4 Weeks of Decluttering –
Week 1: The Bathroom
Spring has sprung, and we all know what that means – it’s time for spring cleaning! With the fresh scent of grass in the air and birds beginning to sing, it’s hard not to notice that our houses have accumulated a year’s worth of clutter. Decluttering might seem daunting, so our advice is to break it down.
Over the next four weeks, we’ll feature a different room in the house, providing a step-by-step guide and tips to make decluttering manageable, even enjoyable. Let’s start small with the bathroom – often a smaller room, making it an ideal starting point for our first week of spring cleaning.
Week 1: The Bathroom
Step 1: Purge
First and foremost, if you don’t use it, lose it.
Those three nearly empty conditioner bottles in the shower? You’re probably not going to finish them.
The old Tylenol bottle from 2016? It’s expired.
And your collection of old makeup? Time to toss it.
Go through your shower, shelves, drawers, and cabinets. Discard everything that’s expired, outdated, or simply unused.
Step 2: Downsize
We all have our guilty pleasures, like a growing collection of body washes, hand soaps, lotions, or bubble baths. You find one, fall in love, and just have to have it, only for it to join an ever-growing, unused collection.
Be honest with yourself – if you’re never going to use it, toss it or give it away. For the items you can’t bear to part with, set a rule: use two before adding another to your collection.
Step 3: Sort
Organize your items into three groups for efficient storage.
Group 1: Everyday essentials like hand soap, toothbrushes, hair brushes, shampoo, and conditioner. These items should take up prime space on counters and in easy-to-reach shelves or drawers.
Group 2: Items used every few days, like hair dryers, tweezers, and dry shampoo (which may be a daily item for some!). Store these in accessible places.
Group 3: Infrequently used items like extra hand towels, hair curlers, or bubble bath candles. These can be stored in harder-to-reach spots.
Step 4: Create Space and Boundaries
Use bins, trays, and containers for organization.
- Trays and bins keep items separate and tidy. A tray on your counter, for instance, can serve as a decorative element while corralling hair ties.
- Containers can consolidate items like Q-tips or cotton balls, eliminating unsightly packaging.
- Storing like items in bins ensures you know where to find them, preventing a cluttered mess.
Step 5: Decorate
Your bathroom should be a comfortable and happy space since it’s where you start and end your day.
Clean surfaces to brighten the area and add personal touches – a decorative soap holder, a small plant, or a stylish clock to keep track of time after hitting the snooze button.
Transform your bathroom into a decluttered and inviting space.
Bonus Tips
Consider using hooks instead of bars for hanging towels. If you or someone in your home tends to leave towels on the floor, hooks might encourage better habits. They require even less effort than a bar, making it more likely for towels to end up on the hook rather than the floor.
With your bathroom now decluttered and Feng Shui-ready, you’ve created a clutter-free and relaxing space. Spring has sprung, and so has your cleaning! Share these tips and tricks with your clients next time you’re helping them declutter their home.
Up next is the kitchen, the place where culinary dreams come true. Join us in week two as we tackle decluttering the kitchen. To learn how to professionally declutter a bathroom for clients, explore the Professional Organizing course offered by Ultimate Academy®.
Jill Taylor, USC™, UFSC™, UCPO™, UDRC™
Certified UltimateStager™ | Feng Shui Specialist™
Ultimate Professional Organizer™ | Ultimate Decorator & ReDesigner™
Manager of Student Experience & Tutoring
