:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1297189646-519198fc96d24449823d4c507f54f4d2.jpg "7 Bathroom Items You’ll Regret Getting Rid Of When Decluttering")
A bathroom declutter can be one of the most satisfying home projects—especially when it transforms an overstuffed medicine cabinet or under-the-sink storage into a calm, organized space where every item has a place and purpose. But before you start dumping entire drawers into the trash can, pause for a moment. A common mistake, says Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, is letting enthusiasm overrule practicality. “It’s tempting to want to throw out everything when you’re decluttering, but you might end up just buying those same things again,” she explains. “Things like extra cotton swabs and pads, extra towels, travel toiletries can often be very useful.”
Remember: Bathrooms are functional spaces that serve everyday needs (and the occasional emergency), so the goal is not to strip them bare, but to curate them thoughtfully. According to home organization experts, here’s what to keep during your next bathroom decluttering session.
- Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi
- Vanessa Garcia, Taskrabbit tasker, expert interior design and cleaning professional
- Beth Blacker, founder of It’s Just Stuff! and member of the Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board
Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning and interior design professional Vanessa Garcia recommends to always keep a few cleaning essentials on hand in the bathroom. A small stash of disinfecting wipes, a multipurpose cleaner, and a few microfiber cloths tucked under the sink or in a vanity drawer can make quick touch-ups easier—and encourage consistency in your cleaning routine. The key, Garcia says, is to store them neatly, not hide them completely: “If you don’t see it, you won’t remember it’s there.”
Travel-Size Toiletries
Travel-size shampoos, conditioners, and lotions can feel like clutter, especially when they start multiplying in drawers. But Garcia recommends keeping them—strategically. “With travel-size items, people tend to think that because it’s so small, they don’t want to keep it. However, these can come up for good use for guests as well,” she says.
Corral them into a small basket or clear bin, and you’ll always have a ready-made amenity kit for visitors or last-minute trips. You can also use them to test new products before committing to full sizes—saving both space and money.
Spare Towels and Linens
Extra towels often get the ax during decluttering sprees, especially if they’re mismatched. But as Hicks notes, they’re one of the most useful items to keep.
Even if they’re not guest-worthy, they can serve as backup for cleaning, pet care, or unexpected messes. Try designating one small storage bin or shelf for “utility towels” so they’re easy to find without cluttering your main linen rotation.
Extra Personal Care Essentials
Toothbrushes, floss, cotton rounds, razors, tampons, and other daily-use items often get tossed if they’re overstocked or hiding in the back of a drawer—but they’re some of the last things you want to run out of unexpectedly. Garcia notes that these extras aren’t clutter if they’re organized properly. “Anything ‘extra’—for example, toothbrushes, dental flosses, even tampons and feminine care—it just all needs to be better organized,” she says.
Try clear bins, labeled drawers, or tiered organizers to create a small “store” within your bathroom. When items are visible and accessible, you’ll use what you have before buying more—and you won’t have to make a late-night drugstore run.
First Aid Supplies
If you’ve ever needed a bandage only to realize you tossed the almost-empty box months ago, you’ll understand Garcia’s next point: don’t declutter your first aid kit. “We tend to overbuy since when you need a Band-Aid, they sell you the whole box,” she explains. “But in reality, all of those items always come in handy!”
Take inventory instead of purging—consolidate duplicates, discard expired items, and neatly store everything in a waterproof container that’s easy to grab in an emergency.
Hair Styling Tools
Curling irons, blow dryers, diffusers, and hot brushes can take up a surprising amount of space, which makes them tempting declutter targets. But according to professional organizer Beth Blacker, you might regret being too ruthless. “I have had women tell me that they regret giving away hair styling tools that still worked, but they were not using for whatever reason,” she says. “Then they get a haircut and suddenly that one curling iron or brush was the one they now want back.”
The solution? Keep one or two versatile tools you know you’ll reach for again. Store the rest in a labeled bin in another area, like a linen closet, so they’re out of sight but easy to retrieve if your styling routine changes.
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