What to Keep and Not to Keep in Bathroom Shelves

When you rent a storage space, you’re told to avoid certain common mistakes. But there are also are rules when it comes to storing things in your kitchen, bedroom, attic, and bathroom!

The unique environment of a bathroom presents a distinct challenge because of how constant steam dominates this space. There are temperature fluctuations and elevated humidity there as well. Using a bathroom shelf organizer or setting up shower shelves means you need to be very careful when choosing these items. Putting heat-sensitive or moisture-vulnerable items in your bathroom can lead to mold growth, ruined formulas, or unsafe clutter for family members.

Understanding proper organization for your bathroom storage shelf protects your belongings and creates a functional space. We’ll share some useful tips and practical suggestions here.

What to Keep

If you have embraced an open-shelf style for your bathroom shelves to make room for all your stuff, keep in mind that not every item goes there. These shelves are perfect for holding items that thrive easily in humid conditions and withstand daily exposure to moisture. Including: 

• Daily Bathing Essentials: The bathroom is the right place for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, & facial cleansers. You can put these things on your shower shelves. Just choose durable plastic/shatterproof containers to make slippery tile floors safer.
• Moisture-Resistant Accessories: Non-porous materials are fine. Like plastic, silicone, stainless steel, ceramic items, etc. These things hold up exceptionally well to steam.
• Sealed Daily Toiletries: No problem with storing frequently used items like deodorant, styling products, body lotion, and contact solution on open shelves outside the direct shower stream. Don’t forget to keep a few folded hand towels on higher shelves where water droplets can’t reach them.

What Not to Keep

There are a lot of things that people like to keep in a bathroom. But excess humidity & airborne steam can speed up product breakdown. Humidity also makes bathrooms a perfect breeding place for bacteria. That’s why certain items shouldn’t be kept on bathroom shelves; instead, it is better to keep some items in external storage. Here’s what you shouldn’t keep in bathrooms:

• Meds & First-Aid Supplies: Since heat and moisture break down those active medical compounds in your prescription medications, your pills & liquids can spoil easily; they may lose their potency faster when you don’t put them somewhere safe. If you have a first-aid kit, you should keep it somewhere dry. Like a hallway closet or bedroom.
• Makeup & Skincare Items: Your liquid foundation, mascara, powders, and natural skin serums may degrade when exposed to heat & humidity. Moisture changes a product’s consistency. Also, humidity invites bacterial growth inside open makeup containers.
• Metal Razors and Electronics: Unsealed razor blades can oxidize and rust quickly if you leave them in humid air. The result? Blades dull prematurely. The same goes for your electric trimmers, hair dryers, curling irons, etc.
• Paper Products & Bulk Linens: Storing extra toilet paper, cotton balls, or large stacks of towels on open shelves allows them to absorb ambient humidity, creating dampness and mildew odors. Keep bulk paper products in a dry pantry or linen closet.

Organizing Your Bathroom Shelves

If you intend to organize bathroom shelves, you can look into products like farmhouse-style storage cabinets that cost less than $100. Mastering household organization starts when you keep the right items in the correct environment. We suggest getting rid of clutter & other bulk supplies. Put sensitive items out of your bathroom as well. That’s how you can restore your bathroom’s functionality and cleanliness, making it ideal for your personal space.

When home storage options are running low during a bathroom remodel or seasonal cleanout, off-site storage seems like an ideal option. An easy alternative! We at Albuquerque Self Storage offer secure & accessible storage units to help residents keep their homes spacious throughout the year. Contact Albuquerque Self Storage today to explore flexible unit options.