What does your shower routine say about you?
See how your showering habits can reveal a coded message about your personality…
Here is where you’ll find out about exciting new product launches and all the latest bathroom news and updates from BigBathroomShop!
See how your showering habits can reveal a coded message about your personality…
Bathrooms are full of shiny surfaces and somewhat delicate materials, such as porcelain, which can mean products used in our extensive self-care routines can cause some annoying stains on our bathroom tiles, grout and fixtures.
For those wanting to rid their bathroom of tough stains and prevent them from reappearing, we – with the help of Laura Elliott from Neal & Wolf – can reveal the top three bathroom stain causes and how to remedy them.
Ready for a stain removal and prevention lesson? Let’s go!
For those who like to stay bronzed throughout the year without UV exposure, fake tan is a quick, easy and safe solution.
However, the mess caused by fake tan mist, mouse and applicator colour wash away can leave your bathroom with some tough stains which especially cling to any surface scratches or scuffing.
To clean fake tan simply take some white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda which can be mixed together to make a paste.
Then using a slightly abrasive sponge on particularly stained areas or just a cloth, work on washing the tan away, and repeating this process until marks are fully cleaned.
For those dedicated to their tanning routine who want to prevent fake tan from staining their bathroom surfaces, cover any exposed areas with some dark towels and lay out a dark bathmat to stand on.
Many of us spend time maintaining our hair colour using purple shampoo and while perfect for keeping your locks looking beautiful, it can leave purple residue and stains on tiles, grout and around plug holes.
As suggested before, a bicarb and white vinegar paste should help shift the purple toner, however, in any particularly tricky areas, using nail polish remover on a cloth will help remove the colour from the surface.
While not technically a ‘product’, hard water can cause pink/orange limescale build up in your bathroom which is tough to get rid of and looks unsightly, this is due to the mineral deposit that hard water leaves as it falls.
The bad news is that hard water is very common and not something you can easily change, however, the good news is that vinegar is again super effective when it comes to breaking the minerals down and removing the stain.
When cleaning your bathroom, place a vinegar water mix in a spray bottle and let the mix soak on any problem areas for half an hour or so, then use warm soapy water to wash the stains away.
For more info on hard water and how you can test for it, check out this guide to testing for hard water.
After almost three quarters (73%) of UK adults said a rise in their energy bills impacted their cost of living most over the past month, so we thought it would be helpful to discuss some bathroom hacks to help save you hundreds.
Below, we’ll explain how Brits can switch up their bathroom habits with the smallest of changes that could result in the biggest savings when it comes to energy and water usage.
It’s important now more than ever to try and save wherever we can and there are some surprising little changes that can be made in the bathroom to cut the cost of bills.
See below our six savvy hacks to give a helping hand throughout the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Some small leaks may not seem to be causing you problems if they aren’t displaying a loud dripping noise or causing flooding issues, but thousands of litres of water could be wasted every year if they aren’t tended to.
Regularly check taps, showerheads and toilets for any leakage and always consult a professional tradesperson to fix any problems to ensure it is done correctly and no money is wasted on bodge jobs that have to be rectified.
Start with simple habit changes like turning taps off when not using the water.
This may sound obvious but it’s easy to leave a tap running while you’re brushing teeth or nipping to get a fresh razor from the cupboard before shaving.
Running taps can use around 10 litres of water a minute so, by cutting down to seconds, you can literally save litres of water every day.
To save on electric, monitor the performance of your extractor fan once turned on to ensure it runs no longer than needed.
Extractors are often switched on pre shower or bath and forgotten about for hours after.
You probably don’t need to have one on for longer than 10 minutes to effectively remove most of the moisture that has gathered after a steamy shower and then you can simply prop open the window to air the space out.
Towel rails are now commonly used as a source of heat not only to dry towels but to warm the whole room.
As we head towards spring and the start of milder weather, the bathroom is one area to start turning off the radiators.
If only used once or twice, towels will be able to air dry within a half a day and simply leaving a window open slightly will help to speed up the process.
In the spring and summer it’s worth having a dedicated rack in a sunny spot within your home or garden to air out towels after use, aloowing you to leave the towel rail off completely during this time.
Heating water can account for around 10% of the average household energy bill.
Using cold or cooler water where you can will make a huge difference, even just adjusting your usual shower temperature – turning the shower heat dial down a couple notches – won’t be too noticeable and could save you some cash.
If you’re having a quick freshen up wash, a cold-water option may be good to give you that re-vitalised feeling, especially as the weather heats up.
Cold showers are also a great relaxation and stress coping mechanism, influenced by the likes of Wim Hof, with health benefits including muscle recovery and immune system boosting.
Keep showers short and sweet, seven minutes is more than enough time.
Set a timer so that you know when it’s time to turn off the water or for a more fun approach, create the ultimate seven minute shower playlist that will start and end within the time it takes to get clean.
You can always allow yourself a longer shower once a week to complete your full pamper routine.
So there are our 6 energy conscious bathroom hacks.
We’re sure you have a few of your own!
If you do, why not drop us a comment below, or contact us via Instagram? Hit us up at @Big_Bathroom_Shop and tell us all about them!
Earth tones, neutrals, whites and greys were making your bathrooms a thing of beauty in 2022, but the new year represents an opportunity to finally run with those new interior design ideas and make a start on that project you’ve been waiting to do for so long.
Bathrooms are always an area for improvement and for many it seems that it is the first room to be getting a makeover in 2023 – with “bathroom design” searches trending for a second month on Pinterest.
So, for those of you planning on giving your bathroom a completely new lease of life in the new year, we can reveal what we think will be the top 5 anticipated bathroom trends set to make it big in 2023!
So, without further ado…
Whether it’s that your bathroom is on the smaller side, you have an en-suite, or a cloakroom bathroom a little tight on space, making the most of this area and transforming it into a luxurious portal is going to become popular in 2023.
The micro-luxury trend is all about making sure your small space packs a punch, which is much easier to do than you probably think – smaller spaces are easier to upgrade with luxury materials, accents, and accessories as you simply need less of them.
With micro-luxury, we expect to see matt black or brass fixtures incorporated into sleek, elevated design which is carried all the way through tiling and lighting – expect more herringbone, pearlescent tiling, and low, atmospheric lighting.
As soon as you step into this bathroom, you’ll feel that it’s your haven where you can relax and give yourself a luxurious pamper routine.
Maximalism is a huge interior trend expected to stick around throughout 2023. While it can often sound intimidating, especially for those of us who like to play it safe, there really is no wrong or right way to pull this look off.
Embracing different textures, colours, and prints can be a little easier to do in other areas of the home, however, with a little creativity, you can achieve an inspiring maximalist bathroom.
Make a statement with your fixtures and opt for something gold and antique in style, this will contrast nicely against any bold features and dark colours that are trademark maximalism must-haves.
If you have any wall space in your bathroom, try using dark matt paint, or busy wallpaper to give the room more depth.
Then to take the look even further, incorporate some fun floral print towels on your towel rail!
Expect to see French influence carried through to our salle de bain this coming year as ‘countrycore’ meets traditional chic.
French county is all about bringing back those more traditional bathroom features and straying away from sleek, modern designs.
Think chunkier and curvier when it comes to ceramic toilets and basins – there are no straight lines and corners with this trend.
Then when it comes to fixtures, incorporate the traditional, classic silver with white accents into your taps and shower.
Of course though, to channel French county to the max, a roll top bath embodies the trend while also providing the perfect relaxation feature to any bathroom.
Marble made it big a few years back, and while momentum behind the trend slowed, it seems people are back to give it another push in 2023, making it no surprise that we’ll be seeing a lot more of it in our bathrooms.
Marble will always continue to be a great material for bathrooms, with strength and style it can be incorporated across tiles, countertop basins and accessories.
Creating a modern and luxurious feel, marble is the perfect option for anyone wanting to strip back without compromising on style and design.
It’s also worth considering that marble doesn’t have to just be the classic white and grey – for a bolder look, a predominantly black marble with white strokes will look great and create a completely different atmosphere in your new bathroom.
Green interiors have stood as the longest-standing trend of the last decade and it’s no exception this coming year.
Monochromatic looks are big and transforming your bathroom into a rainbow of green could be your next exciting project.
