Haha, totally relate to the towel rack thing. Bought a fancy chrome soap dish once thinking it'd last forever, and it started rusting in like two months. Meanwhile, my dollar-store plastic toothbrush holder looks brand new after years... life's funny like that.
I hear you on the chrome stuff. We went with bamboo accessories thinking they'd be eco-friendly and durable, but turns out they're super sensitive to moisture. Within a couple months, the soap dispenser started getting moldy spots—gross. Ended up switching back to ceramic, which honestly feels safer and lasts way longer. Funny how sometimes the simplest materials end up being the most reliable...
Had a similar experience with bamboo shelves in one of my rental bathrooms. Thought they'd look nice and eco-friendly, but within weeks they started warping and developing mold spots. Ended up swapping them out for stainless steel—doesn't look as cozy, but it's sturdy and easy to sanitize. Learned my lesson: durability and hygiene first, aesthetics second...especially when multiple people are using the space.
Good call on switching to stainless steel. I've seen bamboo shelves cause similar issues in bathrooms, especially when ventilation isn't ideal. Mold and warping aren't just aesthetic problems—they can quickly become health and safety concerns, particularly in shared spaces. Stainless steel might not have that warm, cozy vibe, but it's definitely the safer and more practical choice. Plus, it's easier to clean and sanitize regularly, which is crucial when multiple people are using the bathroom. Sometimes the best-looking materials aren't always the most functional or safe in the long run... Glad you found a solution that works better for everyone involved.
Definitely the right move going stainless steel. I've had to rip out plenty of bamboo and wood shelving from bathrooms—no fun dealing with moldy shelves that crumble when you touch them. Stainless steel might feel a bit clinical, but beats mold remediation any day...
