These Items Don't Belong in Your Bathroom (Here's Where To Put Them Instead)

Bathroom cabinets have become a catch-all for many of our important items, and it makes sense to keep things there. After all, we use them constantly, and it's pretty convenient to store certain items there. But the bathroom environment is not suitable for all products—these items should find a new home.

View Through Bathroom Cabinet Of Woman Brushing Teeth And Checking Phone Before Going To Work.Photo byMonkey Business Images/Shutterstock.

While bathrooms are often considered convenient storage spaces, many everyday items can deteriorate or lose effectiveness when exposed to the room’s warm and humid environment.

“Your bathroom may seem like a good place to keep essentials close by, but the dampness and fluctuating temperatures caused by everyday functions like showering can have adverse effects on a surprising number of items,” explains Karl Graham, a storage expert and the spokesperson for Click Storage. “Improper bathroom storage can compromise both health and product quality.”

These items should be taken out of your bathroom and placed somewhere else.

Medications

Storing medications in a bathroom cabinet is widespread, but it's not ideal. “The humidity and heat can cause medications to break down faster, making them less effective or even unsafe,” says Graham.

This applies to both prescription drugs and over-the-counter items like pain relievers. Graham suggests storing them in a cool, dry place such as a kitchen cabinet or bedroom drawer for optimal shelf life.

Makeup

Humidity is makeup’s worst enemy, especially for powder-based products like eyeshadow and foundation. “When exposed to moisture, makeup can harbor bacteria, making it unsafe for use on your skin and potentially causing breakouts,” warns Graham.

Keep makeup in a vanity outside the bathroom or a bedroom dresser with better temperature control to avoid contamination and maintain quality.

Perfume

Perfume bottles may add a touch of luxury to your bathroom décor, but the room’s constant heat and humidity can degrade the fragrance over time. “The heat causes the perfume’s chemical composition to break down, which weakens the scent and shortens its lifespan,” says Graham.

Store perfumes in a cool, dry place, like a bedroom closet or dresser, away from direct sunlight. This way, if you’ve invested in an expensive perfume, you can make it last as long as possible.

Electronics

Keeping electronics in the bathroom can be risky, whether it's your electric toothbrush or hair dryer. “The combination of water and electricity is always a concern, but the long-term exposure to moisture can also lead to internal corrosion or malfunction,” explains Graham.

Batteries in these devices can corrode and even explode if they are damaged enough. To avoid this worst-case scenario, store devices in a dry, well-ventilated area when not in use, such as a linen closet or a shelf outside the bathroom.

Towels

While storing towels where you use them seems logical, the bathroom’s humid environment can cause them to stay damp longer, leading to mildew and unpleasant odors.

“Storing towels in the bathroom makes them more susceptible to developing mold, which is not only a hygiene issue but can also damage the fabric and emit a terrible smell,” says Graham. “I suggest keeping towels in a linen closet or hung on the back of your bedroom door.”

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