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Many of us spend a lot of time in our bathroom getting ready for our day and winding down at night. And taking daily vitamins and medications, styling our hair, and handling personal hygiene and grooming require reaching for a lot of different products in this space.
While it might be convenient to store these items out on the bathroom countertop within an arm’s reach, it turns out that this isn’t such a smart idea after all. These items could add to clutter, get damaged by heat or humidity in the bathroom, destroy your countertop, or even fall down the sink drain to be lost forever.
Here are five items commonly found in the bathroom that you should never leave on the countertop, along with ideas for better storage solutions.
1. Toothbrushes
Though it may be common practice, it’s best to avoid storing your toothbrush or any oral care items directly on the bathroom counter, especially if they are uncovered, says Lori Bailey, a professional home organizer in New York and New Jersey known as “Miss Organized.” “Bathrooms are humid, high-traffic spaces, and every time the toilet is flushed, microscopic particles can become airborne and settle on nearby surfaces.”
Indeed, the American Dental Association (ADA) confirms that “toothbrushes have been shown to harbor bacteria (including fecal coliform bacteria that can be released into the air when the toilet is flushed or can be spread to the toothbrush when the owner touches a contaminated surface before handling his or her brush).”
Instead of storing your toothbrushes (electric or regular), floss, or waterpik out on the counter, Bailey suggests stashing your dental tools in a closed cabinet or drawer to keep them clean and protected. The ADA suggests keeping them upright and open to some air, so one helpful idea is to install a wall-mounted holder inside a large cabinet.
2. Jewelry
The biggest concern with keeping jewelry on the bathroom counter is the risk of small items falling into the sink and down the drain or falling onto the floor, says Bailey. “Also, water exposure can loosen gemstones and humidity can cause tarnishing, especially with silver or costume jewelry,” she adds.
“A much better solution is to keep your jewelry in a locked drawer in your closet or find a beautiful decorative jewelry box to house your special items away from the bathroom,” recommends Bailey. Make sure the box has a secure lid to protect it from moisture and dust.
There are many reasons not to keep your curling iron, hair straightener, hair dryer, or other heated styling tools out on your bathroom counter; first among these is safety. “They can become a fire risk if accidentally left on,” warns Bailey. Next, they might damage your countertop, as the intense heat can discolor or burn the surface. Plus, moisture and humidity can end up ruining the styling tools over time if left out. Finally, the tools and their long cords can add to undesirable clutter. “They are bulky, tend to tangle, and make your space look very chaotic,” says Bailey.
“I always recommend unplugging your hair tools when finished using them and storing them properly with an under-the-sink organizer,” notes Bailey. Place the tool in the organizer as soon as it cools. Another effective option is to mount hooks or a heat-resistant organizer to the inside of a cabinet door for easy access. Adding a charging station or electrical outlets inside a vanity drawer is also super helpful and keeps hair tools out of the way.
4. Makeup
If you leave your makeup and brushes out on the counter, dust, bacteria, and humidity can ruin them over time. “Bathrooms are steamy environments, and excess moisture can break down makeup formulas, reduce shelf life, and lead to bacterial growth, especially in creams and powders,” notes Bailey. Plus, those germs can end up on your face, causing skin breakouts.
Better storage options include using clear airtight drawer inserts or a makeup caddy kept in the vanity under the sink or inside a drawer or closet. Portable makeup bags and cases also work well. Keeping makeup and brushes off the counter also helps reduce clutter.
5. Medication
Never leave pills and other types of medication out on your countertop. They add to clutter and medications can become a safety hazard if children or pets get hold of them. Also, the heat and humidity in the bathroom can affect medications’ reliability. “The bathroom is far from ideal for storing your medications,” says Bailey. “Many medications lose effectiveness when stored in humid, warm areas like a bathroom.”
Bailey finds it more effective to store medications in a cool, dry place like a hallway linen closet or kitchen cabinet (away from heat sources) or a locked drawer in your bedroom.
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