Bathroom basics for your first week: buy the plunger before you need it
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Every bathroom in the house should have its own plunger on the day you move in. Also get a toilet auger for clogs the plunger can't clear, a new shower curtain liner, and a cleaning eraser for the soap scum the last owner left behind. Fancier bathroom upgrades can wait.
Day-one essentials
Korky BeehiveMAX toilet plunger
Its shape seals on both round and elongated toilet bowls, which a cup-style sink plunger doesn't. Buy one for each bathroom, because you don't want to carry it through the house.
Klein Tools 6-foot toilet auger
For the clog a plunger can't clear, like a toy, wipes, or a buildup in an older house. It's cheaper than a plumber's minimum charge.
Tip: Cover the bowl's porcelain with the auger's guard and crank slowly. Never use chemical drain cleaner and an auger on the same clog.
Clear shower curtain liner with magnets, 72x72
Replace the old liner on day one. A clear liner keeps a small bathroom bright, and the magnets keep it from blowing in.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
It handles the soap-scum ring, scuffs on the baseboards, and fingerprints around light switches.
Tip: Test it on a hidden spot first, because it can dull glossy finishes.
Check while you're in there
- Find the shut-off valve behind each toilet and under each sink, and make sure it turns.
- Run the exhaust fan with a square of toilet paper held up to it. If the paper doesn't stick, the fan isn't pulling enough air, and that's how mildew starts.
- Look for soft flooring around the base of the toilet, which can mean a slow leak.
Checked November 12, 2026. Product listings change, so check the current listing before you buy.