| Copyright (c) 2008 Pat Brill | | | | toss out all the items that have been hanging around |
| When you look at your bathroom, is it clean and | | | | forever. |
| organized? Are you hiding all the clutter in the | | | | ==>Storage Areas |
| medicine cabinet or in under-the-sink storage? | | | | You have now gone through your makeup and |
| Bathrooms seem to attract lots of small items like | | | | cleansing products, tossed out what you didn't need |
| makeup, medicine bottles, hair accessories, razors, | | | | or what has expired and now you are ready to |
| hairbrushes, lotion, shampoo, product samples and the | | | | organize what's left. If you have a small bathroom |
| list goes on. Finding what you need as well as | | | | area, here are some organizing tools to help you. |
| removing old products can be challenging. Here are a | | | | -Over the Toilet ' this is a great space to add a |
| few simple ideas to help you create more space and | | | | storage cabinet that is enclosed and has several |
| be more organized. | | | | shelves. Don't forget to organize this space with |
| ==>De-Cluttering | | | | appropriate sized bins to contain and organize all |
| Though they call it a medicine cabinet, it is probably | | | | those little things. |
| not a great place to store your medicines. Bathrooms | | | | -Tub and Shower Areas ' Caddies and corner shelving |
| can become hot and humid and that may affect the | | | | hold shampoo and cleansing products. A rack that fits |
| quality of your medicines. Also, young hands and | | | | over the tub can be good for the childrens' toys. Find |
| minds might go foraging in your cabinet and play with | | | | a fishnet bag to house the toys and hang from the |
| or ingest medicines that are not meant for them. So | | | | showerhead to dry. |
| store your medicines out of reach in a dry, dark area, | | | | -Under the Sink Area ' Here is a great space to |
| like a linen closet (as long as it isn't in your bathroom!). | | | | include inexpensive storage containers. Go to your |
| Toss out medicines that are past their expiration | | | | local dollar store and stock up on the right storage |
| date. | | | | products for your bathroom. Have separate storage |
| Most people store makeup, nail polish, shampoo and | | | | areas for each person or for different categories of |
| other cleansing products in their bathrooms. Keep in | | | | products. You can also store products used for |
| mind that these products all have a shelf life ... even if | | | | cleaning the bathroom for easy access. |
| you don't use them often. | | | | If space is limited, and there are several people |
| Most makeup will last about 18-24 months, except | | | | sharing one bathroom, have separate caddies for |
| for mascara which should be replaced every three | | | | each individual's products. These caddies can be |
| months. Mascara accumulates bacteria quickly, so | | | | stored in their individual bedrooms or closets and |
| toss it out even if there is product still left. Liquid | | | | brought out only when needed, thus not using up all |
| eyeliner lasts about three to six months and nail polish | | | | the available storage space in a small bathroom. A |
| lasts approximately one year, depending upon how | | | | makeup or nail caddy can be easily transferred to the |
| often you use it. If your foundation or lipstick starts | | | | bathroom or another room when you want to use it |
| to smell, it has probably turned bad, so toss it. | | | | and stowed away when not in use. |
| Lipstick can last up to two years, though if you put it | | | | ==>Final Thoughts |
| in the refrigerator you may be able to keep it longer. | | | | Once you've put the time in to de-clutter, clean and |
| The shelf life of hair products is usually 18 months. | | | | organize your bathroom, it is easier to keep it up. |
| If the product doesn't have an expiration date, it's a | | | | And now that it's done, it's time to celebrate by |
| good idea to take a permanent marker and add your | | | | creating a relaxing mood ... light a great smelling |
| calculated expiration date on the product as soon as | | | | candle, run a warm bath and either read or just |
| you start to use it. This way you don't have to | | | | daydream. It's your time to relax. |
| remember when you purchased the product. Then | | | | |