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The dreaded bathroom drawers. Nothing is worse than attempting to clean and organize bathroom drawers so they are functional and user-friendly.
Before I moved, I had the perfect storage solutions in my bathroom cabinets. But since the move, the setup is vastly different, and nothing works in these tiny drawers like they once did in my old home.
I was able to solve some of my storage solution issues by installing an over the cabinet toilet topper. This allowed me to put my mostly everyday items in this cabinet and not have to cram too much stuff into the two small drawers in the vanity.
Maybe you can relate?
Do you have bathroom drawers that need a makeover?
I’ve got some easy organizing solutions that will only require a trip to Target or an online purchase from Amazon.com and around 15 minutes of your time to organize and clean your drawers.
Are you ready?
Related: Spring Cleaning Your Bathroom
Table of Contents
How To Organize Bathroom Drawers
Tips for Getting Started
Nothing lasts forever, and this is especially important when it comes to makeup. Makeup can become a breeding ground for bacteria if you keep it past a certain point. I know many of us keep makeup far too long.
Here is the breakdown of what to keep and for how long:
Eye Creme Makeup: 3 months
Eye Powder Makeup: 2 years
Liquid Foundation and Liquid Concealers: 6 months after opening
Mascara: 3 months
Liquid Eye Liner: 3 months
Pencil Eye Liner: 2 years
Stick Concealers: 2 years
Powder Based Products: 2 years
Lip Gloss: 2 years
Lip Stick: 2 year
Here’s the skinny on why we should toss according to these guidelines. Your eyes are super sensitive and can quickly become irritated if you use products that are full of bacteria. Think pink eye or worse. If your products do harbor harmful bacteria, you’ll end up with an eye infection.
You increase the odds of bacterial growth — and, hence, of breakouts or irritation — when you repeatedly dip your brushes and fingers into liquid foundation. Plus, foundations separate over time and get thicker resulting in poor performance from the product.
Think about this: a mascara tube is a dark, wet environment which is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. After three months the mascara stops performing the way it was intended and becomes chalky and powdery and stops going on smooth.
So now that you know the skinny on your makeup and how long you should keep it, get going and purge your makeup drawer.
When you start purging it’s not just a matter of time, but of use as well.
When was the last time you used the makeup in question? To be successful at purging, you want to consider the last time it was used. If it hasn’t been in a loooong time, chances are you won’t be using it anytime soon.
Related: How To Quick Clean Your Bathroom In Just 10 Minutes
Other Items to Purge and Questions to Ask
Besides makeup, there are other things that more than likely need to be thrown out of your already overstuffed medicine cabinet and bathroom drawers.
Prescription and over the counter medications are typically left in cabinets and drawers long after they should have been discarded. Check all of these items and throw them away if past the expiration date.
Not all products have expiration dates so let common sense be your guide when necessary. Discard products that look or smell different than when you purchased them.
No one wants to slather their body in a funky smelling lotion. Remember nothing last forever.
Do you really need three nail files, four loofahs, and six brushes?
If you own duplicates, you more than likely have a favorite and should eliminate the rest. If you think you’ll use them, store them away in a linen closet or other area and only keep what you will use right now and keep at your finger tips.
Often we get sucked into buying items that when the fog clears we think to ourselves, “what the heck was I thinking when I bought this contraption?’ If you wouldn’t purchase an item again, toss it, give it away or sell it at your next yard sale (if it’s sellable). You want to eliminate products that don’t reflect your current style, taste or personal routine.
Related: How To Declutter Your Home Fast
Here are a few more items you should be mindful of their shelf life:
Nail Polish: 1-2 years
When polish expires, the consistency turns gooey or stringy and won’t go on correctly.
Skin Care: Unregulated skin care products should be tossed after six months unless in a pump bottle, then a year.
Sunscreen: 6 months
The product begins to become unstable after it’s been open. When in doubt – throw out.
Hair Products: 1 year
Fragrance: 2 years — or potentially much more
Eau de toilettes and perfumes can last for several years, as long as they’re kept out of humidity and sunlight.
Related: The Cleaning Organizing Home Maintenance Calendar
Let’s Clean and Organize Bathroom Drawers
Here is what you need:
- An expandable kitchen utensil drawer organizer like the one pictured here:
2. Or if you have smaller drawers and the above organizer won’t fit try these:
3. A trash bag
Step By Step Plan
Step 1: Empty the messy drawer. Throw away trash and other items that are outdated and that you no longer need by following the previous guidelines.
Step 2: Use a rag and some all purpose cleaner like Mrs. Meyers cleaner – I personally LOVE the lilac scent and wipe down the inside of drawers and cabinets.
Step 2: Place your kitchen utensil organizer in your drawer and expand it until it fits snugly.
Step 3: Have fun organizing!
Simple but efficient and a huge improvement, wouldn’t you agree?
That’s it! For around $20 and 15 minutes of your time, you can completely organize of your most problematic drawers. Now that you can see all of the items you have, you won’t purchase duplicates and waste money.
That’s a WIN!
So what are you waiting for? Get busy and organize bathroom drawers!
I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.
