EcoAir expert shares a guide to common UK bathroom issues and the simple fixes we can make this home improvement season.
Spring is the season of awakening and renewal as days get brighter and longer. This need to reset typically applies to our homes, too, with DIY and home improvements high on the seasonal agenda.
Whilst it might give a welcome boost to refresh the soft furnishings and add spring colours to the living room and call it a day, dealing with the more practical jobs in our home will bring a bigger sense of relief, so try to tackle these first to remove some weight from the mental load.
Noel Fok, CEO and co-founder of EcoAir, leading manufacturer of air treatment products, says: “Our bathrooms are one of the most frequented rooms in our homes and therefore come under a lot of daily wear and tear. Keeping them functional, clean and pleasant to spend time in should be a priority for both your own and your home’s health.
“Unlike other rooms in the house, your bathroom goes through drastic temperature, humidity and air quality changes every day. Being aware of these fluctuations and the problems they can throw up is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy space – a priority given that it is the room we use to keep ourselves clean too.
In the UK many bathrooms, especially ensuites or in apartment buildings, are interior spaces and lack windows, so air flow can be poor, which can create a plethora of problems. Thankfully, there are many measures you can take to keep your bathroom in good working order, whilst also benefitting your health.”
Read on for Noel’s guide to maintaining a clean and healthy bathroom this spring and beyond…
Height of humidity
Bathrooms are naturally one of the most humid spaces in the home – two thirds of the water used in a home is used in the bathroom – often made worse by a lack of proper ventilation or absence of windows. The build up of humidity can lead to a whole range of issues, from condensation and mould to loose tiles and grouting.
Steamy showers and long hot baths are the obvious culprits in adding moisture to the air, but enjoying these simple pleasures doesn’t need to be avoided. Ensuring you have good air flow will reduce humidity levels. Timing is key here though, as if you have a hot shower and then cool the air too quickly by letting cold air in from outside, you will you will create condensation, which could lead to more issues.
Ideally, you want to make sure there is a more consistent flow of air in the bathroom – so run a steaming bath, but keep the window open a little so that the moisture in the air doesn’t build up too much. Then, once you’re out of your bath or shower, open the window and door to create cross-ventilation (or a through-draught) so that the remaining humidity can escape the room.
Temperature balance
The bathroom is often the coldest room in the house as many don’t have proper heating systems in place and materials used in bathrooms are typically cold and hard (i.e. tiles and metal fixtures).
Lower temperatures can make dressing in the bathroom a chore, especially after stepping out of a warm shower. For an easy heat source, installing a heated towel rack with integrated radiator will mean the room is a much more usable space, and, as cold air carries more moisture, will also help to reduce humidity levels. If you want a spa-level upgrade, consider underfloor heating to warm the room in a space-efficient way.
To affordably tackle both low temperatures and high humidity simultaneously without any build work, a desiccant dehumidifier (that emits heat whilst also extracting moisture) will help keep your bathroom both warm and dry. To create a streamlined space in a room that is often already a bit crowded, go for a wall-hung model so as to not waste prime real estate floor area.
Selective extraction
Fan extractors in bathrooms are typically connected to the lighting so can be noisy and an unnecessary nuisance when you are just popping to the loo, with many people opting to turn them off permanently.
Getting into the habit of proactively turning them on after a bath or shower will help control air moisture levels, as, whilst they will never be as effective as a dehumidifier or opening windows for proper ventilation, they do help in addressing excess moisture.
Plant Power
Turn all the negatives of a bathroom into a positive and create a luscious indoor greenhouse!
Higher bathroom humidity levels are beneficial for so many plants, whilst green leaves and bright flowers will add a touch of colour and texture to a room that is often quite sterile.
Plants also add a natural air purifying quality to a bathroom, removing indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, used in many household cleaners.
Peace lilies, Boston ferns and spider plants are all great bathroom options as they thrive in high humidity and lower temperatures. Aloe Vera is another great option and can even be grown and made into your own soothing hydrating gel for good post-bathing skin health.
Don’t forget to water your plants regularly regardless of the moisture levels in your bathroom to keep them healthy.
Clean up your candle game
Bathroom air can be unclean for many reasons, and not for hygiene reasons…
When enjoying a relaxing bath, a nice touch is to light scented candles and bask in the warm glow. Candles in the home, however, are a leading source of indoor air pollution, adding toxins and allergens to the air.
To combat this, opt for candles made from purely natural materials, such as beeswax, and scented with essential oils rather than perfumes or chemicals.
Another product you could swap out for natural alternatives are air fresheners. Instead of spraying synthetic scents into the air, try using a diffuser with natural reeds for a freshness that is not harmful to breathe in, improving both your bathroom and your home’s overall air quality.
For more information, please visit: www.ecoair.org
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
- Please contact the EcoAir PR team at Rooster should you wish to test/review and EcoAir products
- Rooster can coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for EcoAir CEO & co-founder, Noel Fok
For further press information, please contact:
Anna Nyman | Elsa Findlay | Julie Aguilera
Rooster.
T: +44 (0)203 440 8930
E: EcoAir@Rooster.co.uk
About EcoAir:
Founded in 2006 by Noel (CEO) and Sally Fok (Managing Director), EcoAir manufactures and supplies a range of innovative and environmentally friendly air treatment products.
Designed for use in the home, workplace or commercial spaces, the EcoAir product range includes dehumidifiers (offering the largest range of desiccant dehumidifiers in the UK), portable air conditioners, fans, air purifiers, and this year sees the introduction of an all-new industry category with a world-first air steriliser: the EcoAir AVS.
EcoAir is a brand synonymous with cleaner, fresher air. Its mission is to improve indoor air quality to ensure that everyone feels comfortable in their home or work environment and that the climate of living or work spaces is optimised to foster good overall health & wellbeing.
EcoAir is continually innovating in both design and service, always striving to improve products, maximise the practical benefits they offer, and ensure a seamless and positive customer experience.
Consistently delivering both on quality and performance, EcoAir dehumidifiers are award-winning. Most recent accolades include Good Housekeeping Institute 2024, Which? Best Buy 2024 and Indy Best 2023.
EcoAir products are designed and engineered in Britain and rank amongst the highest for performance and reliability. They can be purchased direct via the EcoAir UK website or Amazon, online at Currys, and from over 100 leading independent retailers.
EcoAir operates primarily in the UK and Europe.
For more information, please visit: www.ecoair.org
