I’m starting my spring cleaning early! I’m going to be doing a short series on spring cleaning as I go so you can follow along if you like! Don’t feel like you have to do everything I do……I tend to go overboard. But even taking an hour here and there to accomplish one task on the list will help you get organized! Feel free to share any tips or products you love in the comments….I’m always open to suggestions!
Today I tackled the clutter in the master bathroom. Here are a few before photos of some drawers and cabinets:
Here’s the plan…
1. Discard all expired medications and products. I think the easiest way to do this is to take EVERYTHING out of the cabinets and shelves and start sorting into piles. If items and products are unopened and you don’t think you’ll use them (i.e. shampoos or soap products) donate them to your local shelter! I also like to wipe down bottles and remove sticky caps…..overkill but it makes me feel lighter.
Note: Make sure to discard medications properly. More than 100 different pharmaceuticals have been detected in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and streams throughout the world. Periodically, there is a National Take Back Day that you can take expired medicine and drugs to. You can also check the Dispose My Meds website for local retailers that accept old medication.
2. Clean out all the storage containers. I know these aren’t the prettiest containers in the world….but I like clear containers in the bathroom closets so I can find things easily. Plastic gets a yucky film on it over time so I use hot, soapy water to clean off the containers before putting things back in their place.
3. Label bins to keep medications separate. I just typed out the labels in a word document and printed it off onto sticker paper that I purchased from the office supply store. This makes things easier to find when we need them….and helps Mr. LBB to put things back where I want them haha. Again, not the prettiest labels…..but no one really ever sees our bathroom cabinets! (If you want pretty DIY chalkboard labels check out how to make your own here.)
4. Make labels for other products too. It keeps things separated and helps me to recognize when I need to stock up! The best part? Labels scream “put me back in the right place or else!”
5. Organize every drawer…..by emptying EVERY item out. My favorite way to organize drawers is to take each drawer out one at a time and place it on a towel in front of the TV…..then it’s not so boring and I can take my time. Boo loves to help me do this too. Make sure to wipe out each drawer before replacing all the items!
6. Before you replace drawers and items onto shelves, wipe shelves and cabinets out with hot soap water. Wipe down the fronts of the drawers and cabinets while you are at it with a damp cloth.
7. Sort and clean brushes and hair tools. I found at least 2 curling irons that didn’t even work….I have no idea why I was still keeping them around! Remove all hair from your brushes. You can clean your brushes with a bit of shampoo and warm water…..use a comb or scrub brush to really get into the hard bristles. Wipe down your curling irons and flat irons to remove hair product. Remove lint from your hair dryer to keep it working longer!
8. Clean your makeup brushes! Hopefully you do this more often than once a year…….who wants to use icky makeup brushes full of bacteria?! Use a mild soap to carefully lather up each brush and run cool water through them until the water runs clean. Carefully reshape the brushes and lay them on a towel to dry.
9. While sorting through every drawer and cabinet…..get rid of everything you don’t use. This doesn’t mean you have to throw it all away. Maybe you have a ton of nail polish that you’ll never use….and it’s still good….give it to a friend or your teenage daughter!
10. While you are at it…..clean all those travel organizers that have gotten icky! Handwashing them in mild detergent and hanging them to dry does the trick.
11. Sort out old towels and restock supplies. Now’s the time to buy a few more new towels. Sort out all the old icky ones. I keep old towels in the laundry room for cleaning and other projects. Once they get really ratty, I donate them to our local animal shelter of give them to my veterinarian to use. I love restocking supplies too…..it’s always a great feeling to have a huge supply of toilet paper ready.
Oops….forgot this one….I LOVE ziplock bags:
12. Use ziplock bags to store small-like items. I use ziplocks for unopened makeup, samples, contacts, travel sizes and hair accessories! Keeps on top of the clutter.
After a few hours of work…..my drawers and clean and organized. I picked up the pretty bamboo organizers from Marshall’s:
Filled only with the products I actually use or will eventually use:
I can find things under my sink now!
It’s such a great feeling of accomplishment! Stay tuned for more soon!
Make sure to check out my whole “Getting Organized” series too (click the image below to view all posts):
Looks great! I just did my bathroom the other day too and did a post on it! Feels so good to open those drawers and not have any mess or clutter going on! Great job!
Whenever I see other people’s bathrooms, I feel less and less like a woman. I own one brush, which is the same one i have had for 10 years. I only have a hair dryer. No curling irons no hair products. Maybe if I had more stuff, I might actually do more than just throw my hair into a pony tail. I love how neat everything looks.
