15 Bathroom Essentials for Your First Home.

Moving into your first home? While you’re too caught up choosing the perfect couch, coffee table, or curtain, it can be so easy to forget the small details that complete your home and make it comfortable to live in. This applies particularly to the essentials found in your bathroom.

Considering how often you use the bathroom, stocking it with everything you need, from hygiene products to cleaning products, should be on top of your to-do list after moving to your new place. That said, here is a list of all the bathroom essentials you should have in your new bathroom.

 

Cheon Song Yi's bathroom in My Love from the Stars (2014).

 1. Toiletries are products or supplies that you use for cleaning or grooming yourself. This includes dental hygiene products, like a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash. Bath products, like soap, shampoo, and shower gel, are also part of the list. Shaving cream, aftershave, cologne, makeup, and deodorant make up your grooming kit.

2. A shower curtain should be necessary if you don’t have glass doors to separate the shower area. It will keep water from getting all over the bathroom while you take a bath. It also gives you more privacy.

3. Get a shower caddy to organize all the bathing products you need. As the name suggests, you can hang it on the showerhead so your soap, shampoo, and bathing supplies are within easy reach while you shower.

4. Avoid bathroom accidents with a nonslip bath mat. Water makes bathroom floors, especially those made of natural and ceramic tiles, slippery; add soap or shampoo suds, and you may have a disaster waiting to happen. A nonslip bath mat keeps you safe and steady on your feet.

5. A toothbrush holder is necessary to keep your toothbrush of the dirty sink. Get a UV light antibacterial toothbrush holder to sterilize your toothbrush every after use.

6. A magnifying mirror will make it easier for you to grooming rituals that require absolute focus and delicacy, like applying makeup, plucking eyebrows, and shaving. You can also take a closer look at your skin, spot growing pimples, and treat them before they grow any bigger.

7. Organizers will keep your sink, countertop, and cabinets clutter-free when you start accumulating stuff. Plus, they will help keep your bathroom organized and make your essentials accessible and easy to find.

Photo credit: Unssplash.

8. Wicker baskets are aesthetically pleasing, but more than that, they are excellent for storing and organizing bath towels, hand towels, toilet paper, laundry, and other bathroom essentials.

9. A trash can should always be in your bathroom and other parts of your home. It will help keep your clean, clutter-free, and safe by keeping you from littering inside your home.

10. A toilet brush is essential to ensure that your toilet is spotlessly clean all the time. Instead of the usual plastic toilet brush, get a zero-waste brush, made from wood, ceramic, and pig bristles. That’s sure to be 100 percent plastic-free and recyclable.

11. Clogs happen all the time, so you need a plunger ready in your bathroom. There are different types of plungers. For the sink clogs, you need a common sink plunger, but for toilet clogs, an accordion plunger or toilet flange plunger will work better.

While a plunger can often clear minor blockages, persistent or recurring clogs might indicate a more significant problem within your plumbing system. These could include tree root intrusion, pipe damage, or a buildup of grease and debris over time that a simple plunger cannot resolve effectively. Ignoring these deeper issues can lead to more extensive and costly repairs down the line.

When DIY methods fall short, seeking professional assistance is crucial to prevent further damage and ensure your home's drains flow smoothly. For reliable and efficient solutions, finding expert drain services near me can provide the specialized tools and knowledge needed to diagnose and fix complex issues, keeping your plumbing in top condition.

12. Keep a squeegee around to wipe of excess moisture on your glass shower doors, mirror, and other surfaces. Excess moisture is one of the biggest banes of homeowners. It can cause molding, leave watermarks, and damage appliances, fixtures, and furniture.

13. Keep clogs away using macerating pump for your bathroom. A high-power macerating pump breaks down wastewater and expels great pressure to push waste through the pipes toward the sewage line then to the septic tank. This prevents clogs and ensures smoother drainage.

14. Go green with nontoxic and eco-friendly bathroom cleaners. They can erase the toughest stains without harming your health, damaging your bathroom, and hurting the environment.

Soy candles from Goblin, The Lonely and Great God (2017).

15. Keep the stink under wraps using reed diffusers or scent sticks and safe and fragrant essential oils. With these, your bathroom can smell like relaxing lavender, fresh peppermint, warm sandalwood, or energizing lemon. And you’ll never have to pinch your nose in your bathroom again.

Final Word
Your home isn’t complete without the essentials for your daily routine and everyday tasks around the house. As one of the most frequently used facilities in the home, your bathroom should have a complete stock of the products and tools you need for bathing, grooming, and cleaning. It will make your life so much easier (and less frustrating) if you have all these things prepared.

Spotlight | Human Heart Nature Jiggly Bath Jelly.

