Keeping a medicine cabinet organized can be challenging. If your medicine cabinet is a cluttered mess, take some time to put it in order so that it serves you well.

Make it Part of Your Cleaning Routine

If you’re like most people you probably have expired and outdated items in your medicine cabinet. Make cleaning the cabinet part of your routine. On the day you clean the bathroom take a quick peak inside and throw out anything that is outdated or no longer needed.

Pay particular attention to the expiration date on medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that medications become less effective after their expiration date. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines

And it’s not just oral medications that have an expiration date, most other items like toothpaste, makeup, ointments and creams do as well.

Use Small Containers

We have all seen medicine cabinets so packed full that stuff falls out when you open the door. Since medicine cabinets are most often small with narrow shelves use small storage containers to store and organize the contents. You can create labels for the containers so you know exactly where to find everything. Categorize items by type, for instance, pain relievers, cough and cold, first aid, dental care, skin care, etc.

Stock Up on Necessities

A well-stocked medicine cabinet can be a lifesaver in emergencies and during times of illness. The last thing you want to do is run out of pain reliever in the middle of the night when you have a headache. Think about your family’s needs and what medical issues come up most often and stock your medicine cabinet accordingly. You might include pain relievers, fever reducers, bandages, antibiotic ointments, cold & flu medication, allergy medications and antiitch creams, wound care supplies, throat lozenges, calamine lotion, prescription meds, sunscreen, tweezers, a thermometer and products for an upset stomach.

Should You Store Medications in the Bathroom?

Most medications and other medical supplies have storage instructions on their label. Read the labels on your medications and store them accordingly. Heat and humidity can damage pills and capsules and make the medications less potent or cause them to go bad before the expiration date. The bathroom may not be the ideal storage location for most medications. You might instead keep them in a room where the temperature and humidity levels are more well suited for medications.

Lock Up Dangerous Items

Some medications and medical supplies should be kept locked up. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, medications are the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths among children. https://www.safekids.org/press-release/new-research-reveals-medications-are-leading-cause-accidental-poisoning-deaths-among

If you live with others especially teens and children, purchase a medication lock box to safely store medications.