Oh, the bathroom! Or perhaps, the sanctuary. Our bathrooms are some of the most private places around, even within our own homes. But despite spending so much time in the bathroom, chances are, you’re not cleaning and clearing out your bathroom as often as you should.
The bathroom sees some of the most disgusting and most luxurious times in our lives. But whether you’re using it for more practical, everyday things or you’re looking forward to using it as a spa after a long day, the bathroom is irreplaceable.
While the bathroom itself, as a location and a room, can represent the valuable and high-priority essence of our alone time, the bathroom is also a vital part of our routine.
By this, I mean that the bathroom is where we spend some of the first moments of our day as well as the last. It’s where we wake ourselves up and make ourselves presentable to the world. And at the end of the day, the bathroom is where we take a moment to take care of ourselves so that we can start the next day on our best.
As such, the bathroom is home to many of our favorite things. Even if you’re not too particular about the bathroom products you use, a lot of your money probably ends up being put towards bathroom supplies.
This includes items like shampoo, conditioner, soap (body soap, hand soap, even cleaning soap), toothbrushes, and toothpaste. And aside from the sanitary and hygienic essentials, there are other staples found in every bathroom like hand towels and a bathmat.
But with so many different, but necessary, products that reside in the bathroom, it’s no wonder so many people fall into the trap of bathroom clutter.
I bet if you looked in your bathroom, you’d find at least one item that you haven’t touched in over a year. And maybe this item used to be really important in your routine. Or maybe you’ve just forgotten about it.
It might be time for some spring cleaning. But in general, cleaning your bathroom shouldn’t just consist of making everything spotless and shiny. You should open up those cabinets and start digging through, organizing what you need and what you don’t.
But this can be hard. I’m sure you’ve thought about it before. And like many things, it’s easier said than done.
I mean, when you look at the things in your bathroom, you might think, “well, this could come in handy in the future. So why throw it away if I’m going to need it later?”
And yes, this might be true, especially of cleaning supplies and things like that.
But keep in mind, that many of these products do have an expiration date, even if they don’t expire in the same kind of way that your food does. Many products get worn out and should be tossed and replaced pretty regularly. And keeping this in mind will help you make a routine of clearing out (not just cleaning up) your bathroom.
So, here’s a list of some common bathroom essentials and how often they should be replaced.
Bath towels and mats
Towels and mats are easy to forget about. I mean, as long as you wash them regularly, they should be fine… right? Well, yes and no.
Chances are, you’re probably not even washing them as often as you should, let alone replacing them. Generally, bath towels should be washed after three to four uses. And bath mats should be washed at least weekly.
When it comes to replacing these items, you don’t have to worry too much. Both of them should be exchanged once they start to show fraying or are no longer absorbent.
Makeup products
Makeup products can be expensive! So it’s no wonder people end up holding on to them for far too long.
In general, makeup brushes and beauty blenders are not nearly replaced as often as they should. Both should be thrown out and replaced about every three months. And you should be cleaning them weekly.
But of course, you can buy yourself a bit more time if you invest in better products and better cleaning supplies. Though three months is a good rule, the exact timing really just depends on the quality of your products.
Liquid makeup like liquid foundations and eyeliners should be replaced about two to four times a year, depending on what you use. Foundations typically need to be replaced less often than eyeliners. With eyeliners especially, it’s important that you remember to let go of them once they start drying up.
Dried products like face powder and eyeshadow can last a few years, so you should be set on those. But it can be easy to forget how long you’ve had them, so make sure you remember to replace them!
A shower brush
Shower brushes really depend on what they’re made out of. Loofas and sponges probably need to be replaced more often than bristled brushes. In general, though it’s especially important to replace shower items at least three times per year because with the dampness and humidity, it can be an easy place for bacteria to flourish.
According to Giftwits, there may be a lot more shower brushes on the market that will give you a great experience without having to worry so much about replacement. Though it would still be good to give these a good cleaning and eventually replace them, these brushes recommended by GiftWits are high performing ones.
Toothbrush
Your toothbrush is another breeding ground for germs and bacteria, so make sure you follow these suggestions.
The American Dental Association actually advises that toothbrushes be replaced every three to four months. And for children’s brushes, they should be replaced even sooner.
Not only is having a clean and fresh toothbrush important but after long-term use, the bristles can start to degrade, making your toothbrush a lot less effective.
If you use a regular, manual toothbrush, you could probably buy them in large packs so that you don’t have to go to the store as often. If you’ve got an electric toothbrush, however, they usually come with replacement tips. So make sure you use them!
So even though the bathroom is a place where we take good care of ourselves, we need to be more avid in taking care of our bathrooms and all of our bathroom products. This will help you maintain a cleaner, more hygienic environment so that you can get the most out of your bathroom and stop wasting your time on products that should’ve been tossed out ages ago.
Though this list only covered a few of the basic bathroom products, make sure you consider replacing all your bathroom products fairly regularly.
