If you’re looking for a good place to begin decluttering your house, the bathroom is a great place to start! It’s a small space where you can see Big Results!
As with any decluttering project – grab a trash bag, recycle bag and a donation box to get started.
I spent several hours on a Sunday afternoon decluttering one bathroom in our house….and I was shocked at the number of things I was able to trash, recycle or donate – 111 items! That is just CRAZY to think that we had that many unnecessary items!
We had lots of outdated medicines and dozens of the complimentary soaps, and shampoo, conditioner, and lotion bottles from who-knows-how-many hotels over the years.
So many of us keep things “just in case” we might need or use them in the future: extra shower curtain hooks, makeup that we spent good money on but never choose to wear, pony tail holders just in case i ever let my hair grow longer….. the list goes on and on. I am finally realizing that I can let these items go, and that allows me to let go of managing access inventory in my home!
I’ve always had a hard time getting rid of extra washcloths or towels. But how many towels do two people really need? 4 or 6 – plus a couple for company? We certainly have more than that. I am going to freshly wash my donate pile and take them to a women’s shelter that I know can use them. I”ll take some of the makeup zipper bags and nicer travel size personal items there, too.
I rinsed out lots of plastic bottles and put those and other medicine packaging in the recycle bin. I really only had to throw away a handful of things. That felt especially good.
I must be honest – I know I have kept more towels than we really “need.” I have this habit of keeping towels and washcloths so that I will always have something to use for “messy” jobs: painting, cleaning….and now for when I want to hold my chickens in my lap. 🙂 Maybe on my next decluttering pass through the bathroom, I will get rid of a few more. I find it easier to let things go after I have done this exercise a couple of times.
I started my bathroom project with the intent of having a bathroom counter clear of everything except a soap dispenser. The reason for this: the less things on the counter, the easier it will be to keep it clean! I ALMOST achieved my goal. I did leave a fan on my “bonus” counter (if you’re a woman over 50 you understand why) and my lighted magnifying mirror, which doubles as a towel holder. I know if I put my Water Pik away, I would probably never get it out to use it – so I’m leaving it out for now.
I have always had a toothbrush holder on the bathroom counter. Not anymore! Now I keep my toothbrush with the toothpaste in a tray in the drawer. Before I would keep my medication box on the counter so I would not forget to take my meds. Now, I keep it out of sight, but in the tray with my toothbrush where I know I will see it every morning.
Ah….. It is such a good feeling to step into a clutter-free bathroom!
AND – It’s super easy to pull out a disinfecting cloth and wipe everything down in just seconds!
Remember to Keep It Simple! xoxo Angie
P.S. If you’re interested in decluttering additional areas of you home, you can get my FREE 7 Simple Steps Decluttering Guide here!
