Are you finding your bathroom and bedroom becoming more of a storage space than the serene sanctuary you should have? Messy spaces sneak up on you and a good declutter is sometimes a necessary chore to rid yourself of the overwhelming chaos. Saying goodbye to unused, expired, or unnecessary items may be much needed.
This guide we have put into an easy-to-understand format may be useful in guiding you through the easiest process to take back your serenity. We’ll explain why it’s important to rid your bedroom or bathroom of common culprits you may be overlooking. You’ll soon find yourself in a cleaner, more efficient lifestyle that supports your mental and physical wellbeing.
Expired Beauty Products Are Taking Up Precious Space
Toiletries such as expired makeup and skincare are usually a major culprit. They not only lose their effectiveness, but they can harbor bacteria. Ensure you’re regularly checking expiry dates and declutter as you find anything that may be past its prime. This will leave you with more space for useful items.
Old Pillows That No Longer Provide Support
Pillows are notorious for harboring dust mites, dead skin cells, and oil over time. This leaves them unhygienic and they slowly become less supportive over time. If you notice that your pillow is no longer supporting you comfortably, it may be time to toss it out and replace it. Machine washable covers are also a factor to consider since these extend the life of your newly purchased pillows.
Worn-Out Towels That Have Seen Better Days
Those raggedy, worn-out towels could rather go to your local animal shelter where they’ll find a new life while you declutter, allowing you the opportunity to invest in good quality towels with a longer lifespan, adding comfort and an improved appearance to your bathroom.
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Half-Used Candles You’ll Never Light Again
Candles make great decorative pieces and can provide therapeutic benefits. Candles with just a little amount of wax remaining or scented ones you aren’t fond of should be tossed out. You can rather pick out one or two new, scented or not that you’re fond of to improve your living space.
Forgotten Clothing Hiding in the Back of Your Closet
If something no longer fits well or hasn’t been worn in the last year, it may be time to tackle that closet and declutter. You may find that many clothing items that are still in good condition can be donated to local charities or even sold online. A neater, decluttered closet will also be easier to navigate when picking out your outfits.
Unmatched Socks and Damaged Undergarments
We’ve all been there – holding on to odd socks in the hope that their partners will eventually reappear. Holey underwear is also a source of unnecessary clutter. Discard of anything unusable or beyond repair and you’ll suddenly have so much more space to work with.
Expired Medications in Your Medicine Cabinet
Expired medicines may be harmful and take up space. You can simply dispose of them safely at your local pharmacists or drug disposal sites. This not only keeps your family safe but prevents others from consuming them which could cause harmful effects.
Read More: 50 Things You Should Toss To Truly Declutter Your Home
Empty or Nearly Empty Bottles of Shampoo and Body Wash
Holding on to those few last drops or half-empty bottles that go unused takes up so much space. Combine similar products where you can and declutter your bathroom by disposing of the rest. A tidy bathroom creates a relaxing space.
Broken Jewelry You’ve Been Meaning to Fix
Tangled chains, broken clasps, lone earrings – these may feel valuable at the time, but if they’ve hung around for a while, it may be time to say goodbye. Either finally, repair these items or recycle them to tidy up your jewelry cabinet, keeping pieces you wear.
Stacks of Old Magazines and Books
Reading material can be decorative and add character to a room, but outdated magazines and books cause unnecessary clutter. They also attract silverfish and you could rather donate these to libraries and charities. Only hold on to valuable books and your favorites you would like to display.
Excess Throw Pillows That Serve No Purpose
Mountains of throw pillows not only take up space, but they are truly unnecessary. Keep a few that compliment your decor and either store or donate the remainder. Simpler, cleaner spaces create a more tranquil environment.
Unused Gift Sets and Samples
If you’ve ever received gift sets or samplers, you’re probably familiar with the fact that they usually go unused. pass them on to friends or donate unopened items. Focus on only keeping the products you use and allow others the opportunity to make use of products you’ve never planned on actually opening.
