Latest news with #bathroom
CNET
a day ago
- General
- CNET
Clean or Contaminated? The Best Time To Wash Your Bath Towels
Cleaning ourselves comes as a no-brainer for most. It is deeply ingrained in us that in order to eliminate germs, it's best to bathe or take a shower often. But that habitual mindset doesn't always translate when determining when we should wash our bath towels. There are ongoing debates about when's the best time to change your toothbrush and how often you should clean your bathroom, but no one really stresses the proper etiquette for clean bath towels. If you're intrigued like me, go down this rabbit hole to get to the bottom of this hunch. Trust me, if you believe you're washing your towels enough, reports would beg to differ. Why is proper towel maintenance important? When you dry off with towels, they get moist. This porous, damp environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. A common bath towel can have yeast, mold and E. coli growing on it without you ever knowing it. Gross, right? Regular washing prevents bacteria from growing. Read More: Want to Clean Your Bathroom in 10 Minutes or Less? Here's How LG's WashTower will function as one combined washer and dryer unit. LG When should you reuse or wash? There are some variables regarding how often you should wash your towels. Consumer Reports says that under normal circumstances, a towel can be used three or four times before it needs to be tossed in the hamper. Now notice, I said "times" not "days." So if you have multiple family members using a towel (like hand towels), it needs to be washed on the third or fourth use. Also, the condition of the person using the towel matters too. If they're sick, toss it in the laundry after one use. If it's flu season, it's best that every family member have their own towel -- even if they aren't exhibiting symptoms -- to prevent the potential spread of germs. How often you wash towels also depends on how they're dried after usage. If towels find themselves on the floor, the lack of air circulation will cause bacteria to grow quickly. To prolong the life of your towel, be sure to place damp towels on a towel rack. Better yet, crack open a window or turn on the fan to reduce moisture in the room. Downy brought in a dog to add some cuteness to its mystery-celebrity Super Bowl ads. Video screenshot by Amanda Kooser/CNET What temperature is best for washing? The Infection Control department of Mid-Western Regional Hospital of Ennis, Ireland, recommends washing towels in water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) or more to kill bacteria. So if you have a sanitize mode on your washing machine, use it. If not, you may consider raising the temperature on your water heater while washing that load. Be sure young children are supervised around sinks, tubs and showers while you do laundry, though, to prevent burns. And, before you reach for the fabric softener, don't. Fabric softener leaves residue on towels that makes them less absorbent.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I've given my dated house an ‘Architectural Digest' level renovation – but people are baffled by the sellers' request
A WOMAN has left the internet baffled after buying a dated house. Jaci Smith, from the US, had purchased the home, but the previous owners begged her not to change a thing. 2 2 The young woman took to social media after she was told not to transform the property she had just bought. Some might assume the house must be of historical relevance or decorated lavishly to make the previous owners not want it to be changed. But Jaci showed that wasn't the case when she shared a picture of the bathroom. She said: "I post about the fact that the previous owners of the house we bought were begging us not to renovate the house, not to make any changes to it. "Number one, I think people assume it's rage bait. I wish it was number two, I think people also assume that the house that we bought is like a mid-century gem a house with so much historical character and that we are just these heartless people like ripping away this house." But Jaci showed that was definitely not the case. An image of the bathroom when they first moved in showed just how outdated and messy it looked. The loo and sink were covered in white, chunky wooden storage units that made the room outdated. The large storage units only cluttered the space, while a cheap mirror was hung above the sink. The bathtub was a chunky plastic white bath, with a showerhead hanging above. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk But now, Jaci showed how they had renovated the space. She ripped out the entire bathroom, swapping the once pink painted walls for an incredible blue tile with a marble effect. The chunky white bathtub had been gutted out and swapped for a luxury pink marble bathtub with gold finishing. She also made a built-in shelf into the wall by the bathtub to add extra storage. Jaci's transformation video went viral on TikTok @ jacimariesmith with over 2 million views. People were stunned the previous owners were against the house being renovated, and were in awe of Jaci's new bathroom. One person wrote: "The new bathroom belongs in Architectural Digest." Another commented: 'My immediate assumption: There's something hidden in the walls/floors." "As someone who does real estate settlements for a living. So many people are like this. And it is in fact, wild.," penned a third. Home upgrades that add the most value to a house The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers. Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home. Loft conversion - increase of 15% Off-street parking - adds £50,000 to property price New kitchen - increase of 15% Garage conversion - increase of 15% Cellar or basement conversion - increase of 10-15% Open plan living space - increase of 3-5% New bathroom - increase of 3-5% Meanwhile a fourth said: "That's crazy! Those are like 90's style rental bathrooms lol." "My brain went straight to... ooh well it's haunted. They were looking out for you,' claimed a fifth.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
You're cleaning your bathroom wrong! Expert reveals the proper way to scrub your shower and toilet - and why you should NEVER mix products
It's one of the worst chores to get landed with. But experts have now warned that – aside from the yuck factor – there are hidden dangers linked to cleaning your bathroom. Common household cleaning errors could be damaging expensive fixtures and putting family health at risk, they said. And the most frequent mistake is mixing cleaning products together. John Horner, Managing Director at luxury bathroom company 34 St John, said most homeowners unknowingly use harsh cleaning methods that strip finishes from high-end fixtures. They also create harmful chemical cocktails in their bathrooms. 'The most frequent mistake we see is mixing cleaning products together to create a 'super cleaner' which people believe will tackle stubborn stains better,' he said. 'This actually creates toxic fumes that can cause serious respiratory issues and damage delicate finishes on premium fittings.' This dangerous practice typically happens when bleach products combine with either vinegar-based cleaners or ammonia products, he explained. The chemical reaction produces chlorine gas, which irritates the respiratory system and can cause serious health problems. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency echoes this concern, stating: 'Avoid mixing cleaning products together as this can create toxic fumes.' Poor ventilation can exacerbate the issue, Mr Horner explained, as chemical vapours from cleaning products concentrate in small bathroom spaces. 'Always open windows and run exhaust fans during and after cleaning,' he said. 'This removes chemical fumes and prevents excessive moisture that leads to mould growth behind fixtures.' Other mistakes include using abrasive cleaners on specialty finishes, he said. 'Many luxury taps and fittings feature special coatings like brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze,' he explained. 'Harsh cleaning powders scratch these surfaces permanently. 'For most premium finishes, warm water with mild soap applied with a soft cloth offers effective cleaning without damage.' Another mistake involves neglecting frequently-touched surfaces during routine cleaning. Door handles, light switches and tap handles harbour more bacteria than most bathroom surfaces, yet often receive less cleaning attention, he warned. 'People focus on visibly dirty areas like toilets while overlooking touch points that transfer germs most readily,' Mr Horner pointed out. 'Standard protocol should include wiping these areas daily with appropriate cleaners.' The fifth mistake involves improper storage of cleaning products in bathroom environments. 'Many homeowners keep cleaning supplies under the sink, which seems logical but actually creates multiple problems,' Mr Horner said. He explained that warm, humid bathroom conditions degrade product effectiveness while proximity to water sources increases accident risks. Another piece of advice is that people should always use protective gloves for cleaning tasks, as repeated exposure to chemicals causes skin irritation. And, finally, daily light cleaning is preferable to a 'deep clean' once every fortnight, as it can prevent build-up that later requires harsh treatment.
