Our team at OzGood thinks we can all agree that cleaning the bathroom is an arduous task, and if you’ve seen our last blog post, we even wrote a whole article on DIY hacks just to make the chore a bit easier and more bearable. As the saying goes, though, prevention is always better than cure. If you’re looking to renovate your existing bathroom or are building a new one from scratch, it’d be best to consider a few factors in the design that would be helpful in BUILDING AN EASY-TO-CLEAN BATHROOM.
WALLS AND FLOORING
· Grimy grout is one of the worst enemies of anyone who cleans bathrooms, so reducing the gap in between tiles would be a no-brainer. This can be done by using big tiles, at least 300 x 600 mm for walls and 300 x 300 mm for floors, but of course, the bigger, the better.
· If you’re just renovating your current bathroom and neither have the time nor budget to replace your tiling, what you can do is simply remove and replace the grout instead. Go for something dark, like dusty grey or charcoal, since lighter shades are more susceptible to discolouration caused by mineral deposits.
· Should you be dead set on not using grout at all, though, you can consider using stone slabs or back-painted glass. These materials only require ultra-strong glue for installation, such as epoxy and mastic.
· Fan of wooden tones? Luxurious vinyl tiles (LVT) might just be your new best friend! Similar to stone slabs and back-painted glass, LVT doesn’t use grout to be installed and is pretty durable, which is perfect for a high-traffic area like the bathroom.
· Ensure that your floor is sloped accurately for efficient draining of water.
· Opting for a material with a rough finish for the flooring would be a wise choice to prevent accidents, especially when the floor is covered in soap while cleaning the bathroom.
TOILET
· Choose a back to wall type to get rid of the need to reach behind the toilet when cleaning. This area is hard to reach and is a common reason for a stinky bathroom.
· When buying a new toilet, select one that is as seamless as possible, as dirt often accumulates at the side edges of the pan.
· Installing an in-wall cistern system is perfect for small bathrooms or for those who are up for a total bathroom makeover. Though expensive and laborious, it does save a great deal of space and is more hygienic. On top of that, it gives your bathroom a sleek and classy vibe.
· Toilet rims are a total nightmare. They’re hard to clean and, at the same time, are where dirt and limescale often build up. What better way to solve the problem by going rimless? Aside from eliminating the breeding ground for bacteria and foul odours, its flushing system is more direct and cleans the pan better than a regular toilet’s.
SINK
· Rounded sinks are easier to clean than those with square corners. Dirt stuck in tight edges can be relatively difficult to clean.
· Although it may be an uncommon choice, a sink made of stainless steel is durable and non-porous, making it easy to clean. It also gives off a trendy, contemporary look.
· A single handle faucet would obviously be simpler to clean than its two-handle counterpart, but quantity aside, it’s also essential to take its finish into consideration. Some popular options are polished nickel and satin chrome.
SHOWER
· Shower screens with heavy frames tend to attract more grime. Moreover, those made of metal run the risk of corrosion. These are two less things to worry about if you settle for frameless shower screens.
· If you want to, ditch the metal hinges altogether by opting for a walk-in shower. However, it’s worth noting that it comes with a few drawbacks. For one, it’s more likely for water to splash outside the shower area due to the lack of a door.
· Instead of using separate shelves, create recessed niches to save shower space.
· Detachable showerheads offer a multitude of advantages. They are more accessible for children and the elderly, lower the water pressure, and make it easier to spray and clean the entire shower area.
BATHTUB
· Enameled steel, also known as porcelain on steel, is a low-maintenance bathtub material that is resistant to common cleaning chemicals.
· On the other hand, cast polymer offers a variety of colours and designs to choose from and is even stain-resistant. Both enamelled steel and polymer cast are affordable, but in terms of durability, the former is preferred.
· Materials aside, you might also want to have a tub that’s built-in and not freestanding so that you wouldn’t have to clean around and under it. Both have their own pros and cons, though, so the choice is still yours to make!
VANITY
· Though granite has been the long-reigning popular option for countertops, the new and improved versions of quartz just might give it a run for its money. Besides the fact that it is nonporous, we have listed other reasons why you should choose quartz over granite in a previous blog post at OzGood Tiling. Check it out here!
· The mirrors that you use in the bathroom should not be the same ones used in any other part of your home. Those with decorative frames likely aren’t water-resistant, and the
material for the mirror itself might not be moisture-resistant either, making it prone to watermarks.
· Make sure to use only mirrors made of tempered or laminated glass. These are specialised and created with your safety in mind.
Tired of stinky odours and scrubbing stains? Ready to transform your bathroom into one that’s low maintenance and easy to clean? We’re looking forward to working on this project with you! Get in touch with us today and receive a free instant quotation. Let's make your bathroom dreams a reality
