Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet!

As the weather warms up and the flowers start to bloom, many of us get the urge to clean and organize our homes. It’s called spring cleaning! But did you know that one of the most important places to clean might be hiding right in your bathroom? That’s right—your medicine cabinet!

Your medicine cabinet isn’t just a place to store old bottles of cough syrup and band-aids. It's where you keep your first aid supplies and the medications you rely on when you’re not feeling your best. Over time, medicines can expire, or you might end up with extra items you no longer need. If you don’t keep it organized and safe, it can lead to accidents, or you might use something that’s not effective anymore. Additionally, you may have medications that others may abuse. That’s why cleaning it out regularly is so important!

Look at the expiration dates on each item. Medications can lose their effectiveness after the expiration date, and some can even become harmful. Anything that’s expired should be thrown away, however, it’s important to dispose of expired or unused medications safely, don’t just toss them in the trash, as some medicines can be harmful to the environment.

There are several medication collection boxes throughout Guilford County. Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, and Cone Health all have drop-off boxes you can use to safely dispose of medications, no questions asked. CVS and Walgreens may also have collection boxes. Find out if your local store has one at Curb the Crisis.

Now that you’ve cleared out the old stuff, it’s time to organize what you want to keep. Group items together by type—pain relievers, allergy meds, first aid supplies, and so on. Consider using small containers or baskets inside your cabinet to keep everything neat and easy to find. Make sure all medications are stored in a safe, dry, and cool place. Keep them up high and out of reach of young children, and check that all bottles are tightly sealed. Consider using a medication lock box.

After you’ve finished cleaning out your medicine cabinet, it’s a good idea to make this a regular habit. Try checking your medicine cabinet every few months to keep everything up-to-date and organized.

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—it’s also a great time to give your medicine cabinet some attention. By throwing away expired items, organizing what you keep, and ensuring everything is safely stored, you’re making sure that your medicine cabinet is a place that helps, not harms. A little time spent on safety now can keep you and your family healthier and safer all year long. Happy spring cleaning!