Tuesday, March 25, 2014

34 Monthly Clean Home Challenge: Purge Bathroom Toiletries

Welcome back to the Monthly Clean Home Challenge daily task!  I am on a quest to maintain a clean and organized home in less time and the goal is simple; four daily tasks, four weekly tasks and one additional quick task each week day. 

In no particular order, here are the individual tasks I am tackling each day this month:
  1. Make cleaning supplies
  2. Cycle clean appliances
  3. Clean out cars
  4. Clean out microwave
  5. Wipe down cabinets/appliances
  6. Wipe down trim/doors
  7. Clean out one drawer
  8. Clean out fridge
  9. Clean out freezer
  10. Vacuum under furniture
  11. Vacuum mattresses
  12. Clean oven
  13. Clean out one closet
  14. Wash out garbage can/recycle bin
  15. Wash windows
  16. Scrub grout
  17. Clean out one cabinet
  18. File paper piles
  19. Purge bathroom toiletries
  20. Clean out pantry

Today I am chatting about the extra task:  Purge Bathroom Toiletries

Sometimes you just need a day where the task is super easy breezy quick.  Some of the tasks this month have definitely taken more time than others, however, today's was one of the easiest on the list which I totally loved.



Last year I cleaned out our bathroom cabinets and drawers and I vowed that I would occasionally take time to do super quick purges and clean-ups of toiletries and cosmetics.  These items not only expire over time, they are occasionally purchased in bulk or purchased prior to the previous container running completely out.  Not to mention the times in which a new product is tried out because a previous one just wasn't cutting it.  Excessive toiletries and products can quickly cause clutter inside and outside of bathroom cabinets and even inside the shower.  Today was the day to deal with those.

Heading inside each of our bathrooms, I combined any like products into one container and recycled the newly emptied bottles.


I checked expiration dates on lotions and cosmetics and checked nail polishes for separation/clumps {see how to properly dispose of nail polish here} and tossed or recycled anything that no longer was needed or should be used.

I also took the time to tidy things up, fill containers holding q-tips and cotton facial pads and stock paper products in each bathroom.


Like I said, couldn't have been easier or quicker but it is something that needs to be done occasionally to prevent the need for major clean-outs down the line.



Looking for something?  Check out my favorite cleaning products below:





34 comments:

  1. Eeek!!! Where did you get the lovely blue containers?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Taylor,

      They are the y-weave baskets from Target. I purchased them awhile back, but I believe they still have similar styles in different colors.

      xo!

      Delete
  2. Good job! I'm a toiletry hoarder. I have got to get on this one soon.

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  3. I go through mine once a month to purge. I love those bins by the way!
    XO,
    Ellen
    www.askawayblog.com

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  4. Thank you Jennifer! I find your cleaning check list to be very motivational. Yesterday I tackled the bathroom grout and today I will clean out my bathroom closet. Hope you're having a great day! :D

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  5. Loving this Monthly Challenge! Next month can you do one?! I'm sure that everyone else will love it too.

    Sarah

    www.sarahsdaybook.wordpress.com

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  6. As much as I love organizing, I also have a hard time just throwing thing out. I have to use things up. Our bathroom vanities need to purged but it tough.

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  7. What are your favorite personal items?

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    Replies
    1. I agree. I would love to see a post on some of your favorite products like makeup, skincare ect. Funny girlie stuff:)

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  8. I so need to do this! There is a collection of nail polish remover and hairsprays all over the house. I have the urge to purge. Thanks!

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  9. Looks great! Did you know nail polish actually never needs to be thrown out due to separation? You can use a product called Seche Restore to get it back to normal.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the tip Natasha! That is great to know! I typically try to shake it and use it or use it up on a craft project or two prior to disposing the bottles, but nice to know that there is a solution for giving it longer life! :)

      xo!

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  10. We keep our first aid supplies/meds in our bathroom; I just went through those and dropped off a bag of expired/unwanted medications at our police department - they have a drop box to dispose of them properly.

