To get started, all you need is a couple of boxes to hold items that you’ll be getting rid of and a large trash bag or two. You may also want to have a bin for items that you come across that belong elsewhere in your home, but that’s not really the focus of this particular challenge. Once you’re ready to go, just set the timer and work in a systematic pattern around the room going quickly through all of your cupboards, drawers, and surfaces to see what you can get rid of. I like working in one direction around the room but you could also work top to bottom if that works better for you. Pretend you are on a gameshow with the timer ticking and the audience cheering you on to gather as much stuff as possible!
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN DECLUTTERING THE BATHROOM
When it comes to decluttering, there are a few questions that you can continuously ask yourself as you go along to help determine if the item should stay or go. If have you have think about your answer, chances are very likely that you don’t need it. As you are evaluating your items, keep these questions in mind…
DO I USE THIS?
You shouldn’t really have to think long about this. You either use it or you don’t. Take note that the question is NOT “Will I possibly use this one day?”.
IS THIS PRODUCT STILL GOOD?
Remember that almost all beauty products have expiry dates. Most products will last around 6-18 months from the date that you open them. If you notice that the texture, color, or scent is “off”, it’s probably gone bad and should be discarded.
IS THIS ITEM EXTRA?
How many bottles of body lotion do you really need? Do you really use that sparkling eye shadow? Evaluate what you need and use on a regular basis. As mentioned above, almost all beauty products have a life span so it’s not always wise to “stock up”. Choose your favorite and toss or donate {if unopened} the extras!
WOULD I BUY THIS TODAY?
Ask yourself if you still love the item and if you would still buy it again today. I find this questions is especially helpful for bathroom decor items. Is it adding beauty or function to the space or is it just adding to the clutter? For beauty products, think about whether or not you really like the colors on you, does it work for your skin type, is it as effective as you thought it would be, etc. If the answer is no, it is time for it to go!
DOES THIS HELP TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER OR BETTER?
There may be some items that you don’t really need, but you do use regularly and they help to simplify things or give you pleasure in life. You can definitely splurge on some items – just make sure they are useful to you or provide you with joy.
CAN THE SPACE THAT THIS ITEM TAKES UP BE REDUCED?
For items that I am keeping, I always look for ways to reduce its footprint. Can the packaging be removed for more condensed storage? Do you have multiple bottles of the same product that can be combined? Can you transfer the item to a smaller container? Is there more appropriate storage that would make it easier to store and/or access? It’s amazing what a little creativity can do to minimize space!
20 ITEMS TO DECLUTTER FROM THE BATHROOM
Are you ready to declutter the bathroom? Here’s a list of 20 items to declutter from your bathroom. They may not all be applicable to you, but it should definitely give you a good start. Remember that items that are important to you might not be important to others, so just do you! Let’s get started…
TOWELS
Take a good look at your towels and see if they are all in good shape. For those that have seen better days, you can either use them for rags {if you NEED them!} or look at donating them to an animal shelter if they are still in decent condition. Determine how many towels you actually need to have (I limit ours to two bath towels per person plus a couple of extras for the rare time that we have house guests stay overnight} and donate any extras.
COSMETICS
Start by going through all of your make-up and tossing those items that are passed their expiry date. Next go through what is remaining and determine what you actually wear and what you don’t. Unfortunately, some colors just look better in the packaging than they do when we put them on ourselves! Keep only what you use and makes you feel pretty.
MAKE-UP BRUSHES
Go through all of your make-up brushes and pick out what you use and toss old brushes that may be losing fibers. Many times you buy a make-up brush set and only really need 2 or 3 of the 10 brushes that are included so make sure you are actually using what you keep. Wash remaining brushes with some gentle baby shampoo and dry before putting away.
HAIR ACCESSORIES
Go through any hair ties, elastics, head bands, etc. and toss those that you no longer wear. Store remaining items together.
SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
Be ruthless. If it does not work for you, you do not use it {even if you wished you used it!} or if you prefer another product that serves the same purpose, let it go. Smell all products and place a small amount in your hand to make sure that it has not gone bad. I find that older products tend to take on more of a “chemical” smell to them or the texture is off.
HAIR PRODUCTS
Go through all hair products similar to what you did with skin care products.