I really need to do this too…I just keep putting it off! I walk into the bathroom thinking “okay, today is the day…” and then I look around for a few seconds and come up with something better to do instead! LOL!
well….honestly it was supposed to be a post for FALL cleaning haha. just got around to it now 🙂
Ashley, I totally just did this entire process in my master bathroom with my baby watching buckled in her stroller, haha, after seeing your post, this morning, and it feels amazing. I used to do this step-by-step as you described ALL the time, but haven’t since I had my baby girl 14 months ago! I have NOT been able to get back to organizing, cleaning like I used to. But you completely motivated me. I am so encouraged and feel so much respect for you. I just now ordered the CHOOSE JOY necklace…because it’s beautiful, it will support you, and I proudly will wear it as a reminder to choose joy myself! (my husband has battled two brain tumors since our first year of marriage four years ago, and is currently going through chemo and completely radiation)…May God be with you and your family to continue to give you the strength to continue to be bright light and inspiration to many…YOU are touching THOUSANDS if not more…I have always loved your blog…and now I am learning to love you! Thank you so much for being so strong and vulnerable and real! You are a wonderful person, and it oozes from every entry. I am praying for you!
With lots of love,
Kassie
Oh I love all of this! I feel inspired to clean and organize!
Wait! I thought we were starting with the Master Bedroom??!! And I thought we weren’t starting until TOMORROW! I had only 50% bought into the idea that I could perhaps get my life together if I did it slowly along with you but now you’ve jumped ahead and done your bathroom while I sit here killing time playing Angry Birds and slacking. Ugh. You are too good at this stuff…I’ll never keep up. 🙂
sounds weird.. but I like to use the cardboard tube from the toilet paper to keep my cords organized on my flat iron, blow dryer.. etc.. looks good.. wish i had deep drawers!
I seriously don’t know where you get the energy, girl! Everything looks great! Wish I could wiggle my nose and my bathroom would look like that! 🙂
I”m doing this tonight! Thanks for the inspirations!
Wow, you have a lot of storage, lucky you! My bathroom -only have one- has small storage so it has not got out of hand. I like using zip lock bags to corral many small items too including in the junk drawer and bedroom dresser drawer.
Looks great Ashley!! I just did this three days ago. Now it’s on to my side of the closet to get rid of clothes that I can’t fit in to and even if I could, I wouldn’t wear them 🙂
Oh, I love this series! I should get clear bins for the bath… I have colorful ones, and they aren’t all that practical (and, well, they’re half empty anyway). I’ll have to try your hairbrush cleaning trick on mine. My dad actually boils his hairbrushes… that’s a little much for me, but shampoo I can do. I like how you clean and organize your drawers.
I’ve been planning to clean my closet for months, but it hasn’t happened. I cleaned it last year and got rid of 5 bags of clothes I think, but now it’s overridden with laundry, mementos, quilts, and random junk. Somehow I have like 6 vacuums.. only 2 of which work properly, I’m sure. I find it hard to find ways to organize souvenirs, photos, mementos… stuff I want to keep, but I don’t want strewn about the house. Maybe I should get a huge storage ottoman and throw all of it in that.
OMG, the first picture you posted is amazing how much it looks just like under my sink, which is so funny to me. Love your share.K
I keep saying the bathroom in next on my list.. Under my sink is a nightmare.. I can’t believe that Ashley had a place like that tooo.. hoot hoot– makes me feel better about myself
Use baby shampoo to wash make up brushes after each use to keep them clean and soft 🙂
I just JUST today typed up a complete declutter list for my house – every drawer, closet, bin, etc. (I love to get to cross off items). So funny to log on and see this post. This is going to be great! Keep them coming! 🙂
You should check your medication labels. Most of them are supposed to be stored in a cool, even temperature place, so the bathroom is not ideal. The on and off of the tub or shower causes it to get too warm for most medications. I keep mine in the top of my bedroom closet or you could use a kitchen cabinet that is away from the stove (if your kitchen is big enough).
Okay, I might be a dunce, but I didn’t realize blush brushes could be washed. All great tips. Thanks!
I must admit I cracked up at the “I tend to go overboard” comment at the beginning – really, ya think?! And thank goodness you do, cuz you think of EVERYTHING and help out us gals who don’t! Thanks!
I just did this today after putting it off for months and months. Great minds think alike, huh?
My college spring break starts 3/1, and I am going to be doing some serious cleaning/organizing. I also have to find time to try out my new sewing/embroidery machine, and get ahead on my math class. Not much “break” in my spring break I’m afraid.
Where the heck do you get your energy, girl???
Now thats a chore, I was going to walmart this weekend to buy some containers and didn’t do it. I need to organize all my baking stuff. Looks great.
