Your shower should be an oasis from the stressful world – a place where you can relax, recharge and emerge refreshed. However, reality rarely lives up to that fantasy, so you end up bumping into soap-scummy walls and knocking shampoo bottles onto your feet every time. Enough is enough – it's time to create that oasis you crave.
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1. Hang Eucalyptus
It doesn't matter how outdated and dingy your bathroom may be … when you hang eucalyptus in the shower, you can close your eyes and (almost) pretend you're in a spa. The steam from the shower will release some of the eucalyptus oil, which smells heavenly and may help with any congestion you're having.
2. Hang Two Curtain Rods
There are surely people out there who have nothing but a bar of soap and a bottle of two-in-one shampoo/conditioner in their shower, but you're not one of those people, and you can use all the shower storage space you can get. Try hanging two shower curtain rods – one for a regular shower curtain and one for storage. Add hooks to hang loofahs, bath toys and other bulky items from the second rod.
3. Store Products in a Shoe Organizer
Stop playing Jenga with shampoo bottles on the edge of your shower. Pick up a cheap plastic-pocket shoe organizer to hang from your second storage-only shower curtain rod. Poke holes in the bottom of each pocket to let water drain out and then fill the pockets with all your must-have toiletries.
4. Prevent Rust With Clear Nail Polish
Shaving cream cans are notorious for leaving rust rings behind on the edge of the tub. The next time you buy a new container of shaving cream or any other toiletry that comes in a metal can, paint the bottom rim with clear nail polish before setting it down in the shower. Once dry, the polish creates a protective barrier that prevents the rust ring.
5. Clean Your Showerhead With Vinegar
A clean showerhead provides steady water flow and no more of those errant jets of water that shoot out in all directions. The fastest and easiest way to remove buildup is to soak the showerhead in white vinegar overnight. Pour about a cup of vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, place the bag around the showerhead so it's submerged in the liquid and use wire or tape to close the bag and hold it in place. In the morning, remove the bag and turn on the shower – no scrubbing necessary.
6. Steam Wrinkled Clothing
If you're going to enjoy a long, hot shower, it just makes sense to put some of that steam to work to make your life easier. Hang wrinkled clothes in the bathroom and the steam should release at least some of those unsightly wrinkles. This trick is effective with most types of fabric, but skip it with suede, leather or anything similar to plastic.
7. Make a DIY Drain Clog Cleaner
It's tough to enjoy a relaxing shower when dirty water is building up around your feet. Before buying chemical cleaners to pour down the drain, try making your own clog remover with the magical cleaning combination of baking soda and vinegar. Combine 1/2 cup of each together in a large measuring cup and immediately pour the fizzing mixture down the drain. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and then pour very hot water down the drain.
8. Swap Curtain Rings for Rope
Don't like the look of basic curtain rings? Maybe the sounds of rings dragging across the metal shower curtain rod sets your teeth on edge. In any case, it's easy enough to swap them out for something else. Try threading pieces of jute rope through the curtain holes and around the rod, tying or knotting each one in place.
9. Easily Clean Walls With Magic Erasers
Keeping the walls of the shower clean probably isn't on your daily to-do list. It's one of those jobs that we tend to put off until there's a visible layer of soap scum on every surface. Keep a Magic Eraser (or any brand of melamine foam sponge) within reach of the shower. It's activated by water, so squeezing it under the spray and wiping down the walls is an easy 10-second job at the end of every shower.
10. Keep Curtains Clean With Baking Soda
A shower curtain is a breeding ground for mildew and bacteria. Use baking soda to keep your washable curtains free of stains and odors. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda along with gentle detergent when machine washing the curtain and let it hang dry on the curtain rod. You can also lay the curtain on a clean surface, sprinkle baking soda over it and scrub the entire curtain with a damp washcloth.
