the-best-plants-for-a-bathroom:-houseplants-that-thrive-in-humidity-and-low-natural-light
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Best plants for a bathroom: Houseplants that thrive in humidity and low natural light

ByHazel Sillver

As well as being that haloed place where one can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and a hot soak, the bathroom is also one of the best rooms to grow house plants. Its high humidity is a haven for a lot of indoor plants because so many of them hail from tropical or subtropical forests. There they flourish in the consistently damp, warm air and the light that pours in between the trees. These plants will feel right at home in bathrooms, shower rooms, and kitchens, if provided with the indirect light and average-to-warm temperature that most of them crave. African violets are one of the best plants for a bathroom Flowerphotos/Getty Images The best plants for a bathroom Small bathroom plants Air plant (Tillandsia argentea) This weird and wonderful epiphyte from the warm, humid forests of Cuba and Jamaica can be slotted into glass globes, narrow-necked vases, or shells, without any soil. Place in bright indirect light. Soak in rainwater or filtered water once a week, then drain. Temperature: 15 to 27°C. Forming a small mound of burgundy-backed green textured leaves, this easy evergreen perennial from the rainforests of Brazil enjoys bright indirect light and warmth, where it will send up cream flower spikes. Water when the soil feels dry; feed in spring and summer. Temperature: 15 to 27°C. The green leaves of this small evergreen from Java and Sumatra are clothed with pink-purple hairs that make them soft and velvety. It’s best to remove the winter flowerheads should they appear, as the orange blooms don’t smell pleasant. Place in bright indirect light. Water when the compost feels dry and never leave the plant waterlogged. Temperature: 15 to 23°C. Saintpaulia ‘Top Dark Blue’ There are few plants that rival the intensity of purple that some of these small plants produce when they flower between spring and autumn. Sit in bright indirect light. Water from below when the upper compost feels dry and feed during spring and summer. Temperature: 16 to 25°C. Medium-sized bathroom plants An attractive upright evergreen subshrub from Paraguay and Brazil, bearing lush, glossy lobed leaves. Sit in medium to bright indirect light. Water when the soil feels dry and water less in winter. Temperature: 10 to 27°C. This airy African evergreen perennial is a close relative of the asparagus fern. Place in medium indirect light in a cool bathroom. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged. Temperature: 10-25°C. Resembling a miniature Swiss cheese plant, this wonderful fuss-free climber from the damp forests of Malaysia is best grown around a moss or coir pole in medium to bright indirect light. Temperature: 12 to 27°C. A subshrub from the damp, warm forests of the Philippines with huge arrow-shaped green leaves above striped stems. Sit in low to bright indirect light. Water when the upper layer of the compost feels dry. Temperature: 15 to 25°C. A fiddle-leaf fig in an Edwardian villa designed by William Smalley Alexander James Large bathroom plants A lovely tree from the wet tropical forests of New Guinea and Australia, with ferny green foliage around slender, upright, woody stems. It will grow well to around 2 metres in bright indirect light and will grow more slowly in lower light. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Temperature: 15 to 27°C. This African tree can reach over 2 metres, its big paddle-shaped leathery leaves are dark green, and it likes a lot of bright indirect light, so it is only suitable for a spacious, light bathroom where it won’t dominate. Water when the upper compost feels dry. Temperature: 15 to 24°C. A beautiful evergreen fern from the South Pacific, with lush bright-green fronds from a trunk-like rhizome. Place in medium indirect light and keep the compost moist (but not waterlogged) using rainwater (or filtered tap water with a dash of vinegar). If it’s happy, it can grow to 1-metre wide and 2-metres tall. Temperature: 10 to 24°C. From China and Vietnam, this evergreen palm produces dark-green fans of blunt-ended leaves from upright canes. Place in medium to bright indirect light. Water when the upper compost feels dry. Slow growing to 3 metres. Temperature: 15 to 26°C.

how-to-remove-bathtub-rings-and-stop-them-from-coming-back
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How to Remove Bathtub Rings and Stop Them from Coming Back

