemes to ensure that any accessories you choose will complement rather than clash with the existing décor. Take note of any patterns or motifs in the room and use these as inspiration for selecting accessories.

Living Room

  • Wall décor

Wall décor is an essential element of any living room. Consider adding a gallery wall filled with framed art or photographs, or try displaying some exciting objects such as vintage mirrors or maps. An eclectic mix of wall décor can bring a sense of charm and personality to the room.

  • Curtains and Window Treatments

Curtains and window treatments are a great way to add color and texture to a room. Consider the color of the walls and furniture when selecting a fabric for curtains to ensure that it complements the existing décor. Remember that window treatments don’t just add aesthetic value but also help regulate the room’s temperature.

  • Furniture

When selecting furniture for your living room, look for comfortable and stylish pieces. Keep in mind the size and shape of the room and how much seating is needed. If you’re looking to add a punch of color to the room, consider an upholstered or patterned armchair.

Kitchen

  • Countertop Basics

Countertops are a building block of any kitchen and can often make or break the room’s look. Consider adding colorful towels and cookbooks to give the countertops a more inviting feel while providing some handy kitchen accessories. A bowl of fresh fruit or vegetables can also add color and warmth.

redesign kitchen units in ecofriendly manner

  • Table Settings

Table settings are an excellent opportunity to show off your style. Add colorful placemats or a bright centerpiece to the table for visual interest. Candles and flowers can also add a touch of class and elegance to mealtime.

Bedroom

  • Wall Art

Wall art can instantly bring a sense of life and vibrancy to a bedroom. Consider leaning a large artwork above the bed for an impressive centerpiece, or add some smaller pieces for a more eclectic look. Wall art is also an opportunity to showcase your peculiar style and tastes.

  • Storage Solutions

Storage solutions such as bookcases, dressers, and armories can help minimize clutter and maximize space in any bedroom. Look for functional and aesthetically pleasing pieces, choosing materials such as wood or metal for a timeless look that will stand the test of time.

Bathroom

  • Towels, Rugs, and Accessories

Towels, rugs, and accessories are a great way to bring color and character to the bathroom. Consider adding bright towels and rugs in patterns or colors that complement the existing décor of the restroom for an eye-catching display. Things like soap dispensers, candles, or plants will add a touch of life to the space.

  • Mirrors and Display Cabinet

A mirror is one of the most necessary bathroom essentials because it adds to the space’s practicality and aesthetics. Add a wall-mounted mirror for a bold statement piece or an ornate framed mirror for an elegant touch. You can also use a display cabinet or shelf to store toiletries and other items.

bathroom-shower

 

Other Rooms

Outdoor Accessories

When accessorizing your outdoor space, consider its purpose. Include colorful furniture, such as lounge chairs or Adirondack chairs for seating. For lighting, use string lights or tiki torches for a festive feel. Plants and flowers are also excellent for adding a touch of life and color to any outdoor space.

Conclusion

The possibilities for accessorizing your home are truly endless. Whether you want to focus on the inner details or create a bold statement, remember that the right accessories can bring personality and pizzazz to any space. Take your time, find the pieces that speak to you, and make your house feel like home.

Now that you’ve read this guide, go forth and create the space of your dreams!

3 Ways To Improve Your Bathroom

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Both the first place we visit in the morning as well as the last stop before we go to bed, bathrooms are used as regularly, if not more so, than any other room in the house. So why don’t we dedicate the same amount of time and resources to making it as aesthetically and practically successful as, say, our kitchens? Besides helping you re-evaluate the importance of the bathroom within the home, we are here to help you enact some changes that will not only improve the appearance of your bathroom but its utility too.

bathroom improvement tips

 

2. Boost water pressure and flow with a shower pump

A shower is an almost inviolable component of the daily routine and ensuring that it works as efficiently and effectively as possible is imperative. There are a number of different ways this can be achieved. The one change you should be prioritising is the addition of a shower pump. Without sufficient water flow and water pressure, a shower fails to be enjoyable. A shower pump can remedy this.

