Let’s talk about how to save space when you’re building a supply of toiletry and other bathroom related items. Some of these items are bulky, so my goal with this blog post is to:
– Provide reminders of what to store (it differs for everyone!)
– Give you a “storing strategy”
– Suggest space saving product ideas
Consider this blog post like your ultimate guide for washroom-related preps! I’ll update this blog post with any new space saving products or tips I come across!
This is Part 2 in our “Smart Storing” series. Read Blog Post #1, “Storing vs Hoarding.”
This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please review the disclosure.
Bathroom Supplies Checklist
For a complete overview of essential household items, along with food and water storage, get my editable tracking spreadsheet. But here’s a bathroom related list – not all of these may be essential to you but may be for someone else!
- Toileting needs: toilet paper, period supplies, hand soap, hand sanitizer
- Oral care: toothbrushes and toothpaste for the whole family, floss, mouthwash, plus any specialty needs
- Eye care: glasses cleaner, contacts, contact solution and cases, eye drops, backup pair of glasses
- Hair care, showering and bathing: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, hair styling products, hair masks, hair oil, home hair dye (if you touch up roots from home) and dry shampoo, razors/hair removal products, epsom salts
- Nasal care: tissues, nasal rinses, decongestants for when you have a cold (like a Vicks or a more natural alternative)
- Skin care: body/hand lotions, daytime and nighttime face cream, eye cream, toner, facial cleanser, face masks, makeup remover, most used makeup items
- Nail care: Nail files, clippers, nail polish, cuticle cream, nail polish remover
- Baby needs: diapers, wipes, bum cream
- Sun protection: sunscreen for the body, sunscreen for babies/young kids, face sunscreen, SPF lipbalm
- Extra water: for flushing the toilet, washing hands, etc. for if running water isn’t available
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments and I’ll update it!
Now let’s talk about your storage strategy.
Store It Where You Use It
I’m a fan of storing as many extra washroom supplies as I can right in the bathroom(s). This makes it easy to follow a “first in first out” principle and rotate my stock.
To make it easy to quickly assess your stock, consider installing a separate shelf or cabinet. You can do this in all your washrooms if feasible, even your guest washroom!
Step 1: Clean and organize your bathrooms and existing supplies.
Throw out stuff you’ll no longer use. This will help create more space and give you a better sense of what you truly use and need.
Step 2: Decide your “essential” bathroom supplies.
Add these to your grocery list to buy one or two extra of every time you go shopping (or whenever you get a coupon or see a good two for one deal).
Step 3: Create more storage space if needed.
Pinterest can be a great inspiration for this. I’m a fan of the over-the-toilet additional storage space! I keep my bathroom drawers for current supplies and use a cabinet over the toilet for extras.
Storage Inspiration
I have over-the-toilet cabinets in my main level bathroom, where I store extra wipes and TP, and in the upstairs kids’ bathroom where I store extra kids’ supplies.
Under the sink can be another good place to store items, but you’ll want to do this in a way that:
– doesn’t get too messy, and
– doesn’t block you from seeing the sink pipes, in case there is ever a leak.
I like to store extra items in sturdy bins that have lids that stay on (see photo above). I got that particular bin from Canadian Tire.
Toilet Paper
This is a big one for many (TP Rush of March 2020 anyone!?) and it is bulky so deserves extra attention. Here are some tips:
1. Proper Storage
If storing extra TP in a basement or out of the way space, store it in a waterproof bin with a locking or sturdy lid. This will protect it from water damage and mice.
2. Buy beside-the-toilet TP holders to save a little more cupboard space.
(Or try this DIY version).
You can find simple ones at Dollarama. For ones that protect from water, I’ve made my own DIY TP holders out of empty #10 size freeze dried food cans. It’s super simple. Just take 3 or 4 empty, clean cans (depends how tall you want it) and use a can opener to remove the bottoms on all except one. The one with a bottom is the base. Then stack the others on top, using duct tape to tape them together. You can make it pretty by covering the outside with wrapping paper that matches your bathroom décor. Remember to keep one can lid for the top!
3. Space Saving Backup TP
You can get wipes that expand when water is added (ie Compawipes brand). These are a great paper towel and TP backup, and take up minimal space. They’re handy for camping or hiking trips too. They are biodegradable but if not too dirty, can be used more than once too.
Water Storage and Water Alternatives
Water is essential to most washroom routines. If you’re like most suburban families, you may be limited with how much water you can store on your property. So try these ideas…
1. Short-term Water Storage
You can store extra water for flushing the toilet and washing your hands for short-term inconveniences (like water being unavailable for a day or two). I save 2L pop bottles, clean them out, and add a couple underneath each bathroom sink. It won’t be clean enough to drink without filtering or boiling though. You can also use empty bleach or laundry detergent jugs, or glass jars with lids for this purpose. Just don’t use milk jugs because they are designed to decompose over time.
