If you’re like most individuals, you typically spend an average of 30 minutes to an hour in your bathroom every day. As you finish your morning and evening bathroom routines, you want to have everything you need conveniently at hand. Though what if some of those items you’re keeping in the bathroom don’t belong there? By keeping some things in the wrong place, you could not only be cluttering up your bathroom space but also increase the chances of getting sick from bacteria and mold. To control both mess and these risks, here is a list of things you should not keep in your bathroom.
1. Towels and Bathrobe
Many people store their towels in a bathroom cabinet or shelf and hang their bathrobe there, too. But keeping fabrics in a warm, moist environment like a bathroom can be bad for your health. Damp towels will trap germs and bacteria, which will then transfer to your skin when you use them. The same thing goes for your bathrobe. If doable, try to keep your clean towels in a linen closet outside the bathroom and store your bathrobe in the bedroom.
2. Your Toothbrushes
Most people keep their toothbrushes by the bathroom sink. The only concern is that every time you flush your toilet, bacteria gets disseminated up into the air and can settle on your toothbrush – which then goes in your mouth. Pretty disgusting, if you think about it. Experts recommend keeping your toothbrush inside a drawer or cabinet, if possible. And close your toilet lid before you flush – every time!
3. Cosmetics and Nail Polish
You’re probably storing your makeup and nail polish in the bathroom, but that may not be the best home for them. Cosmetic products will go bad fast in damp environments, and cosmetic sponges can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Nail polish will also pass on faster if exposed to temperature swings and humidity. Therefore, it’s best to store makeup and nail polish in a cool, dry spot, like a bedroom drawer, for example.
4. Your Jewelry
Silver jewelry does not fare well in moist environments and can tarnish quickly when exposed to humid air like that in a bathroom. While gold won’t tarnish, it’s still best to keep your jewelry someplace that is both cool and dry all the time. Consider keeping your jewelry in a box in a bedroom drawer or your closet.
5. Prescription Medication
It’s a bit funny how so many people have a medicine cabinet in the bathroom, but you may want to think twice about it. For most medications to stay effective and not expire too quickly, they should be kept someplace dry. Because the bathroom can be humid so often, it can cause your medication to go bad or lose effectiveness in a relatively short amount of time. Keeping your medications in a kitchen cabinet, out of the reach of small children, is your best option.
6. Books, Photographs, and Art
Paper and photographs do not fare well in the humid air. Paper will absorb moisture, eventually growing mold if not stored properly. And this moisture will ruin your pictures, causing them to swell and curl prematurely. A humid bathroom will result in permanent damage to both photos and books, so it’s best to put these items elsewhere in your house.
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