The Bathroom

As one of the few spaces in the house you enjoy alone behind a closed door, your bathroom may be your inner sanctum. But it’s hard to find peace and quiet among a chaos of expired shampoos and half-squeezed tubes of toothpaste and lotion. This summer, as sunscreen and bug spray enter the rotation, make your bathroom a retreat for relaxation and self-care with a few easy tips for clearing and decluttering. Here are some helpful guidelines:.

Get into the Zone

Decluttering projects are easier when we break them down by zone and focus on one at a time. In your bathroom, set aside time to tackle:

• Medicine cabinets and drawers

• Shower caddies

• Bathtub and over-toilet shelves

• Linen shelves or drawers

• Toiletry kits

You’ll feel a lot more peaceful in your bathroom when you’ve tamed the clutter behind the mirror (or in the drawers). For each zone you identify:

• Take everything out of the cabinet or drawer.

• Group the items into categories (e.g. medication, nail polish, skin care, dental products, hair, makeup).

• Go through each category and edit, deciding what to get rid of, what to recycle or donate, and what to keep.

• Then wipe-down and re-organize your space!

Discard & Donate

• Look for expiration dates on medicine and sunscreen and discard what’s past its prime. CVS and Walgreens offer safe disposal kiosks for expired medications.

• Skincare and makeup lose their potency after 1-2 years. Eye makeup and lipsticks often recommend replacement every three to six months. Nail polish, lipstick and liquid foundation will start to separate when they turn. When makeup expires, throw it away.

• Perfumes fade over time, or simply stop being our signature scents. Give them a sniff and decide whether to keep them or toss them.

• Shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream. If it’s gunky, if you don’t use it, say goodbye to it.

Both Nordstrom and Sephora have launched recycling programs for beauty product containers. Instead of throwing them away, recycle!

Shelters welcome donations of unused, unopened toiletries, beauty products and dental care supplies. You can donate samples, as well as clean, unused personal care products like nail kits, shaving kits, hair dryers and curling irons.

Organize

When you’ve eliminated everything you no longer want or need, it’s time to reorganize. To help ensure clutter-free spaces:

• Wipe down drawers and shelves. Soaps and salves can leave a sticky legacy!

• Put everyday items front and center. Backup items can live on a higher shelf or in a drawer or closet—including the linen closet for first aid kits or extra toilet paper.

• Use Lazy Susans inside cabinets, on the vanity, or on shelves to keep items organized and easily accessible.

• Cups and jars can hold makeup brushes and other accessories. A pretty tray can hold everyday lotions and potions.

• Drawer organizers help create boundaries and keep items neatly categorized.

• Stackable drawers or clear shoe boxes or sliding drawer organizers can help keep the under-sink area under control. For best results, label drawers.

• Go vertical. The interior of cabinet doors can be a place to hang items like hair tools. Shelves over the toilet can also add space for storage.

Making Space for Health & Wellness

A decluttered bathroom isn’t just a quiet haven—it’s an investment in your ongoing health and wellness. It’s easier to get ready for your day when you know where to find what you’re looking for. And a clean, decluttered bathroom is ready for action when a sick child or a bug bite demands fast action.

But you may also find that a clean, peaceful bathroom outfitted with a scent diffuser or fresh flowers is your new favorite place to relax!

One of the biggest gifts you can give those you love is not to leave them with all of your stuff.

Best,