How to Pack Your Bathroom for Moving: A Step-by-Step Guide

First things first: be ruthless. The bathroom is a magnet for clutter. We all have that drawer filled with hotel samples, expired medications, and nearly empty bottles of product we swore we’d use. Now is not the time for sentimentality.

Go through every cabinet, drawer, and shelf. Ask yourself:

• Have I used this in the last six months?
• Is it expired? (Check those dates on medications and cosmetics!)
• Do I have three of the same thing?

Create three piles: Keep, Toss, and Donate. Toss anything expired, mostly empty, or broken. Unopened toiletries can often be donated to local shelters – just give them a call to check their policies first. The less you have to pack, the easier – and often cheaper – your job will be. Honestly, this step alone can feel like a huge weight has been lifted.

This is a non-negotiable, sanity-saving step and a key part of any moving into a new house checklist. Your “First Night” box (or bag) contains everything you’ll need immediately upon arriving at your new home. After a long day of moving, you do not want to be rummaging through a dozen boxes just to find your toothbrush.

Pack a separate, clearly labeled box or a duffel bag with:

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste for everyone in the family
• A roll of toilet paper (the most important item!)
• Hand soap or sanitizer
• Basic skincare (face wash, moisturizer)
• Deodorant
• Any prescription medications
• A shower curtain and rings (if your new place doesn’t have a door)
• A clean towel for each person
• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

Keep this box with you in your car, not on the moving truck. That way, you’re guaranteed to have it right when you need it.

Here’s the main event: learning how to pack toiletries for moving without them turning into a sticky mess. This is where a little extra effort pays off big time.

Here is the best way to pack toiletries for moving, a trick I learned from a veteran mover that has never failed me:

1. The Plastic Wrap Trick: For any bottle with a screw-on cap (shampoo, lotion, etc.), unscrew the cap, place a small square of plastic wrap over the opening, and then screw the cap back on tightly. This creates an extra seal that is surprisingly effective against leaks.
2. Tape Down Flip-Tops: For bottles with flip-top caps, use a small piece of packing tape to secure the lid in the closed position.
3. Bag Everything: Place all your sealed liquid items inside sealable plastic bags. I like to group similar items together – all the hair products in one bag, all the skincare in another. If one bottle somehow fails, the mess is contained within the bag, not all over your belongings.
4. Use Small Boxes: Pack your bagged toiletries in a small box. This prevents the box from getting too heavy and also means there’s less empty space for things to slide around. Fill any gaps with soft items like washcloths or packing paper.

Now for the delicate stuff. Your perfume bottles, glass containers, makeup compacts, and that ceramic toothbrush holder all need a little TLC.

• Wrap Individually: Use bubble wrap or packing paper to wrap each fragile item completely. For smaller items like makeup compacts, you can even use a clean sock as a cushion.
• Pad the Box: Line the bottom of a small box with crumpled packing paper or a soft towel. Place the heaviest items at the bottom.
• Fill the Gaps: Tuck packing paper, washcloths, or cotton balls in between items to prevent them from shifting and clanking against each other. The goal is to make sure nothing moves when you gently shake the box.
• Label as “Fragile”: Clearly write “FRAGILE – BATHROOM” on the top and sides of the box so you and your movers know to handle it with care. For more detailed techniques, you can apply many of the same principles used for packing other fragile items around your home.

Finally, let’s talk about how to pack towels for moving. Towels, bathmats, and shower curtains are your best friends on packing day. They’re bulky, unbreakable, and perfect for filling empty space and adding extra padding.

I usually leave towels for last. They can be used to:

• Line the bottom and top of boxes containing fragile items.
• Wrap around larger, non-liquid items like hair dryers or electric razors.
• Fill gaps in boxes to keep things from shifting.

You can pack them in medium-sized boxes or even use them to cushion furniture in the moving truck. They’re versatile, so use them to your advantage!