13 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Bathroom

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Any home’s bathroom might be one of the most used spaces in the house, but it’s a tricky environment, too. Some items you may store there may be better off elsewhere, with fluctuating humidity, water, and heat present.

Having certain things in your bathroom wastes room and can end up ruining other things or becoming a hazard. This list will help you better understand what to move out of your bathroom and why.

Medications

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After all, you probably just keep your medication in the bathroom since it’s so convenient to grab it during your morning routine. But showers add humidity that can cause pills to deteriorate more quickly and end up decreasing their usefulness. Don’t store your meds in a hot and humid place, like next to your plugged in oven. Instead, keep them in a bedroom cabinet, or a kitchen drawer.

Makeup

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Although bathrooms may be the most obvious place to store your makeup, the heat and moisture can actually break down the makeup’s ingredients over time. It could cause faster expiration and even irritate if applied. Keep your beauty products stored in a dry, direct sunlight and humidity free area, and this will make them last longer.

Jewelry

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However, it’s tempting to leave your rings, bracelets and necklaces by the sink or on the bathroom counter, but the humidity can tarnish metals and make gemstones lose their sparkle. Your jewelry will wear it out sooner, as moisture speeds up the corrosion of some of these metals. If you have to store it in the bathroom as it’s the closest place, do yourself a favor and put it in a separate box in a separate place.

Razors

You might believe that razors belong in the bathroom, but leaving them out there in a humid climate causes them to rust and become dull much sooner. Store razors when you’ve finished using them in a dry cabinet or drawer in order to keep them sharp and rust free for longer.

Towels

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It might seem like a no brainer to store towels in the bathroom, but if your bathroom is poorly ventilated, those towels will stay damp longer. And so, it can cause mildew, musty odors and an unpleasant feel. Store extra towels in a linen closet; just keep the towel you’re using hung up to dry if it’s possible.

Perfume

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According to bastilleparfums.com, perfume loses its magic when it’s been exposed to too much heat and humidity, like makeup. Bathroom temperature changes will affect the type and duration of the scent. Keep your fragrance collection in a cool dry place such as a bedroom vanity, which is your best bet.

Books and Magazines

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You’ve probably seen those bathroom baskets filled with magazines and books, but your reading materials aren’t going to do so well there. Growing up with a magazine and newspaper loving father, with a paper truckstop subscription, the thought of the moisture in the air warping pages, damaging bindings, and turning my favorite reads into soggy messes never entered into the equation. If you have books and magazines, keep them in the living room or bedroom so they won’t suffer this fate.

Electronics

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It’s tempting to keep your hairdryer, straightener, or electric toothbrush in the bathroom, but it’s not the safest place. Water and electricity don’t get along, and exposing electronics to a humid environment can damage them or be dangerous. Keep your gadgets in a drawer or closet out of the way of the sink or shower.

Nail Polish

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Temperature fluctuations in the bathroom can go from extremely high, for instance, when hot water is running, to extremely low, causing even the most recent coat of nail polish to thicken and separate over time. Store your polishes in a nice, cool, dry place, like a dresser drawer, to keep your polishes smooth and easy to apply.

Skincare Products

Vitamin C serums and retinoids are sensitive to heat and light and will break down their active ingredients, as this Natura Bisse article agrees. Store these somewhere with a stable temperature to keep their effectiveness, say in your bedroom or a vanity outside the bathroom.

Toothbrushes

While it might seem counterintuitive, having your toothbrush on the bathroom counter, especially near the toilet, isn’t the most sanitary thing you can do. Tiny water particles can fly into the air every time you flush it, and land on your toothbrush. Gross, right? Keep it in a cabinet, or in a toothbrush holder with a cover if you want to have more hygienic storage.

Skincare Tools

Sure, facial rollers, gua sha stones, and other skincare tools may be cute on your bathroom counter, but moisture can break down some materials (jade or rose quartz, for instance) or dull their luster over time. Store these instead in a drawer, away from the humidity.

Paper Products

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Even if you don’t know it, things like toilet paper and tissues can soak up the moisture in the air. This can cause them to become soggy or encourage mold to grow. Put those extra paper products away in a closet or drawer that’s in a dry location away from the bathroom.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.