bathroom

How can I clean my Glass Bathroom Shower screen?

Angela Manning DIY , , , ,
How can I clean my Glass Bathroom Shower screen?

Build up in the bathroom can get out of hand rather quickly, Limescale build up and soap scum if left uncleaned for a long period of time can become very hard to remove. Now everyone would usually reach for those cleaning products that all promise to remove hard limescale and so on brought from most large superstores. Before you grab them just take a moment to read the labels on the back. You will discover that these shop bought cleaning products contain some pretty harmful chemicals, it’s these chemicals that promise to remove those stubborn stains and dirt from your homes. However what they don’t warn you off is just how harmful they can be to you and the people that live with you in your home. Children, pets and especially the one completing the cleaning process are at risk of later developing respiratory issues later on in life. These harmful chemicals can cause irritation of your eyes just from simply being opened. The fumes front the product although you cannot see them they are three and start causing damage as soon as you open the product up. They can also cause chemical  burns if spilt on the skin and could cause damage or discolouration if spilt onto clothing or fabrics.

This is exactly why we “Premium Clean” want to offer you advice on how to clean your bathroom shower screen using natural cleaning products. Let’s get started, we can help you remove watermarks, limescale, soap scum and smearing. Some of the items you will need are as follows:

Baking soda

White vinegar

A sponge with a scrubber side

Spray bottle

Clean cloth (microfibre preferably)

So firstly some advice on how to keep it cleaner for longer in between cleaning, water marks only form if the water is left and aloud to dry on the glass surface, the best way to stop this from building up is to wipe the screen dry after the shower is used each time. Using a window squeegee to remove water is the best way. So as for cleaning if build up here are the steps to take:

  • Start by rinsing the shower screen down with water.
  • Fill your spray bottle with white vinegar and saturate the glass with it.
  • Leave the vinegar to soak for approximately 10 mins, if there is a large amount of build up you may need to leave for longer.
  • Now using your sponge, dip the scrubby side into some baking soda and begin to scrub the shower screen, the baking soda will act as an abrasive, whilst the vinegar will dissolve the hard water marks and soap scum.
  • Once you feel that all the soap scum and water marks have been removed (you should be able to feel that the screen is now smooth) simply rinse the screen off using fresh clean water.
  • Using your microfibre cloth completely dry the shower screen. You should be left with a sparkling shower screen.

This is the most natural way to clean your glass shower screen, there are other ingredients that you can add for personal preference. You can add some lemon juice to add a zingy fresh scent giving you that fresh clean aroma. This method can also be used on your bathroom taps, the added lemon will help to give you taps an amazing shine. Once you have completed the cleaning of the shower screen you could use a product called Rain X, Rain X is a synthetic hydrophobic product that is applied to surfaces causing water to bead up and run off the surface instead of sitting on the surface and drying. This will help to keep the glass free from water marks for longer. However as mentioned previously keeping a window squeegee in the bathroom can also help to remove leftover water droplets from the screen after every use.

Ideas for Scandinavian Bathroom Design

Angela Manning DIY , , ,
Ideas for Scandinavian Bathroom Design

While it isn’t necessary to pick a style or a theme in order to make your bathroom dazzling, novices at interior design stand a much better shot at making a harmonious bathroom. One of the trends that were popularized as of late was the so-called Scandinavian design. While this particular style can be applied in every corner of your home, one must notice how this trend is particularly appealing when it comes to your bathroom. The cold efficiency, pragmatism, simplistic layout and easy maintenance that comes from bright monochromatic surfaces are ideal for the most functional room in your home. Here are some other ideas.

1. Reflective surface

The first thing you need to understand is that in a Scandinavian bathroom, functionality always comes first. Therefore, you need a vanity, yet, not a standard vanity since it’s for the best if you can avoid the frame. Sure, a simple frame can fit perfectly into a Scandinavian design, however, by picking the mirror without any kind of frame, you can make it seamlessly blend into the wall behind it. This is particularly useful if you have a bold concrete or bare brick wall in your bathroom (even though the latter goes better with industrial design than it does with Scandinavian style).

2. Nordic minimalism

Another thing often associated with Scandinavian designs is the so-called Nordic minimalism. Seeing as how the bathroom tends to be the smallest room in the house, this is also a pragmatic trend. First of all, it gives you an opportunity to work around several fixtures and keep the rest of the bathroom completely empty. This will give you some room to maneuver and make your floor-walls composition into a canvas, with fixtures as figures on it. Needless to say, this opens up the room for various storage options, yet, pushing this too far might upset the minimalist aspect of your bathroom.

3. Metals and geometric tiles

The next step towards getting the most out of your Scandinavian bathroom is to look towards metals, precious metals in particular. Copper tub and fixtures can be quite appealing, even though not a lot of people would associate them with Scandinavian design right away. Apart from this, you might want to look towards neutral geometric tiles on both walls and the floor. Depending on the layout and the scheme of the tiles, this can make your bathroom appear both larger or smaller, depending on what your aims are.

