Including Baths And Showers In Your Regular Routine

One of the overwhelming findings of our recent research into the showers vs baths debates is that there’s a multitude of benefits associated with both. It’s worth finding the time to fit either into your schedule therefore, but what is the best way to do so?

In this article, we’ll aim to offer key tips and advice with regards to the best timings to take a bath and the ideal spot to take a shower, explaining the when’s and why’s that will be most advantageous pertaining to physical and mental requirements.

Furthermore, we’ll take into account extenuating circumstances that might influence whether a bath or shower is preferable at a particular time for a person in a specific physical state.

And even sprinkle in a few hints alluding to creating the perfect bathing or showering experience for the very best effect…

The Pursuit Of Cleanliness: Showers Or Baths?

First things first, stripped down to a base level, showers are the clear outstanding option as it pertains to simply cleansing your body from head to toe.

If the goal is just to achieve a state of the utmost cleanliness, showers must be the selection. They will provide an even distribution of water for full body coverage, eliminating contaminated water during the process.

Whilst indulging in a shower, the water will combine efficiently with the likes of shower gels or soaps to shatter the sweat, oils and dirt attached to the skin. This used water is then disposed of with natural immediacy by running straight down the shower drain.

The Best Times To Take A Bath

So, though making use of shower systems represents a blatant choice when it comes to purely cleaning the body, that certainly doesn’t dismiss baths from the equation as a useful and enjoyable vice.

Baths have a multitude of purposes, stimulating the nervous system and aiding muscle relaxation, all the while providing gentle exfoliation of the skin. The regular use of baths has also been proven to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing, with stress, depression and fatigue less common amongst those who bathe frequently.

But when is the best time to take a bath in accordance with how you might be feeling? And how can a specific type of bath offer the perfect pick-me-up in correlation with your physical or mental state? Read on to find out…

Baths To Combat Cold And Flu

If you’re suffering from illness like a common cold or flu, a warm bath can help to alleviate some symptoms – the bath water pouring over your chest will be especially helpful.

Essentially, warm baths will help to relax aching muscles, break a fever, and deliver some relief from congestion within the sinuses and chest area in particular.

WHEN you’re feeling under the weather.

Home Healing With Sitz Baths

A sitz bath is essentially the process of sitting in a home bathtub engulfed by warm water which only reaches around the hips and lower buttocks.

This type of bath is a perfect means for the healing of the perineum in the aftermath of giving birth. They can also assist with lesser issues, soothing itching, skin irritation and hemorrhoids.

WHEN you’re suffering from skin irritation.

Soaking To Soothe Stress

As alluded to earlier, plenty of previous research has indicated that a bath is an extremely helpful stress reliever.

Even more so when the bath water is infused with some essential oils, muscle soak solution, bath bombs and the like. Eucalyptus and lavender are particularly enviable ingredients for relaxation, muscle repair and the calming of the mind in an aromatherapy bath.

WHEN you’re feeling stressed out mentally and worn out physically.

Special Skin Remedy Baths

Outside of bathing merely in warm water, there are other types of baths that can act as excellent remedies for sore or dry skin, and form an integral part of a cleansing routine for sufferers of specific skin conditions.

Namely, and most commonly, psoriasis and eczema can be treated with oatmeal baths, which will help to curtail inflammation and redness on the skin. More information surrounding special skin care baths can be found in our dedicated blog, What Are The Benefits Of An Oatmeal Bath?

WHEN you’re suffering from irritable skin conditions.

The Best Times To Take A Shower

As is the case with taking a bath, the refreshing deluge of water that encapsulates the body during a shower is accompanied by several health benefits.

Amongst these advantages is a propensity to release bodily toxins and soothe muscle aches, as well as helping to enhance the immune system and burn fat.

A look into the best times to take a shower, and which type of shower to take, in line with your physical and mental condition in general…

Showers To Make The Skin Glow

In a process known as vascoconstriction, the blood circulation beneath the skin is improved when taking a shower.

The result of this is a stimulation of the blood flow around the scalp area, which will encourage glowing hair and healthy, shiny skin.

WHEN your skin and hair feels greasy or unclean.

Increasing Immunity In The Shower

Most people’s ideas of a comfortable showering experience involves being engulfed in a warm, fulsome flow of water, perhaps in a rainfall effect. And whilst that’s all well and good, there’s also a multitude of advantages to taking a cold shower, as detailed in our dedicated blog on the subject – Cold Shower vs Hot Shower – What Are The Benefits?

