Clutter-Free Guide: Be Ready for the Holiday Season Part 4 of 5 – Bathroom/Powder Room

While we may not share the same weather in Vancouver and Calgary, we do share one common problem as we approach the Holiday Season:  how to get your space looking clutter-free as painlessly as possible.  Our time is limited and our families are busy. Decluttering is often on your mind, but it can be difficult to get started. When you have piles of belongings, collectibles and life literally blocking your vision, it’s hard to know where to begin and what to do.

Here at Maple Leaf Self Storage, we hope to help you ease this pain. We believe our five-part clutter-free guide will assist you in conquering your clutter and taking back your space.  Wouldn’t you rather be enjoying your life with friends and family? With one dedicated afternoon for each of the parts, your home will be in showcase-ready condition.

For part four of the five-part clutter-free guide, we will help you declutter your bathroom/powder room. If you missed the previous parts of the five-part clutter-free guide, you could find them here:

Clutter-Free Guide Part 1 – Living/Family Room

Clutter-Free Guide Part 2 – Pantry

Clutter-Free Guide Part 3 – Kitchen

Purge your Bathroom/Powder Room

Bathrooms are usually busy places and often accommodates various tasks and multiple users. If it is drenched with toiletries, cleaning supplies and other products, maybe it’s time for you to roll up your sleeve and start purging. The last thing you want your family and friends to see when they visit is stacks of stuff packed in your bathroom/powder room. Let’s get started!

• One at a Time. Similar to what you’ve done for your kitchen, clean out a single shelf or drawer at a time. This way, you won’t be overwhelmed by many toiletries/supplies that are in front of you. Have a couple of boxes ready to do the following tasks:
  • For items that are moving to another drawer in the bathroom
  • For items to put away in storage
  • For items to toss
• Based on your daily routine. When purging, keep to a simple rule: keep the products/items you use daily. Which hair and makeup products do you use every morning/night? Remove items you only use occasionally – medicine, first aid, special shampoo, etc. that can be stored elsewhere.
• Transfer from bulks. Many households buy bulk things to save money. This present a challenge as it’s tough to fit a big 1.5L bottle of shampoo in their shower. Instead, you can transfer a portion to a smaller empty container (can purchase from your nearby dollar stores) where you can refill easily. The bigger bottle than you can leave in storage. Similarly, you don’t need to store 12 rolls of toilet papers in your bathroom. Take 2-3 out from the package and put the rest in storage. Keep your bathroom as tidy as possible.
• Out with the old. Although personal care products have long shelf life, many do have an expiry date or can go bad over time. If they are discoloured, separating or have an unusual odour, please toss them.

Surface level and deep cleaning

As you remove the items from all your shelves and drawers, it is the perfect time for you to do some cleaning.

• Clean them up. Use a clean and damp cloth to wipe each shelf and drawer. Cotton balls, stray hairs, and cosmetic dust tend to accumulate in these areas.
• Slotting your space. As a bonus, you can perform a minor makeover and create a spacious look using a simple trick. Keep your sink counter item-free and clean. Place only toothbrushes and glasses while hiding any excess items such as blow dryer, electric razor, and makeup in the top or easily accessible drawer.

Return to its rightful place

Now your bathroom has been thoroughly cleaned and decluttered; it’s time to put the items back to its place.

• Stand alone bathroom. Simply sort them based on usage, size, and/or categories. Some possible categories can be:
  • Cosmetics
  • Skin care and hair products
  • Cleaning supplies
• Shared bathroom. You may want to designate one drawer or shelf for each person. While toothbrushes, razors, and other personal items should not be shared due to the risk of spreading infection, many other toiletries such as shampoo, lotion, and facial cleanser can be communal products. This way, you can save both precious space and money.

Remember, stick to the system after you’ve decluttered. No one wants to perform a purge every month. Stick to it daily and create a routine. It’s easier to adjust along the way than a complete makeover.

Want to learn more? Read the Clutter-Free Guide Part 5 – Basement/Garage/Storage Space now!

Still need more help?

Unsure of how to declutter your space? Consider hiring a professional organizer to help. At Maple Leaf Self Storage, we not only have many short and long term self storage units available for rent, we also have a network of experienced Professional Organizers who can help guide you declutter your home, making room for a new family member or just trying to regain control of your space. We like to help you to get “More Space. More Life” because it is so much easier to work, live and focus on important things when you have space physically and mentally. Most professional organizers in our Referral Network belong to the Professional Organizers of Canada, an organization representing over 500 members across Canada.

We look forward to helping you declutter and create space. Please contact one of our 10 locations in BC or 2 locations in Calgary AB for all your storage needs.