Where Do You Keep Your Supplements?

Paula Gallagher on 07/12/2023

Although the bathroom or the Assorted vitamin and supplement pills spilling out of a white storage bottle on a light blue background, showing where supplements are kept

Assorted vitamin and supplement pills spilling out of a white storage bottle on a light blue background, showing where supplements are kept

kitchen may be the most convenient place to keep your supplements and medications, research shows that high humidity degrades the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight.

In fact, subjecting certain products, such as vitamin C, to humidity can chemically change their composition, reducing or eliminating the health benefits associated with those products. Crystalline substances - including vitamin C, some vitamin B forms and other dietary supplements - are prone to a process called deliquescence, in which humidity causes a water-soluble solid to dissolve.

Keeping those supplements away from warm, humid environments can help ensure their effectiveness. So what is the best way to store vitamins, and where in the house should they go?

Guidelines for Storing Supplements

How to store supplements?

Here are some general guidelines for storing vitamins, nutritional supplements and medications.

1. Follow the instructions

Read the labels or packaging of your medications and supplements carefully. They often list specific supplement storage conditions, including recommended temperature ranges and any special considerations.

2. Room temperature storage

Most medications and supplements can be stored at room temperature, typically between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Here's how to store vitamins properly: keep them in a dry area, such as a cabinet or drawer, away from direct sunlight, humidity, and heat sources like stoves or radiators.

The steadiest places to store supplements are a bedroom dresser drawer or a closet shelf away from the kitchen and bathroom. Store your pills in the original bottle for longer periods, not a daily pillbox. And keep the packet of desiccant that comes with it in the bottle; that packet’s job is to absorb stray moisture. Snug the lid tightly after each serving. An open bottle can let in a little bit of humid air every minute.

3. Refrigerator storage

Some medications, particularly certain liquid forms, require refrigeration to maintain their stability. Check the instructions or consult your pharmacist if you're unsure. Make sure to store them in a dedicated compartment or section of the refrigerator away from food items and to prevent freezing.

4. Bathroom storage precautions

While the bathroom may be a convenient location, it's not always the best place to store vitamins, medications and supplements. Bathrooms tend to have fluctuating humidity levels and can become hot and steamy during showers, which can degrade the effectiveness and stability of medications.

5. Childproof storage

If you have children, it's crucial to store medications and supplements out of their reach and in childproof containers. Consider using lockable cabinets or drawers, particularly for potentially harmful substances.

Also, grandparents' houses are included. In a 2026 study published in the journal Academic Pediatrics, researchers asked older people to share their thoughts on taking medicine and where they keep pills. This is a nice reminder that the supplement sitting on your nightstand or counter might be within easy reach of curious little hands. If young visitors are expected, put away the vitamins and keep them out of their view ahead of time. While childproof caps are one solution, make sure they're always screwed on tight.

6. Travel considerations

When traveling, ensure that your medications and supplements are stored securely in their original containers. If you're wondering how to store vitamins in hot weather, the main rule is to avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, especially if you're traveling to a hot or cold climate. If necessary, you can use insulated bags or coolers to maintain the appropriate temperature during transit.

Remember, it's essential to regularly check the expiration dates of medications and supplements and plan for the safe disposal of supplements and vitamins that are expired or unused. If you need to dispose of old or unneeded prescription medications, don't put them in the trash or flush them down your sink or toilet - instead use a safe disposal method, such as Village Green Apothecary's medication disposal program, MedSafe™. And if you have specific concerns or questions about the storage of a particular medication or supplement, talk to one of our pharmacists for guidance.

Don’t store your pills in a car on a hot day. Store them in your carry-on if you’re flying. Take the bottle and the desiccant with you. Only pack a pill box for the number of days you’ll be gone.

Safe Disposal of Supplements and Vitamins

Old bottles pile up fast, so it helps to know how to dispose of supplements before they turn into a cluttered shelf. Do not dispose of them by flushing or pouring them down the drain. As a rule, the FDA recommends taking unused medications and combining them with undesirable material, such as used coffee grounds or cat litter. Then place the materials in a sealable bag and dispose of them in your regular household trash. Once emptied, scratch out the label on the bottle prior to recycling or discarding it. Or, if you prefer not to do this yourself, ask one of our pharmacists if your medications may be disposed of through Village Green Apothecary’s MedSafe™ Program or any local take-back day event.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store vitamin supplements to keep them effective?

Start by looking at the label, which will list the ideal temperature range as well as any other instructions for storage. Most vitamins work best in the tightly capped original bottle stored in a cool, dry cupboard or drawer out of sunlight, heat and steam. Leave the little desiccant packet in there, and replace the cap shortly after taking your dose to avoid letting damp air in.

Can you store supplements in the fridge?

If it says on the label to keep it in the fridge, then yes! Many liquids, as well as some probiotic and oil-based products, are intended to be kept cold, but many tablets and capsules are not. Each time you take a cold bottle out of the fridge and put it back in, water can condense inside. That's the thing we want to avoid. Not sure? Ask one of our pharmacists.

How to dispose of supplements and vitamins?

Don't flush them or pour them down the drain. The FDA suggests mixing unused pills with something unappealing, like used coffee grounds or cat litter, sealing the mix in a bag and putting it in your household trash. Scratch out the label on the empty bottle before you recycle or toss it. If you'd rather not do it yourself, ask one of our pharmacists about Village Green Apothecary's MedSafe™ Program or a local take-back day event.

References

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