10 Items You Should Never Store in the Bathroom, From Towels to Makeup

Many bathrooms are brimming with untapped storage potential, from built-in cabinets to empty walls that are perfect for shelves. But that doesn't mean you can keep just anything in your bathroom. High moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations from the shower can cause mildew to form on certain items, while bacteria can be a problem, too. To keep your belongings safe and sanitary, we're sharing a few items you should never store in the bathroom.

Makeup

Storing every day makeup in the bathroom is convenient, but it's best to keep these products in an area with less humidity. "Bathrooms are typically more humid than other areas of the house due to showers and baths," says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean. "For makeup, high humidity can affect the texture and consistency of your products, causing them to degrade or spoil more quickly. This is particularly problematic for products like powders, creams, and mascara."

"Also, where there is humidity, bacterial growth can often follow if your room isn't well-ventilated. Moisture can encourage the growth of bacteria in makeup products, posing a risk to your skin when you apply the products," says Sokolowski

Medicine and Supplements

It may be called a "medicine cabinet," but experts recommend against storing medicine and supplements in the bathroom. The humidity and heat from taking a shower can make these items less effective. When medicine is stored at an extremely hot or cold temperature, it can become compromised or degrade more quickly.

Books and Magazines

While books and magazines are often used as décor in bathrooms, storing them here is unsanitary. "Books and magazines can absorb odors in the bathroom," says Sokolowski. "The variety of scents in a bathroom, from toiletries to cleaning products, may linger on the pages." Additionally, the humidity may warp the pages over time.

Non-Waterproof Electronics

Accidental water splashes can harm non-waterproof electronics. "If water comes into contact with sensitive components, it can lead to short circuits and irreversible damage," says Sokolowski. Additionally, using electronic devices near water sources increases the risk of electrical accidents, which can be potentially fatal.

Extra Razors

Keep backup razors out of the bathroom if they're not protected by their original packaging—humidity can create rust on razor blades. "Rust can dull the blades, making them less effective and potentially causing irritation during shaving," says Sokolowski.

Jewelry

Heat and moisture can tarnish certain metals and may damage gemstones or delicate materials in jewelry. "Jewelry can also come into contact with various personal care products in the bathroom, such as lotions, perfumes, or cleaning agents," says Sokolowski. "Some chemicals in these products may react with the metals or stones in the jewelry, leading to discoloration or damage."

Towels

Try to avoid leaving towels in your bathroom when you're not using them. "Similar to books and magazines, fabric can pick up a musty smell with repeated exposure to moisture," says Darla DeMorrow, certified professional organizer and owner of HeartWork Organizing. "An adjacent closet near the bathroom is excellent storage." If you don't have a linen closet, be sure to clean the towels in your bathroom regularly.

Backup Paper Products

Exposure to humidity, temperature fluctuations, and possible contact with other products in the bathroom can contribute to the degradation of paper products over time. "If you use aerosol products like air fresheners, hairsprays, or cleaning sprays in the bathroom, the particles from these products could settle on the backup paper products, potentially affecting their quality and cleanliness," says Sokolowski.

Photographs

While it's a nice sentiment, you should never keep photographs in the bathroom. "The emulsion on the front of a photo can pickup extra moisture and glue itself to the glass in a frame," says DeMorrow. "Once that happens, it’s stuck for good."

Nail Polish

Bathrooms often experience temperature changes, which can affect the consistency and quality of nail polish. "Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can lead to changes in the formulation, making the polish thick or clumpy," says Sokolowski.