home improvement
6 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Bathroom
6 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Bathroom
(Feature Impact) Conserving water, energy and resources is key to running an environmentally friendly household, and one of the best places to start is your bathroom. As one of the most frequently used rooms in the house, it’s a small space that makes a big difference. Every flush, shower, twist of the tap and restock of restroom essentials is an opportunity to manage your ecological footprint.
The good news is you don’t need a full-scale remodel to make your bathroom more efficient. Small changes to daily habits, routine maintenance and upgraded plumbing fixtures can all have a valuable impact. By making thoughtful choices at home now, you can protect your community’s freshwater supplies, consume less energy and help create a more sustainable future.
For useful ways to save water, conserve energy and reduce waste, consider these tips from the bathroom design and sustainability experts at TOTO.
Fix Leaks Before They Waste More Water
From dripping faucets to worn toilet flappers, small leaks can quickly add up. In fact, according to the EPA, the average household wastes approximately 9,400 gallons of water each year due to leaks. That can mean money going down the drain, too: If you notice your water bill is increasing and can’t figure out why, a hidden leak could be responsible.
To test whether your toilet has a silent leak, try adding a dye tablet or a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If color seeps into the bowl before you’ve flushed (usually within 10 minutes), it likely means an issue with the flapper. Many leaks are easy fixes, but a trained plumbing professional can give you more specific guidance.
Choose Water-Efficient Fixtures
Upgrading your plumbing fixtures can make an immediate difference, particularly when you choose EPA WaterSense-labeled models designed to save water without sacrificing performance. The water-efficiency specialists at TOTO helped shape the product-performance standards for the program, which turns 20 this year.
Its toilets pair elegant design with water-saving performance and no compromises on power. They are designed to use either 1.0 or 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF), representing water savings of 37.5% or 20%, respectively, compared with the federal standard of 1.6 GPF. Whether you’re looking for the Aurora’s elegant sculptural design, the Redington’s clean architectural lines or the Glaston’s timeless two-piece look, each model features powerful, gravity-driven flush performance and an ultrasmooth ceramic bowl glaze for easy cleaning, all while using less water.
Cut Paper and Single-Use Waste
Next time you’re ready to restock your bathroom cabinets, consider some simple eco-friendly product swaps. Look for toilet tissue made with recycled or sustainable materials or consider adding a bidet to reduce paper use – and never flush anything except toilet paper, even wipes labeled “flushable.” Instead of buying soap and personal care products in single-use packaging, you can lower your plastic consumption by choosing refillable containers. When possible, opt for a stash of washable cloths for cleaning rather than relying on disposable wipes and paper towels.
Take Shorter Showers and Make Every Gallon Count
Spending less time in the shower is one of the most impactful things one person can do to save water. Showering accounts for nearly 17% of residential indoor water use, according to the EPA, and if you prefer warm showers, that also means using energy to heat the water.
Make a habit of staying in the shower long enough to complete your routine but not lingering beyond that. To make each minute more water-efficient, consider upgrading to TOTO’s 2-Mode Showerhead, available in stylish round and square designs. Its efficient 1.75 GPM flow is paired with Comfort Wave for a stimulating experience and Warm Spa for soothing, enveloping warmth. You can also save water by turning off the tap while you lather with soap and shampoo, a technique sometimes referred to as a “Navy shower.”
Ventilate Efficiently to Control Moisture
Keeping your bathroom and the rest of your home in good condition relies in large part on controlling moisture and humidity. Use exhaust fans to vent moist air outside – not just into an attic or another enclosed space where it can cause damage, rot or mold. You can also use smart home features like humidity sensors and timers to control ventilation without running the fan longer than necessary.
Maintain Fixtures for a Longer Life
By taking good care of your bathroom fixtures, you can extend their longevity, thereby saving resources compared to replacing them more frequently. Follow manufacturers’ care instructions for cleaning and maintenance, avoiding abrasive cleaners that may wear away finishes. Aim to proactively remove any mineral buildup on faucets and showerheads, since it can reduce water flow and prematurely age your fixtures.
Keep an eye on serviceable components that tend to wear out – such as seals, faucet cartridges and toilet fill components – and see if you can fix or replace them individually first. When the time comes to upgrade toilets, sinks and showers, choose high-quality options you’ll be happy to have in your home for years to come.
Learn more about sustainable bathroom fixtures at TotoUSA.com.