The colour green lends itself well to achieving an enviable bathroom for your home – green can be paired up or down to achieve either an understated, calming washroom or a bold and brassy bathroom.
Fixtures and accessories can really vary depending on the tone you opt for, the deeper the shade of green, the darker the fixtures and accessories we recommend.
Green is a great colour to help you achieve that fresh and clean aesthetic that works so well in a bathroom, add to this by incorporating some rich leafy houseplants in terracotta pots, not only will they look great, they will also bring some nature into the space.
So there you have it, our top 5 bathroom trends for 2023 – what do you think?
If you feel there’s something that is going to make big bathroom waves next year, drop a message in the comments below or tag us @big_bathroom_shop on Instagram and tell us what you have planned for 2023!
Got a burning bathroom question you just can’t find the answer to?
Pay a visit to our FAQ page and get a whole host of answers to some of the most popular bathroom questions.
Need to fix a tap? Struggling with that bathroom caulking? Maybe your toilet flush is broken and you don’t know what to do.
Whatever the bathroom query, we have you covered with our Frequently Asked Questions page…
Not only is singing in the shower so much fun but it can be great for your health! Our latest survey revealed the UK’s favourite shower songs and how specific genres can set you up for the day.
78% of us sing in the shower and I think we can all agree that nothing beats singing your heart out (no matter how bad you are) whilst you wash away the suds.
With shampoo bottle in hand, acting as your microphone and using your best vocals to put on the show of your life, has proven to relieve stress, improve lung health and brain functionality.
We have surveyed 1,000 Brit’s bathroom habits and teamed up with musicologist and founder of the online recording studio, Joe Wadsworth, to reveal the ways in which singing and listening to music during a morning shower can enhance your mood and help kick start your day.
We then investigated Spotify’s playlist data to discover which songs and genres are most listened to in the bathroom and how your favourite songs affect your mind.
20% of those surveyed by us said that singing their favourite songs in the shower puts them in a good mood, Joe further explained, “When we hear a favourite tune our brain releases endorphins and by singing along, we are actively focusing on the music rather than our worries, and also controlling the way we breathe, so it can be therapeutic.”
The top 10 feel-good shower singing track list according to Spotify:
Research told us that, 90% of the top 10 tunes sit under the pop category. This could be because pop music is often shorter in length than other compositions. Pop music makes the perfect playlist- short, feel-good and catchy tracks.
Joe, our music expert said, “Pop songs also have that feel-good factor, prompting the brain to release the pleasure hormone dopamine – it’s what makes us tap our feet and sing into the shower head.”
Although pop has come out on top, it’s not the only genre that can positively influence the way we feel.
A further 45% of those surveyed claimed that playing music in the shower helps them prepare for the day ahead.
Joe advises, “Studies have shown that genres featuring a heavy bass sound can give listeners feelings of power and confidence. So, if you’re looking to get motivated consider heavy metal and hip-hop songs. For improved focus, consider music without lyrics such as jazz and for relaxation, opt for a classical or slow tempo playlist.”
Research has proven that singing can improve brain functionality and this is particularly good for older adults.
Studies have shown that singing can lower cortisol levels, leaving the person more relaxed and calmer after singing their hearts out.
When you sing, it involves a lot of deep breathing and breath control which is great for the respiratory system. Breathing techniques when singing can improve your lung functionality and even help conditions such as asthma or other conditions.
So no matter what your partner/ friends and family members might say about you being tone deaf, keep on singing like a rock star!
We want to know what songs you like to belt out in the shower. Are you a Whitney Houston fanatic, does Arianna Grande bring out the inner song goddess in you? Let us know in the comments below!
It’s not a myth – even if we might not be the most tuneful of souls, findings from our recent survey suggest that the shower is definitely where we find our voice (whether that be more screeching cat or silky chords).
Four out of five people profess to having a shower time singalong, with 78% of the 1,000 Brits we surveyed admitting to the activity, and 20% explaining that it helps them to relax, chill out or de-stress.
And those stats got us wondering exactly what people are blasting out from the comfort of their shower enclosures, with results that were largely favourable for the millennial generation…
Using Spotify data, we cross referenced a selection of the most popular shower playlists collated to find out which tunes are on the tips of our tongues in 2022 UK bathrooms.