One such key advantage presented by cold showers is their facility to bolster the immune system of the user, even within a shower that might start at a low temperature and gradually increase over time.

WHEN you’re feeling fine and healthy. Any time is realistically a good time to take a cold and/or hot shower to enhance your immune system in due course.

Potential To Assist With Depression

Another monumental plus point of colder showers is that they can potentially assist those struggling with depression.

Showers which begin at a lukewarm temperature, decreasing in stages, are brilliant for stimulating the nervous system and enabling endorphins to be released, thus helping to alleviate depression symptoms.

WHEN you are feeling downbeat or could be struggling mentally.

How To Decide Whether To Take A Bath Or Shower

In essence, your own priorities with regards to personal hygiene, and how you’re feeling at any particular time, should largely dictate whether you opt to take a bath or a shower.

To achieve a state of comfortable relaxation, tackle chronic pain and alleviate muscle fatigue, a bath is the right way to go.

By contrast, showers would be the preferred choice for those placing a greater emphasis on efficient daily cleansing. And also for anyone hoping to quell the effects of common illnesses, as regular showering can also help to bolster the immune system over time. Especially so when cold temperatures are intertwined with a warmer water flow during body washes.

We have a full dedicated guide on how to take the perfect shower for an enjoyable cleaning experience, but be sure to take into account the multiple positive effects derived from colder showers as well.

Get In Touch With Big Bathroom Shop

If you would like any further advice with regards to the best time to take a bath or shower, or want more information on the specific concerning items like freestanding bathtubs and modern showers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below, or contact us via InstagramFacebook or Twitter.

The post When To Take A Bath And When To Have A Shower? written by John Klee appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

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In this article we explore the amazing benefits of milk baths, how to take one and more importantly, how they work!

Celebrated by beauty gurus for centuries, the first ever record of a milk bath dates right back to the Roman era.

So why have milk baths stood the test of time?…

What are Milk Baths?

A milk bath is simply a bath that you add milk to, in liquid or powder form to help ease a number of skin conditions that cause irritation.

Milk contains something called lactic acid, which helps gently exfoliate the skin, leaving it with a much smoother texture and easing the symptoms of dry, rough skin.

So, Where Did Milk Baths Come From?

As we mentioned above, the first records of introducing milk into a bath dates back to the Roman Empress, Poppaea. Some historians, say that this Empress put bathing on the map after the death of Cleopatra – Fun fact for you!

What Are the Benefits of A Milk Bath?

As far as scientific evidence goes, there isn’t much on the effectiveness of milk baths. However, the benefits have been passed down from generations for hundreds of years. So, that’s got to count for something, surely?

Despite a lack of scientific research, there are plenty of anecdotal evidence to show that they do help reduce, irritated, itchy, inflamed skin. Here’s how…

Milk Baths Help to Clear Dry Skin

Living with extreme dry skin can become as issue. As the skin dries out, other symptoms follow such as itching and irritation. Lying in milk can benefit the skin as it helps to restore lost moisture.

This is because milk contains five elements that our skin loves; proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and lactic acids.

Protein and fats help soften the skin, whilst vitamins and minerals help protect the skin and keep It safe from damage. The lactic acid acts as a gentle exfoliate and stimulates collagen.

Milk Baths Help Reduce Eczema

The main symptoms of Eczema are itchy, dry, rough, flakey, inflamed, and irritated skin. Similar to dry skin, there are benefits in milk that helps irritated skin. Once again, this hasn’t been scientifically proven to help Eczema but many people have sworn a milk bath dramatically helps the severity of their condition.

If you suffer bad with your Eczema we would recommend you mention this to your doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacy before trying a milk bath.

Milk Baths Can Help Ease Psoriasis

Around 1.1 million people in the UK suffer with the itchy skin condition, Psoriasis, according to research conducted by the University of Manchester. So, if you’re one of these people, milk baths might hold the key to helping ease the irritable symptoms Psoriasis can produce.

The vitamins in the bath may help soothe the itchy, flaky and patchy skin commonly caused by Psoriasis.

Milk Baths Are Said to Soothe Sunburn

Sunburn can cause a nasty sting, as well as permanently damaging your skin – so make sure you are slapping the suntan lotion on. If it’s too late and you’re already badly burnt, we would recommend this remedy to take away the burn.

