There are a range of chemical cleaners available on the market; however there are concerns about their negative impact on the quality of indoor air. The use of these cleaners can cause skin irritation, and unfortunately carcinogens – any substance directly involved in causing cancer – can constitute some of the key ingredients.

In addition to this, with some makes of shower enclosure (such as the EasyClean cubicles) it is not advisable to use chemical cleaners. This is because they damage the special cleaning coating, and the extended use of such cleaners will ensure that you will not see the benefit of the expensive nanotechnology.

The cleanliness of the enclosure can also be dependent on the type of water which you have in your area. For example, soap doesn’t lather as well in hard water, and it can leave behind a light scum on the shower surfaces. And not only will the shower enclosure glass need cleaning, but the tiles, grout and drains may also need some attention. Below, if you follow our steps, you can make a multi-purpose cleaner in a matter of minutes.

Walk-In Shower Enclosure for Alcove, with a special EasyClean coating, from BathEmpire

The Easy Single Solution

1. Mix the above ingredients, with two parts of baking soda, with one part vinegar; lemon juice can be used as an alternative to vinegar.

2. Mix this into a thick paste, and apply with a damp, warm cloth. This mixture can be used on shower doors, sinks, as well as tiles and grout; to apply to grout, rub in with a toothbrush.

3. Leave on all affected surfaces for at least 10 minutes, then rub with a sponge. As you rinse this off, the benefit will pass to the drains.

This is a quick, simple solution that will let you cross commercial cleaners off your shopping list permanently!

Given the truly diverse range of bathroom furniture and design available today, it is easier than ever to create a space which is both accessible and contemporary, in a style that is suited to your taste!

In the second part of this series, we focus on baths and shower enclosures.

For most people, bathrooms are fairly easy to navigate. However, once a user is faced with joint and muscular weakness, the perception of what is ‘easy’ changes very quickly.

Bathing can become somewhat more of an ordeal, and the hardest part of the process being actually getting in and out of the bathtub. One move would be to install a walk-in bath, level with the floor; however, given the price costs of such units, this would not be a viable option for many people.

Of course consult with the rest of your family first, but getting rid of the bath and opting for a shower enclosure instead can be an excellent solution – and a little less harsh on the wallet!

2 Way Shower Mixer by BathEmpire

No Burning

Choose a thermostatic temperature control and make scalding a distant memory. Such a feature will guarantee a steady stream of water, so those with limited mobility or motor control will not have to worry about moving out of the way of the scalding water. If someone flushes the toilet or opens a tap elsewhere in the house, the shower experience won’t be affected.

Slimline Tray

One essential feature to look out for when considering showers is slimline trays. While most quality shower trays are between close to 100 mm in height, there is growing popularity for more slender versions.

Some varieties, such as the Quadrant Shower Enclosure, include a slim 44mm tray with the purchase. The absence of the high step will certainly help accessibility, as less effort will be required to enter the shower, and hence less strain will be felt on the joints.

Wet Room, 1000mm, by BathEmpire

Ultimate Ease of Access

To fully negate the mobility concerns, it may be worth investing in a wet room. With no obstacles to consider, such as doors, steps or handles, wet rooms make life much easier for those with walking aids. It also enables those with chairs to manoeuvre under the shower. Although installation costs may be higher for concealing all plumbing under floor level, the result would allow independence for many years to come.

Today, there are a numerous options which combine style and practicality, ensuring a designer solution to everyday life. If you would like help or advice in creating your ideal bathroom, feel free to contact the BathEmpire team.

More and more of us are trying to get that hotel look in our own properties, but what’s the key to getting it right?

I’ve considered the elements of hotel bathrooms that make them so great – make sure you include a few of these when you’re planning your bathroom renovation, and you’ll be the envy of all your friends.

In fact they’ll probably ask you if they can book in for the night.

Hotel chic idea 1

Make it glossy – hotel bathrooms tend to feature high gloss surfaces on the floors and walls, which helps to give a smart, contemporary feel – although they can take a lot of maintenance as you’ll have to make sure they aren’t streaky or grimy.

Cahora freestanding bath from BathEmpire

Hotel chic idea 2

Draw attention to the bath – making the bath the centre of attention makes a bathroom seem like an indulgent place, rather than a functional place.

You can do this by installing a freestanding bath, perhaps positioning it at an angle and making sure that it’s gently lit using spotlighting.

You can also use tricks such as putting contrasting wall tiles behind the bath, which will draw the eye towards it, or positioning under a window, which will make it a natural focal point.

With the range of freestanding baths available at BathEmpire, this is one element of a hotel bathroom you can get at home relatively cheaply.

Hotel chic idea 3

Make sure the shower is AMAZING – firstly, the shower should be in a cubicle of its own if you have room, rather than over the bath.

Secondly, just as a good mattress is a must in a top hotel, a rainfall shower or at the very least a powerful shower is a staple of desirable hotels the world over, and something that’s easy to get in your own home.

Walk in showers are essential for hotel chic

Hotel chic idea 4

Use colour creatively – painting walls in a shade you’d not normally consider a typical ‘bathroom’ colour is another easy way to create a contemporary hotel vibe.

You could also choose to highlight a feature wall with coloured tiles – either really large or really small, mosaic tiles look the most luxurious.

Hotel chic idea 5

Add art – don’t forget to dress your bathroom as any good hotel would.

Hang pictures above the bath and loo, put vases on shelves, choose an attractive bath mat – any details like this that you add will turn a functional space into one that’s decorative

Large mirrors are another feature of hotel bathrooms. The more mirrors you have, the bigger the bathroom will seem and the better the light.

Twin basins in the Park Plaza in Budapest

Hotel chic idea 6

Double up – if you have the space, fitting twin basins (preferably with some storage below) to give your bathroom instant grandeur.

Don’t make the mistake of squeezing them in – ensure there’s enough elbow room for two of you to use them comfortably side by side.

Hopefully this has given you some food for thought, and inpired you for your bathroom project.

Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten that helps to give a bathroom the ‘hotel-factor’?

* Image top left courtesy of Holm House, Penarth, a boutique hotel with amazing bathrooms (did you spot the TV over the bath?)