5 Things You Should Never Store In Your Bathroom Cabinets

Professional organizers understand that even if it might seem like a particular product should be stored inside of the bathroom cabinets this isn’t always the best approach—for a whole range of reasons. Wondering what types of items you should be keeping in other areas of the house, like the linen closet or even the kitchen? Read on as two experts speak to five categories of personal care belongings that should probably live somewhere other than the loo.

Extra Toilet Paper

Keeping rolls of extra toilet paper tucked away in a bathroom cabinet where they’re easily accessible probably seems like a practical idea, but this is actually not the wisest decision, explains Eryn Donaldson, the founder of The Model Home in Washington, D.C. Because moisture can cause rolls to warp over time, Donaldson suggests that you only keep a couple of backup rolls in the bathroom, either in a cabinet or inside of a basket on the floor, but store the bulk of your extra toilet paper somewhere more dry, like in a hall closet.

Jewelry

Keeping your jewelry in the bathroom will make getting ready for the day much faster, right? Wrong. Donaldson advises against this and recommends sticking with a jewelry box in your bedroom. “Metals can tarnish faster in humid air, and cosmetics and hairspray in the room can corrode delicate finishes,” she shares.

Extra Towels And Linens

Your linen closet exists for a good reason—use it! Keeping towels and linens in the bathroom means that they will become susceptible to moisture, which may cause mustiness and mildew, Donaldson explains. If you must, keep just one to two extra towels in the bathroom at most, she adds.

Medicine And Vitamins

If you’ve been wondering for a while whether you should store your go-to medications and vitamins in the bathroom or in the kitchen, consider this your answer. Victoria Tran, the founder of Sorted Professional Organizing in New Orleans, Louisiana, says that the kitchen is the way to go. “A cool, dry kitchen cabinet near water and food is ideal, since many need to be taken with one or both,” she says. But that’s not the only reason—after all, she adds, heat and humidity in the bathroom can affect pills’ strength over time.

Backstock And Travel Items

There’s no need to use up your precious bathroom space storing items that you will not need to access every day. Tran recommends removing any backstock products or travel-sized minis from the bathroom to free up cabinets and drawers to house daily essentials. “Keep a back stock area in a linen closet and a grab-and-go travel kit stored outside the bathroom,” she says. And on that note, make sure that you aren’t holding onto products you will likely never utilize. “Be realistic,” Tran cautions.