Let’s face it, many of us are not fans of housework. It takes up our free time, can be a bit messy, and needs to be done again and again. That being said, once it is completed, you do feel a little pride and sense that things are just nicer, fresher, cleaner and more welcoming in your home.
Bathrooms are perhaps one of the biggest areas that generate that feeling after cleaning them. Perhaps largely because of just how dirty and smelly they can get! We can look much deeper, though; bathrooms are also a haven of relaxation. Once you sink into a bathtub or stand under that shower head, you wash away the day’s stresses and feel a sense of calm come over you. With a dirty bathroom, this is less likely. Lying back in the bath and seeing your toddler’s underwear hanging from your bathroom plants or stepping over muddy footprints from the dog before you get in won’t help you reach the calm state you are searching for.
In this blog, we look at why the psychology of a clean bathroom matters, perhaps more than you think.
Clean spaces make a clean mind
Research has shown that clutter, mess and a lack of organisation can lead to increases in the stress hormone, cortisol. With increased stress levels, your bathtime becomes a chore, and not the relaxing, peaceful environment you were hoping for.
With a tidy bathroom, you instantly create an area of calm and control that keeps the stress at bay and allows your mind to wander in a direction you want it to, rather than it being dictated to by the pile of towels on the floor or grout stains on the tiles.
The daily reset zone
A bathroom is both a starting point and an ending point of a day. Entering a clean bathroom in the morning before work, the school run, or even a trip into town helps set a positive tone for the day ahead. You don’t want to be meeting a friend for coffee and spend half the time worrying about the increasing mould on the windowsill or the state of the toilet. Having a fresh and clean bathroom allows your focus to be where it needs to be.
In the evenings, you’ve either returned from work or spent time with the kids, perhaps both! The day has likely been stressful. Juggling work and family life is never easy. The last thing you want is to head to the shower and find the bathroom smells damp or is cluttered with mess. Keeping it clean and furnished with the right décor enables a spa-like, calming atmosphere that allows the worries of the day to drift away.
Confidence boosting
Keeping your house clean and tidy does wonders for self-confidence. You’ll feel house proud and become more open to having guests more frequently. This can then enhance your social life, which in turn releases endorphins that make you feel relaxed, stress-free and overall, more positive.
It won’t only be your confidence getting a boost, either. Those who do visit will feel much more comfortable in a home that is well looked after. Whilst nobody should ever judge, we all know that everyone does. Having a clean bathroom is a great way to enhance the thought that your house is clean, tidy and hygienic.
Leave the bathroom dirty and you’ll certainly notice a change in your mood, and that of any guests.
Tips for keeping the bathroom clean
The good thing is, your bathroom won’t need a huge overhaul to steer you in a positive direction. Just a few simple habits can often be all you need.
- Every day, give the surfaces a quick wipe down. You’ll prevent the buildup of hair, dust and other materials. Leave it a few days, and you’ll wish you had given it a clean each day.
- Keep surfaces uncluttered. Have only the items you use each day to hand. Everything else can be stored in bathroom cabinets, on towel racks and storage units.
- Keep things fresh. Remember to switch up towels, mats and other textiles regularly.
- Always keep the floor clean. The first thing you come into contact with is the floor. If it’s sticky or dirty, you’ve already reduced the impact that the rest of the bathroom may deliver. LVT bathroom flooringis often preferred as it’s easy to clean, hygienic and suits a host of styles.
A clean bathroom isn’t just about hygiene; of course, it plays a huge part, but it’s also about mental well-being. By reducing stress, improving moods and ensuring you have a space where you feel relaxed when at your most vulnerable, a clean bathroom can be transformative. If yours has seen better days, start from the bottom up with the flooring. It’ll be one of the biggest tasks, but one that can give a heightened level of pleasure quickly.