I moved back in January, and that meant I had to empty out everything. Not only did I have food in my pantry that expired last decade, but my bathroom cabinets were even more of a mess! Dried up tanning lotion from 5+ years ago, exploded hair bleach, and old hotel shampoos that, when opened, smelt like a mix of lotion and plastic. Purging of all these non-used items was a huge eye-opener for me in terms of keeping myself organized, and how much of a slob I really am.
If you look in your cabinets, chances are you’re not as gross as me, but I bet there is still some tidying up that needs to be done. Whether you are about to remodel your bathroom, or just need a bit more organization in your life, here is a good way to tackle the job.
Step 1: Empty your cabinets
In my case it was easy, as I was packing up getting ready to move. Everything needed to be cleaned out anyways! I started by just taking two trash bags, one for stuff I want to sort, and one for trash (i.e. Expired items, empty bottles, broken hair ties, unusable makeup etc.).
Step 2: Pare down
Once you have your two bags, one that is entirely trash, and one that you need to sort through, it is time to sit and sort. Trash should be sorted into trash and recycling, then disposed of. Next is to sort everything else. Things you decide you don’t want, but are still usable, should be donated, and everything else should be set aside in a bag or box.
Step 3: Group ‘like’ items
Teeth: Toothbrushes, dental floss, whitening products, mouth wash etc.
Hair: Brushes, combs, products and appliances (hair dryer, curlers, straighteners etc).
Skin care: Face wipes, washes, lotions, acne cream, makeup remover etc.
Shaving: Razors, shaving cream, electric razors, after shave and lotion specifically for after shaving if that is your thing.
Cleaning products: Bleach, toilet bowl cleaner and sponges.
And the list goes on, but you get the idea!
Step 4: Clean
Once everything is sorted and the bathroom is empty, it is time to clean. Use a vacuum to get everything loose out of the cabinets first. Once there is no lint and dust, scrub away!
Step 5: Relocate
This is the most important part of the entire process. Make sure you aren’t hording unnecessary products before starting. Think about where you reach when you are ready to brush your teeth. Do you want to bend down to get your hair products from under your sink? Will you really use all the products enough to make it worth storing in the bathroom?
Now that everything is organized and placed where it is convenient (and make sense), keep it that way! It is easy to fall back into the same habits. It may take doing this a few times for it to really stick, but once you find a system that works for you, your life will be much easier!
