13 shower essentials every student needs to survive the dorms
Communal showers don't have to be the end of the world.
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When I first moved into my college dorm, the weirdest part was using communal showers. Not being able to just leave my shower stuff in the bathroom? It took some getting used to, especially because I never got the right shower stuff. I was always the one struggling to juggle my shampoo bottles, my loofah, and my towel, usually running through the halls trying to not be late for class just once.
If you want to make your life easier as you adjust to dorm life, don’t skimp on your shower essentials. Seriously. This is everything you’ll need (and everything I wish I’d been smart enough to buy) beyond soap, shampoo, and the like:
1. A plastic or mesh shower caddy that won’t get mildewy
Just because you can hold everything you need in your arms, doesn't mean you should.
All those canvas bags that are popular this year? Avoid them! They will never dry properly, leaving you with a stinky, moldy shower bag that, let's be honest, you'll never get around to washing. Get a mesh bag or a plastic caddy that can handle being damp.
Get the Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy on Amazon for $9.99 Get the 2-in-1 Plastic Shower Caddy at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $7.99
2. These washable bath cloths that are way less gross than a loofah
Who uses loofahs anymore? Honestly.
Loofahs give you that scrubbed-clean feeling, but after a few uses, they start to fill up with dead skin cells, bacteria and all sorts of gross stuff. Instead, try these reusable bath cloths that we love. The best part is you can just toss them in the laundry after every few uses. Much better.
Get the Salux Nylon Japanese Wash Cloth 3-pack on Amazon for $10.08
3. A good pair of shower shoes so your feet never have to touch the shower floor
It's best you never find out what the shower floor feels like.
These adidias slides are as classic as a pair of hi-tops and perfect for any style. And the soles are thicker than that $5 pair of flip flops you were considering, so you don’t have to fear stepping in the occasional, unavoidable puddle.
Get the adidas adissage SC slip-on sandals from Zappos for $30
4. A shower cap for when you just need a quick rinse-off
Keep your hair dry when you need to get clean quick.
Sure, you could just pull your hair up and hope you don’t accidentally soak it while you shower, but a shower cap just makes life easier, especially when you’re running late for a midterm and don’t have time to wash and dry your whole mane.
Get the Betty Dain Mold-Resistant Shower Cap on Amazon starting at $6.89
5. A comfy bathrobe with roomy pockets (and a hood)
Don't risk dropping your towel in the hall. Wear a bathrobe.
Trust us on this one. A terrycloth robe, especially one with pockets, is going to be your favorite possession in the dorm. It's much warmer and more modest than darting to the communal showers wrapped in a regular towel. In addition to being warm and comfy, these robes come in lots of different colors.
Get the Del Rossa Hooded Terrycloth Bathrobe for Men and Women on Amazon starting at $64.99
6. A microfiber towel for frizz-free hair
Say goodbye to bad hair days.
Microfiber towels are especially great for curly hair, but all hair types can benefit from swapping out a regular bath towel for this cloth that’s absorbent and gentler on your hair to prevent excess breakage and damage.
Get the DuraComfort Essentials Microfiber Hair Towel on Amazon for $13.99
7. An oversized towel that dries fast
No mildew, no problem with a fast-drying towel.
You won’t do your laundry as much as you should once class is in session. You’re busy, there are way more fun things to do, and you'll never seem to have enough quarters. So get a towel that dries super fast and won’t get mildewy and stinky between washes. You’ll be glad you did and bummed if your roommate did not.
Get the Discovery Trekking Outfitters Ultra Fast Drying Towel on Amazon starting at $9.80
8. This set of brushes made to easily detangle your hair
No matter what's going on with your hair, this brush can handle it.
A good hair brush is a necessity for all but the shortest of hair cuts. Unless you plan to go for the dreadlocked hippy look, these brushes can help you stay tangle-free. Plus, they're great for wet hair.
Get the Wet Brush Metallic Brush 2-Pack on Amazon for $15
9. This hair dryer that works way better than the price suggests
Treat your locks to a salon-quality blow out!
If you blow dry your hair, you should use a dryer that will give you salon-quality results, right? We recently tested 9 of the highest-rated dryers to find the best of the best, and this Revlon dryer wound up blowing lots of more expensive models out of the water.
Get the Revlon 1875W Infrared Hair Dryer on Amazon for $16.69
10. This waterproof speaker so the party never has to stop
Just make sure no one else will mind your tunes before you blast them.
Your dorm mates will either love or hate you for this one, but if you love singing in the shower, you’ll want one of these in your shower caddy. We tested this one ourselves and ranked it in the top 5 best portable speakers. It also has a bungee cord so you can hang it anywhere.
Get the UE Roll Portable, Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon for $63.50
11. This portable, fog-proof shower mirror $12
Practice your presentation while you scrub-a-dub.
Whether you’re shaving, singing, or giving yourself a pep talk, a shower mirror can come in handy. If you want to share, leave it there. Otherwise, you’ll need to stick the hook to the wall each time you shower or find a good place to hang or prop it.
Get the Deluxe Shave Well Fog-Free Shower Mirror on Amazon for $12.99
12. This waterproof phone case so you don’t miss a thing while you scrub up
Now you don't have to stop texting just because you need to shower.
Waiting on an email from your professor or just need to check your Snapchat while you shower? Don’t risk wrecking your phone. A waterproof phone pouch is just what you need, and this best-selling option on Amazon is less than $10. That's a lot cheaper than getting a new phone.
Buy now: MPow Waterproof Smartphone Case on Amazon for $5.99
13. This subscription razor service
Never shave with a dull blade again.
There’s nothing worse than running out of fresh razor blades when you really need to shave. Dollar Shave Club sends you fresh razors each month (and add-ons like shave butter and lotion) so you never have to use a dull blade, which means no razor burn and no need to pick up refills at the store. They’re perfect for faces, legs, armpits, and whatever else you feel like shaving. College is all about experimenting, right?
Subscribe to Dollar Shave Club for $5+ to start and $9/month for 4 blades each month
Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.