Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Time to Get Organized: Challenge #2

Sticky cough syrup bottles.
Deep blue, sparkly eye shadow from 1985.
Orange pills in a faded prescription bottle.

Let's start out the New Year with a freshly cleaned and organized bathroom cabinet. Remove all those bottles, jars and boxes out of your cabinet or drawer. Use your favorite cleaning method to wipe the area clean.

Now, seriously look at all the stuff you pulled out. Begin placing the items you use everyday back. Check expiration dates on the bottles and jars. If you are REALLY using it, then place it back. If not, then it's gotta go.

This is a new year baby and you want only THE BEST stuff in your life.
Today's project: Your Medicine Cabinet.

Get rid of old makeup, expired medicine and toiletries
that you haven't used in months (umm … years?).

Reward: Extra couple minutes in the shower to do nothing
but let the hot water sooth your body

Previous Challenge #1: Your Inbox

Check back for the next organizing challenge.

Remember all this organizing work is an investment in yourself.

What's the oldest bottle you found?

4 comments:

Shannon Des Roches Rosa said...

I have several bottles of expired prescription drugs sitting around because I'm not sure what is the best way to get rid of them. Do I return them to the pharmacy? To the Fire station? It seems inadvisable to just put them in the trash. I'd really appreciate your insight, and truly appreciate the organizing suggestions in your blog.

Angie Weid said...

@Squid - Thank you for your kind words.

Flushing in toliet or sink is the most popular.

The uber-envirofriendly method is to take unused/expired drugs to your pharmacy. Though call ahead to make sure they will help you with disposal.

Anonymous said...

Angie, Squid, et al: My understanding is that flushing prescription meds down the toilet or sink is a very, very bad idea - they get into our water supply, since water treatment plants filter particles, treat with chlorine, etc., but do not remove the trace amounts of the myriad drugs out there that most people do flush. As a result we're ending up with small amounts of chemotherapy drugs, hormone therapy drugs, diabetes drugs, blood pressure drugs, heart drugs, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antibiotics...you name it...in our drinking water. Over time, there's no telling what the consumption of such things is doing to us. Don't mean to be alarmist, and I'm certainly familiar with the obstacle to getting rid of things that having to think too much about what to do with them, or make too much effort, poses. However, I really think it's important for people to dispose of these potentially toxic substances properly. Pick up your phone, call your pharmacy, and confirm that they take old meds back for proper disposal. Then just chuck 'em all in a bag and keep it in your car until the next time you're headed pharamacy-ward.

Angie Weid said...

@Squid - You are absolutely correct. My recommendation is always to check with your pharmacy for safe disposal, though most people have always flushed their meds ... this is an unfortunate practice that was started decades ago.