10 Bathroom Items You Need To Throw Out Today

It starts simply enough. You get a new face wash you really wanted to try. Then a few weeks later, you get some hair gel that looks great. Before you realize it, your bathroom cabinets and drawers are overflowing with items you simply don’t need. If this resonates with you, it is officially time to de-clutter your bathroom. While it may be hard throwing away perfectly good items, just think about how nice it will be to have a specific place to store every item you use.

1. Old Medications — Prescription or Not

There are so many medications out there that only serve one purpose. Though once you are better, you end up with a partially used bottle in your cabinet for months. Most medications don’t have as long of a shelf life as you might think. While taking expired medications probably won’t make you sick, they will also not be as effective, so don’t waste your time with them. Go through your cabinets and throw away any over-the-counter medications that are past their expiration date. If you need to dispose of prescription medications, take them to the pharmacy so they can be discarded properly.

2. Spa Gift Sets

They seem so lovely when you get them, but you already have products you know work well with your body’s chemistry, and don’t want to take any chances. You put the lovely gift set on your bathroom shelf and it sits there, collecting dust. If you aren’t going to use it, get rid of it. If it’s nice enough, re-gift it, or just give it to a friend.

3. Extra Contact Lens Cases

Most contact solution bottles come with a new contact lens case, so every time you open the bottle, you have a new case to store. They come with a new case for a reason. Switch your case every three months to make sure it is not harboring any unseen bacteria that can get into your eyes when wearing the lenses. Keep the most current case and throw the rest in the trash.

4. Toothbrushes

When is the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If you can’t remember, it’s been too long. Replace your toothbrush every three months to help keep it clean and bacteria-free. While this isn’t exactly de-cluttering, it is a great reminder to throw out that old toothbrush and start using a new one.

5. Failed Hair Products

Hair is fickle, and commercial creators are really good at showing off what their products can do. It’s no surprise that most bathroom cupboards are laden with hair products that were purchased and only used once or twice. Now is the time to take inventory of your hair products. No matter how expensive it was or how nice the packaging is, if you don’t use it, say goodbye. Your space is much more valuable. A good rule of thumb is, if you haven’t used it in over a month, you can probably live without it. To make it a little less heartbreaking seeing all that money in the trash, donate any unopened/barely used items to a shelter.

6. Outdated Cosmetics

Makeup seems to pile up just as bad, if not worse, than hair products. You see an ad, want to try it, and it doesn’t work as advertised. Yet you can’t just throw the product away, so it’s tossed into your “reject” drawer in case you’ll use it someday. But someday never comes. Now, repeat this process over and over and you have quite the collection of unused makeup and nail polish. Instead of having it hog your coveted bathroom space, give it away to friends or family, or just toss it — depending on its condition.

7. Shower Products

While you are cleaning out your cabinets, you may as well take inventory of your shower products. When is the last time you replaced the razor blade or loofah? May as well replace them now since the rest of your bathroom will be fresh. You may even have some shower products that you purchased that just don’t do what they promised — throw those away, too.

8. Travel Size Items

Travel size items are ultra-convenient for traveling, especially if you hate checking bags, but that’s about it. Once your trip is over, toss any remaining travel items you have, and throw away those that are taking space now. If you insist that these travel items simplify traveling, place them in your suitcase. Now, they are out of the way, but you still have them when needed.

9. Bathroom Towels and Washcloths

Now it’s time to discuss the biggest culprit of space in a bathroom — towels. Yes, they’re a must, but you only need two per person: one to use, and one for backup when that towel is being washed. Go through your towels and washcloths and locate the ones that are worn, raggedy or have a slight lingering odor. You can cut these old towels to use as cleaning rags or donate them to a pet shelter. What’s more, you can free an enormous amount of space in your bathroom by doing it.

10. Toilet Brush

Toilet brushes are one of the least expensive items in your bathroom, yet they are often purchased and expected to sit there for years. Here’s the thing: toilet brushes are gross. They should be replaced at least once a year. Now the challenge is on you. How many items can you get rid of in your bathroom? While it may seem like an enormous task upfront, it’s freeing to see all of the space-wasters go away. You will be amazed at just how much space your bathroom cabinets really have!