Best Places To Store Your Toilet Plunger

Last Updated on September 19, 2022 by Alex Cubias

Toilet plungers are a necessary part of a functioning bathroom, but certainly not the cleanest part. Keeping them properly stored will increase efficiency and cleanliness in the home.

The best place to store a toilet plunger is in the bathroom, next to the toilet. By keeping it here, anyone who needs to use the plunger has immediate, easy access. Storing the plunger in the bathroom also reduces the possibility of germs spreading to other areas of the home.

While this is the best place to store a plunger, how a plunger is stored varies among homeowners. Some even prefer to keep it in a place outside of the bathroom. Being aware of the options for storing a plunger allows homeowners to choose what feels most comfortable for them.

Storing the Plunger in the Bathroom

The bathroom, out of a few other locations in the home, is the most common place where people choose to store their plungers. Depending on the size of the bathroom, it could be kept right next to the toilet or in a back corner that keeps it out of immediate view.

Keeping a plunger in the bathroom is the most common option for multiple reasons. For many people, it’s the most convenient place to keep their plunger. In the event of an emergency in the bathroom, there is no need to go to another place in the home to retrieve the plunger if it’s already there.

Hosting guests is another reason people choose to keep their plunger in the bathroom. Should a guest have any need to use a toilet plunger, it could create an embarrassing situation if they have to ask the homeowner where they keep it. By storing it in the bathroom, homeowners and guests alike avoid any awkwardness around using the bathroom.

Storing the Plunger in the Garage

Other people prefer to keep their plunger in the garage. Because plungers are very unsanitary, they prefer to keep germs in an out-of-the-way spot.

For anyone looking to keep their plunger out of the way of curious children, the garage is a good spot. It can still be an accessible space for the plunger, while also making sure that when young kids are moving around the bathroom, they don’t accidentally touch anything too dirty.

A garage is also a great storage area for a plunger if you know that you won’t be making frequent use of it. A plunger that is only used a few times throughout the year doesn’t need a permanent spot in the bathroom. So as long as it is easily accessible in the garage, this works as a storage option.

Containers for Storing the Plunger

Knowing where to store a plunger is important, and so is knowing how to store one.

Some people choose to keep their plunger on the floor. As options go, it’s certainly not the most sanitary, even if the plunger has been cleaned before returning it to its designated spot. It’s easy, though, and is still a viable option for people who choose not to include any extra storage for the plunger.

Many people prefer to cover the bottom of the plunger. One way to do this is with a plastic bucket or a large plastic container (like a milk carton) cut in half. Both options keep the plunger off of the ground. A bucket is good for easy carry and transportation, especially for anyone choosing to keep their plunger in the garage.

Plastic buckets and trash bins can also be lined with plastic bags. This way, the liner can be replaced as frequently as it needs to be, and while the bucket should still be washed, it will be more protected with the plastic.

For anyone looking for something that covers the plunger and keeps the bathroom looking fresh, there are several options of stands for plungers that keep the base of the plunger itself entirely covered. Many of these options are also drip-free, so that toilet water left on the plunger won’t escape to the floor.

There are also decorative holders for a plunger, that cover more than just the base. They can add a sleek element to the bathroom while allowing the plunger to remain nearby for convenient access.

If keeping the plunger in a fancy holder in or another room seems unnecessary, but leaving it in the open is still distasteful, then hiding the plunger behind a plant in the bathroom could work as well. This way, it doesn’t have to look pretty; the plant will draw attention to itself and provide extra decoration and atmosphere while hiding the plunger.

How Often to Clean the Plunger

The best time to clean a plunger is right after using it. Letting the germs accumulate won’t be sanitary for a home or whatever designated storage option is used for the plunger.

A frequently recommended method for cleaning a plunger is to pour some bleach into the toilet water, rinse the plunger, and then remove it or rinse it once more in the clean toilet water. For a deeper clean, the plunger can sit in the toilet bowl with the bleach for a few minutes.

An alternative to bleach could be to use other toilet cleaning products, like Lysol or ammonia. They can be used the same way as the bleach; pour the chemical into the toilet bowl and either rinse and remove the plunger, or let it sit for a few minutes. Just make sure not to combine cleaning methods, as combining bleach with ammonia creates a toxic gas called chloramine.

Another method is to use a disinfectant spray. This may be best accomplished by taking the plunger, in a bucket or plastic bag, to a more open area, such as a garage or even the backyard. Here, the handle, as well as the base of the plunger, can be sprayed down and left to dry before being returned to its storage area.

Taking the plunger outside to be cleaned is beneficial because there is more room to thoroughly clean the base and the entire plunger. If the plunger is taken outside to be sprayed off with disinfectant, it also provides a good opportunity to rinse it down with a hose. Rinsing and then disinfecting the plunger gives an extra step in cleaning off any residue from the toilet.

When taking the time to clean the plunger, cleaning around the area of the toilet is also recommended. Backsplash from the plunger will likely occur, so it will be a good time to wipe down the toilet and the area around its base.

Deciding what is best when choosing how to store a toilet plunger is as simple as creating a system that works best for everyone!