Should You Store Towels in the Bathroom? Experts Weigh In

Although it may seem as though it makes total sense to store extra bath and hand towels in the bathroom, experts actually are averse to this technique unless it's absolutely necessary. Below, pros share insight on why they prefer to keep extra towels outside of the bathroom when possible.

Keep These Tips in Mind If You're Storing Towels in the Bathroom

Your bathroom is likely a relatively small space that is utilized by just one to two people at a time. In that vein, it is important to think about your needs on a day-to-day basis prior to filling the space with towels galore. "If you only need only one or two towels at any given time, then the extra towels do not need to be stored in the bathroom," Professional organizer Alison Lush, who operates an eponymous company, says. She keeps extra towels on shelves in her laundry room to avoid having them in the bathroom.

Other home organization and cleaning experts agree that it's best to avoid keeping extra towels in the bathroom if possible. After all, no one wants to wash at the end of the day only to dry off with a towel that's been negatively affected by the elements of your bathroom. "Since bathrooms are so prone to moisture, keeping excess towels in the room can be tricky as this can lead to mildew, mold, and smelly fabrics," Kathy Cohoon, of Two Maids, says. She adds that due to these factors, it's smart to switch out the towels you have in use quite often, too. You're going to want to stay on top of your laundry schedule, as Cohoon shares that hand towels should be washed every seven to 10 days.

Fantastic Services' cleaning supervisor Lily Cameron agrees with the reasoning above as to why towels should live outside of the bathroom. "Germs can also travel on different bathroom surfaces and items when you flush the toilet. Bathrooms provide a perfect breeding ground for these fungi and germs and towels are especially susceptible to them," she explains.

Where to Store Your Extra Towels

So where should your towels go when you take them out of the laundry? "Towels should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a linen closet or a wardrobe," Cameron says. "If you don't have space in those areas, consider storing them in a bin or basket in a less humid room, such as a bedroom or hallway closet." If you must keep them in the bathroom, the best practice is to store them in a cabinet or a well-covered container." Professional organizer Amelia Pleasant-Kennedy of A Pleasant Solution is partial to bamboo baskets, noting that the material is mold resistant.

There are plenty of other clever and aesthetically pleasing ways to keep towels out of sight yet accessible. Memphis Maids owner Steve Evans says, "Towels can look really nice even in a living room! You just need to find a way to make them look not so out of place. Use a pretty wooden or wicker basket and roll towels up." Or keep your towels nicely hidden away in a storage bench. "My bathroom doesn’t have a linen closet, so I purchased an ottoman bench to sit in front of my bed," Professional organizer Nicole Arroyo, of Neatly Nic, says. "I put my towels inside, and this keeps them organized and provides extra seating. It's a win-win!"

Cohoon offers a useful trick for those who feel as though despite everything, they absolutely must keep towels in the bathroom. "Remember to run the vent when showering and be sure you’re cycling through your towels regularly to avoid having a mildew buildup on your hands."

Ways to Take Your Towel Storage to the Next Level

No matter where you decide to house your towels, why not take your storage to the next level with a fragrance that will make drying off feel nice and luxe? " Add a few drops of lavender essential oil into your cabinet," Evans suggests. "If you don’t like fragrances, store an open box of baking soda inside the towel closet. Your towels will smell so nice—or neutral, at least."