Latest news with #shower
The Sun
16-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm a plumber – here's why your shower smells musty and how to fix it for 50p
A HOT shower should leave you feeling refreshed — not standing in a steamy cloud of musty odour. But according to bathroom and kitchen experts at Plumbworld, many homeowners don't realise that the unpleasant smell in their shower could be coming from hidden grime in the drain. 1 Over time, soap scum, hair, skin cells, and body oils collect in your shower drain and trap moisture. This creates the perfect environment for mould, mildew, and bacteria, which produce musty or sour smells. And showers that don't drain fully or sit unused for long periods are more likely to develop these odours. Thakfully, professional plumber James Clarkson says there's a simple fix that costs just around 50p and can make a noticeable difference fast. James, who has over 15 years of experience in residential and commercial plumbing, explains: 'It's not always the pipes themselves — often, it's the gunk stuck in the trap or just under the grate that starts to smell.' He insists you don't need expensive drain cleaners to fix the issue - and a more purse-friendly solution may already be in your cupboard. That's because James' go-to routine involves a squirt of washing-up liquid and a full kettle of hot water. 'Washing-up liquid cuts through grease and body oils,' James revealed. 'Combined with boiling water, it can break down what's causing the smell — and it only costs pennies per treatment.' To try the hack, all you need to do is pour a generous squirt of standard washing-up liquid - about 5–10ml, costing roughly 5–10p - directly into the shower drain. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to help loosen oily build-up then carefully pour boiling hot water down the drain to flush out the grime. Then finish up by rinsing the drain area with cold water from the shower. For more stubborn odours, you can mix together two tablespoons of baking soda and salt to pour into the drain, then follow the same steps above. This method is best done once a month as part of your regular bathroom routine. Plumbworld explains: 'A musty shower doesn't always mean there's a major problem. Often, it's just a small maintenance issue that can be fixed for less than 50p. "Regular rinses with hot water and detergent, plus the occasional salt and baking soda flush, go a long way toward keeping odours at bay. 'Baking soda helps neutralise odours, and salt adds a gentle scouring action to loosen stubborn grime. It's a natural, non-corrosive alternative to harsh drain cleaners.'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Want Better Sleep or More Energy? Time Your Showers Right
Morning or night? It's one of the most debated bathroom routines out there, but according to sleep researchers and wellness experts, the best time to shower might depend entirely on what you want to get out of it. If you're struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, switching to a warm nighttime shower could make a surprising difference. Time reported that research from Shahab Haghayegh, a sleep expert at Harvard Medical School, shows that a warm shower taken one to two hours before bed helps align your body's temperature with its natural circadian rhythm. That drop in core body temperature signals to your brain that it's time to wind down, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. 'The body clock doesn't change that easily,' Haghayegh says. 'But consistent nighttime showering can help shift your bedtime earlier and improve sleep quality.' There's also a creative bonus. Evening showers, when your mind is less focused and more relaxed, can trigger free association, giving way to breakthrough ideas or solutions. In short, it's the perfect environment for spontaneous thinking. Prefer morning showers? You're not wrong either. Cold morning showers, especially those paired with stimulating scents like rosemary or citrus, can kickstart alertness, improve your mood, and even enhance circulation. They also reinforce your body's natural temperature rise after waking, which helps shake off grogginess and get you into gear faster. For many, it's also a matter of practicality. Morning showers tame unruly bedhead, freshen you up post-sleep, and help you start the day with focus. Meanwhile, nighttime showers may be essential for those who sweat a lot, live in polluted areas, or want to keep their sheets clean. Ultimately, it's not about choosing the 'right' side. It's about aligning your routine with your goals. Whether you're looking to recharge or reset, your shower can be more than just a rinse. It can be a habit that supports better sleep, sharper focus, and a healthier Better Sleep or More Energy? Time Your Showers Right first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 11, 2025
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
July 11 WxBlast
Edmonton Watch Increasing cloud this evening with a chance of a shower overnight. Back to sunshine Saturday & another warm, but breezy day. More on that and the latest on the timing and intensity of the shower risk for Sunday and Monday. Here's your Friday WxBlast video:
Washington Post
09-07-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Why does my shower drain keep clogging, and how can I clear it?
