At the end of a busy day, nothing beats a hot bath. To create a more relaxing atmosphere, some people like to read a book or sip a cup of tea while soaking in the bath, but may not have anywhere to put their things. A bathtub caddy solves this problem. This convenient caddy can store all bathing essentials, such as wine glasses, books or bathroom accessories.
What is a Bathtub Caddy?
A bathtub caddy is a caddy-like accessory that is placed across the bathtub, making it easy to place items such as books, candles, tablets and even drinks. Historically, the concept of a bathtub caddy originally evolved as a practical storage tool designed to keep things dry and within reach while bathing. Modern bathtub caddies have more features, such as wine glass slots, book shelves and areas for soaps and toiletries, making them a must-have for a luxurious bathing experience.
More than just a practical accessory, bathtub caddies are a lifestyle upgrade. They transform a simple bathing experience into a relaxing and luxurious one. Whether you want to read, sip a glass or simply organize your bathing supplies, bathtub caddies can keep everything organized, reduce stress and promote relaxation. With a variety of styles to suit different needs, bathtub caddies are an elegant choice that combines comfort and practicality.
How to Choose the Right Bathtub Caddy?
To find the right bathtub caddy, consider the following:
Size
Width: While all bathtub caddies are long enough to span the length of the bathtub (from left to right), they vary in width (from front to back). Many bathtub caddies are about 9 inches wide, but some are as narrow as 6 inches. The width has a big impact on the practicality of a bathtub caddy (i.e., its load-bearing capacity).
Adjustability: Most bathtubs are between 30 and 32 inches wide. Bathtub caddies are designed to rest on the edge of the bathtub and need to be long enough to cover this width. Adjustable caddies are useful, especially if your bathtub is not standard width. Some caddies are no longer than 33 inches, while others can extend up to 42 inches.
Weight: Bathtub caddies aren't heavy, but the weight difference between different styles may surprise you. Tub caddies made of plastic or stainless steel are the lightest, weighing about two pounds or less. Bamboo and teak tub caddies weigh about twice as much as plastic or stainless steel, between four and five pounds.
Materials
You'll find most tub caddies made from bamboo, teak, stainless steel, or plastic.
Bamboo: Many lavish-looking tub caddies are made from bamboo. This fast-growing, natural material is waterproof and durable, but it's not immune to mold or warping. Bamboo tub caddies need to be completely dried after each use.
Teak: Teak is another natural option. This tropical hardwood is very durable, and the oils in the wood make it waterproof. The downside is that teak is the most expensive option.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel tub caddies are also very durable and rust-resistant. Some also come with accessories like stemware caddies or tablet holders. These caddies are more versatile than bamboo caddies, and their basket design allows smaller items to fit easily into the tub.
Plastic: Plastic tub caddies are waterproof and inexpensive, but they may not be as versatile, durable, or functional as tub caddies made from other materials.
Special Features
Book/Tablet Holder: Used to hold reading material at an angle while you bathe. Some holders can adjust the angle of the book. When not in use, the holder should lie flat on the caddy.
Book/Tablet Cover: Some bathtub organizers come with clear plastic covers that fit over books or tablets to protect them from splashes.
Spa Tray: Spa trays can be used to hold bath bombs, soaps, and other items. They may also come with candle holders or phone holders. You may want a bathtub organizer with a removable spa tray, which makes it easier to organize the organizer while keeping your bathroom accessories neat and organized.
Cup Holder: The standard cup holder in a wine box provides easy access to drinks and doubles as a candle holder. Many wine boxes are also designed to hold one or two wine glasses. Some cup holders can hold the bottom of a wine glass. Although you need to slide the wine glass in and out of the slot, this type of cup holder is quite reliable and sturdy. Some wine boxes come with a clip-on cup holder to hold the wine glass by the stem.
Phone Holder: Some bathtub holders have slots for holding a phone upright for watching a movie or making a phone call.
Handles: Enjoy the natural feel of bamboo before you slide it into the tub. Silicone, rubber, or other non-slip material on the bottom of the tub holder helps keep it in place. Handles also protect your tub from scratches.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing and Using a Bathtub Caddy
Measure Your Tub: Measure the width of your tub with a tape measure. This ensures that the tub caddy will fit securely on the tub and won't slide off.
