6 Dorm Bathroom Tips You Should Know

There are plenty of things high school prepares you for in terms of college, like managing different courses, up-keeping grades, establishing a social life, etc. One thing that neither high school nor parents can prepare you for in college is the dreaded sharing of dorm bathrooms. Most college students will agree that dorm bathrooms are not the peak of their college experience, but rather a horror that is in desperate need of being forgotten.

While sharing a dorm bathroom with the people on your floor can take some adjusting to, once you do it, it will become another habit that you adopt and not be so bad after all. The days of having your own private bathroom may be something to anticipate for the future, so as for now, make the most of using your dorm bathroom by following these six simple tips!

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Wear Sandals in the Shower: Sharing a dorm bathroom with roommates and people on your floor typically is not the cleanest and most sanitary. Think about it, there are a number of different people using the shower to wash themselves, which means there’s a chance of running into dirt, grime, hair buildup, and plenty of mysterious icky substance you don’t have the time or interest in figuring out. Because of this, it’s important to avoid that grossness by getting a pair of sandals to wear in the shower. While it does not sound like the most fun or comfortable, it is more comfortable than stepping in someone else mess. Kelci Lynn Lucier of ThoughtCo writes, “Wearing shower shoes can actually protect you from infections, so make sure you have an extra, shower-only pair of flip-flops at all times.” Slides or shower slippers are sold just about everywhere, and they are inexpensive to get!

1. Get a Shower Caddy for Your Belongings: Another necessity needed when using dorm bathrooms, and dorm showers, in particular, is a shower caddy. Unfortunately, you can’t leave your beloved shampoos, body wash, shaving cream and razors in the dorm showers, and if you do, you can pretty much count on them either being used or damaged. To avoid this and keep track of your belongings, purchase a shower caddy to tote your bathroom essentials from your dorm room to the bathroom. Phoebe Avison of Bustle suggests, “Make your life much easier by picking up a mesh shower caddy so you don’t have to struggle with multiple products or risk leaving anything behind.” In your caddy, pack things like shampoo and conditioner, body wash, face wash, shaving gel/cream, and razors. Additionally, don’t forget a hairbrush, hair ties, and a loofa.

2. Clean the Toilet Before You Use It: Unfortunately, when sharing dorm bathrooms, you can’t rely on people being as clean and hygienic as you, and this especially applies to the toilets. People will absolutely destroy a toilet after using it and leave you wondering who or what raised them to leave such a mess. In this regard, it’s important to protect yourself from any toilet messes by cleaning it before you use it. You can do this by wiping down the rim of the seat with a disinfectant wipe or spray, such as Lysol or Clorox. This will keep you from getting in contact with any gross toilet germs and make you feel better about using the bathroom when you need to.

3. Invest in a Robe or Towel Wrap: Nothing is worse than fumbling with a towel when there is a line of people waiting to use the shower or get in the bathroom. Make this situation a little less awkward and uncomfortable by investing in a robe or towel wrap to cover up in after your shower. A towel wrap is great because it has Velcro, which holds tight around your body to keep from any accidental towel droppings. A robe is also another great choice as there are selves and a tie around the waist to keep you covered and comfortable.

4. Find Out the Peak Times: One handy way to save yourself the stress and hassle of dealing with multiple people in the bathroom at once is by finding out the peak times that the bathroom is most occupied. You can do this by asking your RA or simply by observing when the halls/bathroom is the busiest. This might take some trial and error, but ultimately you will eventually figure out a pattern of when people use the bathroom/showers the most. Doing so can give you some better privacy and more time to have in the bathroom, without worrying about using up the hot water or being sandwiched between too many people.

5. Clean Up After Yourself: While the dorm bathroom is not your personal space, you should still treat it with respect as if it is. After you are done using the toilet, be sure to flush and clean the area. When you’ve showered, clean any excess hair or dirt from the walls/drain. Though others may not do the same, this does not mean you can’t be respectful and make the place cleaner and more functional for everyone.

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Dorm bathrooms are certainly not the best part of being in college, but necessary for most first and second-year students. While it may not be the most comfortable of options, these tips can help make the experience better for you.