For many people, the bathroom becomes a catch-all for personal care items, leading to clutter and stress. Clutter in the bathroom can detract from your overall sense of well-being. Monica Friel, chief executive organizer with Chaos to Order in Chicago, suggests storing items based on what you use most and what works best for your routine. Evaluating what you have from time to time is the best way to ensure the space is used most efficiently.
Here are three experts’ recommendations on what to purge from your bathroom:
1. Hotel Toiletries – Why keep them? Nicole Anzia, owner of Neatnik, a Washington, D.C.-based organizing company, suggests saving time and space by not bringing them home in the first place.
2. Clothes – Monica Friel advises against leaving dirty clothes on the floor or on hooks in the bathroom, as it can be messy and pose a slipping hazard. Designate a space outside the bathroom for dirty clothing.
3. Old Toothbrushes – According to the American Dental Association, toothbrushes should be changed every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Ruthann Betz-Essinger, a certified professional organizer with Just Organized, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama, also recommends tossing your toothbrush if you’ve been sick.
4. Too Many Towels – Keep only the towels you’re using in the bathroom. Store the rest in a linen closet and evaluate how many you actually need based on your family’s habits. Turn some well-used towels into rags if needed and donate the rest.
5. Kids’ Bath Toys – If your kids have outgrown their bath toys, it’s time to toss or donate them, ensuring they are in working order and have all the pieces. Wash them with warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly first.
6. Jewelry – Humidity damages jewelry, so it’s better to keep it somewhere dry, away from bathroom drains, as noted by Nicole Anzia.
7. Makeup and Lotions – High humidity can affect these products, but almost everyone stores them in the bathroom anyway, according to Ruthann Betz-Essinger.
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Expired Medicines: Some people argue against keeping any medicine in the bathroom, but Anzia thinks it’s fine as long as it’s not past its use-by date. She recommends going through your supply at least twice a year to get rid of expired or unneeded medicine. And if your medicine cabinet is too jam-packed, store things like Band-Aids and sunscreen elsewhere. By the way, even sunscreen can expire. Reading Materials: It’s okay to read in the bathroom, but don’t store reading materials there. If there’s a magazine you want to read while taking a bath, bring it in but take it out when you’re done. This will keep clutter at a minimum and prevent damage from water. Old Hair Tools: Hair dryers and other hair appliances are fine to store in the bathroom, but don’t keep old ones if you buy new ones. Toss the old ones or donate if they’re in working order. Also, get rid of hair appliances that you don’t like, fry your hair, or don’t work with your current hairstyle. Decor: The fewer unnecessary things in your bathroom, the less cleaning there is to do. Empty space on a vanity doesn’t need to be filled. A candle for bath time or to cover up odors is all you need. Skip having a bunch of baskets, bins or plants collecting dust. Harsh Cleaning Chemicals: Harsh cleaning chemicals have no place in bathrooms. Most surfaces can be cleaned with a combination of baking soda, water, white vinegar, liquid castile soap, tea tree oil and other essential oils. Consider using natural cleaning formulas made with everyday ingredients. Friel also recommends not keeping cleaning products in the bathroom as they take up valuable cabinet space and you don’t necessarily use them every day. Makeup Bags: Some people own toiletry or makeup bags for travel. But if you have a lot, don’t stuff them under the sink. Keep one or two in a drawer or bathroom cabinet and store the rest with your luggage or purses. Extra Anything: Avoid storing extra bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics, etc. in your bathroom. There’s no need to keep five tubes of toothpaste in the drawer, says Friel.To optimize space and minimize clutter in your bathroom, follow this simple principle: ‘Keep one, use it fully, then replace.’ By adhering to this method, you can save a significant amount of space in prime locations and achieve a more organized bathroom environment. Another tip for those who prefer to buy in bulk is to maintain an ‘extras box.’ This box should be stored in your linen closet or any nearby storage space, ensuring that your bathroom remains tidy and uncluttered. Discover 17 creative and effective bathroom storage ideas that will help you maintain a well-organized space. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit
