The Ultimate Apartment Bathroom Checklist

Although your bathroom might be the smallest room in your apartment, you’ll need a good number of supplies to make the best of it. Basics ranging from toilet paper to towels don’t just magically come with your apartment. It may even fall upon you to furnish your bathroom; you may be surprised that basics like a shower rod aren’t there at all!

With this ultimate bathroom checklist, you can be sure that all your must-have first aid, personal care, and bathroom furnishing items are taken care of with that first big shop after you move in. The items in this list are broken down by category, and the most vital items on the checklist are indicated in bold, so you can prioritize the very most important things as you whip your bathroom into shape.

First Aid

First and foremost is your personal safety! The right first aid supplies should be right on hand in the event of an accident in your home. With first aid supplies, you can take a shortcut and buy a first aid kit to store under your bathroom sink. Such a purchase is truly a shortcut, though, as a standard first aid kit will contain only a small quantity of your basic first aid needs. Ideally, you’ll buy all the below items individually so you’re always well-stocked. This way, if you nick yourself shaving or scrape your knee, you’ll always have proper treatment supplies on hand.

Aloe vera gel
Antiseptic ointment
Adhesive bandages, small and large
Bandage wrap
Cleansing wipes, preferably alcohol-free
Disposable gloves (also useful outside first aid kit and bathroom)
Eyewash and eye bath
Gauze dressings of various sizes
Hand sanitizer (also useful outside first aid kit and bathroom)
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Sterile eye dressings
Thermometer
Tweezers

Cleaning and plumbing essentials

Sprays and cleaners formulated specifically for bathroom use will make your cleaning routine way easier. Toilets and drains inevitably clog on occasion, so you should make sure you have basic plumbing supplies in arm’s reach. If your bathroom encounters any plumbing issues that you can’t easily fix yourself, you may want to ask your landlord to hire a plumber.

Bathroom cleaning spray
Drain cleaner
Glass cleaner
Grout brush
Grout cleaner
Plunger
Scrub brush
Tile cleaner
Toilet brush
Toilet bowl cleaner
Tub cleaner

You should also keep the following cleaning supplies on stock for use both in your bathroom and throughout your house:

All-purpose cleaning spray
Broom and dustpan
Disinfecting wipes and spray
Disposable gloves
Microfiber cloths
Mop
Paper towels
Rags
Sponges

Basic Care

Your bathroom is your number-one stop for hygiene, so it’s best to keep all your basic care supplies amply stocked. Nobody likes getting in the shower only to realize there’s no soap, or grabbing a toothbrush but realizing there’s no toothpaste. If you have all the below in fair amounts, you’ll be able to dodge that “uh-oh” moment.

Body wash or bar soap
Body and hand lotion
Comb or hairbrush
Conditioner
Cotton swabs and balls
Dental floss
Deodorant
Fingernail and toenail clippers
Hand mirror
Hand soap
Lip balm
Menstrual products
Mouthwash
Nail file
Razors
Shampoo
Shaving cream
Shower cap
Toilet paper
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Wet wipes

Basic Medicine

A well-stocked medicine cabinet in your bathroom can help you address most common medical maladies. When that unexpected headache strikes or pollen levels soar to welcome the return of spring, you’ll want to have certain over-the-counter medicines on hand for quick, easy relief.

Allergy medicine
Anti-itch cream
Antifungal and antibacterial cream
Antihistamines
Bacitracin
Cough, cold, and flu medicine
Eye drops
Lozenges and cough drops
Over-the-counter painkillers
Stomach relief medication
Shower accessories

No shower is complete without the right supplies. Towels for drying off post-shower, curtains for privacy and keeping water from getting everywhere, a bath rug to step onto after your shower, and a rod that can keep your shower curtains in place will make your shower that much better.