From the 500 ‘most liked’ shower singing song collections consisting of some 50,000 tracks, we can reveal the following top 10 shower songs…
My personal PTSD from this beat’s repeated airings at a family wedding (I’m talking 10+ plays) obviously has no bearing on the wider UK’s enjoyment of it, and rightly so I suppose. Catchy chorus for sure.
Released in 2011, this track appears to have been a catalyst for the Maroon 5 frontman to feature on what seems like every top 10 chart hit since, regardless of the main artist. Whether you want to thank or curse Gym Class Heroes for that is up to you.
The one entry on the list whereby I had literally never heard either of the song or the artist. After a quick play, I very much wish that was still the case.
Believe it or not, I’m trying to be as positive as I can be about this selection. So I’ll say harmless, nostalgic party pop that’s just fine. Oh, and on a lyrical level, absolute genius…
Bruno Mars’ serenade is seemingly just as popular in the bathroom as it is on wedding dancefloors across the nation.
Yet another entry from the mid-2000s, and perhaps the biggest compliment this din can be given is that it is less irritating than plenty of the former Disney star’s other efforts.
Sharing its name with one of the fastest rising and popular social media platforms on the planet, this memorable melody was a 2009 breakthrough hit for Kesha. And another entry that makes me feel very, very old.
One of the most recent rhythms to make the cut, this 2014 toe-tapper was an obvious titular pick, and wouldn’t sound out of place in the music channel heyday of the early 2000s.
There was no way a millennial era dominated playlist was going to be complete without a One Direction entry. And sure enough, there’s plenty of Brits singing their hearts out about a problem that none of the boyband have surely ever had to worry about.
Topping the bill with a whopping 922,063,198 Spotify plays, this quintessential pop banger – a meeting of two megastars – features on 62% of the streaming platform’s shower song playlists. It’s a standout bathroom hit, and one you can bet is popular amongst the one in five of those surveyed that believe they have a wonderful singing voice.
There we have it then, and with every tune on the top 10 playlist having been released between 2007 and 2014, it seems that nostalgic pop anthems are the order of the day for the UK’s leading shower vocalists.
We’d love to hear your personal bathroom track selections as well, so don’t be shy to leave them in the comments section below, or to get at us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
If you’re looking for some mischievous elf on the shelf bathroom ideas, then you have come to the right place. Get ready for some brilliantly wicked ideas this holiday season.
Parents, it’s that time of year again to drag the naughty Elf on the shelf out of the attic and start to plan his/her mischievous shenanigans.
For some, thinking of ideas comes naturally but for most after a week or so, you may find yourself running out of ideas. Do not fear, we are here to help you devise the most brilliantly naughty elf on the shelf activities that your little ones will love.
If you’re new to Elf on a shelf and are ready to take on the almighty challenge (and have some mega fun), you can purchase an elf from many UK retailers including John Lewis, Argos, Ebay or Smyth’s Toy Store’s, for as little as £16.99.
Choose between a girl or boy (or get both) and give them a great name. Buddy & Elfie are our personal favourites!
Kicking off with a tame one, wrapping up your entire toilet seat and pop your Elf proudly on the cistern. This should only take around 5-10 mins (if that) and your children will love it in the morning!
If you really want to shock the kids, purchase the cheapest loo roll you can find and let the tissue turmoil unfold. Cover as much as the room as you can, drape it from the lights, cover the floor and loo until no piece of furniture is left untouched.
Use toothpaste and leave a naughty or nice message on the bathroom mirror. Frame your Elf by leaving them sat on your basin holding the toothpaste tube. You can use this trick to encourage your little ones to brush their teeth, or just use it as an opportunity to make them laugh early in the morning.
Here are some message ideas
‘Hey ______ remember to brush your teeth! Love Elfie!’
‘Good morning ___ & ___!’
‘Sorry about the mess – I was bored, Love Elfie!’
‘Elves Rule!’
Moving back to the tamer ideas, fill up your basin sink with water and makeshift a little fishing rod with a toothpick and a piece of string. Add in some plastic fish/ fish toys to make it look like he/she has had a fun fishing trip during the night.