NAIL PRODUCTS
Nail polish has a longer shelf life compared to a lot of other beauty items. If stored properly {out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dark area} it should last for at least a few years. Look for changes in texture (clumpy nail polish is bad!) to determine if it needs to be tossed rather than how long you have had it. Of course, just because it has not gone bad doesn’t mean you should keep it if you don’t use it so make sure you still like the color and actually have the time to apply it. Store other nail accessories such as clippers, nail polish remover, files, etc. in a make-up tote or small bin.
MEDICATION
Medication should ideally NOT be stored in the bathroom due to the temperature fluctuations and steam caused from the bath and showers. Go through all medications and gather all items that have expired or you no longer need/use. Toss in the garbage if safe to do so or return them to the pharmacy for safe disposal. Find an alternative place to safely store your medication {such as the kitchen cabinets} if you have been keeping it in the bathroom.
BEAUTY APPLIANCES
Sort through all beauty appliances such as hair dryers, straighteners, curlers, foot baths, shavers, etc. and evaluate what you use and what you don’t. There always seems to be something that we hold onto for that “someday” when you will have the time to use it, but if you haven’t pulled it out in the last 6 months, the chances are that you never will. If you are holding on to that foot bath that you use once per year, maybe it would be better to get rid of it and just head out for a pedicure instead!
HAIR BRUSHES/COMBS
There seems to be a different sized/shaped hair brush for everything these days. Toss what you don’t use and clean what you are keeping.
DECOR ITEMS
Take stock of any decor items that you have in the bathroom such as artwork, storage bins, and other accessories. Ask yourself if it is adding to the space or if it is just producing clutter. Keep those items you love and donate or toss any items that are no longer your style. When choosing decor items {especially in smaller spaces}, look for items that are both functional and pretty.
SHOWER CURTAINS
Plastic shower curtains can be washed in the washing machine using warm {NOT HOT!} water and hung to dry. Eventually though, they do pass their prime and it is time to toss them for a new one. If you have a cloth shower curtain, do you still love it? Give it a wash if you do or donate/toss if it is time to update it. A new shower curtain is a fun and inexpensive way to give your bathroom new life!
TRIAL SIZED BOTTLES
If you have a ton of trial sized bottles that you picked up when traveling or received as free products when you purchased another item, it is time to use it or lose it. While it’s nice to have one set of travel sized bottles for when you do go away, that’s all you need! If you really love the product, commit to using up all of those little bottles first so you can get rid of the extra clutter. Items that are still sealed can be donated to a shelter but most will not accept any packaging that has been used or opened.
SHAVING/HAIR REMOVAL PRODUCTS
Toss old razors, and other items that you don’t use {maybe that home waxing kit?}. Test any electric razors to ensure that they are working properly and discard any extra accessories that you don’t use.
BATHROOM CLEANING SUPPLIES
Take stock of your cleaning supplies and toss those that you no longer use. If you have multiple bottles with the same product, combine them. Place those bottles that are close to empty towards the front of your stash so you will use them up first. Look for cleaning products that can be used for multiple uses and minimize chemical cleaners as much as possible.
COUNTER CLUTTER
Counter space is generally prime real estate in the bathroom. Try to store as many items away as possible {while still keeping them accessible} and keep only those items that you use all the time out {such as hand soap or hand lotion}. Keep decorative items to a minimum depending on your space and make sure that you truly love them.
PERFUMES/COLOGNE
If you store perfume in your bathroom, ensure that it is stored away from heat vents and away from the steam of the shower {as it will make it break down quicker}. Depending on the perfume and how you store it, most perfume will have a shelf life of about 3-5 years. Check all bottles to make sure that it is still good and you still love it {on you!}. Think of how many bottles you have compared to how often you apply it. If you have more than you can possibly use, donate it while it is still good and keep your top 2 or 3 favorites.
BATH TOYS
If you have younger kids, sort through bath toys to see what they still use and what they have grown out of. For those toys that you would like to keep, check to make sure that there is no mold anywhere {especially those water squirting toys!}. Discard worn toys.
FIRST AID SUPPLIES
Check through all supplies and see what you don’t need as well as what might need restocking. Check anything that has an expiry date to make sure that it is still good. You can see our first aid organization here.
Personal Care Items
I won’t go into details here, but go through them and see what you need!
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