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    Replies
    1. Great disposal reminder for the meds!

      Also, if possible medications should not be stored in a bathroom as the heat and steam can reduce the effectiveness. Just thought I would share as it is such a common misconception that medications belong in a bathroom's medicine cabinet. :)

      xo!

      Delete
  11. Easy way to avoid having to do this. Have one bottle open at a time. When that is empty start a new one. Recycle old bottle. Easy! And simplify what you use. When things run out, think whether you do actually need to replace it.

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  12. Where do you get the stick-on labels on the blue baskets? Those are so cute!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! They are label holders from the Martha Stewart Collection at Staples. I love them and find myself using them everywhere. You can snag more details in this post here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/01/labeling-101-label-holders.html

      xoxo!

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  13. Where are your blue baskets from? They are very cute!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kelly,

      They are the y-weave baskets from Target. I purchased them awhile back, but I believe they still have similar styles in different colors.

      xoxo!

      Delete
  14. I love little projects that make you feel big-time great! I also thought it was cute how many items are in the "his" basket compared to the "her" basket. I feel like my husband and I are the same.

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    Replies
    1. Haha, I was just chuckling about that last night during the quick clean-out. No under eye creams or body lotions or leave in conditioners and dry shampoos.... :)

      xo!

      Delete
  15. Jen, I have been so inspired by your monthly chore checklist! I made my own and put in a plastic sheet protector so that I can cross off each task as I finish it with a wet-erase marker. At the end of the month, I will be able to wipe the page clean and have a fresh list to use for the following month. I tidied up my bathroom drawers last week as part of my checklist and also took the opportunity to wash my make-up brushes. I hardly ever wash them and I know you are supposed to do it about once a month. Thanks again for all the wonderful inspiration!

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  16. Please can you or other ihearters help me watch the full ep. Of clean freaks! I would love to see the whole show! But youtube only has up to first part! :0( keep up the great work So far Iam playing catch up on the months cleaning due toilet training a ds but will continue checking off the list of todos! Love Katie xo

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    Replies
    1. Hi Katie!

      Give this link a try, it should have the full episode: http://www.hgtv.com/video/clean-freaks-video/index.html :)

      xoxo!

      Delete
  17. Ps excuse me did you say where and who made your fab gold tape? Love Katie xo

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    Replies
    1. I found it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1g7snXg Nothing in the house is safe now, I just love it!

      Delete
  18. Loving this series! :-) Where did you get the acrylic holder that houses your nail care supplies??

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    Replies
    1. That is great to hear! The caddy is from the Container Store: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10005078&N=&Nao=40&Ntt=utensil

      xoxo!

      Delete
  19. I just recently found your blog and have been so inspired and motivated by your organizing ideas. I also have been learning a lot about how to clean my home properly. I've been doing most of the cleaning challenges and making my own cleaners along the way. THANK YOU for such a great, info-packed blog. I love it and am honestly giddy when I see you've posted something new.

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    1. Thank YOU! That makes me so happy to hear! I have been having so much fun with it that it makes my heart smile when others are as well!

      xoxo!

      Delete
  20. Hi The link for the clean freaks didnt work! :0( Please can you maybe post it up on your blog or youtube Many thanks Katie xo

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  21. as a nail polish enthusiast, my heart breaks when i hear people throwing away polish just because it separated - just give it a good shake and it will be good as new!!!! and if it's getting gloopy adding a few drops of nail polish thinner will salvage the bottle! I urge you to reconsider throwing away precious nail polish ;)

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  22. Jen - I get so much inspiration from you! Question - my husband and I are about to move to a new apartment where the bathroom "closet" is open (no door to hide the 6 wire shelves). Do you have any ideas on how to style it? I'm thinking we can't really keep a lot of items in open baskets, as things that pretty much never leave the shelves would get pretty dusty. I'm just drawing a blank. I'd SO appreciate any advice that you have!! Also - thank you for doing this month challenge. I've been pinning every day of it and, when we move, plan to do all these things monthly right from the start. You're an organizing genius!

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