On to the next room in the house that needs some organizational love…your bathroom! You can organize your bathroom 30 minutes at a time, just as I showed how you can organize your kitchen in the same time blocks! So grab your rubber gloves and off we go!
MEDICINE CABINET
I tackle the task of cleaning out our medicine cabinets every 6 months. I don’t know how so many things accumulate in this not-so-big place in the house! After emptying the entire cabinet, I checked all medication and creams for expiration dates and set to determine what must be in there and what can be stored elsewhere.
Remove the Medicine
Did you know that you shouldn’t store medicine in the medicine cabinet? Aside from the fact that a child can somewhat easily climb onto the countertop and get into the cabinet if they really wanted to, childproof tops are not always 100% childproof. (Although there has been a cap or two that was definitely adult-proof.)
Also, if your medicine cabinet is in a bathroom with a shower or tub, the steamy atmosphere (from the water running people – get your heads out of the gutter), is not conducive for most medications. In most cases, the optimum storage temperature will be noted on the bottle itself. Store any medications – over-the-counter and prescribed in a lock box. I’ve come to the conclusion that this cabinet should not be called a medicine cabinet after all.
A Well-Stocked Medicine Cabinet
A well-stocked medicine cabinet should contain:
- Your toothbrushes. I know that may seem odd but read why.
- Adhesive bandages
- Thermometer
- Sunscreen
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
UNDER THE SINK
Take EVERYTHING out from under your sink. Everything. It is amazing what falls to the back of that dark cabinet! Wipe down the bottom and sides of the cabinet. If you’d like, place a shelf liner or other protective liner on the bottom.
Check expiration dates on beauty items. If you are unsure if the product has expired and you know you’ve had it for quite some time, AND you haven’t used it in a long time – toss it.
Organize similar products together. I section off my hair products to one side (mousse, hairspray, dry shampoo) along with my blow dryer, flat iron, and Beachwaver (love that tool!). I have plastic drawers that neatly hide my feminine hygiene products, razors, and contact lenses. All of my hair elastics are collected into one plastic box, with the other plastic box filled with hair clips.
Nail polishes and tools are neatly contained in a plastic shoe box.
I don’t like to keep cleaning solvents under my sink but do create a caddy that has everything I need in it, stored in the linen closet.
LINEN CLOSET
Yet again, take EVERYTHING out of the linen closet. Vacuum the floor and wipe down the shelving. Pile towels with towels, sheets with sheets, etc.
Purging Time
Go through the towels and sheets. Are there any holes, bleach marks, or stains? If so, donate them to a local animal shelter. They are always in need of linens for the animals that come in.
If the sheets or towels are just plain old – you’ve washed them 5,000 times and they are threadbare – it may me time to donate them and get yourself a new set! I love to go to Homegoods or Target for my linens. There’s something about a crisp set of new sheets that makes me sleep better. (It may also be all in my mind LOL.)
Any towels and sheets that make the cut are folded nicely (or as nicely as I can – I am NOT a good sheet folder) and placed on the shelves.
Other Linen Closet Organizing
I store products such as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and our skin creams (itch relief, back pain relief) on one shelf.
My iron is housed in the linen closet with a wrinkle reducer and starch spray right next to it. It’s super important to keep complimentary products together. You’ll never lose them that way!
On the bottom shelf or floor, I have a plastic bin, or caddy, that contains the cleaning products that I need for that bathroom. I do this so that I don’t have to run up and down the stairs looking for the glass cleaner, etc. Inside I have:
- Roll of paper towels
- Rubber gloves
- Scrub brush
- Tile and tub cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber towel
PART THREE: Organize Your Closet 30 Minutes at a Time!
Stay tuned for Part 3 of my series on organizing your space, 30 minutes at a time. Don’t forget to check out Part One: Organize Your Kitchen 30 Minutes at a Time!
Laurence says
Good tips. This is how our bathroom kinda organize too. The cleaning stuff at the bottom of the sink, so it’s easy to grab. Then medicines at the cabinet.
Dana says
Thank you, Laurence!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
These are some great ideas!! Unfortunately, my bathroom is SO small! To give you an idea, all that can fit under our sink is a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of conditioner 🙁
Dana says
Thank you, Cathleen! Do you have a linen closet? If not, under-bed storage is super helpful too!
Cassie S says
I need to use the 30 min at a time method for my whole house lol Sometimes I get too overwhelmed and don’t even know where to begin. These are great tips. My medicine cabinet definitely needs a makeover
Dana says
30 minutes is the perfect time frame. It makes the tasks not too overwhelming!
Laura Dove says
Great ideas! We are having our bathrooms renovated at the moment so I will bear these points in mind when designing it!
Dana says
Thank you, Laura! If you have any questions please email me. I love to help!
serena hale says
I need to use some of these tips now. My bathroom is so unorganized. I may do it once hubby is going and learn him the new way that the bathroom is going to be kept up:)
Dana says
Serena, I hope the tips help! I had to ease my hubby into the new “ways” and he was very receptive. Good luck!
Dee Jackson says
Having a Japanese bathroom, i never really came upon the issue of how to organize my bathroom. I will say however that your tips are fantastic and I would love to use them.
-Dee | | https://mydeedeesdiary.com
Katrina Jean Carter says
I actually took a screenshot of some notable things that I would like to implement in my home! I’m a very young wife and didn’t realize that theres so much adjustment. Learning and growing for sure!
Dana says
Katrina, I am so glad that the info is useful for you!!
Holly B. says
30 minutes at a time is great philosophy I’ve never thought of. I have so many major organization task I’ve never got to because I just feel so overwhelmed. This is actually doable! As for the medication, you’re right. My hubby used to try to put his in there and it was awful. It absorbed moisture from the bathroom. Yuck!
Dana says
Thanks, Holly! I get overwhelmed too so I figured if I break down the tasks into palatable pieces, I will actually complete them!
Ada says
I need to start decluttering under my sink because we move soon!
emma white says
oh some great ideas here and great timing as I am in the process of decorating the bathroom and was thinking about what I can do in there
Kitty Taffe says
It is like you made this post for me! I am on an organization spree. Believe me, it is much needed. I will use your advice. Thank you! xo
Dana says
I am so glad you liked the post, Kitty!!
Jessica says
Hi Dana,
I just had a little bathroom organization! Thank you for the tips 😉 I like putting similar things together, like the cleaning stuff, feminine hygiene products, towels etc. I also do label them just because.. 😉
Cheers,
Jessica
Bristol Builders Network says
Great tips! There is nothing worse than a badly organised bathroom!
Dana says
Thank you!
Filip says
Having a closet in your bathroom makes a huge difference. Everything is on its place and you don’t have to see the constant mess. Yes, taking 30 min once a week is enough to have a spotless and organized bathroom. Unless you have little boys lol
Shower Journal says
Hey Dana, thanks for sharing these great shortcuts. Which type of medicine cabinet are you suggesting if I am using a shower without a shower door?
Dana says
Hey there! Try to find one that has a good seal to it – to not allow humidity/moisture in!
Shower Journal says
Thanks, Dana for replying. Can you please suggest some specific models for my readers?