Life
21 Genius Inventions That Make Your Bathroom Cleaner & More Hygienic
I have two definitive outlooks on my bathroom depending on the day. Some days, it's my at-home spa oasis, complete with aromatherapy candles and a kaolin clay mask. Other days, it's a hellhole of soap scum and hair tumbleweeds. Good thing there's these genius inventions that make your bathroom more hygienic, so I can turn the latter into the former in no time at all.
According to a bunch of rather gross studies, most people make a whole slew of hygiene mistakes in the bathroom. Poor ventilation causes mold and mildew to grow on just about everything. Storing your toothbrush on the counter leaves it open to airborne viruses. Hell, even flushing the toilet with the lid up is a no-no; that's because it causes contaminated water particles to spray out of the bowl, creating a film of germs on your floors and counters.
Thankfully, you don't have to spray everything down with bleach twice a day to get that fresh spa-like ambiance. You don't even need to spend your whole Saturday scrubbing the rings off the bowl. A bunch of brilliant inventors came up with these products that zap away germs, soak up all the smells, and keep things dry and fresh. Even better, most of them require minimal effort on your part.
1. The Sink Attachment That Prevents Clogs
SinkShroom, $13, Amazon
If you blow dry your hair over the sink, you're going to want to try this. The SinkShroom is a revolutionary mushroom-shaped plug that neatly collects every single hair while letting the water effortlessly flow through. It fits any standard size drain, comes in six fun colors, and wipes clean without any mess.
2. This Toilet Seat With A Built-In Air Freshener And Quick-Release For Thorough Cleaning
KOHLER Purefresh Toilet Seat, $57, Amazon
The KOHLER Purefresh toilet seat is a damn awesome invention. In addition to having a built-in charcoal air freshener, it's got rubber grip-tight seat bumpers that keep it secure and stable, a programmable night light, quiet-close technology, and a quick-release function so you can clean every inch. It also comes in a variety of shapes and styles.
3. This Touchless Soap Dispenser To Minimize The Spread Of Germs
SimpleOne Touchless Soap Dispenser, $25, Amazon
The SimpleOne touchless soap dispenser makes an awesome addition to any bathroom, especially if you regularly partake in messy activities like dyeing your hair or changing diapers. It's got motion sensor technology that automatically pumps the perfect amount of soap into your hand without having to spread germs, and it's wireless, drip-free, and comes in two sleek finishes.
4. This Adorable Bag That Keeps Your Bathroom Fresh For Up To Two Years
Vitchelo Bamboo Charcoal Air Freshener Bag, $17, Amazon
Because it's filled with super absorbent activated charcoal, this Vitchelo air freshener bag is a safe and toxin-free way to soak up odors, mildew, moisture, and allergens. It comes in a cute little sack that looks awesome on your shelf, hook, or toilet tank, and reviewers say it effectively "removed odors in less than a day."
5. The UV Light That Zaps Away Germs On Your Toothbrush
Violife Toothbrush Sanitizer, $30, Amazon
If germs on your toothbrush freak you out, the Violife Toothbrush Sanitizer is a worthy investment. It uses a germicidal UV bulb to safely obliterate more than 99 percent of disease-causing viruses, and it only takes six minutes each time. It even doubles as a stand and toothbrush holder.
6. This Filtered Shower Head Removes The Chlorine
Barclay's Buys Filtered Shower Head, $30, Amazon
When it comes to bathrooms, I'm more grossed out by the harsh chemicals than the germs. Your shower water is loaded with things like chlorine and flouride — and plenty of hard minerals that are really rough on your skin and hair. Barclay's Buys filtered shower head reduces up to 90 percent of the chlorine and dissolved solids using calcium sulfite stones. It installs without any tools whatsoever, is made from durable metal, and gives you strong water pressure with a luxurious rainfall design.
7. These Adorable Bamboo Towels That Are Naturally Resistant To That Gross Musky Smell
Brooklyn Bamboo Bath Towels, $29 (Set of 3), Amazon
Bamboo belongs in every germ-concerned home, and that's because it's a fabric that's naturally antibacterial, mold-resistant, and anti-fungal. These Brooklyn Bamboo bath towels are made from hypoallergenic bamboo, and in addition to being way softer and more absorbent than cotton, reviewers are saying things like, "You barely have to dry yourself off...My husband is also enjoying as he doesn't feel they smell musky by the second use."
8. This Before-You-Go Spray With A Subtle Fresh Scent
Mask Toilet Spray, $9, Amazon
Made from a mix of essential oils, Mask is a before-you-go spray that creates a layer on top of the water to trap the odors underneath the surface. Then simply flush away everything, leaving no trace. Reviewers love it because it's effective and the scent is way more subtle and non-irritating than the competition.
9. A Sanitizer That Reduces Germs, Viruses, Bacteria, And Mold Spores
GermGuardian UV Sanitizer, $34, Amazon
Plug the GermGuardian UV sanitizer into an outlet in your bathroom and effortlessly zap away germs, odors, microscopic airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. It uses a safe UV-C light, and it's even got a convenient USB port to charge your devices. It's compact and made for small spaces — perfect for bathrooms that aren't getting a lot of air circulation.
