There are good reasons why you should be storing many common bathroom items somewhere other than the bathroom.
Towels
Many bathrooms include linen closets where people store their bath towels, but the humid environment isn’t the ideal place for them. If available, hallway linen closets are the best place to store towels because they won’t be exposed to high humidity levels, which can cause mildew to develop, resulting in a musty smell. The same rule applies to bathrobes and other linens.
Razors
Razor blades are generally made from stainless steel, which is designed to resist rust and corrosion, but they can still be negatively impacted by high-moisture environments. While it’s OK to keep the razor you’re actively using in the shower or medicine cabinet, it’s best to store extra blades in a dry space outside the bathroom.
Toothbrushes
This one may seem a bit counterintuitive since the bathroom is where you brush your teeth, but storing your toothbrush holder on the bathroom counter could turn it into a breeding ground for bacteria. Every time you flush the toilet, bacteria are released into the air, and the humid conditions in a bathroom cause these bacteria to multiply quickly. If you can’t keep your toothbrush contained in a medicine cabinet, it’s best to store it outside the bathroom.
Photographs
While the bathroom may seem like a great spot to display family photographs, they’re at risk of being damaged by humidity. Even if they’re framed well, moisture can make its way under the glass and spawn mold. To avoid ruining your treasured family photos, store them elsewhere or make copies to ensure you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.
Prescription Medication
While many of us store our prescription medication in the bathroom—it is called a medicine cabinet, after all—it’s not the ideal environment for pills and potions. Most prescription bottles stipulate that they should be stored in a cool, dry place, and the bathroom is likely the most humid place in your home. Instead, keep your prescription bottles in your bedroom in a spot where they’re out of reach of children. The same recommendation applies to vitamins as well.
Painted Wood Furniture
An antique wood chair or armoire can add some vintage charm to a bathroom, but painted wood furniture will potentially be damaged in a humid environment. When humidity levels fluctuate, wood expands and contracts, which will cause the paint coating to split, blister, and lift off. When decorating your bathroom, choose wood pieces that are stained rather than painted.
Makeup
Cosmetic products are sensitive to both humidity and drastic temperature changes, and damp makeup sponges can quickly become moldy in a humid environment. Similarly, personal fragrances like perfume and cologne will quickly deteriorate when stored in areas that experience high humidity levels.
Books
Many people leave books and magazines in the bathroom to provide casual reading material, but paper products absorb moisture readily, making them prone to developing mold when stored in a moist environment. Keep books on a shelf just outside the bathroom to avoid this issue while still offering an option for entertainment.
Jewelry
Jewelry doesn’t tolerate moist environments, especially if it’s made from sterling silver, which tarnishes quickly when exposed to high humidity levels. Rather than keeping your jewelry box on a bathroom counter or vanity, store it in your bedroom or closet to keep your rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings looking shiny and new.
