How did it get this way?

Quick, name the one space in your home that is REALLY disorganized and in need of some serious decluttering.  Many clients say basement, playroom or closets and yes, these are often trouble spots in the home.  But one of the most important spaces that often gets overlooked is the bathroom medicine cabinet.  For many of us, it’s a space we use multiple times a day but we rarely give it a thought unless we need something specific.  On a daily basis, we rummage around for the item we need and then shove it back in and close the door.  In theory, we know that there’s a lot of “stuff” lurking in there but we don’t take the time to sort it out.  While a medicine cabinet may seem like a low organizing priority, it really needs to be prioritized both for ease of use and most importantly, for safety.

How the heck old IS this, anyway?

The first thing to address in a medicine cabinet are expiration dates.  Dates are there for a reason so always err on the side of caution.  Pharmaceuticals should NOT be stored in a bathroom medicine cabinet – heat and moisture break down the components faster.  All narcotics should be kept in a locked space – not in the easy access of a medicine cabinet.  Throw out any OTC medications that are expired and take any narcotics to your local police department for proper destruction – DO NOT flush these down the toilet.  These chemicals seep into the ground and drinking water and cause real harm.   Once you’ve eliminated the unneeded, unused and expired medications, determine what else should be put back in.  Containerize like items in Ziploc bags or small acrylic containers.  First aid items like bandages and ointments fit perfectly in a small bag.  Group items together – shaving, hair products, dental items – inside the cabinet for easy access.

Do you have duplicates of the same item?  Store the unopened item in another spot to leave the “prime real estate” of the medicine cabinet free.  Purge, containerize and give your items a home – your everyday routine will thank you….