Category: Bathroom Accessories

The world seems to be firmly divided between people who like their towels soft and fluffy, and people who like them rough and slightly scratchy.

Whichever group you belong to, we can all agree that towels should do their job: dry you. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as stepping out of the shower and reaching for your beautiful new towel, only to find it’s excellent at spreading the water, but not so much at absorbing it.

As heated towel rack specialists, we spend a lot of time with towels. They are, after all, the closest thing to a heated towel rack. So we decided to dive into the debate to see why some towels are rough, others are fluffy, and others don’t absorb water. And what to do about it.

What’s the difference?

Slightly rough towels have their fans – they’re great exfoliators, some just love the feel of them on their skin, and they are often more absorbent. The problem is, high end scratchy towels is an untapped market.

Soft, fluffy towels on the other hand, are the luxurious hug most people seem to want (and expect) from their towels. But not if they don’t absorb water.

Why does my soft, fluffy towel not dry me?

Some towel manufacturers are sneaky, pre-treating them with special softening chemicals before shipping them off for sale. Customers run their fingers over the towels in the store, and the softest, plushest ones get taken home.

Not only is this a sales gimmick that could mask an inferior product, it prevents the towel from absorbing water and drying you as you’d expect.

The simple solution is to wash your new towels with half as much detergent and no fabric softener before using them the first time. That will get rid of those water-repellent chemicals.

How to keep your towels soft and super absorbent

As we said, ditch the fabric softener. Fabric softeners often contain oils and petroleum-based ingredients that coat the fabric and repel water. It’s not what we want from our towels.

Rather do what Becky Rapinchuk, author of Clean Mama’s Guide to a Healthy Home does to keep her towels absorbent, soft and fluffy – she pours a quarter-cup of distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment.

Others swear by reducing the amount of detergent you use by half as using any more can cause towels to stiffen as they build up soapy residue.

Just like clothing, frequent washing and tumble-drying eventually breaks down the towels’ fibers, reducing their absorbency while upping their scratchiness.

This is where your heated towel rack can actually extend the life of your towels. By hanging them over the rack after every use, you reduce the need to launder them as often as the heat destroys bacteria and mould, keeping your towels fresh and dry.

The stuff that dreams are made of

Buying good quality, 100% cotton towels will solve the trifecta of towel problems: too rough, too fluffy, or non absorbent. Check the label to ensure there’s no polyester in sight as this hampers absorbency.

Some bathroom accessories are nice-to-haves, like a sprawling staghorn fern, a foaming soap dispenser, or a bejeweled tissue box.

Others are must-haves. Pieces that no self-respecting bathroom should be without, because without them, things just won’t run as smoothly. If you’re remodeling or redecorating, read on to find out why these five bathroom accessories should top of your list.

1. A double-duty glass tumbler & toothbrush holder

Are your toothbrushes lying around the vanity, or propped up in what was once a decorative flower pot? Believe us, we’ve seen these before.

Bathroom Butler’s nature-inspired 4600 series Glass Tumbler and Toothbrush Holder is the permanent solution to your bad bathroom habits. To take tidiness to a next level, this tumbler is affixed to the wall with our patented Rigid Loc mounting system that ensures it will never come loose or wobble.

Since the tumbler is made of glass, it’s easy to see when it needs a clean, which is important if you want it to double as a drinking vessel for swishing after brushing or quickly downing your multivits.

2. A toilet brush & holder like no other

No bathroom can call itself complete without a toilet brush and a holder for said toilet brush. One of our best-sellers is the 5800 series Toilet Brush and Holder in polished stainless steel.

Bold, contemporary, and with a sleek circular design profile, you’d never think a toilet brush holder could look so good! We took matters a step further with this accessory by inserting a plastic sleeve so that cleaning becomes a cinch. If the brush wears out over time, simply replace it.

3. A rack for tons of towels

Folks often neglect storage space in a bathroom, necessitating trips to wherever the towels are stored to fetch fresh ones. That’s why you need a towel shelf that can store a couple of towels at a time. Like the 25-inch wide Towel Shelf with Hang Bar that allows you to hang two folded bath towels side by side on the hang bar, and plop a couple more on top of the shelf.

4. A family-friendly heated towel rack

The best thing about a heated towel rack is it banishes cold and damp towels forever, but there’s much more to it. You know that musty smell you get from your damp towels as you enter the bathroom? It’s a sign bacteria are having a party on your towel. By drying them on the heated towel rack after each use, you are looking after your health.

A heated towel rack also extends the life of your towel. No seriously, by drying them in as little as four hours, you don’t have to wash them as often and this obviously also cuts down your electricity bill.

5. A magically lit mirror

Mirrors are such a necessity, most bathrooms come with them pre-installed. But that doesn’t mean you can’t swap it out for something that can double as décor, putting a stamp on your unique bathroom style. Beveled, gilded, embellished, wooden, frameless, oval, arched or round – let go of the mundane and opt for a real statement piece.

And while you’re at it, look for mirrors with LED strips or bulbs built-in, or install a suitable light sconce above or next to the mirror, so that it gives the perfect lighting for applying daytime makeup, crafting the perfect chignon, or trimming and shaping your Van Dyke goatee. Tip: choose light bulbs with a high Color Rendering Index – a CRI of 90 or higher, so you can see yourself in the best possible light.

