Duplicates: items you already have too many of; things that easily double up, build up and slowly take over your home. They’re not the only source of clutter, but they’re definitely one of the main contributors. Whether we stock up on items ‘just in case’, got a ‘great deal’ on a bundle or simply forgot we already have three at home, it’s easy to see where they come from.
And no room is quite so susceptible as the bathroom. Notoriously cramped, often hot and steamy, this space is full of duplicates, according to professional organisers. ‘It’s usually a mix of habit and visibility. Toiletries are easy to pick up while shopping, especially when there are offers or multipacks,’ says Emma Kenwrick-Meehan, pro organiser and founder of Home Nip & Tuck. She works with her clients day in, day out to find ways to reduce clutter and make the most of spaces, and cutting bathroom duplicates is a huge part of that.
‘People often buy before they have finished what they already have and, because everything is stored in cupboards or drawers, it’s easy to lose track of how many similar products are already open,’ says Emma. But not any more. Here are the duplicates pro organisers want you to toss from your bathroom right now.
Half-used toiletries
When asked what was the most common duplicate she came across when organising bathrooms, there was only one answer for Emma: ‘In my client work, it’s often half-used toiletries, duplicate products like shampoos and conditioners, and skincare that has been opened but not finished.’ There’s nothing wrong with opening a product, trying it and realising it’s not for you. The problem arises when you allow these multiple rejects to clutter up your cupboards.
Deals and offers
I also spoke to Jo Jacob, professional organiser behind Benella Home Organisation, and she pointed out that one way to tackle duplicates in the bathroom is to address where they come from in the first place – ‘buy one get one free’ items, Jo suspects.
Even if we know we already have plenty of a particular item at home, as soon as we see it’s on offer or a deal is involved, we start thinking we’re losing money by not taking it home with us. While stocking up can occasionally be a money-saving measure, there’s a right way to do it. ‘They need to be stored out of the way so they don’t take up prime space in the bathroom,’ says Jo.
Beauty products that do the same thing
Naturally, the beauty industry has a lot to answer for when it comes to duplicates, repackaging and repurposing products to convince shoppers they need far more than they do. ‘I regularly see multiple versions of the same product being used at once, which leads to clutter building up quickly,’ says Emma.
Do your own due diligence and cut down your skincare routine. Look at ingredients and conduct some research to help you figure out what your skin actually needs, which products are actually doing the exact same thing and which are just altogether unnecessary.
Gifts
In all variations of clutter, gifts often come up as a recurring issue. It’s hard to get rid of things others have given us; it feels rude and wasteful. But the reality is if you let items you don’t want or need build up, it serves no one and just wastes space.
‘This is often made worse by things like beauty Advent calendars or gift sets,’ says Emma. ‘People end up with products they wouldn’t usually choose but feel reluctant to get rid of.’ So many of these sets and calendars include similar or even identical products – products you didn’t like the first time and certainly not the fourth time. Stop them from building up by regifting or donating them to someone who will actually use them.
Out-of-date products
‘Old medication and expired hair dyes are what I often find when decluttering and organising a client’s bathroom,’ says Jo, who believes expired products are one of the most common duplicates clogging up space. Either people don’t realise these items can expire or don’t know what to do with them once they do. So be sure to take a look at both the back of the cupboard and the fine print on the box.
Shower products
This is one I have seen my own friends and family be ever so guilty of: cluttering up the shower with endless products, all of which do the same exact thing. ‘Shampoos, conditioners and body washes are the most common duplicates, along with multiple moisturisers and cleansers,’ says Emma. ‘I also often see several hairbrushes or razors stored across different drawers and bags, which makes it harder to see what’s actually being used.’
Space is so limited in the bathroom and especially in the shower. Too many products crammed on one slippery shelf is not only an eyesore but can make the space harder to clean. So, you can find yourself with seven shampoos and a breeding ground for mould and limescale.
‘People often keep too many open products at once. In most cases, one shampoo, one conditioner and a small number of daily skincare products is enough,’ advises Emma. ‘Having multiple open versions tends to slow everything down and creates unnecessary clutter.’
Travel sizes
A classic clutter culprit is keeping multiple samples or travel-sized toiletries. ‘I often see these in large quantities. People tend to keep them from holidays or buy them for trips, but they build up quickly and are rarely used up. They often end up scattered across drawers, rather than being used intentionally,’ shares Emma. When was the last time you actually finished a sample size or travel toiletry? Exactly! We use them on a trip, keep them as they still have a bit of product left, but then inevitably buy a fresh one for the next trip.
‘Just in case’ items
Bathrooms are often an area of experimentation. A new approach to haircare, skincare, bodycare and everything in between is often first attempted in those tiled walls, meaning duplicates of past experimentations gone by often sit idle. ‘Unopened or barely used products bought for a specific purpose are very common. Things like hair treatments, face masks or niche skincare items are frequently kept “just in case”, but rarely become part of a regular routine,’ says Emma, who finds multiples of these past phases hidden away in her clients’ cupboards and drawers.
Products that don’t suit your bathroom
One of the silliest ways to waste space in the bathroom is to hold on to items you can’t even use any more. ‘I’ve often found multiple bath oils when clients no longer have a bath or first aid items from a surgery procedure five years ago,’ says Jo. Duplicates can easily build up when you don’t update your bathroom. Make sure everything is relevant to the current space you’re in and your day-to-day routine.
