11 Items You Should Declutter From Your Bathroom Before Fall

It's almost fall, and though it's not technically a new year, it still seems like the perfect time to get a clean slate. If you're getting back to work or school or just feeling the vibes of the season, cleaning out your home can make everything feel a little less chaotic. We all have things around our homes that we definitely don't need, but our bathrooms tend to be one of the biggest culprits because things go into our medicine cabinets but never come out. If this sounds like you, don't stress, it's fixable!

A tidy bathroom can also make it easier to find what you’re looking for when you’re getting ready in the morning—shaving minutes off your routine (and your legs if it's a razor you're in search of). We rounded up items that you can definitely stand to lose, so get ready to be ruthless.

Expired Medications

We’ve all been there. We get a cut or rash and reach for ointment only to discover it expired last year. While using recently expired medication is likely to be safe, it may be less effective. You may also want to consider that bacteria can grow on certain products, like on the tip of those eye drops that expired in 2020. To ensure your safety and a medication’s effectiveness, it’s a smart idea to go through your medicine cabinet yearly and get rid of anything that's expired. Then replace any over-the-counter essentials. 

Expired Beauty Products

Yes, makeup expires. While it's tempting to use old products (you paid a lot for those!), they could cause breakouts or irritation, especially if it's packaged in a jar or tub. Don’t see an expiration date? There should be a graphic on the package with a number indicating how long it lasts after opening such as six, nine, or 12 months. You can also check out this guide to makeup expiration dates.

Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes get put to the test a lot, and if yours are just a little dirty, here's how to clean makeup brushes. But if yours have bristles that are falling out, a bad stench, or gunk that won't come out even after a cleaning, it's time to toss them.

Products You Tried Once and Didn’t Like

Remember when you bought that moisturizer everyone was raving about last month and it caused you to break out? We all make product mistakes. If you still have the receipt and it's within the store’s return window—get your money back. If not, either give it to a friend (it might be good for their skin) or get rid of it.

Or ask your friends if they have products that don’t like either. Make a night of it and invite everyone over for a product swap. 

Tiny Samples You’ll Never Use

If you’re the kind of person who has been loyal to the same shampoo for years, you probably won’t end up using the random sample you acquired the last time you stayed at a hotel. So either empty those tiny bottles and refill them with your own products next time you travel, or throw them out. You may also be able to donate new, travel-size toiletries to a local shelter.

Almost Empty Bottles

As much as you loved that expensive hair mask, that quarter-sized dollop likely isn’t enough for another conditioning treatment. While a bottle or two might not seem like much, once you have three or four, it can take up a lot of space along your bathtub or under the sink. So, either use it or lose it before it expires.

Hair Accessories You Don't Touch

Everyone's bought the wrong size hair elastic at one point, and even though you're not planning to use that pack, our guess is that it's still sitting in your cabinet waiting for its big day. If you have any of these, plus clips or headbands that you no longer (or ever) use, toss 'em or give them to a friend or family member.

Bathroom Accessories That Are No Longer Functional

Sure it is pretty, but if that soap pump no longer works or that acrylic tray is cracked, get rid of it. You can replace them if you really need to, but if it's something you haven't used in a while, consider that you might just not need it!

Old, Stained, or Damaged Towels

Nothing feels or looks less luxurious than a bath towel with stains or holes. Upcycle old hand towels into cleaning rags and use larger ones for pets or to dry off your car. Alternatively, you may be able to donate these items to a local animal shelter. 

Gadgets You No Longer Use

Remember when you absolutely had to have that red light face mask? Or blackhead vacuum? Do you still use these things? Do you even know where the charger is? If you aren’t using these belongings or they no longer work, they’re just taking up unnecessary space. It’s time to say goodbye. 

Books and Papers

Reading material doesn't tend to do well for long periods in the bathroom thanks to high moisture, but it also can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Store books and magazines outside of the bathroom, and if any have been sitting in there too long, it's time for them to go. Things that do do well in humidity? Plants! Here are some of the best plants for your bathroom.