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home improvement
4 Ways to Make Room for Better Living
Make Room for Better Living: Oftentimes, making your home better suited for your needs starts with rethinking how the doors open. Whether you’re remodeling or building a new home, understanding the options can help you choose doors – and the installation hardware behind them – that make rooms more comfortable and convenient.
4 Ways to Make Room for Better Living
A bathroom door that bumps into the vanity. A closet interior that’s awkward to reach. A home office that needs a little separation from family activity. Oftentimes, making your home better suited for your needs starts with rethinking how the doors open.
Sliding, folding and pocket doors offer practical ways to improve everyday spaces without adding square footage. Whether you’re remodeling or building a new home, understanding the options can help you choose doors – and the installation hardware behind them – that make rooms more comfortable and convenient.
Consider these four ways to put your doors to work from the experts at Johnson Hardware, who make easy-to-install hardware systems in the U.S.:
Free Up Floor Space with Pocket Doors
In bathrooms, kitchen pantries and laundry rooms, a swinging door can compete with storage, taking up to 14 square feet of floor space and interrupting traffic flow. Pocket doors slide into the wall, freeing the area a hinged door needs to swing open.
Made for single pocket doors in compact rooms or two converging doors for larger openings between adjoining spaces, pocket door hardware with its soft-close feature helps doors glide gently into the open and closed positions, reducing slamming. Discuss pocket doors early in your project so your building professional can plan for the space needed inside the wall.
Keep Essentials Handy with Bypass and Multi-Pass Doors
A frequently used mudroom, hallway or bedroom closet can look more organized with sliding bypass or multi-pass doors. The panels travel on separate tracks and slide past one another, letting you reach different sections without doors swinging into the room.
Options like Johnson’s bypass and multi-pass hardware systems help keep walkways clear while concealing storage or everyday clutter. Ask your designer or remodeler about panel arrangements and soft-close options that suit the opening based on how you’ll use the space.
Add Flexibility with Wall-Mount Sliding Doors
If you want the space-saving benefits of a sliding door but a pocket door isn’t practical, wall-mount doors travel along a track outside the wall. With easy-to-install hardware systems, making the switch from a swinging door can be a quick, practical room upgrade.
Often called barn doors, they can complement many decorating styles, from traditional painted wood to contemporary glass designs. Wall-mount sliding doors work well in home offices, bedrooms, laundry rooms and pantries, where soft-close and soft-open hardware can help reduce noise. Plan for clear wall space beside the opening so the door has room to slide.
Open Up Storage with Full-Access Bifold Doors
A closet can hold more than clothes. It might become a craft station, compact workspace or convenient place for laundry supplies.
Bifold doors use hinged panels that fold together as they open. Unique 1601 Full-Access Bifold Door Hardware goes a step further, allowing panels to fold flat against adjacent walls for full access across the opening. That makes it easier to reach shelves, organize supplies and use the space inside.
Thoughtful door hardware choices can make everyday routines easier, from reaching pantry shelves to creating a quiet place to work. As you plan your project, ask your designer, architect, remodeler or building contractor how pocket, sliding and folding door hardware systems can help make better use of your space.
For more ideas, visit johnsonhardware.com.
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Consumer Corner
5 Affordable Bathroom Upgrades That Feel Luxurious
5 Affordable Bathroom Upgrades: If you dream of having a bathroom that feels like a spa-inspired retreat, the good news is you don’t need a full renovation or huge budget to make it happen. Small, thoughtful upgrades can add style, comfort and ambience to your space without breaking the bank.
5 Affordable Bathroom Upgrades That Feel Luxurious
(Feature Impact) If you dream of having a bathroom that feels like a spa-inspired retreat, the good news is you don’t need a full renovation or huge budget to make it happen. Small, thoughtful upgrades can add style, comfort and ambience to your space without breaking the bank.
Consider these five affordable bathroom upgrade ideas to add touches of luxury to your home.
Warm, Soft Lighting
Lighting can completely change the atmosphere of a room; you can instantly create a welcoming, calming vibe by replacing harsh, bright lighting with soft, warm tones. To make your bathroom feel even more like a fancy hotel, think about adding wall sconces next to the mirror, accent lighting around the vanity or candles on the counter.
New Hardware and Finishes
Replacing outdated hardware and fixtures can immediately refresh the space – you don’t even have to buy a new vanity or cabinets if sleek new knobs and drawer handles are enough to make the old ones look like new. Another easy upgrade: A new faucet can give your whole sink area a more modern and sophisticated look. Opt for sleek, durable materials that feel cohesive with the rest of your design, like brushed nickel, matte black or warm bronze.
