Does your bathroom feel like a disaster zone every morning? Don’t worry, just keep reading!

I used to spend way too much time digging through cluttered drawers just to find my toothbrush, only to knock over a bottle of mouthwash in the process.
No matter how often I tried to clean up, the mess always came back.
The problem wasn’t just that I had too much stuff. It was that I never took the time to properly declutter and organize.
Expired skincare, half-used products, and random hotel toiletries were piling up without me even noticing.
Once I finally tackled the clutter the right way, my bathroom became a stress-free space where everything was easy to find.
If you’re tired of messy counters and overflowing cabinets, I’ll show you simple steps to clear the chaos and keep your bathroom neat for good.
Why Should You Declutter Your Bathroom?
One morning, I knocked over a bottle of mouthwash while reaching for my toothbrush, and within 5 seconds, half my skincare routine was on the floor.
That’s when I realized my bathroom wasn’t just messy. It was making my mornings harder.
Bathrooms collect clutter fast—half-empty shampoo bottles, expired skincare, and hotel toiletries we never use.
Before we know it, we’re digging through drawers of junk just to find a razor or a fresh bar of soap.

A messy bathroom wastes time and adds stress, especially when you’re already running late.
I’ve spent at least 10 minutes some mornings just searching for my deodorant, only to find it hiding under a pile of unused lotions.
Decluttering turns your bathroom into a calm, functional space where everything is easy to find.
Imagine stepping into a clean bathroom tomorrow. No digging, no frustration, just everything where it should be.
Watch, How to Declutter Living Room Spaces
Things You Need to Know Before Decluttering the Bathroom
I used to think decluttering was just about tossing old bottles, but I quickly learned that a little planning makes a huge difference.
The first time I tried, I spent over an hour just moving things around without actually getting rid of much.
Before you start, keep these things in mind:
- Set a time limit – Decluttering can take as little as 15 minutes or up to an hour depending on the mess. I like to set a 30-minute timer so I stay focused and don’t end up overthinking every little item.
- Have a trash bag and a donation box ready – You’ll be surprised how many things need to go straight into the trash. Anything unused but still good can go in a donation box for shelters or family members who might need them.
- Check expiration dates – I once found a sunscreen that expired 5 years ago. Makeup, skincare, and medicine all have expiration dates, and using old products can do more harm than good.
- Be honest about what you actually use – That expensive hair mask I swore I’d use weekly? It sat in my cabinet for over a year. If you haven’t touched it in the last 3 months, chances are you never will.
Taking these simple steps before starting will make the whole process faster and stress-free.
The goal is not just to clean up but to create a space that actually works for you every day.
See, How to Declutter Laundry Room in 5 Simple Steps

What Makes Your Bathroom Look Cluttered?
I used to think my bathroom wasn’t that messy until I realized I was constantly knocking things over and struggling to find what I needed.
The problem wasn’t just the amount of stuff I had, but how it was spread all over the place.
Here are the biggest clutter culprits:
- Too many bottles on the counter – If your sink area looks like a mini beauty store, it’s time to clear it out. I once had three half-used face washes sitting there, making my bathroom feel crowded for no reason.
- Expired and unused products – Old skincare, dried-up mascaras, and that perfume you haven’t touched in 2 years take up more space than you think. I once found a face mask that expired 4 years ago, which I was unknowingly saving for “someday.”
- Overstuffed drawers and cabinets – If you have to dig through layers of half-empty toothpaste tubes and tangled hair ties just to find your toothbrush, that’s a sign of hidden clutter. I realized I was keeping hotel shampoo bottles I never planned to use, and they were just taking up space.
- Random decor that doesn’t serve a purpose – That cute but oversized plant on my bathroom counter? It looked great in pictures but made getting ready in the morning feel cramped. If decor is getting in the way instead of making the space feel fresh, it’s time to rethink it.
Once I cleared out these clutter traps, my bathroom instantly felt bigger and more organized.
A few small changes can make a huge difference in how clean and functional your space feels every single day.
See, How to Declutter Your Bedroom to Create a Peaceful Space