ByHalee Miller Van Ryswyk

Unsightly or stubborn stains can make our tub feel and look dirty even after it has just been cleaned. If you feel like you’ve scrubbed endlessly at the stain rings in your bathtub without success, it might be time to try a new method. To help you make your bathtub sparkle, experts are sharing their best tricks to remove pesky rings and stains. Plus, discover how to prevent them from returning—for good. Here’s everything you need to know about scrubbing your tub. What Causes Bathtub Rings? Despite regular cleaning, a light outline around the inside of your bathtub can still appear and be tough to remove. According to Vanesa Amaro, TikTok’s “Queen of Cleaning” and Clorox spokesperson, bathtub rings or stains are typically a combination of soap, scum, body oils, dirt, and mineral deposits from hard water. “When water evaporates, it leaves behind a residue that can cling to the surface of a bathtub,” Amaro says. “Body care containers or even a forgotten bobby pin can also leave rings and rust marks behind. Regularly cleaning your tub can help reduce stains and rings.” Do not use abrasive tools on your bathtub (especially on acrylic, porcelain, or fiberglass) to prevent damage like scratches or chips. Grant Webster How to Remove Bathtub Rings Using Commercial Cleaners Remove hard water, mold, and mildew rings or stains with commercial cleaning products that are either multi-surface or meant for the bathtub specifically. Always read the product’s instructions before using it. Clear out the tub: Remove all shampoos, soaps, and other products from the bathtub to remove clutter from the space. This prevents any of the cleaners from getting on your bath products and you can now thoroughly clean all of the surfaces otherwise covered by them. Spray cleaning product: Amaro suggests spraying your choice of cleaning product 4-6 inches away from the tub, especially on the stained areas. Let the product sit for at least 30 seconds. Scrub, rinse, and dry: Gently scrub the area with a non-abrasive sponge before rinsing. Repeat if necessary. Dry the bathtub with a paper towel or microfiber towel to prevent water spots or streaks. How to Remove Bathtub Rings Using Bleach Bleach will not only clean your bathtub but also disinfect it, Amaro says. Be cautious when handling household bleach for cleaning purposes—wear rubber gloves, a mask, and eye protectors. Never mix bleach with any other household cleaners and always follow the product’s instructions. Do not use bleach on acrylic or colored bathtubs, as it can damage the coating and finish. Clear out the tub: Keep all of your bathing products safe from bleach by removing them all before you clean. Mix bleach solution: Mix a bleach solution with ⅓ cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water and put it into an empty spray bottle. Spray and let it sit: Spray the bleach and water solution directly on the tub, and let it soak for at least 6 minutes for complete disinfection. Scrub, rinse, and let dry: Scrub the stained area of the bathtub with a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber towel. Rinse the bleach solution thoroughly with warm water and use a microfiber towel to dry the bathtub completely. How to Remove Bathtub Rings Using Natural Ingredients Natural ingredients, like baking soda, white vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide can remove stains just as well as commercial cleaners. They can also provide a more affordable cleaning option and might already be in your pantry. Clear out the tub: Just like with other methods, remove all products from the bathtub so you have a clear space to clean and to protect your products. Mix and apply cleaning paste: Mix three parts baking soda to one part white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for a homemade and effective cleaning paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and let it sit for as long as 30 minutes. Scrub and rinse: Use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the paste into the stained areas to remove the rings. Thoroughly rinse away the paste before drying with a microfiber towel. Soak in vinegar (optional): If the stains are still persistent, fill the tub with hot water, add 3-5 cups of white vinegar, and let the solution soak for multiple hours. The vinegar can help break down the residual stains and soap scum. Drain and rinse the tub before completely drying with a microfiber towel. How to Prevent Bathtub Rings from Reappearing After all this work, you don’t want to have to scrub away stubborn stains again. Amaro recommends staying on top of a frequent and consistent cleaning schedule to prevent the rings from returning. “The more often you clean, the easier it is to keep your bathtub free of spots, rings, and stains. I typically recommend cleaning high-traffic areas like the bathroom, including your bathtub, about once a week,” Amaro says. “Even if you’re not using your bathtub often, I recommend at least spraying it down with cleaner and rinsing out the tub.”