Upgraded Showerheads
Make your daily routine more indulgent by turning your shower into something that feels like an experience instead of a chore. If you enjoy gentle showers, consider a rain-style showerhead. For water pressure you can customize depending on your preference, look for a combination model. Also decide whether you’d rather have a detachable showerhead for extra convenience or one that’s fixed in place.
Heated Towel Racks
After a shower or bath, enjoy a little extra cozy luxury by wrapping up in a freshly warmed towel from an electric rack. You can install a permanent wall-mounted unit or choose a freestanding option for extra portability. As a hygienic bonus, towel warmers can also help linens dry faster, minimizing dampness and musty odors.
Refreshed Decor
Don’t underestimate how even small details can make a big difference. A few carefully chosen pieces of decor can elevate the look and feel of the whole room. That might be wall art, new curtains, a stylish mirror or even practical things like a new toothbrush holder and soap tray. Also think about choosing one or two plants suited to your bathroom’s natural lighting and humidity levels – a little greenery can make everything feel fresh and classy.
Get inspired with more home design and renovation tips at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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Consumer Corner
Reduce Home Fire Risks: 5 Items to Avoid Plugging into Power Strips
Reduce Home Fire: Power strips make it easy to add outlets where families need them, but they aren’t designed to handle every appliance in the home. Plugging certain high-powered appliances into a power strip can overload it, potentially causing overheating and increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
Reduce Home Fire Risks: 5 Items to Avoid Plugging into Power Strips
(Feature Impact) Power strips make it easy to add outlets where families need them, but they aren’t designed to handle every appliance in the home. Plugging certain high-powered appliances into a power strip can overload it, potentially causing overheating and increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
“Power strips are so common that it’s easy to assume anything with a plug can safely go into one, but that’s not the case,” said Bonnie Lee, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. “Appliances that draw significant power can generate more heat than a power strip is designed to handle. A simple change in where you plug something in can help eliminate an unnecessary fire risk.”
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends plugging portable space heaters directly into wall outlets and warns that extension cords can be too small for electrical loads such as space heaters and air conditioners. Additionally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that power strips can pose a fire hazard when overloaded.
Take a closer look at these five household items, as recommended by the home safety experts at Mercury Insurance:
1. Space Heaters
Portable electric space heaters can draw substantial power and should be plugged directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip or extension cord. The NFPA also recommends keeping space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn and turning them off when leaving the room or going to bed.
2. Air Fryers
Air fryers pack a powerful heating element. Depending on the model, that can mean a significant electrical load while the appliance is operating. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and, when directed, plug the appliance directly into an appropriate wall outlet rather than a power strip already serving other kitchen devices.
3. Microwaves
Microwaves require significant power during operation and generally should have a dedicated or properly rated outlet consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid treating an available spot on a countertop power strip as an extra kitchen outlet. If there aren’t enough outlets to safely accommodate appliances, consider having a qualified electrician evaluate the setup.
4. Refrigerators and Freezers
Refrigerators and freezers operate around the clock, and their compressors can create additional electrical demand when cycling on. These appliances should be connected according to manufacturer’s instructions and applicable electrical requirements rather than relying on a power strip as a permanent wiring solution.
5. Portable Air Conditioners
Like space heaters, portable air conditioners can place a heavy load on an electrical circuit. NFPA guidance notes extension cords may be too small for loads including air conditioners. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use an appropriate wall outlet rather than assuming a power strip can safely handle the appliance.
For information about in-home fire safety, visit MercuryInsurance.com/resources.
Give Your Power Strips a Home Safety Check
The appliances plugged into a power strip aren’t the only things homeowners should consider. The condition and use of the strip itself matter, too.
Homeowners should avoid plugging one power strip into another, commonly known as “daisy chaining,” and should never use a power strip as a substitute for permanent household wiring. Damaged, discolored or unusually warm power strips should be taken out of service. Also check that power strips are appropriate for their intended use and follow all manufacturer’s instructions and electrical ratings.
“If you need power strips throughout a room just to operate everyday appliances, the bigger issue may be that your home electrical system isn’t meeting your needs,” Lee said. “Adding outlets or having an electrician evaluate the circuit may take a little more effort, but it’s a much better solution than creating a potential fire hazard.”
Homeowners should also pay attention to warning signs including frequently tripped circuit breakers, outlets or plugs that feel unusually warm, flickering lights, burning odors, buzzing or crackling sounds and discoloration around outlets. A qualified electrician should evaluate electrical problems rather than relying on additional power strips or extension cords as a workaround.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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