How to Declutter Your Bathroom?
So, let’s have a look at the steps you need to follow to keep your bathroom organized, decluttered forever with no worries.
1. Remove Trash and Expired Items
The first time I decluttered my bathroom, I thought it would take 10 minutes. Instead, I spent 30 minutes just throwing out trash and expired products.
It’s shocking how many things we keep without realizing they are useless.
Here’s what to do:
- Start with the obvious trash – Grab a trash bag and toss empty bottles, dried-up toothpaste tubes, worn-out loofahs, and broken hair ties. I once found a body lotion bottle with nothing but air inside, yet it was still sitting on my shelf.
- Check expiration dates – Skincare, makeup, and medicine all expire. I once found a face cream that was 3 years past its expiration, and I had been using it without even checking. Old products can lose their effectiveness or even cause irritation, so if it’s expired, it’s got to go.
- Ditch the hotel toiletries you never use – I used to collect those tiny hotel shampoos thinking they’d come in handy. Five years later, I had an entire drawer full of them, untouched. If you haven’t used them in 6 months, they are just taking up space.
- Look for duplicates – If you have three half-used bottles of the same shampoo, combine them into one if possible. I used to keep multiple almost-empty deodorants, but instead of finishing one, I’d just open a new one, adding to the mess.
Once the trash and expired items are gone, your bathroom already feels lighter. This step alone makes a huge difference, and it only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to do.
See, 23 Clever Shower Storage Ideas to Keep Your Bathroom Organized

2. Sort and Categorize Everything
After clearing out the trash, I realized the real challenge was figuring out where everything should go.
My bathroom counter used to be a mix of skincare, hair products, and random items that had no real place.
The best way to organize is by category. Put all skincare in one spot, hair products in another, and daily essentials together.
I once found my toothbrush in the same drawer as a pack of band-aids and a bottle of cough syrup—it made no sense.
Separate items based on how often you use them. Things you reach for daily should be easy to grab, while occasional-use products can go in cabinets or bins.
I keep my everyday items within arm’s reach and store things like nail polish and travel-sized products in a separate container.
Sorting everything this way saves time and makes getting ready so much easier. Instead of digging through random piles, you’ll always know exactly where to find what you need.
See, 21 Smart Bathroom Under Sink Organization Ideas for a Tidy Space!

3. Put Away Items That Don’t Belong
I used to wonder why my bathroom always felt cluttered, even after cleaning.
Then I realized half the mess wasn’t even bathroom-related—random things just ended up there over time.
Start by removing anything that doesn’t belong. I once found my phone charger, a pair of earrings, and even a coffee mug sitting on my bathroom counter.
If it’s not something you actually use in the bathroom, take it back to where it belongs.
Check cabinets and drawers too. I once had a stack of mail sitting under my sink and a screwdriver in my medicine cabinet—I have no idea how they got there.
Keeping non-bathroom items in the right place instantly makes the space feel more organized.
Once you’ve cleared out the extras, your bathroom will already feel more functional. The less random stuff taking up space, the easier it is to keep everything tidy.
4. Clean All Surfaces and Storage Areas
After decluttering, I thought my bathroom looked better until I noticed the dust, toothpaste splatters, and sticky product residue.
Cleaning after organizing makes a huge difference, and I wish I had done it sooner.
Start with the surfaces you use daily. Wipe down the sink, countertops, and mirror with a damp cloth and a gentle cleaner.
I once found dried-up lotion stuck to my counter from a spill I hadn’t even noticed.
Next, clean inside drawers, cabinets, and shelves. I pulled out a storage bin once and found a layer of dust and stray hairpins underneath.
A quick wipe with a disinfecting wipe or soapy water keeps everything fresh and prevents buildup.
This step takes about 10 to 15 minutes but instantly makes your bathroom feel brand new. A clean space not only looks better but also makes it easier to keep things organized moving forward.

