First, go through everything and TOSS what you should:
1. Expired = Out.
2. Less than a full 'use' left (antibiotics, etc) = Out.
3. Not used in the last 2 years = Out.
4. Appears 'old', like faded or stained labels, dirty or grimy containers = Out.
5. Is cracked, broken (like eye shadow tubs) or contaminated = Out.
6. Is rusted, 'sticky' and/or not washable = Out.
Second, condense what there is:
1. Multiples of same get packed together- e.g. all bandaids go in one big band aid box, or ibuprofen from two different bottles (if same mg) put into just the one bottle.
2. Different types of same/similar packed together - all metal contraptions (nail clippers, tweezers, eyelash thingy) goes in one large cup, all types of cough drops go in one baggie.
3. Items used for similar reasons 'go' together in a container or box, etc - e.g. laxatives, anti-diarrhea pills, and butt ointment can be together; allergy pills, nasal decongentants, and cough syrups can go together.
Third, set into groups:
1. Items used daily in on group - daily vitamins, regular prescription meds, qtips, toothpaste, floss, contact solution, make up remover, etc.
2. Items used weekly in another group - nail trimmer and tweezers, lotions, razors, bandaids, etc
3. Items used occasionally in the third group - cough drops and sniffle pills, Vicks rub and rash ointment
4. Items used rarely can be placed elsewhere if bathroom real estate is at a premium- burn cream, large bandages, anti-fungal, etc.
Fourth, put into place:
1. Find a source of same items to use for keeping things together - using the same container makes things look neat. I use Gatorade bottles because I can get a lot of them free - I cut the tops off and gather items together in each, and because they are see-through, and I can just grab the cup with the item I want.
2. If you can't find them the same, make containers the same with paint, contact paper etc. for a unifying look. If something looks neat, you'll be inclined to keep it neat.
3. Place the most common used items in the most easily seen/accessed areas.
4. Store extra and rarely used items away from the bathroom, if possible. The high humidity can ruin many things like paper packs and pills, and so will shorten shelf life.
Review the Trash:
2. If you can't find them the same, make containers the same with paint, contact paper etc. for a unifying look. If something looks neat, you'll be inclined to keep it neat.
3. Place the most common used items in the most easily seen/accessed areas.
4. Store extra and rarely used items away from the bathroom, if possible. The high humidity can ruin many things like paper packs and pills, and so will shorten shelf life.
Review the Trash:
1. Empty out all of the containers, putting solids in a baggie and liquids into a container. Bring these to a medication dumpsite, or mix in kitty litter/sand and throw in the solid waste bin. Don't flush old meds, as then they get in our water supply.
2. Make sure to use a permanent marker and block out your personal info on the labels.
3. Recycle what you can:
- Paper/cardboard boxes can be recycled with paper products.
- Plastic containers can be recycled - look for what kind of material they are made of. Pill and medicine bottles are usually #1, #2 or #5 plastics, so it’s important to check the bottoms and determine what and where you can recycle them.
Check out the Gimme 5 recycle bins in Whole Foods stores or university recycling centers. You can get Recyclebank points for dropping them at Whole Foods, you just need a Gimme 5 login and points are given on the honor system.
- Blister packs would need the aluminum backing completely removed before being recycled.
- Toothpaste caps are recyclable - the tubes are not.
5. Take off bits and pieces of the trash for other crafty reuse - In the world of miniatures, toothpaste tube caps can be dollhouse lampshades or baby wipe containers, mirrors from make up fit in dollhouses, and eye shadow tubs make dollhouse bread tins. In crafts, old eyeshadow can be used like chalks, and blister packs made to bubble over letters.
Consider how to not accumulate so much crap again:
1. If you use something regularly, buy or ask if you can get the largest amount you'd use in a time frame, to cut down on the number of bottles/packaging you get.
2. See if your pharmacy has any 'take back' policy for empty containers.
3. If you don't know if a med will work, buy the smallest package of it you can.
4. Keep a note page inside the med cabinet with any 'keep in mind' concerns, such as who shouldn't get what, bad reactions had with certain meds, or what not to take together. This can be referred to quick when you wake up with sniffles and need to pick anything up. Also, keep a permanent marker somewhere on hand.
5. Write the date purchased on items that don't have expiration dates so you can gauge how old they really are.
6. Keep a 'rule of #', where you don't allow yourself more than so many of any item. For example, no more than 6 nail polish colors, 6 eyeshadows, or 6 bars of soap. It prevents things from going bad or getting old/unpleasant from sitting in storage, and saves you money.
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