4. Natural materials

The main thing about Scandinavian design lies in the fact that the material you use needs to appear as natural as possible, which is why we hinted at the bold concrete several sections earlier. Natural materials like wood and stone can be just as popular. Matte hardwood floor and luxurious stone bathtub are just two examples of the way in which this works. Stools made from reclaimed wood, teak storage, woolen rugs and mats are other options that you have available. Look through all of your options in order to look into the plan that suits you the most.

5. Farmhouse bathroom

Not every Scandinavian design has to be covered in marble and concrete. Why not abandon the idea of an urban Scandinavian bathroom and make a Scandinavian farmhouse bathroom instead? This theme can be perfectly matched with retro and rustic, thus making a perfect hybrid of three daring bathroom styles. In a way, this can transform your bathroom from a place where you take a bath into a perfect reading nook. Light a couple of candles, get yourself a nice book or a water-proof Kindle reader and enjoy your bathtub.

6. Teak open shelves

Earlier on, we mentioned teak as one of the materials you want to turn to when it comes to the natural Scandinavian look, but the texture and material aren’t everything. Accessibility also plays a pivotal role, which is why picking teak open shelves for your bathroom may seem like an option that gives you everything you’re looking for. Open shelves are simply more flexible, give you more space to fill (thus maximizing storage space) and it’s super convenient for maintenance. Think about it, wood and moisture aren’t an ideal combination (even though the right finish and maintenance can do a lot). At least open shelves have much better air circulation.

Conclusion

Of course, there are ways to make a Scandinavian bathroom without including any of the above-listed trends, however, they are definitely used for a reason. They’re pragmatic, easy for maintenance, beautiful and allow you to enhance your bathroom with a minimal investment. All in all, this might at least give you some idea about where you should start planning the layout of your bathroom.

DIY Bathroom Improvements to Consider

Angela Manning DIY , , , , ,
DIY Bathroom Improvements to Consider

The real estate market has a steep learning curve, and lacking the knowledge, experience, and foresight necessary could leave you open to costly mistakes. But practice makes perfect. Taking on a few home improvement projects is an excellent way to start.

Aside from improving functionality and comfort, updating your bathrooms adds value to your home. Unfortunately, determining the most suitable bathroom improvement project is not always an easy task. To help you get started, here are some fairly inexpensive but highly effective ideas.

Replace your bathroom floor

DIY floor replacements are a great way to upgrade and modernize your bathroom space. Tile stands out from the various flooring options available for use in bathrooms. Aside from being simple, hard-wearing, and long-lasting, tile comes in different shapes, colors, and designs, and can, therefore, be used to complement just about any style.

As seen in this picture, you can use tile to expresses your personality by creating a signature look and feel. Tile offers endless options. For instance, you can give your bathroom floor an elegantly unique look by installing a large medallion at the center or accentuating the borders with small intoned tiles.

While you’re at it, you might as well enhance the bathroom’s appearance and feel by refinishing the bathtub. You just need to remove the old caulk, thoroughly clean the tub, apply a two-part epoxy to fill any surface chip, sand the rough spots until they are smooth, and spray at least two new coats of paint onto the bathtub.

Improve the lighting setup

It’s unfortunate that some people don’t know the importance of properly installed bathroom lights. Although adequate lighting is essential to the many functions of a bathroom, unflattering shadows are a common concern.

As seen in this picture, sconce lighting fixtures can provide evenly distributed light when installed at the vanity. You can also prevent the occurrence of shadows by installing eye-level lighting solutions. On the other hand, having dimmers and dimmable light bulbs improves the ambience. While dim lighting works well for relaxing baths, you’ll want a brightly lit bathroom for your cosmetic functions. If you have a small bathroom, adding more overall lights is bound to open up space.

Enhance the ventilation

When it comes to the bathroom’s functionality, humidity is one of the biggest concerns. Aside from the fact that mold needs moisture to grow, wet walls are a danger to the structural integrity of your home. Moisture could, therefore, make quick work of any renovation. In most cases, the unsightly spots commonly associated with mold and mildew will develop in the bathroom first, mainly because it is often the wettest room.

To keep mold and mildew from growing, you need to allow proper air circulation. After you’ve showered, leaving the bathroom door or window open could be a great first step, especially since such actions can help ventilate the room. But if you want to draw out moisture and ensure proper ventilation, installing a vent fan might be the best solution. In fact, many would agree that vent fans are a must-have. In addition to being a lot quieter, currently available models come in elegant and stylish designs.

Clean grout

If you don’t seal your grout lines after a tile job, you’ll probably notice variable color patterns before long. Thankfully, superior grout cleaning products are currently available on the market. Although these improved products can help you achieve desirable results, it’s unfortunate that most of them are noxious, making it important to take the necessary precautions. Alternatively, you can use a steam spot cleaner plus a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Either way, you will need elbow grease and heavy-duty brushes. Remember to allow adequate drying time before you seal the grout.

Jessica Kane writes for Advance Online, a leading provider of web-based OSHA. DOT. and HAZWOPER training.