From applying makeup to styling your hair, bathrooms are among the most frequently used spaces in any home. It's where you get ready to get out, relax after a long day, remove accessories or put them on in front of the mirror and do a lot of self-maintenance. While it might be tempting to store all your daily essentials there for convenience, you should proceed with caution, because it's not always the smartest idea, as you'll see below.
Believe it or not, there are certain items that should never be stored in the bathroom, mainly due to extreme moisture and temperature fluctuations. Here are nine things to keep out of your bathroom to maintain a safe and functional home.
The bathroom isn't the best place to store medicine and vitamins, which may surprise you. Showers make the space far too damp and hot to safely store these items. Instead, keep all medications and vitamins in a cool, dry location, ensuring they're out of reach of children and pets.
Have a speaker or other electronics in your bathroom? Non-waterproof electronics pose both fire hazards and electric shock risks in bathroom environments.
Important safety tip: All bathrooms must be equipped with GFCI outlets (ground-fault circuit-interrupters), which prevent fires and electric shock by cutting off electricity to damaged equipment. Even with these safety features, it's always best to unplug electronics when not in use.
Avoid storing retinol and vitamin C skincare products in the bathroom. These products contain sensitive ingredients that can degrade as bathroom temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.
While skincare products undergo stability testing and include preservatives to maintain their effectiveness for the timeframe indicated on packaging, the extreme conditions in bathrooms can still compromise their potency. The active ingredients—whether retinol or vitamin C—work best when stored in stable environments.
Your favorite fragrances are delicate and can be easily ruined by a bathroom environment. Perfumes and colognes are composed of alcohol (ethanol) and sensitive essential oils that can evaporate and break down in warm, humid conditions. This process alters the chemical structure of the fragrance, changing its intended scent profile over time and shortening its lifespan. To preserve their quality, store fragrances in their original boxes inside vanities or drawers away from direct light and heat
While you obviously use your razor in the shower, its storage spot should be elsewhere. The constant humidity and lingering water can cause bacteria and even rust to form on razor blades over time. Using a compromised blade can lead to skin irritation, razor burn, nicks, and potential infections. To prevent bacterial growth and maintain hygiene, dry your razor after each use and keep any extra, unopened blades in a dry area away from steam.
The bathroom isn't a safe spot for any aerosol cans, including deodorant, hairsprays, dry shampoo, and cleaning solutions. These cans are pressurized, and constant high temperatures from hot showers can cause the pressure inside to build. This can lead to the can becoming distorted, leaking its contents, or in extreme cases, even exploding, which poses a serious safety risk.
Your favorite bronzers, blushes, eyeshadows, and setting powders do not belong in the bathroom. The humidity can cause these products to cake, form a hard, unusable layer on top, and become difficult to apply smoothly. More importantly, powder products can harbor and grow bacteria when consistently exposed to dampness. This not only leads to a shorter shelf life but can also cause skin irritation, clogged pores, and breakouts. Keep these products on your vanity, in a bedroom dresser, or in sealed makeup organizers to maintain their quality and texture.
Never make the bathroom a permanent home for your jewelry. Humidity is a primary cause of tarnish, especially for sterling silver and costume jewelry. The moisture in the air can accelerate the oxidation process, causing metals to darken and lose their shine. Over time, this moisture can also weaken delicate clasps and settings, increasing the risk of damage or loss. Store your jewelry in a proper fabric-lined organizer in your bedroom or closet to keep it safe, dry, and sparkling.
While it's enjoyable to unwind with a warm bath and a good read, remove any books or magazines once you're finished. Don't get into the habit of storing a collection of reading material in your bathroom long-term.
Books and magazines are particularly problematic because their pulpy pages absorb and hold onto moisture, creating an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. This not only damages your reading materials but can also contribute to poor air quality in your bathroom.
