9 things professional declutterers won’t keep in their bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the first and last rooms we enter during the day. Whether yours is small or spacious, they can quickly become a dumping ground for non-essential items. If you're looking to fix your cluttered bathroom, you've come to the right place. We asked professional declutterers — including members of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) — to share their biggest dos and don'ts with House Beautiful so that you can create the ultimate spa-like experience at home.
'Some would say that their bathroom is the least important room in the house, but each room serves a purpose and therefore is important in its own right', Sian Pelleschi, owner of Sorted! and President of the APDO, tells House Beautiful UK.
'It's important to have a functional space that you can occasionally relax in (if you like to wallow in the bath or take long showers). I recently did a declutter of my own bathroom, and while it wasn't very cluttered to start with, there were still items in there that no longer served a purpose.'
Keep reading to find out what you should declutter, including advice on how to recycle items you no longer need:
1. Excessive towels and linens
Fluffy towels are essential, but the APDO decluttering experts advise against storing excessive amounts in the bathroom.
'Assess realistically how many towels you need to use at any one time and who may be using them,' Sian tells us. 'Having a hand towel available and bath towel accessible is good, but do you need all the spares in there too?
'If you're limited on storage in other areas of the house then you may need to store the towels in the bathroom but again, be realistic about how many may be used at any one time (including guests) and how many per person you have — realistically two bath towels per person is plenty.'
The number of towels you need depends on several factors, including household size and personal preferences. However, as a general guideline, you should have at least two bath towels per person, two hand towels per bathroom, and two washcloths per person.
Laura Haddy, founder of Clear The Chaos and an APDO Member, agrees: 'Towels seem to be a top area of accumulation. Consider old/worn towels to be donated to animal shelters, or use them as rags at home. And consider how many 'sets' you really use and need.'
2. Expired makeup
From old makeup palettes to travel-sized bottles, cosmetic items are among the biggest culprits in clutter crime. Ask yourself: when was the last time I used this product? Does the colour suit me? Could I pass it onto a friend? Do I actually like the product and brand?
'Check the expiry dates on your toiletries. Any makeup items that are no longer needed, expired, or unopened, can be taken to recycling banks. These are found within some supermarkets and high street shops, like Boots,' says Suz Sawtell, founder of Declutter & Breathe and an APDO Member. 'You can also donate unwanted items to homeless shelters, women's refuges, or charity shops.'
Sheena Taylor, founder of Your Professional Organiser and an APDO Member, says another mistake is hanging onto makeup products in the wrong shade. 'Most makeup products are made in standard sizes, so the only choice is to buy the whole, big size, and try it at home. Holding onto makeup in a shade that doesn't flatter your complexion is not the answer. It's okay to let go of any makeup that brings up guilty feelings.
'There are a few glimmers of hope to ease these tough choices though. It's worth contacting a local representative for Toiletries Amnesty as sometimes they can accept partially used makeup products.'
3. Hair tools that don't work for you
We often hang onto things thinking that they might be useful someday, sacrificing precious space in the process — and hair tools are one of them.
'In the hopes of finding the magical solution to creating salon-worthy hairstyles, hair tools, often rather expensive ones, are bought and brought home with anticipation,' says Sheena. 'It's only once the tool has been used once, twice, or even three times without the expected results, that the feeling of defeat creeps in. Now you're stuck with a hairstyling tool that not only cost a significant amount of money but also doesn't work for your hair. Seeing this failed purchase makes you feel bad about yourself. It's time for it to go!'
4. Old dental products
Vickie Farrell, founder of Declutteright and an APDO Member, wouldn't keep old dental products in the bathroom. 'I always declutter old dental products, such as toothbrushes and other dental accessories that are worn out. These often build up at the back of the bathroom cabinet and we don't want to put them in the bin. A great solution is to take them to a Terracycle collection point where they will be sent off to be recycled.
'Toothpaste tubes that are finished with but still have a bit of toothpaste in them can start to multiply. For some reason, knowing there is still a small amount left in a tube stops us from throwing them away, but then it just sits there because a full tube is easier to use. Don't fall into this trap. Clean it out with hot water and put it in the recycling bin.'
5. Medication
Discard of expired medications every six months. Medications should not be used beyond their expiration dates.
'Medication should be reviewed on a regular basis and any out-of-date products,' says Vickie. 'Whether over the counter or prescribed it can be taken to your local pharmacy. Just remember to remove any personal data off prescribed medication as it will not be accepted with this still on it.'
6. Shelving
Open shelving is a favoured bathroom storage solution for many, however, it can quickly become cluttered with tubes, tubs, and accessories.
'My husband had previously built some shelving with a little cupboard space, originally intended for toothbrushes and toothpaste,' says Sian. 'But, as we no longer use this bathroom as our main bathroom, our toothbrushes were elsewhere and the shelving was too high for my children to use who prefer to have them out on show and easily accessible. So the shelving came out and was replaced by a nice picture instead.'
7. Shower curtains
Sofia Vyshnevska, co-founder and COO at NewHomesMate, says all kinds of bacteria can form on shower curtains. Although they are cheaper alternatives to an enclosed shower unit, the professionals say it's time to bring the curtain down.
'Are there any signs of mould or mildew? Clean your shower curtain thoroughly with a mixture of water and vinegar, or go for bleach if the growth is particularly stubborn. If that doesn't work, it's time to replace them for the sake of your health.'
8. Storage solutions that you don't use
Jars, baskets and decorative bins are useful storage solutions, but only if you use them. 'These usually have a layer of dust on them because they are never moved or opened. Find out what's inside as chances are it will be things you don't use so you can declutter them and the container,' explains Vickie.
9. Empty bottles and packaging
And finally, there's no need to hang onto those empty bottles and packaging, no matter how luxurious they look.
'We're all guilty of hoarding a few empty bottles that sit on the vanity gathering dust. If it doesn't serve an immediate purpose, get rid of it — but don't just throw it in the trash,' says Sofia. 'Repurposing or recycling them will free up valuable space without cluttering up landfills instead.'
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