Tips for Survival When There's a Shared Bathroom
Whether it’s with siblings, roommates, or dormmates, just about everyone has had the experience of sharing a bathroom at one point or another. Sharing a bathroom can be an exercise in frustration, but it doesn’t have to be. No matter how many people you share your bathroom with, here are some common ideas you can use to make sharing a bathroom a less-stressful experience.
Tip No. 1: Make a Schedule
Establishing a schedule for bathroom use can cut down on arguments and ensure that your bathroom doesn’t become a war zone. Try to establish a routine in the morning and before bed so everyone has a set time to use the bathroom and make sure everyone sticks to it. This also applies to cleaning the bathroom: establishing a schedule so that everyone does their fair share of the cleaning on a regular basis will help the bathroom stay clean so no one is stuck doing all the work alone.
Tip No. 2: Don’t Be a Bathroom Hog
One of the biggest sources of friction in a household is when one person spends too much time in the bathroom. Although there’s nothing wrong with wanting to take a long, relaxing soak in the tub every once in a while, make sure that if you do, you won’t be monopolizing the bathroom at a time when others may need it. Don’t dawdle in the bathroom, keep it open for anyone who might need it, and encourage your housemates to do the same.
Tip No. 3: Get Organized
Bathroom counters and cabinets can become cluttered easily, especially when multiple people are using the same one. Everyone has their own towels, toothbrushes, favorite shampoos, etc. Keeping everything organized is a big part of maintaining the peace when sharing a bathroom. Rather than keeping all your essential toiletries in the bathroom, consider using a shower caddy to carry your items into the bathroom each time you use it. This way, you’ll always know exactly where everything you need is, and you’ll keep it from cluttering counters, shelves, and drawers. Adding storage options such as hooks, towel bars, or in-shower storage can help keep everything organized. For items such as toothbrushes and towels that should only be used by one person, consider color-coding everything so no one gets confused and uses someone else’s items.
Tip No. 4: Clean Up After Yourself
It’s important to make sure everybody understands that keeping the bathroom clean is everyone’s responsibility — that means you, too. Taking a moment to wipe the sink, mirror, toilet seat, or anything else you use while you’re in the bathroom will not only help keep the bathroom cleaner for longer, but it’s also just common courtesy.
Tip No. 5: Clear the Air
If you share a bathroom with other people, a simple air freshener might be the best investment you can make. Unpleasant scents in the bathroom are a fact of life, but it’s to everyone’s benefit to have a way to keep the bathroom smelling fresh all the time. Whether you have a can of spray freshener handy, light fancy candles, or use a plug-in air freshener, keeping the air in the bathroom pleasant means everyone will benefit.
Tip No. 6: Communicate
Life doesn’t always conform to the schedules we try to impose on it, and that means we can’t always stick to a strict schedule when it comes to bathroom use. That’s why perhaps the most important tip for sharing a bathroom with others is communication. Maybe you’ll need to be out the door earlier than usual, or maybe you’re not feeling well and may need to make an emergency escape to the bathroom. No matter what, giving your housemates the heads-up can go a long way toward defusing a potentially tense situation.
Living with others isn’t always easy, especially when sharing a bathroom. However, following these simple tips can help you and your housemates get along much smoother and prevent the bathroom from becoming disputed territory.