Bamboo is a sort of grass. They are from the subfamily of Bambusoideae and the grass family of Poaceae. Giant bamboos are one of the largest members of this grass family.
Bamboo is a versatile object, starting from everyday household materials like bath mats, benches, items of furniture, cutleries, and even bamboo walls and houses.
Everything can be made using bamboo. They also do come with their pros and cons. We will discuss whether bamboo is water-resistant, can go in the shower, if they will rot or mold, other effects of bamboos in the shower, longevity, and lucky bamboos!
Can bamboo go in the shower? (bench, bath mats & others)
It’s best not to use bamboo materials in the shower. Bamboo is somewhat water-resistant, though more than hardwoods, and suitable for moisture and temperature fluctuating areas, it will mold, swell or dry and get discolored in water. You can use a layer of Tung oil for protection.
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Bamboo is a sort of grass that is somewhat water and moisture-resistant, especially more water-resistant than hardwoods.
They could be a great fit in places where moisture and temperature fluctuate, but due to humidity, they won’t be a good fit where there will always be water, such as the shower.
There will be water damage, moldings, swelling, distorting the materials, and discoloration, making it an unpleasant experience if bamboo floors are used. You can use a cover for protection like linseed or Tung oil.
Seal it with a varnish, lacquer, or waterproof it with a stain-sealant combo to prevent water damage.
Can you put these in the shower?
Bamboo items seem water-resistant but can have serious damage to them if put in direct water contact. We will be mentioning some bamboo day to day items if they are water-resistant and how much water damage they can take if they can be placed in the shower below:
Bamboo bath mat:
Bamboo is generally water-resistant and anti-microbial, which seems to be a great candidate to use a shower bamboo bath math. Bamboo bath mats are known to be mold and mildew-free and water-resistant.
But, the truth is every kind of bamboo will have molds and mildews if they get water damaged. Thus, bamboo bath mats are not waterproof and should not be put in the shower.
Bamboo bench:
You can use a bamboo bench for showers if they are appropriately made water-resistant with stain sealant combo and varnishing with Tung oil and linseed oil.
They are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, making them a good option for your shower. With protection, the bamboo bench will be waterproof, and you will be able to use them in the shower.
Bamboo shelves:
Bamboo has a natural water-resistant silica layer that protects it and makes it water-resistant and moisture resistant. You can use bamboo shelves as they are good moisture holders, but try to keep them away from water damage.
Thus, with some sealing, they will be waterproof and can be used in the shower.
Bamboo containers:
Bamboo containers are small, mostly water-resistant containers that are okay to use in the shower. They won’t cause much damage as they will not get much in contact with the water.
So, they are waterproof if a layer of protection is used, and bamboo containers would be safe to use in the shower.
These are some of the mentioned objects of our day-to-day life that are sometimes advertised to lure into buying, saying they are water-resistant.
Still, please check before if they have a coat of layer of protection that makes them waterproof because the bamboo itself is not water-resistant.
How water-resistant is bamboo?
Bamboo is semi-water resistant. Bamboo is a species of the family of grass and one of the largest ones.
They are more resistant than hardwoods and a very good moisture observer making them good for water and temperature fluctuating areas but, if they come in direct contact with water, they will get molded or distorted due to the humidity
Is bamboo good for the shower floor?
It isn’t the best option to get bamboo floors for showers and bathroom floors as they are not much water-resistant.
They are good as a utensil for being a good moisture observer, but it is best to use tiles on the shower floors to not get dents and make it more harmful for your family.
Bamboo floors are a great option for kitchen floors to give that natural aesthetic to your house, but not in the shower. That’s why you should not use bamboo for shower floors.
Does bamboo mold or rot in the shower?
Bamboo will likely rot or have molds and mildews after a while if it comes in contact with water damage. That means if you keep them in the shower and they get direct water damage, they will be distorted, get molds, and be discolored very easily at last it is a grass material.
You can use protectors like Tung oil and others to varnish it but it won’t stay for long, but it would definitely make it last a bit longer so definitely check before buying if a protective shield has been used.
Better to use tiles or other waterproof materials that won’t create a risk for your family.
What happens if you put bamboo in the shower?
Bamboo isn’t really the best option for your shower. And we will mention some very important reasons why and help you get to your own choices knowing all the facts!
Semi Water Resistance:
Even though many people say bamboo is water-resistant when it is not. It is a grass, a kind of wood-like material, better than hardwood, but still, they will eventually fall to being not resistant enough to be in the shower.
Molds and Mildews:
If you put bamboo items directly in contact with the water, after a while it will break and get molds and mildews all over. Even though many publicize it doesn’t but bamboo is not impervious to water damage.
Discoloration:
You are obviously getting some bamboo aesthetics to match with your vibe but after a while even with coatings of waterproof seals, when you will get discolored bamboos, your heart is going to ache.
So it is better to get tiles or some other resistant materials that won’t discolor as someone spends so much time rebuilding their house to re-re-build again!
Distortion:
Distortion is a sign of breaking down or falling apart of your so expensive and yet so beloved floors. If they get water damage from showers there will be bends and distortions which will suggest the total breakage of the bamboo floors.
So we would like to recommend if you want to get bamboo materials, do get them for tools like mats, benches, and other objects, they will be a good humidifier as long as they don’t get water damage.
How long does bamboo last in water?
Bamboo materials in water depend on the amount of water damage they get and the temperature and the humidity. There is not a specific time frame but with minimal damage, they can go about 1 to 2 years.
But this really depends on the water damage being done on them and how good their protective seal is. If they have a good protection seal and are approved by the store and sealed can be used in the water you are okay but otherwise don’t get into scams just by reading blogs.
Can lucky bamboo plants be kept in the bathroom?
Yes, lucky bamboos are an excellent little plant that can grow anywhere with the most little amount of sun exposure. They do not need much soil and some can just grow on the water with some pebbles or rocks and sand, they will function amazingly.
Just put them near the window for the little sun exposure.
Thus, we can say that they are an excellent choice for your bathroom. If you are looking for that natural aroma in the shower lucky bamboo is the best option for you. They come in all shapes and sizes even modified into different structures!
Final Thoughts
Bamboos are one of the most versatile objects that are being used worldwide from house construction to daily household cutleries. Bamboo is semi-water resistant. But bamboo should be used carefully near water keeping in mind temperature, humidity, moisture consumption, waterproofing seals, etc.