It was in Myeongdong a few years back when I first came across this thing called 'shower jelly'.

I was on my way to the main shopping street when I passed by the LUSH store near Myeongdong Station and saw one of their staff doing some sort of product demo with what appears to be a big blob of gelatin. The curious cat in me just had to stop by and see what the crowd was gawking at, (also because the scent of whatever thing that the LUSH guy was holding was very inviting) and turns out, it was indeed a big blob of gelatin that works as a cleansing body wash. LUSH calls them Shower Jellies, and these soft, jiggly soaps give a whole new meaning to the 'bath time is fun time' concept.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, one of my favorite local beauty brands launched their own version of this fun bath time treat. Say hello to the Jiggly Bath Jelly from Human Heart Nature!

Human Heart Nature Jiggly Bath Jelly.

Made with coco-derived cleansers to flush away dirt and grime and vegetable-derived glucose and glycerin to moisturize the skin, the Jiggly Bath Jelly is dubbed as 'the fun way to sneaky clean.' The product is contained in a 300-gram plastic tub and is available in just one variant - Bubbleberry.

Jiggly Bath Jelly in Bubbleberry.

It looks and jiggles like a jelly, and has a sweet yet subtle strawberry scent.

Looks and smells good enough to eat, haha!

According to instructions, you can use this product as a hand wash or a body wash by either tapping the whole jelly out onto your palm or just scooping out a small amount.

Usage instructions.

We prefer doing the latter as the consistency of this Jiggly Bath Jelly isn't as springy or as resilient as the ones from Lush. This bath jelly is crumbly and tends to fall apart when you scoop it out, unlike the Lush jellies that you can actually rub on the skin like soap.

Crumbled jelly on the palm of Yue's hand.

On the bright side, at least it's effortless to crush the jelly into a loofah and build a smooth and soapy lather. Also, you only need a small amount to clean the entire body so I reckon this tub of bath jelly will last us longer than a regular bar of soap or a bottle of body wash. 

List of ingredients and other pertinent information.

Although this product is marketed to kids, that doesn't mean adults can't use it. I've bathed with this product several times already (sssh, don't tell my son I'm using his bath jelly, lol) and I love how it cleanses without drying the skin. The scent is lovely too, and it lingers even if you've patted your skin dry.

Someone's having a blast during bath time. :)

If you want that refreshing, cooling effect on the skin, you can store the Jiggly Bath Jelly inside the fridge and take them out before you hit the shower. Very relaxing, especially after a long and stressful day at work (or school, as far as my son is concerned).

The Jiggly Bath Jelly retails for Php 299.75, and is available at the Human Heart Nature online store, at Human Heart Nature Laguna, and other Human Heart Nature branches nationwide.

Spotlight | NLIHome Honey Soap.

Earlier this week, I raved about the Essence Cushion from an up and coming Korean cosmetics brand, The Cellin. The brand is manufactured by NRCommunications of Korea, a distribution company which has been business since 1999 and the same company which produces and distributes NLIHome products.

NLIHome is a lifestyle brand which carries personal hygiene and home care products made with natural ingredients and eco-friendly materials. Among these is the Honey Soap, one of NLIHome's bestsellers.

NLIHome Honey Soap. 

Hangul text at the back. I reckon these are the product descriptions.

Honey has long been a popular additive in soaps and other skincare products, and rightfully so. For one, it's a natural humectant, which helps retain skin moisture. It also has antibacterial properties, which can help clear acne and prevent future breakouts. In addition, honey is a chock full of polyphenols, an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.

More Hangul text on this side.

And on the other.

Now aside from honey, this soap also contains propolis, dokudami (also known by its scientific name Houttuynia cordata; a medicinal herb famed in Asia for its health benefits), and snail secretion extract (packed with hyaluronic acid which increases skin suppleness and improves skin texture), among others.

Main ingredients of the NLIHome Honey Soap.

As seen on the NRCommuncation website.

Do note that most of the text in the soap box is written in Hangul, so I had to refer to the internet for the complete list of ingredients for this Honey Soap. Thankfully, I found them on the NRCommunication website, along with other details about the product.

Unboxing the NLIHome Honey Soap.

The NLIHome Honey Soap comes in an 80 gram box. Inside it is an opaque plastic pouch which contains the bar of soap.

The NLIHome Honey Soap, unwrapped.

Although there's nothing fancy about how the soap looks - rectangular in shape, fits the palm of my hand, has the NLIHome logo carved on the center - its scent is quite noteworthy. It has a sweet and nutty scent that's not overpowering but lingers on the skin even after bathing. It lathers quite well and rinses off completely without leaving a filmy residue on the skin.

Fits the palm of my hand.

