THE BATHROOM

If we are indeed spiritual beings having an earthly experience, then it stands to reason that taking care of the body is a sacred task. Yet most of our bathrooms are often neglected and/or abused. Let's see how we can transform this room to a place of peace.

Step One: Linen Check

What's the condition of your towels? If they are faded, thread bare, and have holes, let them go. Take them to your local vet or animal hospital. They need your old sheets as well.

Step Two: Let Go of Disappointments

We all invest in products from time to time that disappoint us. We feel too guilty to let them go, and instead let them live on indefinitely in our cupboards as space hogs. The solution? Host a ‘Product Swap Party' for your friends. With everyone's hair and skin having such different needs, what disappointed you might be a great find for a friend.

Step Three: Divest in Packaging

Do you have products you love and purchase them in multiples? Very often the commercial wrapping that comes with these products takes up a lot of space. Recycle the plastic and cardboard.

Step Four: Detangle Your Haircare

Take an honest look at your brushes, combs, and rollers. Pull out any you might not be using. If they're in good shape, remove all excess hair and soak them in a solution of water and baking soda before rinsing, air-drying, and donating to a shelter. The exception to this would be items with wooden handles, which will waterlog, those with boar bristles, which will curl, and those with rubber cushioning, which will split. For these kinds of brushes and combs, remove all excess hair and scrub clean with a good shampoo. Rinse under the faucet and let air dry.

Step Five: Face the Bacteria

Check the expiration date on your make-up. Separate out anything that is more than 6 months old, as bacteria will be growing in it. Rinse and recycle all recyclable glass and plastic (making sure to check the number of the plastic, so that you don't put anything on the curb that will ultimately not be recycled. For more instruction see our recycling guide). Also separate out any bottles from the Body Shop, or lipsticks from MAC, as both can be turned in and recycled or refilled at the stores for a discount.

Step Six: Sort Your Meds

Take a look at your medicine collection and get rid of what has expired. Remember to remove the label, and rinse save the jars of your prescription meds. These make great containers for vitamins and aspirin when traveling.

Helpful Hints for Everyday Upkeep:

1. Keep a sponge handy for quick wipes of the counter every time you exit.

 

2. The mirror gets water and tooth paste splashed at regular intervals. Keep a spray bottle of homemade cleaner and a soft cotton cloth under the sink. Spray and wipe at least once a day.

 

3. Make your own cleaner for the counter top and the mirror by mixing equal parts vinegar and water. Vinegar has the added benefit of being both a disinfectant and a deodorizer. The smell dissipates the minute it dries.

 

4. Straight vinegar will clean your bathroom bowl.

 

5. When your counters need to get a good scrub, use baking soda! A little water added to the powder will make a natural cleaning paste.

 

6. Remove and recycle the plastic wrap from around your soap. Soaps last longer when they've been dried out a bit.

Room-By-Room Guide

Getting Started
The Kitchen
The Home Office
The Clothes Closet