Howto organize bathroom vanity
A bathroom vanity can easily become a series of junk drawers. But with some light organization, you can make sure the stuff you need on a regular basis is at your fingertips.
Step 1: Take out everything
Give the drawers a good cleaning. A once-over with a hand vacuum will pick up any stray lint, and a cloth dampened with a mixture of water and white vinegar will remove dirt and bacteria.
Step 2: Sort it
Separate the contents into three piles: toss or give away, daily use and occasional use. Toss expired medicines and sunscreens, broken hairbands, hair products you used once or twice and old makeup.
Speaking of, how old is too old for makeup?
• Eye shadow and blush: 2 years
• Mascara and liquid eyeliner: 4 months
• Lip gloss and lipstick: 1 year
• Liquid foundation: 1 year When you buy new makeup, write down the date you opened it on the container or bottle so you know when to toss it.
Step 3: Relocate
Consider housing your makeup and nail polish collection in a drier environment than the bathroom to extend its life.
Nonbathroom items, such as your emergency sewing kit, should be moved to a more spacious home, like a closet.
Things like hand soap, moisturizer and a box of tissues may permanently reside next to your sink — but try to keep those items to a minimum.
Step 4: Restock
Organize what remains based on category: makeup, hair care products, first-aid items, etc. If you have multiple drawers, refill them strategically. Keep the categories separate.
For smaller items, buy drawer organizers to group stuff accordingly. Mason jars provide great storage for cotton balls, Q-tips and makeup brushes.
If every item has a home, you’ll know where to find it and where to put it when you’re done.