With the hectic and unpredictable pace of modern life, there’s no doubt that we could all benefit from saving some money here and there. But this doesn’t just mean popping a few pennies in your piggy bank – there are plenty of ways to reduce your household bills, too. In fact, just a few small changes to the way you run and use your bathroom could result in big savings for your wallet.
Want to know how? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Tip #1: Optimise your hot water usage (without scrimping)
Whenever somebody suggests that you should save hot water, there’s always the worry that you’re heading towards a nightmare scenario of sharing bath water. But don’t worry – things aren’t quite that bad just yet. But there are ways to optimise your use of hot water and thus save on energy costs at home. For example, choosing a shower rather than a bath saves 25% or more on water usage, with recent stats suggesting a shower uses 60 litres of hot water, whereas a bath uses 80 or more. Another simple way to reduce your water usage in general is to flush the loo less frequently, but we’ll leave that one to your own discretion!
Tip #2: Assess your “damp factor” to prevent costly repairs down the road
Naturally, bathrooms are pretty humid places, which can actually be the cause of potential problems down the line. Depending on a number of factors, including the age of your home, the condensation which results from day-to-day bathroom use can eventually damage the walls and fixtures in your bathroom. It’s a slow process, so it might not seem like a huge concern, but something as simple as opening a window or installing an extractor fan can save you hundreds of pounds (or more) in repair costs as the years go on.
Tip #3: Spend less on bathroom care products (or just make your own)
Did you know that most branded cleaning products are chemically identical to even the cheapest own-brand equivalents? It’s true! And while certain companies may try to convince you that buying their branded product kills more germs or cleans better, it’s simply not true. Some of the most expensive bathroom cleaning products are made up of nothing more than white vinegar and some perfume. In fact, if you mix 1-part white vinegar with 2-parts water, then add a tablespoon of washing liquid, you’ve essentially created an all-purpose cleaner which would cost at least £4 in the supermarket.
Tip #4: Keep your bath running like a well-oiled machine
If you’re a whirlpool bath owner, lucky you! But, beyond that, you should spare a thought for maintenance of your bathtub if you want to be budget-conscious. The reason is simple: no matter how well-built and designed a whirlpool bath may be, there will always be some wear and tear over time through regular use. If you don’t do anything to maintain your tub, you may have to contend with limescale, dirt, and grime building up in the pipework – which can be pricy to fix. Luckily, you can avoid this (or at least delay it by some years) by using a simple whirlpool bath sanitising tablet after every bath. It just takes a moment and it could save you a lot of money in the long-run.
We hope these top tips for building a budget-friendly bathroom are helpful to you. Don’t forget that, if you need any expert help, the team is always on hand to answer any questions.