I've used this on my face too, and I love how this mild and gentle soap cleanses thoroughly without the drying feel. I've been using this product for a little over two weeks now, and I love how this soap 'calms' the occasional red blotches on my face, which acts up whenever the weather is too hot and humid.

That being said, this soap is safe even for those with sensitive skin. Kids and babies can use this soap too, but please do a patch test first just to be sure that your little ones are not allergic to honey or bee by-products. Yue uses this soap, too. He's enamored with the scent and loves bathing with it.

The NLIHome Honey Soap sells for Php 130 each and can be bought online through The Cellin Cosmetics Facebook page.

Spotlight | Human Heart Nature Natural Body Scrub.

After spending the holidays abroad, I came home to a Christmas tree surrounded with presents for Yue and I. Most of them were from friends and family, and some of them from sponsors and brands that I work with or have worked with for the past few years. Unboxing them was such as treat - it still felt like Christmas even though it was almost mid-January.

Among these presents was this lovely box from Human Heart Nature Laguna, and inside it was a tube of the Human Heart Nature Rose Bouquet Natural Body Scrub.

Thank you, Human Heart Nature Laguna!

I usually exfoliate twice a week, but I didn't have the chance to enjoy this luxury while I was in Korea. Taking a bath in negative degree weather can be very challenging - even a pain at times - so I'd bathe as quickly as I could and get my stuff done in the bathroom in the shortest time possible. Hence, I was very excited to give this product a try and take my time in the shower without the fear of getting hypothermia (haha!).

Human Heart Nature Natural Body Scrub.

Made with loofah and bamboo scrubs, the Human Heart Nature Natural Body Scrub exfoliates dead skin cells and deep-seated dirt to reveal soft and smooth skin. It also contains aloe vera to refresh and moisturize the skin, and rose oil to increase the skin's permeability.

Product description at the back.

As you can see, this product is certified by the Natural Products Association, the largest and oldest nonprofit organization in the US which serves as a 'watchdog' of all products that claim to be natural or made with natural ingredients. This includes cosmetics and beauty products, household products, and even food.

List of ingredients, and the Cruelty-Free logo!

To use, simply dispense an ample amount of the body scrub, then massage the fine granules onto damp skin in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Ready to scrub! :)

The body scrub has a thick and creamy consistency, with tiny bits of bamboo scrub embedded in it. Each tube contains an ample amount of exfoliant, and you can feel these bamboo bits as soon as you start 'scrubbing'. I love how this product leaves my skin soft, smooth, and supple afterwards.

Thick and creamy.

Contains tiny bits of bamboo scrubs.

The rose scent seemed to be a bit overpowering at first, and for those who are overly sensitive to (floral) scents, they might find that feature a little off. It works just fine for me though, as the scent of roses tend to linger on my skin even long after I'm done bathing.

After scrubbing. :)

Currently being sold at Php 274.75 for a 190 gram tube, the Human Heart Nature Natural Body Scrub is available at all Human Heart Nature branches nationwide. You can also purchase this product via their online shop, or through me (you can send me a direct message on my Facebook page) since I'm a registered dealer myself. This body scrub is also available in Coffee & Vanilla, which I plan to try as soon as I'm done with this tube!

Spotlight | Casa de Lorenzo Castile Soap.

You know you're taking your coffee addiction to the next level when you're actually bathing with it. Yes, coffee. For bathing.

Thanks to Casa de Lorenzo - makers of natural liquid soaps and essential oils - I had the chance to try their Castile Soap and enjoy bathing with coffee at the same time. They actually sent me two bottles of their popular Castile Soaps - one is the classic Lemongrass Manila Castile Soap and the other, their all-new Coffee Dark Castile Soap.

Casa de Lorenzo Castile Soap.

So what exactly is a Castile Soap? It's a kind of soap traditionally made from 100% pure olive oil, water, and lye. Others call this 'vegetable soap' because it does not contain any trace of animal fat. This soap traces it roots to a region in Spain called 'Castile', hence the name 'Castile Soap'.

Now let's take a closer look at these Castile Soaps, shall we?

Coffee Dark Castile Soap, Php 350/250 mL.

The newest addition to Casa de Lorenzo's product line, the Coffee Dark Castile Soap is rich, intense, and very indulgent. For coffee lovers, this product is definitely a delight both to the skin and to the olfactory nerves. To me, this is the perfect way to start the day.

Product description.

Made with natural ingredients and infused with local ground coffee beans, this soap is very moisturizing and leaves the skin soft and smooth after bathing. Ah, the wonders of coffee! Not only is it a rich source of antioxidants, it also promotes blood circulation resulting to healthy, youthful-looking skin.

List of ingredients.

