College Bathroom Checklist

How It Works

The college bathroom shopping checklist is designed to help students and parents save time and money. Our team of current and former students went shopping for you and compiled a list of quality bathroom products at affordable prices. Every item covered in our guide also features a need vs. want rating score and in-depth commentary, which help students and parents decide what bathroom related items to bring with them to college.

Shower Shoes/Robe

You’ll either find a communal or individual bathroom setup in your college dorm. If your floor is communal style, then you will need to bring grooming products, shower shoes, and a towel or robe with you each time you take a shower.

Most students don’t get the option of selecting their bathroom setup, but if you do, consider getting a dorm with a bathroom shared between roommates. College cleaning staff do a great job cleaning the communal bathrooms, but the lack of privacy and hassle of frequent trips back and forth are common annoyances you’ll have to deal with. If you’re stuck in a communal bathroom setup, you’ll want to bring a cheap pair of flip flops to play it safe on the sanitation end. You can use a towel for moving between your dorm room and shower, but we’ve noticed many students opt for a bathrobe.

Shower/Hand Towels + Towel Hook

Shower Towels

Hand Towels

Towel Hook

You’ll need to bring your own personal bath and hand towels to college. Depending on your bathroom setup, you’ll also need to find a place to hang your towel, so considering bringing a wall attachable towel hook.

Students can save money by bringing extra towels lying around the house or by picking up a basic matching set. We find most students bring two bath towels and a small pack of hand towels with them. If you live on a communal bathroom floor you can just hang your towel on your closet door.

Shower Caddy/Bin

Students in communal bathrooms have to carry their hygiene products with them everytime they take a shower. Using a shower caddy is an easy way to store and transport your healthcare products.

You can find tons of cheap plastic shower caddies that will get the job done. If you have your own bathroom, stationary options like a wall attachable shower caddy or small countertop storage containers are a better idea. You can also pick up a sink organizer to keep your sink clean and your stuff separate from your roommates. If you have a communal setup, look for a shower caddy that can attach to a hook. Health risks are fairly low, but it’s still a good idea to keep hygiene items off of the floor in communal bathrooms.

Shower Curtain/Hooks

You’ll need to consult with your college to determine if shower accessories are provided. If you have your own bathroom then you’ll most likely need to bring a shower rod and curtain.

Students with their own bathrooms should contact their roommate or suite-mates to discuss who’s bringing what. You can save money by splitting the cost together on a standard set, which usually includes the shower rod, curtain, and hooks.

Shower Mat + Bath Rug

Students with their own bathroom should bring a no slip shower mat and bathroom rug to avoid accidentally injuring themselves getting in and out of the shower.

Talk to your roommate about splitting the cost of mats and rugs for your shower. If you are in a communal bathroom setup you can leave these at home.

Toilet Paper/Holder, Cleaner, Plunger

Toilet Paper

TP Holder

Toilet Cleaner

Plunger

If you have your own bathroom you’ll need to bring standard cleaning and maintenance supplies. Some colleges provide toilet paper holders for students but you should discuss amongst your roommates on who is supplying a plunger and toilet cleaner.

As a freshman you should get into the routine of keeping your dorm and bathroom clean and organized. Personal hygiene is an overlooked aspect of college life and many students let their living environment become a complete mess. Dedicating a few minutes a week to bathroom maintenance will not only benefit yourself, but also help to avoid making a poor impression on friends and other visitors.

Scale + Bath Mirror

Staying in shape in college is difficult for many students, so having a scale in your dorm room is a great way to keep you focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Students without personal bathrooms usually have a sink and mirror set-up, but many people still opt to bring a small hand held or vanity mirror.

Temptations are everywhere in college and students have a difficult time making good lifestyle choices. Eating unhealthy, skipping the gym, and consuming too much alcohol only skim the surface of poor decision making. Before arriving at college sit down and create a set of goals for yourself involving your health. If you need help with making a diet plan, MyFitnessPal is a free to use resource that provides nutritional information on virtually every food and allows you to keep a daily journal log to track your calorie intake. Another way to stay fit is by finding a gym partner to keep you motivated. Establish friendships with other students on your floor and look for someone with the same goals and outlook in mind.

College Bathroom Checklist

How It Works

Shower Shoes/Robe

Shower/Hand Towels + Towel Hook

Shower Caddy/Bin

Shower Curtain/Hooks

Shower Mat + Bath Rug

Toilet Paper/Holder, Cleaner, Plunger

Scale + Bath Mirror

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