Rein in your untamed bathroom
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 everything out
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 sun
screens, 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, two years; mascara and liquid eyeliner, four months; lip gloss and lipstick, one year; liquid foundation, one 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.
Non-bathroom 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 and swabs 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.