Simply put, Yes. Bamboo is good to have in the bathroom compared to a lot of other materials. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, easy to clean down and offers a great warm look for your room!
In this article, we'll highlight ideas on why Bamboo is good in the Bathroom and why it may not be the choice for you.
1) IT'S GORGEOUS
Smooth, glossy, bright and light, Bamboo, the largest member of the grass family – simply looks as pleasant as it feels. While its natural color is similar to that of light beech wood, darker shades can be obtained through staining and colouring, which then offers a wide colour spectrum that can match any interior design.
2) IT’S VERSATILE
There are more than 1,400 different species of bamboo which are distributed in tropical and subtropical to mild temperate regions. The stems of a bamboo plant can vary from a few centimeters to 40 meters in height! There are many great uses for bamboo around the house. For instance, there are a lot of wonderful pieces of furniture made of bamboo including chairs, beds, tables, nightstands and headboards, and also a lot of accent pieces such as mirror frames, accessories and wallpaper. Because it’s both lightweight and durable, bamboo is a great material for blinds, shades and privacy screens. Bamboo flooring is also extremely popular, offering spaces a casual, warm and inviting look without the cost of a hardwood flooring. Bamboo is also used as a structural material - mostly in countries where it is native but the list is rapidly expanding.
You'll see plenty of accessories and bathroom products made from Bamboo in the modern world, such as Toilet Brushes, Soap Dishes, Bath Mats and more. We even have a selection of Basins available made out of Bamboo. Pretty much, anything can be made from Bamboo due to its verssatility.
3) IT’S RESILIENT
When laminated (our products come laminated), bamboo’s strength is enhanced, and the lamination provides another layer against wear and tear and moisture.
Because of this, Bamboo furniture is stronger than most furniture that you have in your home. It’s among the hardest woods and, in addition to that, it’s also resistant to insects and moisture. This makes it a good candidate for outdoor furniture, providing its under a covered space to avoid direct exposure to the elements. Inside or out, bamboo is more scratch-resistant than most hardwoods, as well as resistant to swelling and warping.
4) IT’S EASY
Last but not least, both the cleaning and maintenance of bamboo is pretty simple. Just make sure you apply oil every year or so (dependant on the exposure to elements) to prevent cracks and to maintain its shiny luster. For routine cleaning, use a soft cloth, a sponge and mild soapy water – it’s as simple as that. In keeping with its eco-friendly nature, organic or natural soaps are preferred. You can read more about our maintenance and waterproofing guide here.
4) IT LASTS
Bamboo stands up to water, mildew and is shrink-resistant. Bamboo has a natural water-resistant silica layer on it that protects it, but it is not waterproof. If you are looking to put your Bamboo in an area that will be exposed to water for long periods of time, this may weaken the Bamboo and it's lifespan. It is possible to make your bamboo furniture completely waterproof with a little work and this is highly recommended if you want to bring your bamboo furniture in a shower area or outside. Some products can last up to 50 years if kept well but the average lifespan is between 5-15 years. Please read our care guide on how to maintain or waterproof your Bamboo.
4) IT'S GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Bamboo is more environmentally friendly than hardwood. Compared to an equivalent tree mass, Bamboo produces 35% more oxygen and in research has shown that Bamboo can absorb as much as 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide per ten thousand square metres per year.
Growing and harvesting Bamboo is very sustainable as the plant often grows rapidly and it doesn't require and chemical pesticides or fertilisers to help grow.
Manufacturing raw Bamboo into accessories and furniture isn't very energy intensive and doesn't involve chemicals compared to some wood based furniture manufacturing.
Compared to woods, Bamboo is a much lighter material; meaning it will have a smaller carbon footprint in logistics and transport (I can imagine this may only make a difference when in large quantities).
If treated correctly, Bamboo products can last a lifetime due to its strength and resillience to water and other environmental factors. This is good for the environment as you don't have to keep purchasing replacements. When it finally reaches its end-of-life, Bamboo can be recylced to create a carbon-negative footprint. You can also compost and bio-degrade Bamboo. When it finally decomposes it can help out the growth of plants as it has a high silica content, which it releases into the soil when it breaks down. Silica can help plants become more drought-resistant, increase crop yields, and generally improve crop quality as the soil becomes nutrient-rich. In addition, silica strengthens cell walls and protects against fungal diseases like mildew.
Overall, the whole process of growing, manufacturing and disposing of Bamboo is sustainable and at times carbon-negative.
In the Bathroom, other products made out of materials like plastic and acrylic are very common and have terrible effects on the environment. Acrylic baths often end up in landfills as they contain materials not able to be re-used or melted down. Using a steel bath or shower tray can be a huge step in making your house more eco-friendly.
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES?
As much as Bamboo may seem like the perfect material for everything, ever, there are a few things to consider.
The cost of certain Bamboo products can be higher than other materials like wood, steel or ceramic as these are typically more mass produced / manufactured and it feels as if the world is just discovering Bamboo as the next best thing.
This also may mean that there isn't as much variety and choice when it comes to furniture and accessories compared to other materials made from plastic, wood or steel. Plastic materials may often come cheaper but the impact on the environment is much worse and our Bamboo products may last much longer.
There is no grading system for Bamboo furniture. Many other material items are rated according to their grades. Grading bamboo is impossible. This way, you may purchase low-quality furniture due to lack of knowledge. This makes it hard to determine which are the best items to purchase. The way to get around this is to buy from a reputable manufacturer or retailer; like us. If this is something you'e concerned about, feel free to get in touch and we'll be able to point you in the right direction.
Bamboo is also not completely waterproof naturally. It has water resistant qualities but if you wish to use it in a shower or humid area, it is recommended to seal it using a quality sealant.
If you've got any more questions or would like to visit our care guide, please get in touch info@bamboobathrooms.co.uk
If you need any inspiration or need any ideas on what Bamboo bathroom products are currently trending or products we love, we have wrote an article about this which you're able to read here.