11 Things That Should Not Be Stored in the Bathroom

Each item in a house has its own place. And regardless of the size of our house, we all store most of our things in the bathroom. It’s actually very convenient that the hairdryer, the laundry basket, the feminine hygiene items, and manicure tools are always at hand. But few of us ever think that such an ordinary location can cause irreversible harm to these items.

We at Bright Side made a list of things that should not be stored in the bathroom.

1. Laundry basket

A laundry basket located in the bathroom is definitely a perfect idea. It’s convenient to put dirty clothes in right before taking a shower and used towels right after. However, due to the increased humidity, things like mold and a sour smell can appear in your clothes. Also, it will promote the reproduction of various bacteria, and even a washing cycle at 140°F won’t be able to help get rid of them.

2. Kitty litter

It’s all about the filler — it perfectly absorbs dampness while falling into smaller pieces. If your pet’s litterbox is located in the bathroom, the filler will also absorb the steam from the air and lose its properties. It also contributes to the distribution of an unpleasant smell. Manufacturers recommend storing the litter in a dry, well-aired place. In addition to that, people often close the bathroom door, meaning that your cat might find itself locked out.

3. Towels and robes

Nowadays we see photos where nicely folded towels are lying on open shelves in the bathroom and where robes that are hanging on hangers are very trendy. But if you decide to store them this way, you should forget about the nice touch of a clean, dry towel. All because your towels and robes will always be damp, which is the perfect environment for harboring bacteria. So, you’d better find another place in your house to store clean bath items.

• No matter how hot and dry your bathroom is, towels are always damp. That’s why I keep only those towels that we are using in the bathroom. The rest are kept in the drawer in the bedroom. It’s not hard for me to bring a stack of fresh towels to replace the dirty ones 2 times a week. © Swetlana / Babyblog

Moreover, try to avoid drying used wet towels on a hook hanger. It’s better to place them in a well-aired room or on a special towel dryer.

• It’s only extra towels that can be stored folded or rolled. If you fold or roll a towel after you use it, it won’t dry and will start to smell bad! This option is possible only if you use a towel once and put it in the wash right after. But in this case, your life will be an eternal cycle of washing, drying, and folding towels nicely. © Аlyona / Babyblog

4. Plants

Home plants can liven up the interior of any room and the bathroom is no exception. However, there is a range of conditions you need to follow. First of all, it’s necessary to have daylight in the room because photosynthesis is not possible without it. If there is no window in the room, you’ll have to get yourself a daylight lamp.

Secondly, you’ll need to provide air circulation. The ventilation of the room is necessary for preventing rotting and the appearance of fungal diseases. Also, when humid air stagnates, mold and powdery mildew, which is actually very difficult to fight, can appear in the room and on the plants. In any case, you’ll have to remove the plants from the bathroom and put them into any other room where there is a direct source of light.

Here is what one girl said about it, “Plants in the bathroom is a bad idea for an ordinary apartment. There is no proper lighting, which means you’ll soon get tired of frequently replacing the plants. It’s hard to protect plants from the effects of synthetic detergents. There are constant temperature and humidity changes. If your bathroom is more than 100 square feet, if there is a window in it, and if there is a good exhaust fan in the room, then this idea is super. Ah, and there should be a cleaner who will be washing all these plants to make the idea perfect!”

The good thing is that you can bring the plants with you before taking a shower to let them get saturated with moisture with the help of the steam.

"Every time I shower I pick a couple of plants to come with me. They look extra pretty after a good steam!"

5. Feminine hygiene items

Dampness is the main foe of cotton, which tampons and hygienic pads are usually made from. This material is highly susceptible to mold spores and bacteria, while heat and moisture promote the growth and reproduction of microbes, which can affect your well-being. Moreover, pads and tampons can simply absorb moisture and swell. By the way, cotton balls, cotton pads, and ordinary cotton can suffer the same fate.

Try to store the open pack of female hygiene items in a dry, well-aired place. It’s better if each separate item has an individual package. It serves as a guarantee of their sterility even after you open the main package.

6. Birth control pills

Just like many types of medicine, birth control pills are not supposed to be stored near humidity or heat. Even if they are in sealed packaging, they get spoiled quickly. Temperature fluctuations can change the chemical composition of the product. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised to see 2 stripes on your pregnancy test if you keep your pills in the bathroom. Any cabinet in the living room will suffice for storing medication.

7. Manicure tools

No matter how good the quality of the steel is that your scissors, tweezers, and files are made of, sooner or later they will start to rust if you store them in the bathroom for a long time (even if you’ve never used them). After all, steam is also water.

8. Electrical appliances

“Where else, apart from the bathroom, can you store a hairdryer and an electric shaver?” you might wonder. It’s logical and convenient to use these items in this room. However, the steam and moisture greatly decrease the working life of electrical appliances. And it’s not just because this item can stop working if water or moisture gets inside, but it can also cause an electric shock if touched with wet hands.

9. Nail polish

Due to changes in temperature and humidity, your nail polish will spoil faster — it will thicken and fade. There are many places that are more appropriate for storing nail polish like various boxes, drawers, closets, and shelves. The main thing to keep in mind is that this item should be stored in a cool dry place protected from light at approximately the same temperature.

10. Open shaving razors

The razor blades oxidize and rust due to increased humidity. Spare blades can deteriorate before you even start using them. That’s why you can only store razors in sealed packages when it comes to the bathroom. Moreover, in order to extend the life of your blades, you should dry the razor after using it in order to avoid the appearance of rust.

11. Wax strips

Wax starts to melt and the strip is no longer effective when exposed to high temperatures. If you don’t use it right after exposure, the strip will lose its properties and won’t be able to perform its function properly at the necessary moment. Manufacturers warn that wax shouldn’t come into contact with water. That’s why it’s better to store wax strips in a dry place.

Which of these storage rules became a revelation for you?