2. No Water Backup Products
Include “no water needed” backup options in your bathroom supplies like hand sanitizer for cleaning hands and dry shampoo if you can’t easily wash your hair. My current favourite dry shampoo is the one from Melaleuca (look for a rep local to you or I can refer you to my person).
3. Storing Larger Quantities of Water in Advance
If you know there is a possibility of the running water being turned off (say an upcoming bad storm), fill your bathtub with water in advance. Even better, get a reusable water storage bag and fill that inside your bathtub. These fold down and are easy to store when not in use.
4. Kitty Litter Toilet
This is exactly what it sounds like. For extended emergencies where you lack running water, you can turn off the water to your toilet and line it with a heavy duty (contractors) garbage bag. Whenever someone uses the toilet, they add kitty litter on top. This absorbs the smell. Before it gets too heavy, you pull out the garbage bag and dispose of it, then start with a fresh garbage bag. If lacking a toilet, you can do this with a 5-gallon pail. I’ve typed up a one-page instructional that you can add to your emergency binder.
Subscribe and get instant access to this printable!
Waste Reduction and Space Saving Ideas
Being a prepper and environmentally conscious often go hand in hand! The more you can reduce your use of plastic, not only will be you be nicer to the planet but if regular garbage collection is suspended, you’ll have less garbage to figure out what to do with. Here are some suggestions…
1. Shampoo, Conditioner and Shower Bars
Yes, you can get actual shampoo in bar form! (Make sure to not use just regular soap on your hair). I’m currently on the hunt for a reputable company I can order online from, so let me know if you know of a good one! Bonus – bars are way easier to stack and store, and have a longer shelf life than liquids that can separate over time.
2. Super Deodorant
This is my favourite brand of deodorant – it even worked for my postpartum hormonal pit smell. It has natural, simple ingredients that are safe, non-irritating and effective. A small tin lasts me months. It takes up way less space than typical stick deodorants and I can reuse the empty tins for things like holding pills while travelling. I have no affiliation with this company but am happy to recommend this Canadian small business: superdeodorant.com
3. Compostable or Refillable Products
More and more skincare and beauty lines are coming out with compostable or refillable packaging for their products. So watch for these! It will help you take up less space… plus you can add to your garden compost. Let me know if you have any favourite companies to purchase from!
4. Cloth Pads and Diapers
By having a stash of cloth diapers, wipes, and reusable period supplies, I don’t need to stock up on as many disposable versions. This definitely helps me save space. That being said, in an emergency where you had to leave your home or water is limited, you may not be able to regularly launder cloth diapers and pads. So still have some disposable options as a backup. Make sure you factor in future diaper sizes for your baby!
For disposable period supplies, I like OB tampons because the boxes take up way less space, and I like this brand of more natural pads (I get way less irritation with them!)
For reusable options, there are lots of different options for silicone cups (like the Diva Cup), cloth pads and period underwear. I’ve been mostly just making my own basic pads with old fabric – the benefit to this too is I don’t feel bad about just throwing them out if they are too dirty for me to bother washing. I’ve found the quickest way to make a basic liner is to cut up my daughter’s leggings when they rip or get too small. I made a video about it for the Suburban Prepper Moms Facebook group… once you’ve joined the group, just go to the “Space Saving Ideas” Guide and search for the video on DIY Reusable Period Pads.
Last Thoughts
Thanks for checking out this post! I’ll update it as I come across more ideas or useful products. Please share this blog post with friends so we can help more people get prepared!
And remember:
- You can get instant access to that kitty litter DIY printable, along with other freebies like my in-depth food, water and supplies tracking spreadsheet, right here.
- Don’t overthink things! Get more of what you use regularly, and add it to your cupboards and drawers. Do your best to keep things neat and easy to assess so you know how much stock you have.
Looks great Kayleigh
I learned a great hack regarding water for cleaning:
As soon as you are done a cleaning bottle (liquid laundry soap for example) fill it up with tap water. Or keep it on hand to fill right before a shortage warning.)
Yes I do this too! And if it is a dishwasher or laundry soap container, I don’t even bother rinsing it out. If there are some extra soap suds then great, it can help with hand washing! In that case though I label it as “soapy water.”
Great article! Thanks for sharing this.. Emergency preparedness is essential for any household, and the bathroom is no exception. It’s important to have supplies such as first aid kits, flashlights, and non-perishable food stored in your bathroom in case of emergencies. However, with limited space, it can be a challenge to store all of these items while still keeping your bathroom organized and functional. Space-saving tips such as using wall-mounted shelves or under-the-sink organizers can help maximize storage space. It’s also a good idea to regularly declutter and only keep essential items in your bathroom. By combining emergency preparedness with space-saving techniques, you can ensure that your bathroom is both safe and practical, no matter what comes your way.
I love all those tips. Thank you!