Choose a Material: Choose the material that best suits your bathroom decor and preferences.
Choose Features: Consider what features you need. Some tub caddies come with retractable arms to accommodate larger tub caddies, while others come with specialized holders for tablets, phones, or drinks.
Mount and Adjust: Position the tub caddy over the tub and adjust as needed. Many tub caddies come with non-slip pads to prevent sliding.
Organize Your Essentials: Arrange your bathing essentials on the organizer for balance and easy access. Make sure heavier items are in the middle to prevent tipping.
Benefits of a Bathtub Caddy
When choosing an organization solution for your bathtub, you may wonder if a caddy is the right one. All of the following scenarios might be ideal for a caddy.
Comfortable Soaking
After a busy day, nothing beats a warm bath. However, many people prefer to relax with a good book or phone. While some phones may be advertised as waterproof, in reality, most people don't want to experience waterproofing. E-readers and paper books are also best kept above the water.
To make the experience more relaxing, a bathtub caddy provides a safe place to place items. Bathers can lean back and enjoy the soak without worrying about whether their chosen entertainment will also be able to enjoy the soak. For added ambiance, light a scented candle or a delicious drink.
Drying Items Quickly
One of the great things about a bathtub caddy is that it has a basket-like design. This means that when items are placed in the tray, excess water drips off and the items dry quickly.
For loofahs and towels, this can help prevent mold growth. With plenty of air reaching the items from all sides, they will dry quickly and be ready for the next bath.
For soap, this will make the soap last longer. This way, the soap won't be sticky and will stay dry for next use.
Ultimately, this will also prevent water from dripping onto the floor, which reduces the risk of slips. Items don't need to be carried in and out of the tub, nor will they have water dripping onto the floor. Instead, they can be quickly placed on a convenient caddy for easy movement between tubs.
Make Bathing Your Child Easy
Bath time for the little ones in your family will be more enjoyable with a caddy. This tray not only holds kid-specific soaps and shampoos, but it also makes a great place to store bath toys. Put some rubber ducks on the caddy, or stack some waterproof building blocks to make bath time fun and enjoyable. After the bath, place the toys on the caddy to dry before putting them back.
Make Pet Bathing Easy
When bathing your furry family member, it can be a daunting task to keep everything neatly organized. Dogs and cats tend to wiggle and shiver, so you have to focus on getting the bath done as quickly as possible. Even for dogs and cats who love bathing, it can become a tedious chore when it comes to preparing soap, shampoo, drinking glasses, and conditioner.
With a tub caddy, you can prepare everything you need before you start your bath. This way, you can easily and quickly access your items during the bath and finish your bath quickly.
Keep Your Bath Safe and Tidy
If there is no place to store soap, shampoo bottles, and other bath supplies, they will soon slide into the bottom of the tub or roll onto the floor outside the tub.
This clutter can quickly become a safety hazard. Soap on the floor makes the floor slippery. Bottles and towels at the bottom of the tub are also slippery and can easily lead to falls.
With a tub caddy, items will not accumulate on the floor and the bottom of the tub. This means fewer trip hazards in the bathroom.
Bathtub Caddy Accessories
For homeowners with freestanding tubs and clawfoot tubs, bathtub caddies are a great storage solution. In addition to bathtub caddies, it will also be helpful to consider the following accessories:
Vintage Bathtub Drain Strainer: The upgraded bathtub drain has a built-in strainer to effectively prevent hair and pet hair from entering the drain. This drain has a stunning vintage style design that perfectly matches the elegant bathtub.
Soap Basket: For a busy family, one bathtub caddy may not have enough space to hold all the soaps and shampoos for the whole family. Install a dedicated soap basket to free up more space.
Towel Caddy: Install a towel caddy next to the bathtub to quickly dry yourself after a bath. This feature is especially useful when bathing children and pets.
Robe Hook: Soaking in the bathtub can bring ultimate relaxation. Install a bathrobe hook next to the bathtub to maintain this ultimate relaxation. After the bath, slip into a cozy bathrobe and relax.