The fats, acids and proteins found in milk will help soothe sunburnt skin. Soak for around 20 minutes and follow up with an aloe vera moisturiser to nourish the skin.  

How Are Milk Baths Good For the Skin?

A bath of milky goodness is brilliant for your skin as it acts in three ways:

ExfoliatesReduces InflammationHydrates

A Milk Bath Exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells. This happens because of the alpha hydroxy acid/ lactic acid in the milk. Exfoliators work against the top layers of your skin to remove dead or dull cells and helps to improve the overall texture of the skin. Therefore, any dry areas of the skin should be helped by bathing in milk.

Inflammation of the skin can be treated with a milk bath. As we mentioned above, milk contains proteins and vitamins that help reduce inflammation. Once you have soaked in milk, it’s very important to lock moisture back into the skin once burnt. Using aloe vera is a great way to retain as much moisture as possible.

Milk benefits the skin with how well it can hydrate and replenish. Through vitamins, minerals and fats, milk will restore lost hydration

What Type of Milk Do You Use In A Milk Bath?

When it comes to choosing the type of milk, anything goes. Thanks to our ever-evolving alternatives, there are a variety of milk options to choose from.

Cow’s milk is commonly used in a milk bath. This is because it is the most accessible form of milk. It’s low-costing and full fat cow’s milk is the most nourishing for your skin.

You can also use milk in powder form or milk bath bombs. A natural soothing milk bath bomb can be found at places such as The Body Shop.

If you’re looking for vegan options, soy milk or oat-milk will work just as well.

Milk bath milk options:

Whole milkCoconut milkGoat’s milkSoy milkPowdered milkRice milk

How to Make a Milk Bath?

Now you know what milk to use and the amazing benefits, it’s time to learn how to run the ultimate, soothing milk bath.

Depending on the form of milk you have chosen here are best ways to make a milk-bath.

How To Make a Liquid Milk Bath?

To make a milk bath at home:

Run warm water until the desired amount is reached.Pour 2 cups of your preferred milk.To create a wonderfully relaxing bath, add in the following – honey, essential oils, Epsom bath salts or sea salt.

Top Tip – avoid including any scented products or chemicals, such as bath soaps. To create the ultimate soothing bath experience, add rose petals – it sounds slightly extravagant but we promise you, you won’t regret it!

How To Make a Powdered Milk Bath?

If you rather use powdered milk or milk bath bombs. Here’s how:

Start to fill your bath with warm water.Add two cups of milk powder or alternatively, plop in your milk bath bomb.Again, feel free to include honey, bath salts or essential oils.Calmly swish the bath water around to mix all the ingredients.Soak for 20 minutes and moisturise thoroughly.

Milk Baths for Babies

We all know how important milk is for babies, especially breast milk. Giving your baby a milk bath has been a popular, gentle way to resolve any irritated skin issues your little one may be having, such as diaper rash, eczema, or even dry patches of skin.

Can Babies Have Milk Baths?

Yes, milk baths are a natural inflammatory for itchy or irritable skin conditions that babies commonly get. Add pumped breast milk (for best results) into some warm bath water until water looks cloudy. The milk is packed with soothing antibacterial properties that will relieve, nourish, and protect your baby from dry, itchy skin.

What Are The Benefits of Milk Baths For Babies?

Breast milk baths have been used to treat babies with:

Dry SkinNappy RashEczemaCradle capBaby AcneSkin Feel Soft

There isn’t much scientific evidence to back up the effectiveness. However, Dr’s from around the world have claimed that patients have used this method to hydrate their child’s skin.

So, there we have it. Everything you need to know about this aesthetically pleasing, skin rejuvenating bath remedy.

Read more about bath health benefits here

The post Milk Baths: What Are the Amazing Benefits? written by Rikki Fothergill appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

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The Toilet. It’s something we never give a second thought. But for 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.

What is World Toilet Day?

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.

Making a difference, together.

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.

Why Is World Toilet Day So Important?

Third world toilet facilities

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.

297,000 children- that’s more than 800 everyday, tragically die every year from diarrhoeal disease due to poor sanitation, poor hygiene, or unsafe drinking water. These horrifying numbers are from WHO 2019 and are preventable.  Almost half of the schools in the world do not have handwashing facilities with soap and water. Studies have shown that clean and safe toilet facilities help to increase school attendance, especially in girls. Meaning, that poor toilet conditions are why many girls miss out on education.4.2 billion people lack safe sanitisation and globally, 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. Resulting in disease and illness.Over the past 200 years, toilets have added twenty years to the human lifespan.

