After the New Year it becomes a time to start to think about decluttering and organizing the spaces in your home, like closets and cabinets, and old clothes. The bathroom closet often becomes a catch-all for random items—expired medications, old makeup, forgotten toiletries, and worn-out towels. Over time, this space can quickly transform into a chaotic jumble that not only detracts from the overall look of your bathroom but can also create unnecessary stress when you're searching for something.
The good news? It’s easier to fix than you think! A simple declutter and reorganization of your bathroom closet can make your daily routine smoother, improve hygiene, and even bring a sense of peace to your home. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the process using common bathroom closet offenders like expired meds, old makeup, toiletries, and towels as examples.
1. Start with Expired Medications
Expired medications can accumulate in your bathroom cabinet over the years, often forgotten or ignored. It’s tempting to hold onto them "just in case," but using expired medications is risky and ineffective. They can lose their potency and, in some cases, even become harmful.
What to Do:
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Check expiration dates: Go through each item in your bathroom cabinet. Discard any medications that have passed their expiration dates. If you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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Proper disposal: Don’t throw expired meds in the trash! Many communities have medication disposal programs where you can safely drop them off, or you can check for "take-back" events organized by local pharmacies. If this isn’t an option, mix the meds with undesirable substances (like coffee grounds or cat litter) and place them in a sealed bag to throw away.
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Create a medication management system: After purging expired meds, organize the remaining items. Store them in clearly labeled containers and keep them in a cool, dry place. Consider using a weekly pill organizer to keep things sorted.
2. Toss Out Expired Makeup
Like medications, makeup has a shelf life. Expired makeup not only loses its effectiveness but can also cause skin irritation or infections. This is especially true for products like mascara, eyeliner, and foundation, which can harbor bacteria over time.
What to Do:
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Check expiration dates: Makeup products typically last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the type. For example, mascara should be replaced every 3-6 months, while lipsticks and eyeshadows last a bit longer.
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Use the “smell test”: If the product smells odd, looks discolored, or has separated, it’s time to toss it.
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Declutter with purpose: Keep only the products you use regularly. If you haven’t used a product in the last six months, it’s probably time to part with it. Consider donating unopened, gently used items if they are still within a safe usage period.
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Organize by category: Arrange your makeup in a way that makes sense for your routine. Group similar items (lip products, eye products, etc.) together in containers, so you can quickly grab what you need.
3. Expired Toiletries and Skincare Products
Skincare and toiletries can also expire, leading to inefficacy or even irritation. Unused bottles of body lotion, shampoo, and sunscreen often sit in the back of the closet, getting pushed further into obscurity until they're too old to use.
What to Do:
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Check the expiration: Many skincare products now have expiration symbols on the packaging (often a small jar with a number, indicating how many months it is good after opening). If you can’t find a clear date, look for changes in texture, smell, or color.
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Discard unused or outdated items: Throw away anything that looks or smells strange. When it comes to toiletries like toothpaste and deodorant, if they’ve changed in texture or smell, it's time for them to go.
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Minimize duplicates: Do you really need three bottles of conditioner when you're using the same shampoo every day? Pare down to essentials and avoid overcrowding your closet.
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Properly store items: To maximize the life of your toiletries and skincare products, store them in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to sunlight or extreme temperatures.
4. Old Towels That No Longer Serve Their Purpose
Old towels can accumulate quickly, especially if they are starting to fray, have lost their softness, or are just plain worn out. These towels not only take up valuable closet space but also add to the overall clutter.
What to Do:
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Assess the condition: If towels are thin, stained, or have lost their absorbency, it’s time to replace them. Keep a few sentimental or decorative towels, but avoid holding onto too many “just in case” towels that no longer serve a practical purpose.
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Donate or repurpose: Towels that are still in decent condition can be donated to animal shelters or repurposed for cleaning rags or other household uses. If the towels are completely worn out, they can be recycled or turned into crafts.
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Organize for convenience: Fold towels neatly and arrange them by type (bath towels, hand towels, washcloths) so you can easily grab what you need. Consider color-coding or using storage bins to keep everything in its place.
5. Maintenance and Regular Check-Ins
Once you’ve decluttered your bathroom closet, the key to maintaining the order is consistency. It’s easy for new items to slip in and old ones to pile up again if you don’t stay on top of it. A few tips for long-term success:
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Do a seasonal check-in: Every few months, set aside 15 minutes to review your bathroom closet. Toss out anything expired, unused, or in poor condition.
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Stay organized: Use clear bins, drawer organizers, or labeled containers to keep items separated and easy to find.
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Adopt a “one-in, one-out” policy: When you buy a new product (like shampoo or makeup), make sure to get rid of something old to prevent clutter from building up again.
Conclusion: A More Organized, Stress-Free Bathroom
Decluttering your bathroom closet is a simple but powerful way to improve the functionality and cleanliness of your bathroom. By getting rid of expired medications, old makeup, toiletries, and worn-out towels, you create a fresh space that is easier to maintain and more enjoyable to use. Plus, you'll free up valuable storage space and eliminate potential safety risks from expired products.
Whether you tackle it in one go or break it up into smaller sessions, the effort is well worth it. A well-organized bathroom closet doesn’t just look better—it helps you feel better, too. So roll up your sleeves and start clearing out the clutter today—you’ll be glad you did! Stay tuned for February for another area of your home to tackle.