10. The Natural Daily Shower Cleaner That Prevents Buildup
Method Daily Shower Cleaner, $14 (2 Pack), Amazon
Even though I clean my shower and bathroom fairly often, I still find calcium and lime deposits build up on the drain and sides of my tub — and oftentimes, they're impossible to scrub out. With this easy daily shower cleaner, you'll prevent those stains from ever popping up. Made from non-toxic ingredients and scented with ylang-ylang, just spray daily — and because it's so gentle, you don't even need to rinse.
11. This Plunger That's Actually Resistant To Germs
Kleen Freak Antibacterial Plunger, $23, Amazon
People are absolutely loving the Kleen Freak antibacterial plunger. That's because it's equipped with germ guard protection, which provides ongoing defense against odor-causing bacteria, molds, and mildew. It's also got an easy-drain tray that captures the water without forcing the plunger to sit in it all day.
12. Prevent Ponds On Your Bathroom Floor
Shower Splash Guards, $8, Amazon
If every shower creates a pond on your bathroom floor, shower splash guards can help. They're strong and flexible clear plastic strips that keep both ends of your shower liner flush against the wall. They're virtually invisible from outside, install without any adhesive, and work with just about any curtain.
13. This Scrubber That Cleans The Corners Of Your Shower And Bathroom
OXO Good Grips Tile And Tub Scrubber, $13, Amazon
The dirtiest part of any bathroom? The corners, of course. That's where all the grime seems to build up — soap scum in the shower, and whatever grody stuff is around the toilet. That's why this tile and tub scrubber is perfect: besides scrubbing tiles and glass clean, it's made to fit into those corners. Plus, the extendable handle makes cleaning possible without ever having to kneel down.
14. A Crystal Clear Bowl For Up To Three Months (With No Scrubbing)
Fluidmaster Flush N' Sparkle Automatic Toilet Cleaner, $13, Amazon
The Fluidmaster Flush N' Sparkle system fights stains, smells, and bacteria with every flush. It installs inside your tank to dispense antibacterial water straight into the bowl without causing damage to the components in your tank. That means a crystal clear bowl for three months without any work on your part.
15. The Little Ball That Filters Any Bath Faucet
CuZn Bath Ball Faucet Filter, $40, Amazon
I already talked about the chlorine in your shower water, but when you're taking a bath, these minerals have ample time to soak into your wide-open pores, drying out your skin in the process. The CuZn bath ball filter hangs off your bath faucet to reduce chlorine and heavy metals for up to 12 months. It softens water for smoother hair and skin, and reviewers say, "Why did I wait so long to buy this?"
16. This Rechargeable Waterproof Scrubber For Any Area Of The Bathroom
Spin Scrubber, $56, Amazon
It's a number one new release item for a solid reason. The Spin Scrubber is the easiest and most effective way to get a deep, grime-free clean anywhere in your bathroom. It's rechargeable, waterproof, comes with three different heads, and has a long handle for hard-to-reach areas. "I love not having to bend over to scrub!" says one reviewer who hated scrubbing the tub, but no longer. "This thing is fantastic, and I really mean that!"
17. This Brilliantly Designed Toilet Brush With A Sanitary Canister
OXO Good Grips Toilet Brush, $23, Amazon
As much as people can obsess over a toilet brush, they're obsessing over this one from OXO Good Grips. It comes with an elegant canister that keeps the brush upright and locked while not in use, but when you need it, it springs right open. The brush has a flexible neck for hard to reach places, and the holder has a built-in drip tray and ventilation holes so water can drain and evaporate in the most sanitary way possible.
18. This Water Pressure Powered Bidet With A Built-In Night Light
Bidet Buddy Clean Fresh Bathroom System, $20, Amazon
Keep your butt extra clean with the Bidet Buddy bathroom system. Because it runs off of water pressure, it requires no batteries or electricity. It works with most standard toilet bowls, and even has a built-in night light so you can find the toilet at two in the morning without burning your eyes.
19. This Genius Toilet Paper Holder That Doubles As A Shelf
Toilet Paper Holder With Shelf, $25, Amazon
Get a little bit of extra shelf storage in your bathroom with this genius toilet paper holder. Made from a bright polished chrome finish that's anti-rust and anti-corrosion, it's a great place for your phone, keys, shower speaker, or even your glasses, so you can comfortably surf Reddit while pooping. And you won't be placing your phone on all the dirty surfaces of the bathroom — which is hygienic all around.
20. A Curved Shower Rod Can Solve A Whole Bunch of Problems
Moen Curved Shower Rod, $43, Amazon
Limited space in your shower can cause bottle avalanches, water leaks, and accidental butt brushing. "No more curtain sticking to your heiny!" says one reviewer about the Moen curved shower rod. It curves outwards to give you some extra space in the tub, it doesn't require any tools or hardware to install, and it uses tension for a secure and personalized fit. And it also prevents water from leaking out the sides, so your bathroom rug will be a lot less mildew-y.
21. A Quick-Dry Mat That's Stain-Free
Interdesign Bamboo Floor Mat, $10, Amazon
This natural bamboo floor mat won't slip, dries fast, and won't let water pool up and sit there when you step out of the shower — which causes smells and mildew down the road. Plus, bamboo is eco-friendly and resistant to stains!
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