Hidden Danger in Bathrooms: One Unexpected Storage Practice that Could Foster Toxic Mold Growth
In this humid bathroom abode, mold just loves to play, especially when an unassuming storage habit provokes its presence. And guess what? Keeping your backup toilet paper in the very same chamber might contribute to this unwelcome party.
Sure, it seems logical to store those extra rolls in the bathroom, but storage pros argue that this popular practice can jeopardize both your hygiene and home. Here's why you might want to reconsider your bathroom storage ideas.
The Bathroom Storage Blunder: Toilet Paper Edition
Think about it—toilet rolls are known for their absorbent nature. In damp, enclosed spaces crying out for better bathroom ventilation, after a steamy shower or bath, those unused rolls swiftly gobble up any lingering moisture in the air.
Storage guru Sarah Day, from Pay Less for Storage, highlights the issue, "It's common sense to store spare toilet rolls in the bathroom, right? However, contrary to what most folks believe, bathrooms are actually among the worst places for long-term storage of additional rolls of paper, other than the one currently in use. Damp environments can ruin tissue-based products, not only rendering them useless, but also fueling hidden mold accumulation."
This issue becomes more pronounced when you go for bulk buys, leaving you struggling to organize your home and ending up with rolls stashed on the floor. Similarly, toilet rolls are a big no-no for storing in a bathroom cabinet, as the closed space traps moisture, worsening the problem.
Worse still, once your rolls are damp and especially moldy, they're no longer usable, and could release common allergens into the air. Not only is this wasteful, but it also contributes to making allergies worse at home.
Given all this, you might wonder, "Is bathroom mold dangerous?" The answer, experts affirm, is an emphatic yes, particularly if you find yourself needing to get rid of black mold. That's why it's crucial to relocate your excess rolls to a safer spot.
The Great Escape: A New Storage Spot for Your Toilet Rolls
Toilet rolls are also forbidden denizens in bathroom vanities. So, if your bathroom lacks ventilation, Sarah suggests keeping your backup rolls in a dry airing cupboard or hallway cabinet, replacing the bathroom stock as needed. This trick will free up some precious bathroom space, streamline your bathroom organization ideas, and help you avoid unhygienic bathroom organizing mistakes.
Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved, shares her storage solution, "We buy ours in big bulk packs of around 50 rolls, and keep just two or three spares in each of our three bathrooms. The rest of the toilet rolls are kept in a dry closet in the primary bedroom, in their original packaging. This strategy reduces the risk of absorbent toilet paper, stacked up in humid bathrooms, developing toxic mold colonies before we manage to use them all."
What to Buy: Storage Solutions for Your Extra Toilet Rolls
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
- Breathable Lidded Toilet Paper Holder: Made from sustainable bamboo and durable Oxford fabric, this lidded holder is perfect for popping into a cabinet outside the bathroom, holding nine to 12 rolls.
- Slimline Toilet Paper Storage: Ideal for keeping a few rolls handy in the bathroom, this design keeps moisture at bay with a hard-wearing stainless steel finish and easy-access lid.
- Extra Large Holder: If bulk buying's your thing, this spacious holder can accommodate 24 regular rolls, fitting snugly into your airing cupboard or hallway.
Expert Opinion
Sarah is a storage solutions expert who helps clients streamline their spaces, whether they're moving, decluttering, or seeking alternative storage solutions. She's been featured in Ideal Home, House Beautiful, and more. If you find your toilet rolls have become a hotbed for mold, chances are you'll also need to learn how to clean mold in the shower, and then focus on improving ventilation to prevent recurrence.
- The humid conditions in bathrooms can promote mold growth, especially when an unassuming storage habit like keeping extra toilet paper there is present.
- Storage guru Sarah Day explains that bathrooms are among the worst places for long-term storage of toilet paper, as damp environments can ruin tissue-based products and foster mold accumulation.
- Leaving damp and moldy toilet rolls unused can release common allergens into the air, making allergies worse at home and adding to waste.
- Instead of storing extra toilet paper in bathrooms, Sarah recommends keeping them in a dry airing cupboard or hallway cabinet to prevent mold growth and improve overall hygiene.
- For those who prefer to store extra toilet paper in a lidded container, there are options like the breathable lidded toilet paper holder made from sustainable bamboo and durable Oxford fabric, which keeps moisture at bay and fits nine to 12 rolls.
