Medicine cabinets should be cleaned out every 6 to 12 months. This process includes clearing it out, checking all supplies and medicines, cleaning, sorting, organizing and replenishing as needed. Fall is the perfect time to tackle this chore, before the cold and flu season hit with full force. The following supplies will be needed: a trash bag, rags, bathroom cleaner and a notepad and pen. If prescription medications might be encountered, get a small box also.

Make a Clean Space

The cabinet must be clean and clear before it can be organized. Clear out everything, throwing away trash and empty bottles. Place remaining items in one pile. Once empty, clean all cabinet surfaces thoroughly with some cleaner and a rag.

Check Items

Go through the pile, checking for and disposing of broken, expired, missing and unlabeled items. If the expiration date on a bottle is no longer legible or isn't there, throw it away. While doing this, sort into two piles: medicine and supplies.

Expired prescription medications must be treated with care. Gather them together separately in a box. Find a local pharmacy willing to take back old prescriptions and dispose of them safely. If such a pharmacy can not be located, add water to the bottles before tossing them to lessen the chance that the substance will be ingested by children or animals. Never flush prescriptions down the toilet or put them down the sink as doing so will contaminate the water supply.

Organize, Sort and Replenish

Divide products into logical groups according to personal preference. One way to sort items for instance is by child and adult strength medicine, subdivided into cough, allergy, cold, and general pain medications. Supplies should be similarly grouped.

Now that everything is sorted and easy to locate, note anything that needs to be restocked including medication, topical ointments, bandages and personal hygiene products. Write this information down for later use.

Place each group of items back in the cabinet, keeping them in distinct groups. If space is limited, use baggies or small containers to keep groups separate. Wipe each item with a damp rag as it is put away.

A Place For Everything

The next time a medicine is needed, it will be simple and easy to find. Keep a small notepad handy and as things are used up, write it down for the next trip to the store. Never again will there be frantic 1AM searches for medicine, all the while wondering if it may be used up or expired. A clean, organized medicine cabinet is a good step toward an orderly and enjoyable home.