We now go on to abhorrent territory with the ultimate shock factor… Elf using the toilet! (DU DU DUUU!) Take your Elf and place him/her on the toilet seat. Use paper and chocolate chips to stage a graphic toilet incident.
Use existing shaving foam or purchase a cheap one from your local supermarket and amuse the kids with a staged Buddy/Elfie attempting to shave. Cover Elf’s lower face with cream/foam and leave the razor in the hands of your naughty house Elf.
Hygiene is something Elves take very seriously. So why not run him a lovely, calm, and soothing balloon bath? Blow up as many balloons as you can and fill the entire tub. Leave buddy/Elfie with their arms behind their head, in the ultimate ‘chill’ position, laid on top of one of the balloons.
Not only will the kids love the idea, but they’ll also have plenty of fun playing with all the balloons!
This is an idea for the evenings when you can’t bring yourself to mess up the house.
Get some teeth floss, tangle It around your Elf and leave it on the basin sink for your children to discover!
Leave a little note from your Elf stating that he/she attempted to floss – simple but very effective!
You’ll need to leave this one until you have some spare time and the energy to be creative…
Use some cheap rolls of toilet tissue to create tissue flakes and leave them around the bathroom, you can create as many as you like. Go wild and cover the room or take the less messy approach and create a chain of them running from the toilet holder to the floor.
Place your Elf on the toilet roll holder with the scissors nearby, framing him/ her for the mess!
Welcome your Elf back with a bang on the 1st of December by creating your own Elf swing. Create a swing in the doorway of your bathroom, with an empty loo roll as the seat. Place the Elf on the swing seat with a note saying, ‘I’m back!’
There we have it! 10 mischievous Elf on the Shelf Ideas for the bathroom. We hope you enjoy the festive season and have a wonderful Christmas!
The Toilet. It’s something we never give a second thought. But 40% of the world’s population, which equivalates to a staggering 4.5 billion people, are without this basic luxury that we first world countries take for granted. Those who are aren’t lucky enough to have access to a toilet struggle to stay healthy, keep their children alive and work their way to a better future.
This year, we celebrate 20 years since World Toilet Day was founded in 2001. The day brings global attention to the sanitisation crisis, that In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated the 19th of November as World Toilet Day. the Sustainable Development Goals include a target to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to toilets by the year 2030, making sanitation a global development priority.
Over the years this dedicated day has garnered support from the international social community and highlighted how toilets play a crucial role in creating a strong economy, as well as improving health and protecting people’s safety and dignity.
This year’s theme is about valuing toilets. The campaign draws attention to the fact that toilets – and the sanitation systems that support them – are underfunded, poorly managed or neglected in many parts of the world, with devastating consequences for health, economics and the environment, particularly in the poorest and most marginalized communities.
The toilet is far more important than we think and an essential tool, in order to live a healthier and cleaner lifestyle.
Here’s some shocking facts that drive home the privilege of having access to clean and safe toilet facilities.
The best way to support World Toilet Day is by supporting locally driven organisations that are deeply rooted in their communities. Worldtoiletday.org is a vetted, high-impact non-profit organisation, working to provide greater access to toilets, clean water and improve sanitation.
Ways you can get involved with the movement according to worldtoiletday.org :
Hold a big squat and raise awareness of the more than 1 billion people who face the indignity of open defecation, which spreads diseases including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis and diarrhoea.
The idea is to stop, drop, squat and share! Get friends, colleagues, classmates, or family together, invite people in the local community and squat in a public place. Take photos or video, and remember to share them on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Use the hashtags #bigsquat, #worldtoiletday and #opendefecation.
Access to sanitation would make life safer and healthier for 1.25 billion women. Join the global movement for toilets and sanitation for all, and raise awareness by posting on Facebook, Instagram, or Tweeting this World Toilet Day.
Show that you care about toilets and sanitation and raise your voice to call for action. Use the following hashtags #wecantwait #worldtoiletday #opendefecation #sanitation
Clean and safe toilets are fundamental for health, dignity, privacy, equality and education.
