Tip for Bathroom Cups

by Lois Breneman

I enjoy searching for solutions to problems.  I was looking for something different in which to store bathroom cups, because I felt the flimsy dispensers available in stores didn't keep the cups from getting dusty.  After looking around the house a bit, I found a tall covered crystal glass from a yard sale.  The cups fit in perfectly, and the price was right as well!  Only a dollar!

The lid protects the cups from any dirt or dust particles in the air.  It also protects from germs when anyone coughs.

Solution to Keeping Bathroom and Kitchen Sinks Clean

by Lois Breneman
Heart to Heart - 2015

Most households, I would guess, deal daily with keeping the bathroom sink clean.  Soap scum and toothpaste can make quite a messy and germ-filled sink. 

So what is a good solution?  I found this handy and inexpensive little soap dispensing palm brush in the grocery store, and it tackles the problem perfectly.  I bought one for each bathroom and sink, and find it to be most helpful.

Enlist your children to clean out the sink after they brush their teeth.  They just might find brushing the sink more fun than brushing their teeth, and they will be learning how to be responsible for cleaning up after themselves.  They will also be helping to slow down the germs in your home.  Hopefully this will mean less illness in your family, and they can all help in being part of the solution.

When introducing a new job or concept like this to your children, these steps may make it "take" more easily:
1. First show them how to do it.
2. Have the child do it while you watch (and give advice).
3. Have the child do the job alone. 
4. Inspect the job when the child finishes.

Soon your child will be doing the job out of habit, and helpfulness to the family so everyone will be healthier and happier.

After almost filling the palm brush with dishwashing liquid, I added about five drops of immune boosting essential oil to boost the cleaning effect.  Even adding melaleuca (tea tree) oil or lemon essential oil will help with the effectiveness of the cleaning power.

5 Ways to Dress Up Your Bath, in a Flash, for Little Cash

by Kathy Wilson - Used by permission

Often the bathroom is one of the most overlooked rooms in the home when it comes to decorating. We tend to see it as a utilitarian space, even though we spend quite a lot of time here. (More, if you have teenagers!) Take an afternoon to turn your bath into a relaxing and soothing retreat for yourself and your guests, without spending a lot of cash.

1. Paint the whole room, including the ceiling a deep, rich color. Even though this is a small room, a deep color on the walls allows them to fade away, and at once makes the room cozy and seems more spacious.

2. Get rid of the clutter! If you can’t get most of the makeup and shaving cream under the sink, (and who can?) pick up a few baskets from the dollar shop and corral them in. Make sure there is a hamper. If you are short on space, use the kind that hangs on the back of the door. A large drawstring bag would work for this also. 

3. Dress up that large frameless mirror. Hang swags of fabric from cup hooks to hide and soften the edges of the mirror, and to give it a “frame.” Or actually use cut lengths of 1x4 lumber, and attach them to the wall over the edges of the mirror to simulate a real wood frame. You can paint or stain them as well to coordinate with your cabinets.

4. Speaking of cabinets, how about giving them a quick redo? Paint them black for a sophisticated look, or white with sponge painting for a country theme. Try any of the hot faux finishes. You can even paint the Formica counters. Just clean well and use a special primer first such as BIN or KILZ. Then seal with 4-6 coats of polyurethane after the paint dries. Should last for years!

5. Lastly, add some detail to the room. Sew fabric edging to your towels, add a shell for a soap dish, and stitch up a pretty shower curtain to cover that vinyl one. Hang some calendar pictures on the wall in dollar store frames…perhaps of a faraway place you can dream about as you soak away your cares? If you have natural light in the room from a window, add a plant or two.

Now light up some candles, turn on some music, and fill the bath with sweet smelling bubbles. Your getaway awaits!

Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For hundreds of free budget decorating ideas and to sign up for her free newsletter and ebooks, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com