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Medicine cabinets can easily become a hindrance when they’re filled with expired medications, empty tubes of ointment, and unused toothbrushes. It’s important to know how to organize medicine cabinet essentials so that you can quickly access medication, beauty products, and more when you need them. By applying the following medicine cabinet ideas in your own bathroom, you can transform a disorganized mess into a tidy, well-appointed space.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Not all homes feature medicine cabinets, but adding one to your bathroom is an excellent way to get the most out of your bathroom storage space. As an added bonus, installing a medicine cabinet is a relatively simple project. Don’t have a medicine cabinet you love? Our guide to the best medicine cabinets features a variety of high-quality options to choose from.
STEP 1: Clear out and clean the medicine cabinet.
Before you begin organizing, start with a blank slate. Remove everything from the medicine cabinet so that it’s completely empty. Throw away or recycle any trash or recyclables and take stock of the items you have. Then, clean and disinfect the shelves and door, using a textured sponge or scouring pad to tackle any stuck-on messes. This is also a good time to evaluate how much space the cabinet offers so you can maximize it during the organizational process.
Related: Boring Bathroom? 7 Fixes for an Old Medicine Cabinet
STEP 2: Dispose of expired items.
The next step is to get rid of any products that have passed their expiration date. Be sure to properly dispose of any prescription medications or over-the-counter products that have expired. According to the FDA, the safest option is to take unused medications to the drop-off point of a drug take-back program.
Beauty products also have expiration dates, though they may not be as clear. Most cosmetics and skin care products feature a small icon indicating the number of months it will be usable once it has been opened. If you don’t remember exactly when a product was opened, a good rule of thumb is to dispose of beauty products that you’ve had for more than a year.
STEP 3: Sort items into categories.
Once you’ve disposed of any unwanted or expired items, it’s time to assess the products you have left. Sort the remaining items into categories, keeping like items together. For example, daily prescription medications can go in one category, while pills taken occasionally—like cold medication—can go in another. Assess whether all these categories actually belong in the medicine cabinet. If your household doesn’t often need bandages, for example, they may be better off being stored in a drawer or first aid kit to leave more room in the medicine cabinet for items you actually reach for daily.
STEP 4: Use labeled containers to store similar items together.
After establishing which products belong in the cabinet and sorting them, the next step is to use small containers to ensure everything has a specific place within the organized medicine cabinet. Opt for clear glass or plastic containers to keep their contents easily visible, and choose organizers that are appropriately sized for the products in question. You can also label each container to make it even easier to find items quickly.
STEP 5: Store more on the cabinet door.
If your medicine cabinet is light on space, consider expanding the available storage capacity by adding a storage solution to the cabinet door. One example is this mounted toothbrush holder available on Amazon to store your household’s toothbrushes without taking up any additional space. Installing a magnetic strip like this one available on Amazon to the inside of the door to hold metal objects like scissors, nail clippers, and bobby bins is another creative option.
Related: 12 Easy Ways to Boost Bathroom Storage
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve followed these five simple steps, your medicine storage will be tidy and well organized. This system will help you to always find the products you need quickly and easily while keeping your medicine cabinet organization top-notch and simple to maintain.