Creating a Healthy Bathroom

Believe it or not, the way your bathroom is designed can actually have a big impact on your health. It’s no secret that the bathroom houses plenty of chemicals, bacteria, allergens and other toxins, so it’s important to put a focus on health when renovating this space. Here are a few ways you can design a healthy bath:

Include plants
Plants not only freshen up your bathroom with a vibrant green hue, they help clean out toxins from indoor air. For instance, Aloe vera clears out formaldehyde and benzene, the spider plant battles formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene and xylene​, and the snake plant (which is perfect for humid conditions) filters out formaldehyde as well. Plants can easily be integrated into a modern, contemporary, traditional and vintage style bathroom.

Use low VOC paint
Whether you paint your walls with a natural shade of sage green or opt for a bright red hue, make sure to use paint that is either free of or low on volatile organic compounds. This gas is emitted from paints and lacquers, along with other cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings. VOCS contain many different chemicals, some of which are known to have negative short- and long-term health effects. According to the American Lung Association, this odorless gas can cause eye and skin irritation along with lung and kidney damage. Low-VOC paints look exactly the same as conventional paints, but are much better for you and the environment. Plus, low-VOC paints cost just about the same as their traditional counterparts.

Install copper sinks and fixtures
Not only does copper work for both modern and vintage bathrooms, it makes a beautiful statement on your bathroom’s sink. This metal can come in a wide range of hues to suit a variety of sink sizes and styles. It’s a durable material that’s also healthy for your bathroom. It’s loaded with antimicrobial properties, which means it helps fight bacteria. And when it comes to the bathroom, you can always use a little extra help with keeping things clean. If that’s not enough of a reason to install copper fixtures in your space, the metal is also stain-resistant, so it remains relatively spot-free. All that’s required to clean it is mild soap and warm water.

Opt for a true exhaust fan
The fan you have in your bathroom plays an important part – at least, it’s supposed to. The fan shouldn’t just be re-circulating contaminated indoor air. You may need to replace it with a true exhaust fan, which takes humidity, bacteria and particles in the air and directs them out of the house rather than back into your bathroom. When this air isn’t circulating out of the space, bacteria and mold could be forming.

Use a nylon shower curtain
Vinyl shower curtains are commonly used in the bathroom, but the material may be hazardous to reproductive health. Instead, swap out your curtain for one that’s made of washable nylon or polyester. Your bathroom design won’t notice, but your body will!