We must be in synch this week Ashley! I started cleaning out my master bath Sunday night. Ughh what a clutter mess! Half way done! Nice tips. Going to go and rethink a few things
Where on earth do you get the incentive and energy? Must be heavenly! A job well done!
I started in our master closet, trying to get the hub’s side finished before he gets home from work and finds a few of his “favorite” pieces missing. I’m a terrible wife;)
Gee you sure know how to give a girl a kick in the pants…with all you are going through, you still Spring Clean! I’ve done my closets…drawers are next! Thanks!
Glad you are feeling so good!!!
Love ya,
Beth
I love all of your great ideas. I recently moved so I was “forced” to do a lot of de-cluttering, too. I always use an old cleaning trick my grandmother taught me for cleaning my brushes and combs. Throw all your brushes and combs in the sink and cover with hot water. Then go to your kitchen cabinet and grab your baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount over the hair tools and forget about them for a couple of hours. Don’t swish them around, just let them sit. I’m trying very hard to go ‘simple’ and ‘green’ with my cleaning these days so going back to my grandmother’s advice seems natural. And it is saving me money, too!
Feels like how I used to study in college… Pull everything out of my notebook and put it back in order. Made order in my head somehow. I need to do this in my kitchen. The bathroom is actually rather organized.
I love this! I did the same thing on one of my “rest” days…spent about 2-3 hours in there, longest time I have spent in the bathroom yet! I might be hiring a every other week housekeeper soon, but first I must CLEAN, lol….
You’re amazing! I’ll have to bookmark this for later when I can sort through my bathroom :). Thanks Ashley for sharing your tips :).
Love this… You are inspiring me to get busy! My little guy will love cleaning out. I buy freezer shelves (They sell different sizes so measure) for under my bathroom sinks. This gives me 2 levels to organize stuff on. I think Target sells them. Love the bamboo for drawers! I am amazed at how much you get done.
What a great lesson that your are teaching Ms. Boo. She will like things organized, but more importantly she will not view it as chore. I LOVE her airport.
Debbie B
OMG! That reminds me that I was supposed to organize my girls’s stuff for Christmas! I feel so lazy!
Thank you for posting the link to Dispose My Meds. I have years and years worth of old meds stored away b/c I knew I wasn’t supposed to trash them. Sadly, the nearest pharmacy that will accept my old meds is over 15 miles away. Yikes!
Okay, you’ve motivated me. I’m off to sping cleaning starting this weekend. I look forward to you organizational posts. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad your feeling better. You’re on my prayer list.
Looks fabulous! And you are right, and hour here or there helps sooo much. I cleaned out our linen closet last week and it felt so so good!
Looks amazing – a good visual kick-in-the-pants. Thanks for sharing. But I have to ask what is the difference between all those hairbrushes 😉 Teach me!
Yay! Organization tips! I’ve been wondering if you were going to one of these again. I actually started following your blogg because of these 🙂 But I stayed because you are so inspirering and funny!
How on earth do you find the time and energy Ashley? Teach me your ways!
Awesome! I’m gonna put this down on my to-do’s for this weekend. Thanks for the tips and inspiration!
You inspired me to clean my bathroom, kitchen Tupperware and glass area and.finally today- my pantry! I too am going through chemo as I had a bilateral mastectomy in Dec. 2011. I wanted to tell you of a fantastic new book called – ” the happiness diet”- it will also inspire you to eat healthy and make great choices!!
My mom would love this post – she’s an organizing fool! xo!!
If you live somewhere that you cant take old meds to this is what I was told to do. Break down the medicine into a powder form and put with used coffee grounds into a container and then throw away. This helps to keep it out of our water.
Im a little behind on my blogging this past two weeks and i just read this post, we are cleaning twins! This is how i clean…i love clear containers (or containers of any kind…my husband is worried that when he dies ill put him in a rubbermaid storage container)
I love ziplocks, i clean the goo off of the caps and lids. I will be following this series of posts fo sho!
Loving your blog and praying for you.
This is great! I have my spring break from work-I’m a teacher-in two weeks. I’m going to try to tackle a room each week and spring clean my way through my house! I did do one thing today though! My boys and I were hanging out in the kitchen. They were playing and I opened our big cupboard and the craziness of the kids drawer made me lose it one too many times. I took everything out, discarded old snacks, containers, etc, cleaned out the drawer, and put it back all organized. I used old baby wipe boxes I had to organize-yay for reusing! It is now so neat, clean and pretty. I only had about 30 minutes, so just got through that one drawer, but it made me feel great!
Thanks for your blog. I read it every day and it always reminds me to Choose Joy, no matter what.
That’s fabulous! I love the step-by-step instructions. Luckily, I don’t have very much stuff, but I’ll still be able to use your advice, so thanks!