What is your house like first thing in the morning? Is there a rush to see who will be first in the bathroom? Or is it a case of everyone shouting from their bedrooms to see if the bathroom is free? Now that we’re in the middle of winter, being able to shake off that chill when getting out of bed and jumping into the shower is one of the best feelings you can have to start your day.
But if you’re getting out of the shower to dry off, and your bathroom feels like a walk-in fridge, is there any way to make your bathroom warmer without having to get any major work done? Yes, of course there is, and I’m going to highlight some of the ingenious ways you can deal with a chilly bathroom any time of year.
Caulk like there’s no tomorrow
This first tip is for anyone who has ever found themselves standing in a bathroom on a windy day and hearing a whistling sound coming in. If you have an older bathroom, or an older window frame in place, examine around it and feel for any cold air coming in. If you find a spot, you don’t need to be thinking about getting a new frame put in. Just get some decorators caulk or a caulk strip and patch over any holes.
Knock the fan off periodically
This is a winter-specific tip. If you have a bathroom where the whole family takes turns in the morning to use the shower, you’ll all have a habit of turning on the extractor/exhaust fan because it is just the done thing. At this time of year, don’t turn it on while everyone is taking their turn in the shower.
Instead, only have it on after everyone has finished using the bathroom. By trapping that moisture in the room a little longer, you’re also trapping heat. As long as the fan or window is open afterwards to prevent moisture clinging to walls and the ceiling, you’re all good. It won’t have any impact on creating mould or damp.
Boost the heating without any plumbing
I have read some articles which suggest getting a portable heater and plugging it in, but in my opinion, that is just asking for trouble. On the flip side, getting a new radiator installed can be a costly option. So why not to get the best of both worlds and get an electric radiator in your bathroom instead?
I think they’re great in the mornings, especially because they can come on before the rest of the heating system kicks in. They’re remarkably cheap and only need a nearby socket to work. You’ll find some great examples of electric rails at Trade Radiators. Trust me; once you have one and make a note to pop your towel on every evening, you’ll never shower the same ever again.
Get a bigger head and cap
Who has to usually move around in the shower and do a few twirls before they start getting warm? If you have a shower with one of those tiny shower heads protruding at an angle, swap it for any overhead showerhead instead. That blast of water will feel remarkably different from day one, and for those who are saying “well, what about my hair?!”, a shower cap is all you need. Trust me on this one. You really won’t believe the difference it makes.
I hope you found some little nuggets of help here to make minor and, more importantly, cheap changes in that bathroom to help keep it warmer in the winter. Are you feeling adventurous at home or crafty? Then make sure you take a look at the latest posts from the DIY section. It is full of some fantastic craft ideas for the holidays and articles for handy DIY tips around the home.
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