Q: The drain in one shower in our home keeps plugging up. We put baking soda and vinegar down the drain and water flows better, but in about a month, the drain is plugged up again. What should we do? A: Vinegar and baking soda can muscle through soap scum and the black gunk that collects inside drain pipes. But they can't blast through many of the other things that can clog drains, including wads of hair, twigs brought in from hiking trips, and even things like tree roots that have worked their way into a drain pipe far from the shower.
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
How to sleep better: four ways to turn your shower into a snooze-enhancing ritual
From investing in quality earplugs to swerving screens past 9pm, you're probably aware of the numerous healthy habits drifting around when it comes to clocking a good night's sleep. However, if you're still searching for a way to nod off in no time, then the answer may just be found in your bathroom. Between flossing your teeth and doing your multi-step skincare regime, treating yourself to a 'destress before rest' evening shower might be the new self-care ritual you need. Because, while a long soak in the bath may be the traditional way to relax your body and mind pre-slumber, it's possible to create a similarly soothing sensory experience in the shower prior to heading to bed – and you don't have to twiddle your thumbs waiting for the tub to fill up. With easy tweaks to everything from the temperature to the ambience, you'll soon realise that there's far more to your evening shower than freshening up before you slip on your pyjamas. Here are four ways to elevate your bedtime shower to help enhance your wind-down experience and boost your chances of falling asleep pronto. The best showers for catching zzz come nightfall are hot stuff. According to the Sleep Foundation, turning up the heat works to aid the natural body temperature regulation process required to induce feelings of sleepiness. It is thought that such steamy temperatures direct blood flow to the hands and feet, which allows body heat to escape more quickly, and encourages the body to cool down – which is what we're aiming for when it comes to snooze time. It's also thought that a hot shower can raise your levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, which has been shown to help ease stress – making it a handy tool if your day hasn't gone quite to plan and you'd rather not be up in the small hours counting sheep. To maximise your time in the warmth, the Mira Showers app for digital and smart showers come with voice control so you can get things up and running before entering the bathroom – so the temperature will be just right by the time you've got undressed. Don't underestimate the power of the products on your shelf or in your shower caddy to add a dollop of Zen to your bathroom. Stock up on shower gels and shampoos infused with key ingredients that do more for you than simply smell nice. That includes lavender, the scent that has been revealed to be especially relaxing, according to a study. Research has also found that aromatherapy essential oils – when used nightly – can enhance memory. Participants in a study, conducted by the University of California, saw improvements with consistent daily evening use over six months. You really do lose when you snooze on the bathroom details. A few easy tweaks can transform your space into your very own personal spa – from stylish metallic hardware and aesthetically pleasing tiles to the mood lighting of candles and a selection of lush greenery. Indeed, research has linked indoor houseplants to reduced levels of stress, with peace lilies, snake plants and aloe vera particularly good options in humid spaces. A carefully chosen showerhead can also elevate your wind-down experience. The Mira Beat 25cm Deluge – attached on the ceiling overhead – is luxuriously wide and powerful enough to create a tropical rainfall effect that you'll be keen to linger beneath. If you want to personalise the flow based on your mood, then the Mira Switch showerhead allows you to choose between four spray settings – saturate, soak, stimulate and soothe. Let your worries flow down the drain. This isn't a shower where you want to be 'in and out' too quickly – with a generous soak likely on your agenda. Use the leisurely pace of the evening to incorporate some slow breathing as you scrub away. The simple practice of inhaling and exhaling at a reduced pace has been shown by research to increase feelings of relaxation and, therefore, help improve sleep quality once your head hits the pillow. However, it's understandable if the environment and bills are on your mind as the water flows. The Mira Activate digital shower with ColdBoost technology features a display showing live temperature and flow rates, so you can step in and get scrubbing straight away without wasting any time. Additionally, the Mira Sport Max electric shower comes with patented Airboost technology that amplifies the strength of water flow by up to 30%, without using any extra water. Powerful stuff. Head to Mira Showers to discover the full range of showers available and how to get one installed by Mira-approved experts for complete peace of mind
