Bamboo is a gorgeous material but can it go in the shower? There are so many attractive benches made from this material, and you want to know. We've researched if bamboo works for the shower and have the answers for you here.
Because bamboo is a generally water-resistant and anti-microbial wood, it's great for a shower bench. It needs a bit more care than teak or plastic, but bamboo will definitely work as a shower bench.
We've got more details for you in the post. We'll also talk about how to best care for your bamboo shower bench, other great shower bench materials, and if mold is an issue with wooden shower benches. So please, keep reading.
Can You Use A Bamboo Bench In The Shower?
Though many showers may have a built-in shower seat, yours doesn't. And you want a bench. A bench is handy for sitting to shave or if you're a bit unsteady on your feet. Maybe you'd rather wash your hair while sitting down. Whatever your reason for wanting a bench, don't despair; there are plenty of them out there.
Bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that's made a splash on the home market as a hard-wearing, lightweight wood. One of those uses has been as shower benches. The light color and relative affordability, along with natural water-resistance, make it a great material for this use.
Some Of Our Favorite Bamboo Benches For The Shower
1. Corner Bench
This 1/4 circle bamboo bench has two levels. One as a convenient seat and one for storing shower products. It's 17" wide by 13" deep by 15" tall, so it will easily fit in the smallest of showers.
Click here for this cute bench on Amazon.
2. Bamboo Bench With Built-In Handles
This attractive bamboo shelf has built-in handles, which help when you need to stand up or sit down. They give a bit of extra security as you lower yourself onto the seat. It's 24" long and has a lower shelf for storage. Four sturdy legs hold it in place.
Click here for this bamboo bench on Amazon.
3. Bamboo Shower Seat With Arms
This slatted bamboo seat allows the water to run through, so you don't have to worry about pooling on the surface. In addition, the two raised arms are so helpful when you want to lower yourself slowly to the seat. Or have a bit of extra boost when getting back up. This seat supports up to 300 pounds and measures 22" x 24" x 20.5". The seat size measures 15" deep by 22" wide.
Click here for this bamboo bench on Amazon.
How Do You Care For A Bamboo Shower Bench?
The best way to care for your bamboo shower bench is to let it dry out completely after use. If water pools on the surface of your bench when you shower, use a squeegee or other tool to fully take the water off. Once it's dry, mix a solution of vinegar and water and wipe it clean once a week. This should prevent any mold or mildew from building up on the surface.
Do not use bleach on your bamboo bench, though. This could lead to it drying out prematurely and cracking. The cracks will allow the infiltration of water into the bench's interior, which makes it more prone to molding.
Use an all-purpose shower squeegee like this to wipe off your shower door and your shower benches.
Click here for this on Amazon.
How Do You Waterproof A Wood Shower Bench?
Though most wooden shower benches will come with a finish already, or in the case of teak and bamboo be naturally water-resistant, there may come a time you need more. As water and weather affect your bench, it may start to show signs of age and wear. You can give it a little help with waterproofing.
Once your bench is totally dry, give it a light sanding. Then, using a durable matte finish polyurethane, give it one coat of finish. This should help protect your bench against any further wear.
What Is The Best Material For A Shower Bench?
Probably the best option for a shower bench is to build one into the shower. But if you're trying to retrofit a pre-existing shower, it may be a fiberglass insert that won't work with tile. Or it may not be large enough for a built-in seat. If that's the case, no worries, there are plenty of benches available for showers.
Plastic Benches
Though not beautiful, plastic has the advantage of being totally waterproof. They are also available for heavier people and are made with sturdy legs and rubber tips to keep them from slipping. Many of them also have handles to help when you need to get up or down from the shower bench.
This shower bench comes with a removable back if you prefer a chair style. The rubber tipped legs prevent it from slipping, and the curved seat makes getting in and out of it easier.
Click here for this on Amazon.
Teak Shower Benches
Teak wood benches are definitely more attractive than plastic. This wood is often used for outdoor furniture, boat trim, and other high moisture situations. This is why it's a great material for the shower. Though it does require some upkeep over time, all in all, teak holds up well as a shower bench.
This corner bench made of teak is a great choice for a small shower. It even has a shelf to hold some shower products on the lower level.
Click here for this on Amazon.
This teak shower bench has adjustable legs so you can get the height exactly right. The wide-based legs are sturdy and secure.
Click here for this on Amazon.
Bamboo Shower Benches
This sustainable wood is another good choice for the shower. Though it requires a little more upkeep than the other two choices, the light color makes it attractive. It is also less expensive than teak.
If space is an issue, this collapsible bamboo bench is a great idea. Just fold it up when you're done using it.
Click here for this on Amazon.
Do Teak Shower Benches Get Moldy?
Because wooden shower benches are porous, if not allowed to dry out, they will get moldy. However, Teak is very dense, so it is far more mold and mildew resistant than bamboo is.
Any wooden shower benches can get moldy over time, though. You can help prevent this by squeegeeing the bench after each shower and removing any standing water. Another helpful tip is to keep your shower fan running until the moisture post-shower is dried up. Bleach won't kill mold that's infiltrated the surface. The best advice is to dry out the bench entirely, then use a commercial product like Concrobium to get rid of the mold.
Click here for this on Amazon.
In Summary
Bamboo is a perfect material for shower benches. It's naturally water-resistant and antimicrobial and comes in loads of great designs for any size shower.
We hope you found this post here at HomeDecorBliss.com informative. If you'd like to find out some more about showers, please check out our posts below: