A bowl of rice doesn't just belong on your kitchen table; it can also find a place in your bathroom. While you may know about the benefits of rice water for your complexion, you're probably unaware of the powers this starchy food can have in your personal sanctuary. Rice truly is a versatile ingredient.
A bowl of rice, an ally against humidity
Generally, when you prepare a bowl of rice, it's to decorate it with something delicious and then eat it. You don't have any other ideas in mind. Yet, that simple bowl of rice you whip up on lazy evenings can prove very useful in your bathroom. The idea isn't to improvise a meal in your bathtub with gingerbread-scented candles and cucumbers on your eyes. This bowl of rice isn't meant to end up in your stomach or on your face as a poultice. Here, the rice plays an unexpected role: it acts as a natural moisture absorber.
You've probably heard of the trick of putting a wet phone in a bag of dry rice. Well, it's not just a joke. The rice absorbs all the moisture. The bathroom is as humid as a rainforest in the Americas, and your walls are showing it. The atmosphere is more than just damp. The steam from your showers and washing doesn't vent well and ends up scorching the wallpaper.
Rice grains have the ability to absorb moisture from the surrounding air, slightly reducing condensation and limiting mold growth in susceptible areas. This is especially beneficial if you don't have a mechanical ventilation system or if your bathroom has no windows.
A simple way to neutralize odors
Does your bathroom smell musty or like old, wet laundry? Despite vanilla candles, patchouli incense, and lavender sachets, your room still has an unpleasant odor. It doesn't even smell like coconut shower gel or shea butter scrub , despite their strong scents. A bowl of rice is the solution to all your olfactory problems.
To take it a step further, some people add a few drops of essential oils —lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus—to their bowl to diffuse a soft, natural fragrance. In addition to absorbing moisture, the bowl becomes a small aromatic diffuser, transforming your bathroom into a more pleasant and relaxing space.
A way to care for your beauty products
Humidity doesn't just affect your walls, ceiling, and wooden baseboards. It also seeps into your palettes, loose powders, and blushes. Your beauty essentials change texture, your makeup becomes clumpy, and the active ingredients in your skincare products lose their effectiveness. The result: you're taking risks with every brushstroke. A bowl of rice, by absorbing moisture, saves you from disastrous makeup mishaps and truly makes your beauty products last longer.
Some practical tips
Putting a bowl of rice in your bathroom might seem trivial. Yet, it's a minimalist technique that has proven its worth and widely demonstrated its effectiveness. Your guests will likely assume you were distracted and forgot your meal in the bathroom. But in reality, it's a deliberate act of self-care. To maximize the effectiveness of this tip, here are a few simple suggestions:
- Choose a bowl that is large enough to hold a good amount of grains.
- Change the rice every two to three weeks to prevent it from losing its effectiveness or developing an odor.
- Add a few drops of essential oils to scent the room and enhance the feeling of cleanliness.
- Place it in a strategic location, away from direct water, but where air circulates, such as near a window or on a piece of furniture.
This simple, natural ritual may seem insignificant, but it truly helps make your bathroom healthier, more pleasant, and more inviting. So, the next time you're looking for a practical and gentle way to improve your home, consider this simple trick… Rice isn't just useful in your makeup bag and serums.
