A better bathroom in 8 easy steps

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house and tends to collect clutter quickly. But I’ll give you the secret to an organized bathroom . . . it's tossing out-of-date products.

Tossing products can be difficult to do. We spend our hard-earned dollars on these (not cheap) products, so it can be tempting to keep every jar of skin cream and bottle of hair spray for years.

But skin care products and toiletries go bad and you could be doing your skin more harm than good. Using spoiled products can easily lead to skin irritations and infections.

Unopened items can remain stable for a couple of years at room temperature but once opened they are exposed to the air and ingredients can start to oxidize and degrade.

Let’s attack the clutter with my 8 steps to a more organized bathroom.

1. Empty all cabinets and drawers. Use a nearby bed, table, or floor for sorting of items. Place a towel underneath if you are concerned about leaking products. 
   

2. Sort into groups of similar items. Hair clips go together, all nail care items, all body soap, and more. 
   

3. As you sort, toss old makeup, toothpaste, nail polish, skin care and hair care products, as well as broken appliances. 
   

4. Check medication expiration dates. Unused medication can be properly disposed of at local police stations, and some pharmacies. Medication should not be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet. 
   

5. Place samples and small-size products in a travel bag, ready for your next adventure. 
   

6. Set aside items to donate, like hair dryers and straighteners that are in good condition. If an unused (but still good) product is not quite perfect for you, pass it along to a friend or family member. Or perhaps give items to a child that likes to play dress up with makeup and hair accessories. Unopened paper products, shampoo, razors, and more can be donated to a local food pantry or shelter. 
   

7. Place often-used items in the most accessible locations and infrequently used items in more out-of-the-way spots (up high, down low, or in a nearby closet).
   

8. To help contain your products and maintain order, utilize organizers and bins. They come in many materials, colors, shapes, and sizes, so be sure to measure the space before purchasing anything.