Why Organize Your Toiletries?

Charles IferganSpecial Blog

Why Organize Your Toiletries? Would you like to be able to save time and money by streamlining your morning routine? You can have form and function by creating an orderly pleasing environment. I will walk you through the 5 steps that I use with my clients and show you how I made a challenging primary bath with a pedestal sink, no vanity, one small medicine cabinet and one shallow wall cabinet work for a husband and wife.

Why Organize Your Toiletries? Would you like to be able to save time and money by streamlining your morning routine? You can have form and function by creating an orderly pleasing environment. I will walk you through the 5 steps that I use with my clients and show you how I made a challenging primary bath with a pedestal sink, no vanity, one small medicine cabinet and one shallow wall cabinet work for a husband and wife. SORT Your first sort will be by category. Determine your categories: skincare, make up, hair products, hair tools, hair accessories, first aid/medicines, etc. This is an example of make-up. Now that you have sorted into categories, sort items again into two groups based on what you use on a daily/weekly basis vs less frequently. We will store only what you use on a daily/ weekly basis in the most convenient place. Items used less frequently and back stock can be stored elsewhere. Think of your where your most valuable real estate is located and use it wisely. When you have less, it is easier to see what you have and faster. Your sort will be the basis for creating zones. EDIT Give away items you don’t use. Don’t feel guilty about wasting money, you wasted your money when you bought it, not when you let it go! Throw away any expired items. Make-up has a short shelf life. Get into the habit of dating your makeup when you open it. A small sticker or piece of washi tape with the date, so you can keep track of age. Some guidelines are: moisturizer: 1 year foundation: liquid 6-12 months, powder 12-18 months blush/bronzer: cream 1 year, powder 2years mascara: 2-3 months lipstick: 1 year sunscreen: 1 year (photo: tossing expired makeup) (photo: dating makeup) ASSIGN A HOME Decide on the best location or zone for products in each category. Do you need to be near a sink, an electrical outlet, and so forth. Try to keep categories together in zones when possible. In the case of this vintage bathroom, two storage items were added to provide more “homes”; one was re-purposed from another room and one was purchased. (photo: hair dryer by electrical outlet) Keep only what you use on a daily/weekly basis in one convenient place. Items used less frequently and back stock can be stored elsewhere. insert (photo: shower) (photo: Medicine Cabinet) (photo:Daily make up drawer) (photo: hair products drawer) A product was purchased to “create” a countertop for the pedestal sink. It is called The Matte and it is a game-changer for anyone with limited counter space. It folds up and here it is stored next to the sink. It is available online and Amazon sells a similar product. (photo: The Matte over sink) CONTAIN & LABEL Now is when you determine what containers to buy or re-purpose items you already have.. Think about your aesthetic….clear plastic, white, baskets or paper if you want to avoid adding plastic to the environment, but if you already own it - re use it when possible. Consistency is calming. Measure, measure and measure before shopping to avoid mistakes. Size your containers by item and zone. Labeling serves multiple purposes. You identify the home for a product, where to return it and when to replace it. This is especially important in shared spaces. (photo: wall cabinet) MAINTAIN Now you have a system. Follow the 5 second rule. If a task can be completed in 5 seconds, do it now, not later. You will keep everything in order and there will be no to do list You will be surprised that putting an item away usually takes less than 5 seconds. You will save money by not buying duplicates because you couldn’t find an item. When you open a new item, date it, put it on your shopping list and you will never be without a replacement. You will save time because your system has been created especially for you! (photo: bathroom and storage)If you want results, but don’t have the time or interest in completing this process on your own, I can help. I love organizing! Contact meby email sheri@sherispielman.coor by phone: 3122866838You can see more projects on my website www.sherispielman.com.