What Can We Do To Help?

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 :

1. Do a ‘Big Squat’ 

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. 

2. Share Far & Wide

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 

3. Become a Toilet Advocate 

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. 

4. Toilet Selfie 

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.

5. Invest in Toilets and Sanitation For All

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.

6. Learn 

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. 

7. Tell The World What You’re Doing 

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 [email protected]. 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.

The post World Toilet Day 2021 – Valuing Toilets written by Rikki Fothergill appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

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>41% of Brits go two weeks or longer until cleaning their bathmat

Only 25% frequently clean this household item as recommended by experts

Brits Admit To Never Cleaning Their Bathmats

Hot baths are a luxury this time of year, but while you are enjoying a relaxing soak you could be forgetting about the not-so-luxurious bacteria build up on your bathmat.

We polled the nation on their cleaning habits and found that almost half of Brits neglect their bathmat, waiting up to two weeks or even longer until they clean it.

A further 13% clean their bathmat only a few times a year and 5% clean theirs only once.

Women in the UK are more likely to clean their bathmat, with 15% doing it twice a week compared to only 10% of men doing the same.

The Hidden Dangers In Your Bathmat

We spoke with home cleaning expert Belinda Everingham to highlight the hidden dangers in a bathroom and provide a simple cleaning guide for bathmats.

Bathmats are a breeding ground for nasty bacteria in the bathroom.

You should aim to clean it once a week at least, depending on how often it is used.

Clung to floors, mats have no way of circulating air or drying off and this will create moisture and result in a build-up of mildew and mould.

“Always remember to regularly clean frequently used bathroom items such as bathmats and towels, as well as highly touched surfaces. These are often the dirtiest places in bathrooms, where germs can be spread.

Belinda Everingham – Bondi wash

Step-By-Step Guide To Cleaner Bathmats

1 – Check The Care Tag

Before any washing, check the care tag.

This will ensure that you treat and clean the mat correctly, depending on the guidance given for the materials used in the product.

2 – Shake It Off

Not only do mats soak up moisture and steam but they also gather dust, dirt and hair.

Shaking  the bathmat before washing is imperative to remove any unwanted debris and avoid clogging up washing machines later on.

If the mat has a rubber side to it, consider using a cloth on this area to pull away any other visible grime.

A vacuum can also be used for day-to-day maintenance- a quick once over will keep on top of your mats between deep cleans.

3 – Put It In The Washing Machine

When using the washing machine for this item, use a warm setting as opposed to hot.

This will be cool enough to prevent discolouration and hot enough to kill any bacteria.

Use your favourite smelling washing detergent and add in baking soda. Half a cup should be fine.

This will help to eradicate odours, brighten colours, and reduce bacteria.

Adding lavender can also help maintain freshness and aid in reducing mildew.

Never overload the washer. Wash one mat at a time and never with other fabrics such as towels, as there is a risk that bacteria could transfer from one material to another.

4 – Hang It Out To Dry

When hanging out a mat to dry, opt for an outside location if possible.

The breeze will prevent any matting together of the material so that it can dry completely before placing back in the bathroom.

If you are lucky enough for some winter sun, this will also help kill any remaining particles.

5 – Ongoing Bathmat Care

Choose an appropriate bathmat.

There are a range of styles and materials out there and some are easier to clean than others.

A regular cotton mat is one of the easiest to maintain.

Keep a few bathmats handy so that while one is washing and drying you have some replacements.

This will prompt you to clean them more often and reduce the risk of bacteria build up in your bathroom.

How Do You Keep Your Bathmat Clean?

Our research suggests that there are a plethora of ways that people clean their bathmats (or don’t), but what do you do to stave off bathroom bacteria?

If you have any tricks and tips on keeping a bathmat clean, let us know in the comments below.

The post The Importance Of Cleaning Bathmats written by Rikki Fothergill appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

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Lauren Coburn graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Interior Architecture in 2000. Immediately after graduating, Lauren started her professional career learning from the best, working at Tigerman McCurry Architects for 3 years, before deciding to open her own interior design firm.

See Also: Trendsetting American Interior Designers

Lauren Coburn Interior Design Firm

In 2004, Lauren Coburn decided to create her own firm, called the Lauren Coburn Architectural Interior Designer.

Continue reading Lauren Coburn Top 10 Interior Design Projects at Maison Valentina Blog.

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