Cleaning & Organizing Bathroom Cleaning Tips 9 Things You Should Toss From Your Bathroom Now, According to Experts If you can't remember when you purchased something, it's likely a sign it needs to go. By Alexandra Kelly Alexandra Kelly Alex is the senior home editor for Martha Stewart. She has over 10 years of experience producing digital content in the home and lifestyle space, ranging from cleaning and organizing to etiquette and home design. Editorial Guidelines Published on March 12, 2024 Close Photo: Stuart James Pty Ltd / Getty Images Ideally, our bathrooms should serve as a clean, hygienic respite from the world. It's a place to wind down in a warm bath at the end of the day or where we spend our first waking minutes preparing for the morning ahead. But, it's also easy for the bathroom to become messy or disorganized, leading to a host of bathroom products staying past their welcome. Ahead, we spoke with professional organizers about the things you should toss from your bathroom to keep it the tidy haven you deserve. 15 Bathroom Organization Ideas That Will Streamline Your Space Once and for All Jackie Pittman, CEO and founder of Chez Nous Organizing Jade Piper, operations manager for BetterCleans Eliana Coca, owner of E.C. House Cleaning 01 of 09 Expired Medicine If your medicine cabinet is looking cluttered and overstuffed, there's a chance you're harboring medicine past its prime. Expired medications can be far less effective and can also pose some risks, like bacterial growth. "Many states offer free medication disposal bags, or you can check your local pharmacy for take-back programs to safely dispose of medication," says Jackie Pittman, CEO and founder of Chez Nous Organizing. 02 of 09 Dirty Plastic Shower Liners If you use plastic shower liners, keep an eye on them and toss them once they're scummy—even though you can wash them in the washing machine, you're unlikely to be able to remove all of the soap scum and mold growth. A better idea is to switch to a fabric liner made of natural materials like hemp that you can easily wash when needed. How to Clean Every Type of Shower, From Glass to Tile 03 of 09 Old Makeup EzumeImages / Getty Images Do you remember when you bought your mascara? If you can't recall, it's time to toss it and replace it—the last thing you want is your old mascara causing an eye infection. "This is the number one bathroom product that we are adamant about tossing if you have had it for a while," says Pittman. "It is almost impossible to find expiration dates on these, but if you can't remember when you bought them, it's time to go. Old makeup can lead to a whole host of things like skin infections, acne, etc." 04 of 09 Worn Out Towels and Bath Mats Besides looking ratty and threadbare, worn-out towels lose their efficiency for drying, and both bathmats and towels can retain moisture for much longer than you think, contributing to mold. "Take your old towels and retire them to the old rags section or repurpose them to use for cleaning," Pittman says. How to Clean Your Bathroom From Top to Bottom 05 of 09 Damaged Hair Tools Why are you hanging on to damaged curling irons or blow dryers? Besides taking up valuable bathroom real estate, they can pose a safety hazard from frayed cords or possibly burns from uneven heating. "Clean out all of your tools and check for lost bristles, ratty cords, or things that might cause damage while you are styling," Pittman says. How to Organize Under Your Bathroom Sink So That It's Both Tidy and Functional 06 of 09 Old Loofahs Professor25 / Getty Images Your old shower loofah (or bath pouf or sponge, if that's what you use) most likely needs to be replaced much more frequently than you're doing it. "Your good ol’ loofah or bath sponge may not be as innocent as you think," says Jade Piper, the Operations Manager for BetterCleans. "They can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms, especially since they’re used to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells from your skin. So, if you don’t want to risk getting acne, folliculitis, and other skin infections, it’s best to replace them regularly." 07 of 09 Expired Sunscreen When summer rolls around, and you're reaching for the open bottle of sunscreen in your bathroom drawer, check the expiration date first. Sunscreen doesn't last as long as you think, and using expired sunscreen means risking a sunburn. "Sunscreens lose their efficacy past their expiration date, offering less protection against harmful UV rays," says Eliana Coca, owner of E.C. House Cleaning. Our Best Storage Ideas for Small Bathrooms 08 of 09 Empty Shampoo and Conditioner Bottles Don't use valuable shower real estate by keeping empty shampoo and conditioner bottles sitting on a ledge. "If you ever repeatedly reach for a bottle only to find that it’s empty, well, it’s a sign to toss it out," says Piper. "When you do, you’re making it easier to identify which products you need to restock, helping you stay organized and prepared." 09 of 09 Sample Size Toiletries Professor25 / Getty Images We all love to take those cute little luxury hotel toiletries when we're on vacation, but the chances of actually using them when you get home are probably slim. "More often than not, they tend to get forgotten and left unused. It’s easy for them to get lost in the back of the drawer or under larger bottles, and before you know it, they’ve expired," Piper says. "Plus, let’s not forget that skincare compatibility is crucial, and those unknown brands or formulations may not work for you." You can often donate unopened toiletries to your local shelter or food pantry, Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit