Newsletters

This Is the Best Way to Declutter Your Busy Bathroom in Just a Few Steps

Stephanie Nguyen
Stephanie NguyenSenior Editor of Cleaning & Organizing at Apartment Therapy
I started off working in my college newsroom and graduated with degrees in English and Journalism from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I made my way into local newspaper and magazine publications, then made the leap from print to digital media. I served as the Editor of Hawaii Home + Remodeling magazine before joining Apartment Therapy in May 2022. I’m proud to direct the vision and voice for Apartment Therapy's Cleaning and Organizing verticals, develop and run editorial tentpole and award programs (including the beloved Cure programs, Cleaning Awards, and Organization Awards), and work with a truly talented team of editors and writers. I am passionate about sharing stories that provide our readers with the resources they need to create a home that looks and feels good to them.
published Sep 25, 2024
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
See More Images
Credit: Erin Derby

Apartment Therapy’s Decluttering Cure is a free two-week decluttering program that’ll help you achieve a tidier home. Sign up here and get all 14 assignments delivered to your inbox.

The way you organize your bathroom and how you store things there is so important to its overall flow and function. That’s why regular decluttering has to happen. 

Here’s how you’re going to achieve a pristine bathroom through our go-to decluttering strategy.

Day 10: Declutter the bathroom.

Today, we’ll declutter our busy bathrooms as efficiently as possible. Set aside some dedicated time (15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, or whatever time frame works for you!) to complete this task, and only work on the areas that apply to you. 

Here’s where to look:

  • On the vanity or countertop
  • In the medicine cabinet
  • Inside your makeup or toiletry bag
  • Inside drawers
  • Under the sink
  • Inside the shower
  • On shelves
  • Inside wall-mounted or standing organizers
  • By the trash can and toilet

Here’s what to look for:

  • Expired medication, makeup, sunscreen, and lotions
  • Empty or almost-empty products (get the dregs out and get rid of the packaging)
  • Stretched-out hair ties and broken bobby pins
  • Unused makeup, skincare, and hotel toiletry items and samples
  • Nail polish that’s never been used, that has separated, or that you have duplicates of
  • Old toothbrushes you’ve kept “for cleaning,” but haven’t repurposed
  • Any kits (like teeth whitening) you’ve never used
  • Old, broken, or unused hair styling tools
  • Duplicate items, like hair tools, tweezers, nail clippers, eyelash curlers, etc.
  • Anything you keep “for traveling,” but never pack
  • Accessories for tools you don’t have anymore, like chargers and replacement toothbrush heads
  • Hair accessories and jewelry you haven’t worn in more than a year
  • Cleaning supplies that belong somewhere else

Once you’ve collected everything, sort through what needs to be discarded or donated (move those to the outbox!). If you have more than one bathroom, focus on the one you use most frequently. 

Umbra Bellwood Over The Toilet Shelf
$180
Umbra
Buy Now

PRO TIP: Take this as your opportunity to implement some storage solutions, like this smart over-the-toilet shelf, which was a winner in our 2024 Organization Awards.

What did you discover in your busy bathroom today? Tell us in our community forum!

More ways to participate in the Decluttering Cure:

The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.

Join the Decluttering Cure Community

Filed in:
Bathroom