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How clean is clean? -

Imagine the scenario. You've spent a good hour cleaning and scrubbing your bathroom until it positively shines. But just a few days later, household products made specifically to be used in the bathroom start appearing decidedly dusty, moldy even. So, what's going on?

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Medicines -

Medication kept loosely around the house is never good idea. But while a bathroom cabinet may seem an ideal storage option, beware that medicines, vitamins, and suchlike can easily become degraded or discolored due to the moisture in bathroom air.

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Medicines -

The solution? Over-the-counter and prescribed medicines should be placed in a dedicated drugs or first aid wall cabinet, preferably in your bedroom or in the kitchen.

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Makeup -

Similarly, the moisture in bathroom air is far from ideal for storing makeup, things like brushes and blending sponges. The humidity can promote the growth of bacteria. And makeup stored near the toilet is seriously unhygienic. Would you want to run the risk of all those flush particles in the air landing on your products?

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Makeup -

Instead, store all makeup in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. A mirrored dressing table or vanity desk in the bedroom is ideal.

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Ornaments -

Some people love to decorate their bathroom with trinkets, mementos, and odd souvenirs. But left static over several weeks and these ornaments can attract dust or, worse, mildew.

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Ornaments -

It's best to keep your bathroom free of adornments. Instead, use them to embellish a lounge or living room, places where they'll be more readily appreciated.

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Toys -

Okay, so if you have young kids it makes sense to have a few toys at hand for use during bathtime. But for the same reasons ornaments aren't a good idea to keep in the bathroom, make sure to remove the rubber ducks and plastic dolphins after the fun is over.

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Toys -

But there's no need to keep children's bathroom toys out of sight. They make attractive and quirky ornaments in their own right, especially when arranged across a shelf in a youngster's bedroom.

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Towels -

You'd think a bathroom is exactly where a towel should be left, for use before and after a shower for example. But a used towel hung over a bath or behind a door can quickly smell of damp, or even gross fungi. And any towel left near a toilet is inviting a host of bacteria and germs to settle on the material every time you flush—the same material you use to wipe down your face and body.

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Towels -

Get into the habit of storing towels in an airing cupboard or in another room. And if you do need to keep one or two at hand in the bathroom, remember to change them at least once week.

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Flannels -

The same goes for flannels. While these pocket-sized facecloths are super convenient for a quick wash and splash, they are also susceptible to damp and mold.

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Flannels -

So, keep flannels dry and folded near your towels, again either in an airing cupboard or the bedroom.

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Cleaning products -

Cleaning products (bleach, polish, etc.) should always be stored in cool, dry places in well-ventilated areas. Which is exactly why a warm, moist, and humid bathroom is not the place to keep them.

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Cleaning products -

Ideally, all cleaning products should be kept in the kitchen or a utility room. And always place them out of reach of children and pets.

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Toilet paper -

A ubiquitous bathroom product, the toilet roll is the one item you really do need to keep close at hand. But paper fiber creates dust. Keep too many rolls near the toilet and you'll be giving yourself an extra cleaning job.

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Toilet paper -

It's better to store spare toilet rolls away from the bathroom, arranged perhaps in a box off the floor in a cool, dry cupboard.

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Electronics -

Our fixation with phones often extends to using our mobile devices in the bathroom. But hey, chatting on your cell in the bath with all that water, and in a humid atmosphere? That's just asking for a bad connection.

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Electronics -

And we're probably all guilty of dialing up while, er, on the job. But can you imagine how much bacteria is landing on your screen? Talk about calling collect...

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Books and magazines -

Books and magazines in the bathroom will absorb moisture, leaving you with wrinkled pages and deteriorating binding.

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Books and magazines -

And please, resist the temptation to read while you're doing your business. For the same reasons a smart screen provides a platform for bacteria, a magazine or book page is a veritable field for bugs.

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Jewelry -

It's so easy to place jewelry onto a bathroom surface. But left a while and humidity can play havoc with your favorite ring or necklace. In fact, jewelry will tarnish more quickly than normal under these conditions, especially when it comes to sterling silver.

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Jewelry -

Jewelry should ideally be stored in a box on dressers and vanities, and usually in the bedroom or a walk-in wardrobe.

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Nail polish -

The hot, clammy environment that is a humid bathroom is no friend of nail varnish. Varying temperatures can quickly thicken and discolor this product. And polish remover is equally at the mercy of warm, damp air.

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Nail polish -

Better to keep nail varnish with your other makeup accessories, again away from the bathroom in a box on the bedroom dresser or in a drawer.

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Perfumes -

Unfortunately, perfumes too can fall victim to the fluctuating temperatures associated with a bathroom. As a rule, perfumes and heat don't mix. Keeping your favorite eau de cologne in this environment for a lengthy period can ruin the molecular integrity of your fragrance and cause it to sour.

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Perfumes -

Again, sitting at the dresser or vanity desk is where to apply perfume, in the comfort of your bedroom.

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Razors -

It's cool to keep one current razor in the shower, but it's those extra razors that if stored in the bathroom run the risk of dulling or becoming rusty and therefore useless.

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Razors -

Drying razors after use and changing blades frequently can help keep them more effective for longer. And you won't be bothered by an unsightly rusty smear on your shiny bathroom surface.

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Toothbrush -

According to a report published in USA Today, one toothbrush may house more than 10 million bacteria. In fact, your toothbrush is home to plaque, blood, and even fecal matter. Leaving your toothbrush unprotected on the sink is a veritable health hazard, as is used dental floss.

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Toothbrush -

To keep your toothbrush as germ-free as possible, rinse and dry after use and store upright using a protective cover over the head. As an added precaution, occasionally soak the toothbrush in baking soda, which kills bacteria and keeps it fresh. And the further they are from the toilet, the better!

Sources: (MedlinePlus) (USA Today)

See also: Disturbing things that happen if you stop cleaning your home

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