The kind of shower pump you will need however depends on the positioning of the water tank in relation to the pump. Efficient negative head shower pumps have the ability to act against gravity and will work regardless of their relative position to the accompanying water tank while positive head shower pumps will only work when positioned above or equal to the water tank.

Similarly, you need to determine whether your home is better served by a single or twin impeller pump – the difference being that twin impeller pumps are more adept at propelling water from far apart cold water and hot water tanks.

2. Ventilate your bathroom and ward off threat of damp

Bathrooms are invariably seen as somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to allocating space within a home. Often, but not always, cramped and confined, small bathrooms do little to hamper the presence of moisture in the air that will eventually condense to form water droplets on the cooler tiled or even wallpapered walls which can lead to host of damp problems.

The best way to impede the appearance and advance of damp is to properly ventilate your bathroom. Outside of taking a hammer to the walls to create a custom-made window, your options are relatively limited. The most inexpensive and practical solution is to install an extractor fan or purchase a dehumidifier. Either will help to remove excess moisture – preventing the development of damp and mold in the process. If your bathroom is facing mold infestation, make use of eco-friendly mold removal techniques.

3. Lighten up your bathroom

A complete bathroom décor overhaul can be expensive and time-consuming. Sometimes small alterations can be just as transformative. Electing to lighten up the room is one such example.

Going for lighter hues and tones throughout your bathroom creates the illusion of space, leading to a more spacious and airier-feeling room. This modification doesn’t necessarily require a top-to-bottom repainting; putting up posters, investing in a new and expansive mirror, and altering existing cabinets with fresh exteriors can elicit the same kind of response.

What Type Of Bath Should You Choose For Your Bathroom?

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Bathrooms are one of the most used yet the least appreciated rooms in our homes. Investing in your bathroom can be very confusing. You may not know where to start, you may not know how much you need to spend.  For a quality bathroom, you will have to pay a higher price but sinking so much money for the loo makes you wonder, is it worth investing? After all, the bathroom needs to be functional, not fanciful. And you would rather spend your money on something that you can get excited about but you don’t have to remodel your bathroom. You can start slow and invest in a new bath.

A new bath will not only give your bathroom a fresh new look but it will also make your bathing ritual more relaxing and soothing. Bath can change the overall look of your bathroom so you need to carefully choose the style, shape, and material of the bath. However, a small bathroom can limit your options. And if you have a large space, you can take your pick from a wide range of options.

bathroom-shower

Now, let’s talk about the functionality of the bath. Many people like to have jets for a spa-like feel while other people prefer the usual claw foot bath to suit their traditional style. One of the main considerations is the functionality of the bath. A bath can be made of acrylic or steel. While acrylic baths are more economical, steel baths are more expensive to buy. Steel baths have heat retaining properties that people living in colder climates prefer. The kind of bath you buy depends on how you like your bath and what you want from it.

Different Types Of Baths

1. Single Ended Baths

Single-ended baths have the drainage and overflow position located at one corner rather than in the middle of the bath. One side of the single-ended bath a slope, whereas the other side is steep and has waste holes, it is ideally suited for showering as you can get close to the wall.

2. Double-Ended Baths

Double-ended baths have their wastes and taps located in the center, allowing you to bathe on either side. They are more symmetrical and can fit beautifully into the aesthetic of your bathroom. It is ideal for use by two people or it can be used by just one person who loves extra space and enjoys a long soak in the bath alone.

3. Shower Baths

Shower baths are ideal for small bathrooms. They are great for a relaxing soak in the tub as well as a quick shower. Some shower baths come with an integrated shelf, it saves water and you can also keep your bathing essentials on it.

If you don’t know where to buy the best baths, let us help you out. You can find some classy baths at Victoria Plumbing. All you have to do is check their website, place your order and wait for it to arrive.

Which Bath Is Right For You?

You should first measure your bathroom and figure out how much wall space you have to install a bath, and don’t forget the space you would need around the bath for other fittings. Choose a bath you can easily accommodate, you don’t want your bathroom to look crowded ad cramped.