Good call on the silicone grease—definitely beats silica packs in a humid bathroom. Had a similar issue after our reno, and honestly, improving airflow made a huge difference. We installed a small vent fan (super quiet one, thankfully) and it really helped keep moisture down overall. Plus, fewer foggy mirrors is always a bonus... Worth considering if you haven't already!
You're spot-on about airflow being a game changer. We had a similar situation after switching to low-VOC paints and eco-friendly materials in our bathroom remodel. Initially, moisture buildup was a real headache—especially in the colder months when we couldn't just crack open a window.
We opted for a quiet, energy-efficient vent fan as well, and it was definitely worth the investment. Not only did it help with humidity control, but we also noticed fewer mold issues cropping up around the grout and corners. Another thing that helped us was choosing moisture-resistant plants like snake plants or pothos—sounds minor, but they absorb humidity naturally and add some greenery without extra maintenance.
Silicone grease is indeed better than silica packs for fixtures; silica packs are more of a temporary fix, and honestly, they're pretty wasteful since you need to replace them frequently. Silicone grease lasts longer and doesn't end up in the trash every few weeks.
It's great you're finding solutions that work sustainably over the long term. Bathroom renos can be tricky—so many little details you don't think about until afterward—but sounds like you've got things under control now.
"Another thing that helped us was choosing moisture-resistant plants like snake plants or pothos—sounds minor, but they absorb humidity naturally and add some greenery without extra maintenance."
Funny you mention pothos—I swear mine thrives better in the bathroom than anywhere else. Maybe it's the steam showers? Now I'm curious, anyone tried ferns in there...or is that just asking for trouble?
Funny you mention ferns—I actually gave them a shot in my bathroom last year, thinking they'd love the humidity. At first, they seemed super happy, lush and green...but then I realized they were way pickier than pothos or snake plants. Turns out, ferns like humidity but they're also pretty sensitive to temperature swings and drafts. My bathroom window gets chilly in winter, and the fern definitely let me know it wasn't thrilled about that.
"Maybe it's the steam showers?"
Honestly, I think you're onto something there. My pothos practically doubled in size after I moved it into the bathroom. It's like the steam showers are some kind of spa treatment for plants, haha. Ferns might work if your bathroom stays consistently warm and humid, but if you're like me and occasionally crack open a window or have cooler nights, they might get a bit dramatic. Still, they're gorgeous plants—might be worth experimenting with a smaller one first to see how it goes.
Did you try a spider plant yet? I put one in my bathroom after the fern fiasco (same issue—too drafty), and it's been thriving ever since. Seems like spider plants handle temperature swings better, plus they love humidity too. Might be worth a shot if you're still looking for something green that's not as picky as ferns...