Day 6: Streamlining the Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the first rooms you use in the morning and one of the last you visit at night. Bathrooms also tend to be the easiest and fastest to declutter, because they are the smallest rooms in the house. They’re faster to sort through, and the contents of a bathroom usually don’t have much emotional value, so it’s easier to let go of items you don’t need. Streamlining can have a huge impact on your morning and evening routines, because a simplified bathroom will make it easier to get ready in the morning and much more relaxing to get ready for bed at night.

Start by taking everything out of the cabinets, drawers and other storage areas, so you can see everything you have. Be ruthless about getting rid of items you don’t use, products and medications that are old or expired, products you don’t like, and excess products you can’t possibly use before they expire. New, unopened bath products that you won’t use can be donated, and old medication should be bagged separately for disposal by your pharmacy. If you have duplicate tools, such as hair brushes, curling irons, etc., choose the one you use the most, and decide whether you can get rid of the others or store them elsewhere (such as a spare hair dryer in a guest bathroom).

Separate items you’re currently using from new or extra products. Keep out only one cleanser, one body lotion, etc., and set the rest aside to create a storage spot to hold products until you run out and need another bottle. Many people open a new product before the first one is completely empty – either because they wanted to switch to a new scent/brand or because the old one is close to empty. Going forward, don’t start on a new product until the old one is finished. If you don’t like the old one, get rid of it, then open a new one. If you have a collection of half-full bottles of shampoo or lotion you can still use, consider combining them into one bottle. Half-used bottles of shampoo or body wash that you don’t like can also be used in the shower as a bath cleaner – just put a bottle in your shower along with a bath scrubber, and you can scrub down the shower quickly while you’re in there, without toxic fumes.

Create a storage area for your extra products, creating a “store” to shop from as you use up current items. An undersink cabinet or storage cabinet above a toilet works well for this, as does a separate linen closet or even an underbed storage container. Organize products by type so you can easily see what you have and what you’re out of. Going forward, don’t buy more product than you can easily store or use before the expiration date.

“Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul,” ~Yiddish proverb

For your daily products, group items according to function (shaving items, face products, hair products, etc.) and store loose objects in clear boxes or cups. I like storing items out of sight, in drawers and cabinets, using baskets or easy-to-clean plastic bins to corral like items. If you keep items on the counter itself, consider using a tray, which corrals products in a consistent space and is easy to move for cleaning the countertop. For make-up, try using two separate spaces for daily make-up and special occasion make-up – I have a stacking plastic organizer box where I keep my daily make-up in the top compartment and special occasion items in the second tier, so I don’t have to paw through everything when I only have a few minutes to get ready.

In the shower, use a caddie with enough space for all your necessities -- don't try to balance everything on the ledge of the tub or shower stall. Look for one with hooks to hang wet washcloths or razors, and a shelf for soap. Store only the products you’re currently using in the shower, and don’t open a new shampoo or soap until the old one is gone. Keep only your current razor with your toiletries – store extra blades away from the humidity so they don’t rust.

Cut back on the number of towels you have, and consider keeping only two sets of towels per person. Donate extras, and store guest linens (only one or two sets) in a separate location from your daily towels.

After purging expired medications, corral all your medications and first aid supplies and consider storing them in a locked cabinet, away from small children, and preferably outside the humid bathroom. We have a metal IKEA cabinet in our closet with a simple combination lock that is easy to get into in an emergency but keeps curious children safely out.

Tomorrow: How to Clean the Bathroom Quickly

This post is part of the Fresh Start Series, 31 days of tips and tricks to simplify in the new year.