The bathroom is a convenient place to store things, especially those things you need to look and feel your best. However, because of the heat and humidity in a typical bathroom, it’s not always the best place to keep these items. Here’s our list of things you shouldn’t keep in the loo.
Originally published on May 14, 2018.
Medication
Most medications say on the package that you need to store them in a cool dry place: the opposite of what conditions in your bathroom are. Not storing medicine correctly can reduce its efficiency or even make it go bad. A better place to keep your medication is in a drawer in your bedroom, out of reach of children and pets.
RELATED: 30 Before and After Bathroom Renovations.
Vitamins
Vitamins and other supplements can last for years if they’re store correctly. This means storing them in a cool, dry place and not in the bathroom medicine cabinet.
You might also like: 9 Major Mistakes to Avoid When Renovating Your Bathroom.
Toothbrushes
Of course you want to keep your toothbrush in the place where you brush your teeth but whenever you flush your toilet, it releases bacteria into the air. Heat and moisture are ideal conditions for these bacteria to multiply, so keep toothbrushes in a cool, dry place – like your bedroom.
Razors
Humidity causes metal to rust, so keeping non-stainless steel razors in the dampness of your bathroom isn’t such a great idea. They’ll last longer if you keep them somewhere cool and dry.
Make-up
Constant temperature changes, such as those you get in the bathroom, can cause make-up to become dry and even to change colour. Your make-up will last longer if you keep it in your bedroom.
Make-up Brushes and Sponges
Bacteria and mould love the many hiding places that make-up brushes and sponges offer and if you add heat and moisture, they’ll be even happier. The dresser in your bedroom is a better storage space and just as convenient as the bathroom.
Nail Polish
Heat and light can change nail polish’s consistency and colour because they activate the solvents in the formula. Instead of keeping your nail polish in the bathroom, store the bottles in an upright position somewhere cool and dark.
Towels
There’s nothing like wrapping yourself in a soft, clean, fresh-smelling towel after your bath or shower but keeping your spare towels in a cupboard in this humid environment will make them become smelly with mould and mildew. Instead, keep them in a linen closet in the hallway and grab one before you enter the bathroom.
Bathrobe
Your bathrobe, like your clean towels, will start smelling musty if you keep it in the humidity of the bathroom. Instead, keep it in an airing cupboard or in a well-ventilated part of your bedroom.
Jewellery
Humidity causes metals to tarnish, which is why you need to clean your jewellery more often when temperatures are high and your body is sweaty. This is also why it’s better to store your jewellery in a jewellery box in your bedroom than in a humid bathroom.
Fragrances
According to Perfume.org, perfume’s two main enemies are light and fluctuations in temperature, which will cause the fragrance to deteriorate and even change its smell. The best place to store your favourite fragrance is in its box or in a dresser drawer or cupboard.
Birth Control Pills
Like most medications, birth control is best stored in a cool, dry environment. Keeping your birth control pills in the heat and humidity of the bathroom will make them lose their effectiveness more quickly. Store them in your bedroom along with your toothbrush so you’ll remember to take them.
Condoms
Extreme heat or cold can weaken and dry out latex, so condoms are best kept at room temperature in a moisture-free environment and out of direct light. This means the drawer of your bedside table is a better place to keep your condoms than the bathroom. It’s more convenient.
Books and Magazines
Mould loves paper and will destroy your books and magazines if you keep them in a warm, humid environment. In addition, there is always the risk of water splashing onto them. If you want to have reading material for a trip to the bathroom, keep some on a shelf in the hallway, outside the bathroom door.
Electronics
Moisture can wreak havoc on the sensitive components of electronics, causing them to rust. Make your bathroom a phone-free zone and if you need to have music or the morning news while you shower, invest in a waterproof radio specifically made for the bathroom.
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