My only gripe is that it does not produce much lather, so I tend to use more of the product as I scrub/rub it on my skin. And while the soap is dark in color - it is made with coffee, after all - it does not leave dark stains on the skin. Similarly, the strong coffee scent fades as soon as as you rinse it off your skin.

Yup, coffee all right! :)

Like the coffee variant, the Lemongrass Manila Castile Soap is made with natural products indigent to the Philippines. 

Lemongrass Manila Castile Soap, Php 350/250 mL.

It contains rice bran oil which is rich in antioxidants, vitamins B and E, and natural emollients. This ingredient not only hydrates skin, but also protects it from harmful UV rays and helps ward off the signs of aging.

Product description.

This soap also contains palm oil, which is a great lathering agent. As such, this variant produces a foamier lather despite its thin and watery consistency - an inherent feature to soaps made with coconut oil.

List of ingredients.

The lemongrass scent can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it fades away once you rinse it off your skin. The scent tends to linger on the bathroom walls though, which I actually like.

Thin and watery consistency.

If you would like to give these Castile Soaps a try (and I suggest you should, as they're chemical-free, great for the skin, and proudly Philippine-made), you can order them through the Casa Lorenzo website or via their Facebook page. The soaps come in different sizes, with the 250 mL bottles (like the one that I have) sold at Php 350 each.

Casa de Lorenzo Soaps, Oils, and Aromatics
order@thecasadelorenzo.com
+63 939 9192916

Spotlight | Nature Republic Hand and Nature Hand Cream.

Nature Republic had a Buy One, Take One promo for the Hand and Nature Hand Cream a few months back, which was the main reason why I included this in my cart (along with the Bulgarian Rose Toner and the Provence Long Lasting Lipstick which I have previously reviewed in this blog.)

Hand and Nature Hand Creams.

They originally sell for Php 375 (around $8) each, which I find a tad too expensive for such a small 30 mL tube. But getting two tubes for the price of one is of course, a totally different story. :)

Up close.

I wanted to get two different variants (there are actually 18 variants in this hand cream line), but the sales personnel told me that they have to be the same variant to qualify for the promo. So there, I ended up with two tubes of Vanilla - my scent of choice when it comes to lotions and hand creams. 

Vanilla, my love. :)

The Nature Republic Hand and Nature Hand Cream contains 15% shea butter to moisturize and nourish the skin.

Vanilla + Shea Butter. :)

I love its light and silky texture, and how it's easily absorbed by the skin. It's also non-greasy, and does a good job of keeping your hands moisturized.

Creamy goodness. 

As for the scent, it smells a lot like Bath and Body Works' Warm Vanilla Sugar - sweet, without being too cloying. The scent, however, does not last through the day. It fades into a subtle scent after an hour or so, unlike other hand cream brands that can actually double up as perfume.

Now here's the thing about the Hand and Nature Hand Cream. They're actually EXO-endorsed, with some of the variants being the 'scent of choice' of the EXO members. Turns out, mine is Lay's choice, and surprisingly, Lay happens to be my cousin's bias. 

Find your bias' choice!

And for a limited time only, these hand creams are available in a completely different packaging that EXO fans would definitely lust, drool, and swoon over (haha!).

Limited Edition EXO Hand Cream set.

I have no idea how much these cost here in the Philippines, but in Korea, they're sold at 19800 won per set (around Php 800 or $18). If I were an EXO fan, I'd definitely buy these. Take note of the word 'if', lol! :)

Spotlight | Marks & Spencer Moisturizing Body Cream.

The weather has been cold and blustery for the past two days. It's a sign that Christmas is definitely right around the corner. This also means that I should take extra care of my skin, as it tends to disagree (read: dull, dry, flaky even) with the crisp chill in the air.

Good thing I have a vanity table stocked with lotions and body creams. Because you know, I really can not live without lotion. These days I'm using the Moisturising Body Cream from Marks & Spencer - one of the few things that my Mum brought home from London.

Marks & Spencer Moisturising Body Cream.

Product info at the bottom of the tub.

This body cream is part of M&S' Nature's Extracts collection - skincare products that are inspired by some of nature's finest extracts.

Comes in a 200mL tub.

The one that I have is the Fresh Aloe Vera variant, which is pale green in color and has a mild, subtly sweet fragrance. Its texture is soft and creamy, yet easily absorbed by the skin. 

Creamy, but feels light on the skin.

I like the cooling effect of this variant, and how it moisturizes my skin without the greasy after-feel. I bet this product will work well with my skin even during the scorching, summer months. 

Cruelty-free!

The Moisturising Body Cream sells for £4 (around $6 or Php280) in the UK and is available at all M&S stores. I checked their Philippine website and surprise, surprise! They have it here, too!

Have you tried this product before? What are your favorites from Marks & Spencer?