The Bathroom

Last month we took a journey through your closet and how you can make it a healthier room in your home. This month we are walking into the bathroom – I will share tips on how to make this room a place of health and good things.

If you're like me cleaning the bathroom is the least favorite chore on my list of “To Do's.” In our home we have 2 bathrooms. Many homes today have 3 or 4 and keeping them in tip top shape can be a challenge. We will start off with the Master bathroom. I am all about simplicity- so the less stuff you have stored in your bathroom the easier it will be to keep your bathroom clean and healthy. It is very important to me that all the products we use in our bathrooms from soap, shampoo, tooth paste, make-up and so on are all non-toxic. I know it can be more expensive but we are talking about your health and I have learned that it is a lot less expensive to take care of your health now then when disaster strikes. So read your labels and visit: www.EPA.com to learn about in home toxins in everyday household products. You might be surprised about what you discover.

I only have items in my bathroom that we are currently using- No “Extras” and No “Maybe I will use that someday?” My theory is if I am not using it now – I know I won't be using it later. So old perfumes, potpourri, lotions, medicines and so on– if you're not using them and they have been hanging around for more than a year, then it's time to pass them along or toss away. They're just taking up space and clutter is not a healthy way of living. This goes for you too ladies- open the hair drawer- how many hair clips do we need, curling irons, brushes- find a couple of good ones that you like and leave it at that.

Once you start to downsize your things- you'll find that you have a lot more storage space and most everything you need for the bathroom will be able to be stored right there and easy to find. A quick walk through my bathroom goes like this- The medicine cabinet is mostly for my husband- keeps him organized and he has everything he needs – no extras – and his things are out of site when not in use. Then I have a drawer for extra products- I like to purchase in modest quantity as I don't like to run out of my favorite products. The next drawer has my hair stuff. Moving on to the last drawer, this one contains cotton balls, Q-tips, first aid kit- stuff we both use. The first aid kit is great – I have one for both bathrooms - it contains everything in it for your over the counter pharmaceutical needs. Easy to find and never a question about where something is. I can just say, “It's in the First Aid kit” Now if your children are younger you may need to modify this system to meet your needs.

Below the counters is our cupboard space. Under my husbands sink you'll find all the cleaning products we use to clean our bathroom with. Again please use non-toxic; it's better for your health and the environment. The greatest thing about my cleaning products is – I can spray 3 different products at the same time when I am cleaning and still be able to breathe. No toxic fumes and they clean better than anything I have ever used. Nicely stored under the cabinet so I don't have to run into another room and hunt them down either. The rest of the cabinet is empty but nice to have that space in case we ever need it.

Then under my counter is another cupboard where I store all of our towels- we are a rare family and have only one set of towels for each bathroom. There is about 8 large towels – the rest are hand and wash cloths- all nicely stacked and ready to use. We have one other cabinet above the toilet that I use it to store my bed sheets on the top shelf. Toilet paper and extra cotton balls, etc… and then my make-up shelf is next, you know our women things. Why we have more then men I will never know.

Everything is neatly in its spot and you'll notice not a lot of extras. If you have more storage in your bathroom then simply organize your items to meet your needs. But don't forget to clean out the old stuff. Keep things simple and easy to find.

Our bathroom isn't cluttered with a lot of decoration either. Just a few things – but nothing to clutter the counters. I like to be able to use my space and it's easier to keep clean without a lot of clutter. I prefer pictures on the wall to brighten things up. Cleaning is weekly – I pick one day a week and just stick to it. It can be any day of the week, just log it into your brain and it will become an automatic habit.

Now I mentioned we have 2 bathrooms. Well the other would be my kids/guest bathroom. They are older now 13 and 11 so their bathroom has become their responsibility. It is set up the same way as our master bathroom and because we have non toxic products in our home I have no problem with the kids helping to clean. They actually have a system and trade off each week when it comes to cleaning. Works great and I don't have to do it.

Because this is also a guest bathroom I like to make sure it feels welcoming and offers a touch of who we are as a family. You never know who is gonna use that bathroom and you want to make your guest feel welcome. We have the “footsteps” poem on the wall. Why that poem – we like it and it came from a youth lesson my husband taught a few years back that included this poem into a craft and because my kids bathroom is a fish and sea beach theme it all goes together perfectly. Whatever the theme is in your bathroom it is always neat to add a personal touch of inspiration to share with others. Something that makes them feel good about themselves on the inside.

I hope this walk into the bathroom has been a helpful tool to making your bathrooms healthier. Keep in mind, if your environment is healthier then so are you! Next month we will journey into the Kitchen. This is one of my favorite rooms in the home; we are going to have so much fun! So get that bathroom organized this month so you are ready to tackle the kitchen in July.

If you would like to know more about Healthier products for the home simply email me at: healthyhouse4u@yahoo.com I would be happy to talk with you!

Have a Wonderful Day!