New York Times
6 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Quote of the Day: The Toilet That Won the Heart of Japan
'Now it's very much the case that anywhere we go it's like, 'Ugh it's not even heated, what are we doing here?'' RYAN GREGORY, a biology professor at the University of Guelph in Canada, who after a recent visit to Japan changed his views on bidets.
Times
7 days ago
- General
- Times
Dear hotels, baths belong in bathrooms. The clue is in the name
Earlier this month I was in one of London's newest hotels, scratching my head over one particular item in the bedroom. It wasn't the king-sized bed, which was perfectly comfy and big enough for the five-year-old to practise his belly flops. Nor was it the light switches, so often a cause for confusion and rage in a hotel room; these ones were a perfectly straightforward on/off sort. No, it was that thing sitting primly next to the Crittall windows: a clawfoot bath. I like a bath as much as the next person, but who actually wants one in the bedroom? Who actually enjoys wallowing in the tub next to the bed, only to get out, wonder where the towels are and leave wet footprints all over the parquet flooring? Honestly, they have become my hotel nemesis. Even after almost a decade of marriage I do understand why couples might want to loll about staring into each other's eyes — but I'd rather do my ablutions in private, thank you very much. Enough with this tyranny! Baths belong in the bathroom. Hotels get a lot right in bedrooms: snazzy design, plugs where they need to be and, if you're lucky, a free minibar. But the humble bathroom is often either too wacky, small or just plain odd. I've lost count of the number of posh hotels I've stayed in where the bathroom is clearly an afterthought, tucked away in a cupboard-sized, windowless space (ahem, the Athenaeum in London), forcing my room-sharer and me to elbow each other while we're brushing our teeth. The new Jumeirah Marsa al Arab in Dubai was a marvel for many reasons, but mostly because the bathroom was almost as big as the room itself. Even when they are big enough, there are often weird things in them. What, for example, is the bidet doing there? Nobody has used these since the Eighties, except for perhaps washing sandy beach feet. My son is convinced they are children's lavatories. Bathrooms are a place where it's fine — no, preferable — to keep it simple. I don't want to faff about with complicated light or fan switches; nor do I want a double spa shower with more settings than my MacBook. While we're here, let's get rid of icky shower curtains; that twangy retractable clothes line that Americans are preternaturally fond of, but which will decapitate you if you forget to ping it back in; and toiletries welded to the wall. Do you think I want to steal your industrial-sized bottle of cheap two-in-one? Lots of proper bathroom hooks are non-negotiable. When I got out of the lovely (easy to turn on) steam shower in the Romeo hotel in Rome a few months ago, which played breathy Enya to twinkly lights, I had to grope around on the floor to find a towel. See also showers that don't have any sort of shelving, so you end up bending gracelessly to pick up your shampoo. Unless you're a Travelodge, there's no excuse for choosing savage spotlights over a more flattering option: I probably haven't had a coffee yet and am not ready to see what I actually look like. This is what my perfect hotel bathroom would look like. Give me a double sink and surfaces large enough to put my make-up bag on. I know they're dreadfully passé and un-eco, but I want those little toiletries in plastic bottles (I haven't bought shower gel since 2012 and don't want to start now). Proper light switches to control soft, lovely lighting. Fluffy bathmats. A chair or little stool to throw clothes onto, as at Le Meurice in Paris. I don't need a comb, a shoehorn or a sewing kit, but I would like proper vanity kits with cotton pads, and lots of flannels. Underfloor heating is the ultimate I'm-in-a-hotel luxury, but I would politely suggest we don't need heated marble to warm my bathrobe (just saying, Rosewood Hong Kong). What to do about the loo? Ideally, like the Goring Hotel in London, I want a tiny marble shelf to put my phone on. And I'd prefer for the lavatory not to be annexed in a different room, as they are in France, so I have to return to the bathroom to wash my hands. I also won't say no to a Japanese lavatory with heated seats, but I draw the line at a loo with a glass door, or worse, one with no door at all. Really, though, it's more straightforward than that. Call me a revolutionary, but what I really want to see in a hotel bathroom is … the bath. What annoys you about hotel bathrooms? Let us know in the comments below