Broken or Outdated Electronics
Boxes of cables, old phone chargers, broken headphones. The list goes on. Recycle them responsibly or donate whatever may be usable and free up tubs, drawers, or cupboards while preventing e-waste simultaneously.
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Forgotten Hobby Supplies Gathering Dust
Be it fitness gear, craft supplies or instruments left lying around for years are better off rehomed where they may get used. This simple declutter could save so much space in your bedroom or bathroom, leaving you feeling more accomplished.
Outdated Decor That No Longer Fits Your Style
Any wall art, figurines, and other decorative pieces may be taking up space if you’ve fallen out of love with them. Taste changes over time and if they don’t spark joy when you look at them, it may be time to consider selling or donating them to charities. This frees up space for items that are more current to your style too.
Expired Perfumes and Fragrances
Some perfumes lose their quality and scent over time. this is especially prevalent when bottles are exposed to light or heat. Toss out expired fragrances and perfumes and only hold onto those you plan on using regularly.
Empty Jewelry Boxes and Unused Cases
Those tiny boxes and cases that jewelry comes in may be tempting to keep, but in reality, we barely ever use them again. Keep only those necessary for storage and toss out the rest. This allows you more space to organize the items you use daily, which saves time when picking out the perfect pieces for your outfits.
Old Bed Sheets You Never Use
If you recently upgraded your bedding, you may find that you have collected a few mismatched sheets, comforters, and duvet covers. Toss out or donate unused linen such as odd pillow covers, sheets, and covers and you’ll in return have a tidier linen closet that’s easy to navigate.
Hair Accessories You’ve Outgrown
Older items that may be outdated such as scrunchies, hair clips, and headbands should also find a new home. If they no longer fit your style, there is no point in holding onto them and someone else may benefit from their use. Donate these items and you’ll further declutter your vanity or shelving space.
Duplicate Items You Don’t Need
We collect things over the years – but it’s unnecessary to for example hold on to two hairdryers, a hoard of nail clippers, or a multitude of toothbrushes that are cluttering your space. Keep one of each essential item and donate the rest. Your drawers will thank you for this one and also make it easier to find other items.
Read More: 8 Things You’ll Regret Buying
Stale or Unused Makeup Brushes
Shedding or dirty, overworked makeup brushes should be tossed. Not only are they harder to use as they deteriorate, but they harbor bacteria and truly belong in the trash. Invest in a new, quality set and keep them clean, replacing broken or damaged items as needed and you’ll improve on overall hygiene at the same time.
Outdated Instruction Manuals
Once a product’s warranty expires or you’ve set it up and know how to use it, toss those warranties and instruction manuals that are useless. The same applies to items that you’ve already disposed of. This small step can create a whole lot of additional drawer space.
Unloved Plush Toys and Decorative Items
Childhood stuffed animals, decor, and toys that are no longer being used could rather be donated to charities, local hospitals, or play schools, finding a second life where they could bring joy to another child. Your environment will also feel more grown up and look tidier.
Obsolete Storage Containers
Broken or worn-out baskets, chipped plastic containers or bins, and unnecessary organizers can cause so much clutter. It may be time to take a look at your current storage options and toss anything that’s no longer useable or visually appealing.
Forgotten Travel-Sized Products
Those mini soaps, shampoo containers, toothbrushes, and shower caps you may have saved from your travels may be piling up and it may be time to declutter here as well. Keep only a few necessary travel items and discard or give away the rest which will additionally make packing for traveling easier.
Unnecessary Paper Clutter
It’s important to hold on to certain receipts and notes, but we often end up stacking up unnecessary piles of paper. With today’s technology, so much can be digitalized that there isn’t a need for stacks or old, wrinkled-up papers anymore.
By simply starting with these 26 steps, you may find that you’re on your way to a perfectly decluttered home that feels comfortable, tranquil, and spacious. It’s also easier to clean around less mess, leaving you healthier and more relaxed which we all could benefit from.
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