23 Things You Should Move Out of Your Bathroom Now

Bathrooms are known for having a lot of moisture, which makes them a good place for bacteria and mold to grow. This can also cause products to go bad. Keeping things like towels, medicines, and perfumes in the bathroom can lead to clutter and affect your health and money over time.

A recent study found that often-used items like toothbrushes can have up to 200,000 kinds of germs, including E. coli and staphylococcus. This means your skincare products might not work as well, and your makeup brushes could pick up harmful bacteria.

In this article, we’ll break down the key items that should never live in your bathroom, explain why they are at risk, and offer practical solutions to keep them safe. It’s easy to overlook, but these small changes in storage could make a big difference in your hygiene and health. 

Have you ever thought about how your bathroom habits might be impacting your everyday items? Keep reading to find out if you’re making these common bathroom mistakes, and share in the comments if you spot one you didn’t expect!

Jewelry

The bathroom might seem like a convenient place to remove and store your jewelry, but moisture and humidity can cause metal to tarnish and dull. This is especially true for silver, gold, and even some costume jewelry pieces. 

Leaving your accessories out on bathroom counters can also increase the risk of them falling or being misplaced. For better protection, jewelry should be stored in a dry, safe space like a jewelry box or drawer. 

This ensures that your pieces stay polished and untarnished, while also reducing the risk of damage or loss.

Nail Polish

Nail polish is easily affected by changes in temperature. The temperature changes in a bathroom can make it thicker and less smooth. This means it doesn’t last as long and is harder to apply evenly.

A better place to store nail polish is in a cool, dry spot like a drawer in your bedroom or vanity. This helps keep the polish in good condition and makes it easier to apply smoothly for a longer time.

Loofahs and Sponges

Loofahs and bath sponges are popular for cleaning and removing dead skin, but they can grow bacteria and mold if kept in a wet bathroom. If they stay damp, bad germs can grow.

To stop this, replace loofahs often and dry them well after each use. Hang them outside the shower or in a place with good air flow so they dry better between uses.

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Medication

While it might seem convenient to store medications in your bathroom cabinet, it’s not the best idea. Bathrooms are usually humid, and constant exposure to heat and moisture can degrade medications, reducing their effectiveness. 

Pills and tablets can break down faster, and liquid medicines can become less stable in such environments. Instead, medications should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a bedroom drawer or a kitchen cabinet. 

Ensuring that they are away from direct sunlight and moisture will keep them potent and effective for longer periods.

Candles

Candles can make a bath feel more relaxing. But if you keep them in the bathroom for too long, it can cause problems. The bathroom’s damp air and changing temperatures can make the wax soft. This makes it hard to light the candles and they don’t last as long.

The smell of scented candles can also go away faster because of the moisture. It’s best to keep candles in a dry place, like a cabinet in another room. Only take them to the bathroom when you want to use them.

This way, your candles will stay good and smell nice for a longer time.

Toothbrushes

Let’s start with something you most likely have in your bathroom. Many people store their toothbrushes on the bathroom counter, but this may not be the most hygienic spot. When flushed, toilets can send tiny droplets of water into the air, contaminating toothbrushes with bacteria. 

On top of that, the humid bathroom environment can promote bacterial growth on toothbrush bristles. To avoid contamination, store toothbrushes in a closed cabinet or use a protective cover. This will help ensure they remain clean and free of harmful germs.

Makeup

Humidity in bathrooms can cause makeup products to break down faster. Items like foundation, powder, and eyeshadow can become contaminated by bacteria or moisture, leading to potential skin irritations. 

The high levels of moisture may also alter their consistency, making them difficult to apply. It’s better to store your makeup in a cool, dry area. Many people find it useful to keep their makeup in a vanity or dresser drawer away from the humidity of the bathroom. 

Not only will this help prolong the life of your products, but it will also reduce the risk of skin issues caused by contaminated makeup.

Electronics

It’s common to see electric toothbrushes, shavers, or radios in the bathroom, but they don’t do well there. Moisture can make the electrical parts rust, stop working, or become dangerous.

Keep electronic items like radios or shavers in a cabinet outside the bathroom or somewhere that keeps them dry. Only electric toothbrushes or special bathroom electronics that can handle lots of moisture should stay in the bathroom.

Towels

Keeping towels in the bathroom may seem logical, but damp towels are breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. Even if they’re hung up, the bathroom’s moist environment can prevent towels from drying thoroughly, making them smell unpleasant and unsanitary over time.

Storing your towels in a linen closet or drawer outside the bathroom ensures they remain fresh. Bringing a dry towel into the bathroom only when needed helps keep them free of mildew and reduces the growth of harmful bacteria.

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Perfume

Perfume bottles are often displayed in bathrooms, but the temperature fluctuations and humidity can cause the scent to deteriorate more quickly. The oils and alcohol in perfumes break down in warm, moist environments, reducing their longevity and intensity.

To preserve the fragrance, store your perfumes in a cool, dark place, like a closet or dresser drawer. This will keep the scent intact and allow you to enjoy your perfume for as long as possible.

Books and Magazines

Reading materials are often kept in bathrooms, but paper doesn’t do well with constant moisture and humidity. Pages can bend, curl, or get moldy, making them hard to read or unpleasant to touch.

If you like reading in the bathroom, it’s a good idea to store books and magazines in a different room. Bring them in only when you need them. This way, you can enjoy your reading without worrying about it getting damaged by the bathroom’s damp environment.

Razors

Leaving razors in the bathroom, particularly in the shower, exposes them to constant moisture, which can cause rusting and reduce their lifespan. Rusty razors are also dangerous as they can lead to nicks and infections when used.

It’s advisable to store razors in a dry cabinet or drawer. If you must leave them in the bathroom, ensure they’re stored in a place that stays dry, away from constant water exposure.

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Hair Styling Tools

Flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers are often kept in the bathroom for easy use. But the damp air can make them rust or stop working. The parts inside these tools don’t like the wet air found in bathrooms.

It’s better to keep hair styling tools in a dry, safe place outside the bathroom. This helps them last longer and work well. Only take them into the bathroom when you need to use them.

Cleaning Products

Some people store their bathroom cleaning products under the sink or in a cabinet, but many cleaning products have chemicals that can become less effective in humid environments. Also, storing these products improperly can pose a risk if they leak or mix with other items.

A better option is to store cleaning products in a utility closet or an area outside of the bathroom where they won’t be affected by moisture. This keeps them safe and effective for when you need them.

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Spare Toiletries

Keeping extra shampoo, conditioner, and soap in the bathroom is easy, but it’s not the best place. The changing temperature and humidity can make the products go bad faster.

Plastic bottles can bend, and the mix of ingredients can change when they get too hot. It’s best to store extra toiletries in a cool, dry place like a closet or cupboard. This helps keep the products fresh and makes sure they work well.

Cosmetic Brushes

Makeup brushes often find a place in the bathroom for easy access, but similar to toothbrushes, exposure to moisture can lead to the growth of bacteria on the bristles. This can lead to skin issues when the brushes are used again on the face.

For cleanliness and safety, store your makeup brushes in a dry area. Clean them regularly and allow them to dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated space before storing.

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Skincare Products

Skincare products like serums, creams, and oils can go bad if kept in a humid place. Some ingredients in these products stop working well when they get hot and wet.

To get the best results, keep your skincare products in a cool, dry place, not in the bathroom. This helps them work better and last longer.

First-Aid Supplies

First-aid kits or individual items like bandages and antiseptic creams are often stored in bathrooms. Though, the heat and humidity can cause adhesive bandages to lose their stickiness and creams to degrade faster than usual.

Storing first-aid supplies in a cool, dry place like a bedroom closet ensures they remain effective when needed. Avoid keeping them in the bathroom, where the humid conditions can shorten their shelf life.

Essential Oils

Keeping essential oils in the bathroom might not be a good idea because the changing temperatures can make them less effective. It’s better to store them in a cool, dark place to keep them smelling nice and working well.

Move your essential oils to a shelf or drawer in your bedroom, away from light and heat. This helps them stay useful for a longer time.

Cotton Products

Items like cotton balls, pads, and swabs absorb moisture easily and can become contaminated with mold or bacteria when left in a damp bathroom environment. These products should remain dry to avoid introducing germs into your skincare routine.

To keep them clean and usable, store cotton products in an airtight container or in a drawer outside the bathroom.

Art Prints and Posters

Art prints and posters may add personality to your bathroom, but the constant exposure to humidity can damage them over time. Paper, even when framed, is sensitive to moisture and can warp, fade, or develop mold. 

The glass or plastic in frames can also trap condensation, speeding up the damage process. For better preservation, art prints and posters should be kept in rooms with controlled humidity levels.

If you want decorative items in your bathroom, consider using moisture-resistant materials like metal or ceramic art, which can withstand the damp environment without deteriorating.

Bar Soap Without a Proper Dish

Leaving bar soap directly on the bathroom counter or shower ledge without a soap dish can cause it to become mushy and break down faster. The soap is constantly exposed to water and humidity, which prevents it from drying properly between uses. This not only wastes soap but also creates an unappealing, slimy residue.

Using a proper soap dish with drainage will allow the soap to dry more thoroughly, prolonging its life and keeping your bathroom cleaner. If possible, store bar soap in a drier area between uses to avoid excessive moisture buildup.

Wicker Baskets

Wicker baskets are often used for bathroom storage, but they don’t do well with moisture. When they get wet, they can bend, grow mold, or change color. Over time, they become weaker and might not work anymore.

It’s better to use plastic or metal baskets in the bathroom. These materials can handle moisture and keep their shape and look, even when it’s humid. They are practical for storing things too.

Be On Top of Your Bathroom Space and Health

Taking care of your health and belongings begins with small changes in how you store things. Move towels, medicines, and your favorite perfumes from the bathroom to a drier, cooler place. This keeps them working well and safe to use.

This will make your bathroom neater and help you avoid buying new things or fixing things later. Small changes can make a big difference, so start now!

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