Need more inspiration before buying a bathroom accessory or heated towel rack? Find out how to match your bathroom accessories to your heated towel rack, the ultimate guide to shower accessories, and expert tips for a top bathroom remodel.

Giving your bathroom a makeover? Not so fast! Many homeowners spend a few nights on Pinterest then attempt to execute a big idea. Thing is, while your soon-to-be-new bathroom might look picture-perfect, could you be overlooking an important detail that might fill you with regret? To ensure your renovation is a smart one, take a look at a few of these factors many tend to overlook when redoing their bathroom.

Don’t forget about ventilation

Bathrooms are naturally damp places. Ideally, you’ll want one with windows – the bigger the better – to prevent mould and bacteria from setting up shop. However, you could also install an exhaust fan. The latter is ideal if you live in a northern state with a long, hard winter. After all, the last thing you’d want to do is crack open a window while you’re taking a bath in a blizzard! It’ll also cost you a fortune to heat your house if all your warm air is perpetually escaping out the window.

Think about storage

Many people give their bathroom a dream makeover and suddenly realize they don’t have storage space. That gorgeous framed mirror you chose over a bathroom cabinet looks fabulous, but where are you going to put your night cream? Sure, we all love a floating vanity area – but what’s going to happen to your spare towels? Fortunately, if you’re working with a small space, there’s a lot you can do to capitalize on space. For example, a Bathroom Butler towel shelf with a hang bar is a great way to hang two folded towels side by side and add a stack of them to the top. You could also consider one of our 43” double towel rails. They can easily hold two unfolded large bath sheets and, because they’re made from Grade 304 Stainless Steel, they’re never going to sag, buckle or bend!

Get real about accessibility

If you’re renovating your bathroom intending to use it for a decade or two, don’t forget about accessibility. Right now you might not have any problem getting into your shower or bath. But will it always be that way? Also, what happens if a less mobile relative moves in with you later on down the line? You don’t have to add in any grab rails today, but do leave space for them should you need them in the future. Then, when designing your shower, consider a walk-in, curb-less design. It’s these little things that can make a huge difference as well as save you a lot of money – and maybe even a move – in the future.

Add a little luxury

A lot of renovators put so much focus on ensuring they’ve ticked off all the essentials that they forget about adding a little luxury. And why not? When you think about it, your bathroom is a space you’ll use several times a day and a place where you’ll want to relax. There are lots of things you can do to add a touch of luxe. These range from choosing a bath with whirlpool jets or simply adding tiny details like a footrest in your shower. One of the easiest ways to create a five-star feeling, however, is to add a heated towel rail. This way, you’ll never have to worry about reaching for a damp towel ever again. In fact, they’ll be bone dry with a lovely touch of warmth!

Ultimately, when it comes to renovating your bathroom, it’s easy to create a space that’s practical as well as luxe – provided you pay close attention to all the important details, big and small.

Do you watch those celebrity home tours on YouTube, feel mesmerized by marble tubs and wonder what it must be like to live in such luxury? Thing is, it doesn’t take as much effort as you’d think. If you’ve been toying with the idea of an indulgent bathroom makeover we’re here to help you out by creating a little checklist. You don’t have to tick off every item, but just investing in one or two can take your bathroom from average to fantasy-worthy in a flash.

Twin showerheads

The best type of shower will always be a big one – something large enough for two. However, while you might be the couple that likes to share everything, do you really want to fight over water? This is why twin showerheads are the new twin sinks! But while you’re at it, don’t just install just anything. Spring for the rain kind! They’re fabulously oversized to create the feeling of being caught in a powerful monsoon. Also, because rain showerheads cover so much more of your body, you’ll be fully drenched in a downpour of soothing warmth.

A heated toilet seat

Heated toilet seats are a thing! Once you’ve discovered the awesomeness of sitting on a warm seat in the middle of a cold and frosty night, you’ll never want to revert to a jarringly cold one ever again. As they’re increasing in popularity, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Also, because they replace your existing toilet seat, not your entire toilet, you don’t have to call a plumber. The best types will have a slow-collapsing hinge to prevent a slamming and a built-in nightlight that’s ideal for a midnight tinkle.

Underfloor heating

On the subject of heated things, if you’re taking this dream bathroom seriously you can’t not install underfloor heating. While it can be expensive to install as you’ve got to pull off your flooring, once it’s in, it’s in for life. Aside from increasing the value of your home, the biggest benefit is obvious – wonderfully warm tootsies! If you live in one of the chillier states, consider it a very luxurious must. Also, it’s not as expensive to run as you might think.

A whirlpool bath

A giant bathtub will always be fabulously indulgent but if you really want to take things to the next level you’re going to want to turn on the jets! A jetted bath with a whirlpool system essentially sucks the water out of your tub to expel it via a system of strategically placed jets. It’s a brilliant way to gently massage aching muscles while boosting your blood circulation. The best kind of whirlpool baths will be big enough for two and include bath pillows. Many even include LED lights that can change colour to suit your mood. Think romantic red or relaxing blue!

A heated towel rack

No fantasy bathroom would ever be complete without a heated towel rack. Still, they’re not all created equally. If you’re looking for the best of the best, you’ll want one from Bathroom Butler. They’re made using top-quality stainless steel so they’ll never rust or chip. They’re also available in custom colors and finishes, so if you’re wanting something to match your ultra-luxe golden taps, you can get it. Many of the models can also be Wi-Fi-enabled making them just as smart and they’re pretty. In short, they’re the last word in dream bathroom bliss!