You can try and contact your local representative, community leader or member of parliament and let them know you care about public toilets in your area.
Think about if your town needs new public toilets? Are the toilets safe and accessible, clean and well-maintained? Is there an appropriate ratio of toilets for men and women? Talk toilets with your local representative today.
Did you know that more people own a mobile phone than have access to a toilet? Worldtoilet.org want you to think about how lucky you are when you visit the toilet and want you to snap a #toiletselfie and share It on your social accounts – remember to keep it clean and make your message clear.
Let your friends know they’re lucky if they have access to a toilet and encourage them to join the sanitation movement.
One third of the world’s population still lacks access to adequate sanitation. Donate to support the work of the World Toilet Organization at worldtoilet.org and your donation will go towards advocacy and awareness, and to support capacity building and social enterprise sanitation projects in Cambodia, India, and Mozambique.
Did you know that toilets and sanitation are considered a human right? In 2010, the UN General Assembly recognised sanitation and water as a human right, essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights. Visit World Toilet Organization’s website worldtoilet.org and the UN World Toilet Day website unwater.org/worldtoiletday to learn about the sanitation crisis and how you can get involved.
How will you commemorate UN World Toilet Day on 19 November? Join the call for action to end the sanitation crisis on UN World Toilet Day and share what you’re doing. Reply to @worldtoilet and @UN_Water on Twitter or email online@worldtoilet.org. Some of the best activities will be featured on the World Toilet Day website and in World Toilet Organization’s social media.
Join the global World Toilet Day conversation and show the world how much you care about toilets and the people of the world who don’t have access to toilet facilities
Get involved on social media using #WorldToiletDay.
Coronation Street fans took to Twitter last night to express their horror and despair at street favourite Tyrone, as he asked his partner Alina a very contentious question.
After discussing the whereabouts of a Weatherfield teddy bear – that was bought for their unborn child – the Corrie stalwart said “do you want it after me?” when referring to the bath water he was just about to lie in!
This sparked a furious debate on Twitter and beyond, with many people left reeling at the thought of Alina sharing Tyrone’s bath water.
But, taking a dip in the tub after your partner isn’t as uncommon as you think!
In a recent survey, we found that almost 1-in-5 of 35-44 year olds (Tyrone’s age group) actually shared their bath water regularly.
The figures drop off for younger (18-24) and elderly age groups (65+) – but it would seem sharing the bath water is not as uncommon as the Twittersphere would have us believe.
There could be several reasons for sharing a bath with your partner.
There’s the obvious romantic evening you could enjoy with a glass or two of the bubbly stuff.
But we think Tyrone’s approach is more about saving on the water bill and that he is perhaps a little more water conscious than we give him credit for!
So, to find out who WILL and who WILL NOT sit in someone else’s muck – we asked the residents of 15 cities in the UK & Northern Ireland who does – and who doesn’t – share a bath!
As Weatherfield is a suburb of the great city of Manchester, it would be remiss of us to start anywhere else.
And, it would appear that Tyrone is not alone on the bath sharing idea, as 21.3% of those Mancunians polled said they had no issue with sharing their bath time.
However, it was Belfast that came out on top – by a solitary 0.1% – as 21.4% of those asked in Northern Ireland said they were happy to “dip in” after their partners.
Those UK residents sharing the sentiments of many a Corrie fan – and who are not too happy to jump in someone else’s filth – are the people of Edinburgh; with just 4.5% of those polled saying they are happy to share the tub.
Elsewhere, Scousers & Nottinghamians are not big fans of their partners’ leftover bath water either, with just 7% of Liverpudlians and 6.6% of Nottingham residents sharing a bath.
So, who loves a bath share and who doesn’t?
Check out the graphic below to see which age groups love a shared bath.
And discover which cities residents are not averse to dipping their toes – and everything else – in their beloved’s leftover bath water!
How do you feel about sharing your bath water with your partner?
Is it something you do to save water, or for some other reason?
Let us know if you support Tyrone’s stance on your partner jumping in the bath after you, and tell us if you’re #TeamBath or #TeamShower!
We wanted to know what bathroom features will help to sell a home, so we asked you, the people, what bathroom essentials make you part with your money!
Dawson Court
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