Here’s a quick recap of the life of medications and cosmetic items that should be purged if they’ve been lurking in your medicine cabinet, bathroom or kitchen cabinet (which is where I keep a supply of regularly accessed stuff, including peroxide and cottonballs for scrapes and Motrin for Mom headaches) for too long.
When you go through your items, consider putting travel-sized items aside (that haven’t expired based on the list below) in a basket or zipped pouch for guests.
Begin the toss with the obvious items. For example, cold tablets that have an expiration date on them. I’ve worked with many clients where we have tossed trashbags full of outdated cold tablets and prescriptions…and we wonder why our medicine cabinets and linen closets are jam packed.
The picture to the right is a container I use to keep various items organized. Most of my cosmetics and facial products, etc. are in my medicine cabinet, but the items in this container are not accessed daily. Remember: It’s ALWAYS a good idea to keep prescriptions and other medication out of the reach of children, and teens…by now, we’ve all hear about pharm parties. Bath gel, body wash:
3 years
Bath oil:
1 year
Body lotion:
3 years
Conditioner:
2 to 3 years
Deodorant, opened:
1 to 2 years
Deodorant, unopened:
2 years
Eye cream, opened:
1 year
Eye cream, unopened:
3 years
Face lotion:
3 years
Foundation, oil-based:
2 years
Foundation, water-based:
3 years
Hair gel:
2 to 3 years
Hairspray:
2 to 3 years
Lip balm, opened:
1 year
Lip balm, unopened:
5 years
Lipstick:
2 years
Mascara, opened:
3 to 4 months
Mascara, unopened:
2 years
Moist wipes:
2 years
Mouthwash:
3 years from the manufacturer’s date
Nail polish:
1 year
Perfume:
1 to 2 years
Rubbing alcohol:
3 years
Shampoo:
2 to 3 years
Shaving cream:
2 years plus
Tooth-whitening strips:
1 year
Don’t forget to use the GOPACK Method to organize your bathroom…or any other space in your home.
Related posts:
Great info.