There’s something oddly comforting about stumbling across someone online who’s done their homework. I came across a discussion recently where someone had just bought a 1986-built house and was methodically working through the puzzle of that mysterious “grandparents’ house” smell that seemed to cling to everything. What struck me wasn’t just their thoroughness – they’d already replaced carpets, deep cleaned floors, identified humidity issues, and were planning strategic attacks with ozone machines – but how universally relatable this problem seems to be.

There’s something uniquely Australian about stepping out of a steaming hot shower on a cold winter morning, only to be greeted by a towel that feels like it’s been stored in a meat locker. It’s one of those small miseries that we just accept as part of life, like waiting for the 96 tram on a rainy Tuesday or watching the Demons lose a game they should have won.

But recently, I’ve been following an interesting discussion online about electric towel rails, and it’s got me thinking about those small creature comforts that can make a genuine difference to our daily lives. The conversation started with someone asking for advice on portable electric towel rails – which brands offer the best bang for your buck, running costs, that sort of thing. What followed was a fascinating mix of practical advice, energy calculations, and some surprisingly passionate advocacy for warm towels.