5. Use Organizers for Efficient Storage
After cleaning, I thought I was done until I realized everything was still scattered inside drawers and cabinets.
Without organizers, small items kept rolling around, and within a week, my bathroom was messy again.
Use dividers, bins, or trays to keep everything in place. I bought a simple drawer organizer for my toothpaste, floss, and razors, and it stopped them from getting lost under random hair ties and lotion bottles.
For cabinets, stackable bins or clear containers help maximize space.
I used to throw all my hair products in one messy pile, but now they’re neatly stored in a bin, making it easy to grab what I need.
A few small organizers make a huge difference in keeping everything neat.
When every item has a proper spot, your bathroom stays clutter-free without any extra effort.
See, 20 Affordable Bathroom Closet Organization Ideas
How Long Will It Take to Declutter a Bathroom?
The first time I decluttered my bathroom, I thought it would take 20 minutes.
An hour later, I was still sorting through drawers filled with half-used products, old medications, and random hair accessories. The time it takes depends on how much clutter you have.
If your bathroom is mildly messy, you can finish in 30 to 45 minutes by focusing on trash, expired items, and quick organization.
For a deeper declutter—sorting drawers, cleaning storage areas, and adding organizers—set aside 1 to 2 hours.
A severely cluttered bathroom, where cabinets are packed and counters are overflowing, might take 2 to 3 hours or more.
When I tackled my parents’ bathroom, it took me almost 3 hours because they had years of unused products hiding in drawers.
To make the process easier, break it into sections. Spend 15 minutes on the counter today, then work on drawers or cabinets tomorrow. Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you do it step by step.

See, How to Declutter Basement Fast and Make the Space Usable Again
How to Keep Your Bathroom Decluttered
After decluttering, I promised myself my bathroom would never get messy again.
Two months later, the counter was full of half-used products, and my drawers were a disaster. I realized decluttering isn’t a one-time thing—it needs small habits to keep it that way.
- Follow the “one in, one out” rule – Every time I buy a new shampoo, I make sure to toss the old one. This stops me from collecting multiple half-used bottles that end up crowding my space.
- Do a 5-minute reset weekly – Once a week, I take 5 minutes to toss empty bottles, wipe down the counter, and put things back where they belong. This simple habit keeps clutter from building up again.
- Use organizers to maintain order – I used to just shove everything into drawers, but now I have small bins for each category. This stops items from getting mixed up and makes it easier to find what I need.
- Be realistic about what you actually use – If I haven’t used a product in 3 months, I either finish it fast or let it go. Keeping only what I use daily helps keep my bathroom neat without constant effort.
Decluttering once is great, but these small habits make sure your bathroom stays clean and organized for good.
A few minutes of upkeep each week will save you from another full decluttering session later.
Who knew a clutter-free bathroom could make such a difference?
Ever since I cleared out the mess and set up a simple system, getting ready in the morning feels effortless instead of frustrating. No more digging through drawers or knocking things over just to find what I need.
Now the real question is, will you finally tackle your bathroom clutter or keep putting it off?
Start with just one small section today, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your space feels lighter and more organized.
Trust me, once you’re done, you’ll never want to go back to the chaos.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to declutter a bathroom?
The fastest way to declutter a bathroom is to remove trash, check for expired products, sort items by category, and use organizers to keep things in place.
How often should you declutter your bathroom?
You should declutter your bathroom every 3 to 6 months to prevent buildup of expired products and unnecessary clutter.
What should I throw away when decluttering my bathroom?
Throw away empty bottles, expired skincare and medicine, dried-up makeup, old toothbrushes, and anything you haven’t used in the last 6 months.
How can I keep my bathroom clutter-free?
Keep your bathroom clutter-free by following a one-in, one-out rule, using drawer organizers, and doing a quick 5-minute reset every week.
How long does it take to declutter a bathroom?
Decluttering a bathroom can take 30 minutes for a quick clean or up to 2 hours for a full deep declutter and reorganization.
Also watch, How to Declutter Your Kitchen Quickly and Effectively