How many do you have?

[budafam]

We're remodeling our bathroom right now and we just took out my storage closet which held EVERYTHING. For storage now, we're only going to have the vanity and then 2 side cabinets (much less). I'm going through everything that was in the closet and I'm finding a LOT of things we don't use (hairspray, lotions, razors, Disney soap, etc.) I used to do the extreme couponing thing and I loaded up on deodorants, toothpastes, etc. We don't have nearly as much as we used to but now I need to downsize even more. How much do you keep on hand?

-Lotions (I'm talking the smelly kind like Bath & Body Works - everyone and their grandma seems to give these out for Christmas)
-Razors
-Deodorants
-Shampoos/Conditioners
-Sunblock

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Sunblock, deodorant and toothpaste expires so I only keep that for one year. Everything else I guess it depends how many people are in your family and whether or not you're actually going to use the stuff. If you are it would be wasteful to throw it away just to free up space, I would try to organize it instead and not buy anymore until you need it.

 

[pocomom]

Too Much!!! I'm notorious for having too much of that stuff on hand...
trying to pair down myself...
I would be tempted to keep the things I would use eventually, and won't go bad,(toothbrushes) but look hard at those bottles of lotion/ bath stuff. I think I currently have enough for this lifetime,(plus you know I'll get more come Christmas ) luckily I have little girls so I do pass them on now. If you've got any unopened gift sets or what not think about passing them off for a charity tricky tray or something similar. In fact, most food banks would be happy to receive deodorants, razors and soaps.

 

[RitaE]

probably a couple of each. Other than razor blades, I'm not real brand loyal on any of those things. When we start to get low on the last bottle, I make a note on my iPhone shopping list to watch for a sale and then I buy a couple of more.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I got this under control last year, there was so much there it was ridiculous. Of course we use different brands for everything so there's still quite a bit but not nearly as bad.

Shampoo/conditioner/bath soap - one in the shower, one in the cabinet
Deodorant - one each that's in use
Sunscreen - there's 2 bottles in the closet 15 & 30 SPF
Toothpaste - 2-3 of each brand, we get the multipack at BJs
Razors - I get a big pack at Amazon so there might be 15-30 blades in there at one time

 

[littlezar]

-Lotions (I'm talking the smelly kind like Bath & Body Works - everyone and their grandma seems to give these out for Christmas)
-Razors
-Deodorants
-Shampoos/Conditioners
-Sunblock

Lotions - Don't use the B&BW ones

Razors - Buy as needed when the guys say they're getting low. For me, I probably have 2 packs of disposables and 3-4 different handles that use refill blades. I'm not too brand loyal so as long as it's inexpensive I'll use it.

Deodorant - Usually have at least 2 extra for DH, buy as needed for the rest of us.

Shampoo/Conditioner - 2 sets total for me, both open but alternate using. DH shaves bald so none for him. The older 3 each use a different one and let me know as it gets low. The youngest uses L'Oreal Kids and we probably have 10 in the cabinet because my brother works for L'Oreal.

Sunblock - Buy 3-4 new ones per year.

 

[beansmom]

Sunblock, deodorant and toothpaste expires so I only keep that for one year. Everything else I guess it depends how many people are in your family and whether or not you're actually going to use the stuff. If you are it would be wasteful to throw it away just to free up space, I would try to organize it instead and not buy anymore until you need it.

those things do not expire in a year. I am using toothpaste 2-4 years old and it's fine..same with deodorant...if i get it free, i'm gonna use it until it curdles.

i have enough free quattro blades to last my lifetime.

 

[kimblebee]

those things do not expire in a year. I am using toothpaste 2-4 years old and it's fine..same with deodorant...if i get it free, i'm gonna use it until it curdles.

i have enough free quattro blades to last my lifetime.

Sunblock does expire. Not sure if its a year or not but I do know it expires.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

those things do not expire in a year. I am using toothpaste 2-4 years old and it's fine..same with deodorant...if i get it free, i'm gonna use it until it curdles.

i have enough free quattro blades to last my lifetime.

They do expire and they aren't as effective when they do. I threw away the box my toothpaste came in so I'm not sure how long it lasts, but I do know that I'm not going to put something in my mouth that I'm going to swallow some of if it's expired, especially if it's a year past expiration. I think deodorant just loses it's scent and dries out.

Sunblock is not as effective and I once accidentally put expired sunblock on my kids and I found out it was expired when they started crying that it was stinging their skin, at first I thought I had just put it over a scrape, but then 3 of them were crying so I checked the date and it was expired.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sunscreen-expire/AN01968 According to this it is 3 years or the expiration date on the sunscreen.

 

[tms295psu]

Toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, shampoo &conditioner -- one in use and one back up for each family member

Sunblocks and lotion - 2-3 bottles each, only because they get scattered!

 

[scrapquitler]

We're remodeling our bathroom right now and we just took out my storage closet which held EVERYTHING. For storage now, we're only going to have the vanity and then 2 side cabinets (much less). I'm going through everything that was in the closet and I'm finding a LOT of things we don't use (hairspray, lotions, razors, Disney soap, etc.) I used to do the extreme couponing thing and I loaded up on deodorants, toothpastes, etc. We don't have nearly as much as we used to but now I need to downsize even more. How much do you keep on hand?

-Lotions (I'm talking the smelly kind like Bath & Body Works - everyone and their grandma seems to give these out for Christmas)
-Razors
-Deodorants
-Shampoos/Conditioners
-Sunblock

I try to keep no more than 2 or 3 of any of those items (Razors, whatever is in the pack), Sunblock I only keep one. Toothbrushes I keep lots of extras because I like to swap them out frequently, esp. if someone has been sick. Toothpaste I try to keep one unopened tube. The lotions and hand soaps from BBW are a problem, I usually have about 5 or 6 of each (and maybe 5 or 6 of the bodywashes, too because I buy a lot when there is a good sale), but I keep a couple in each bathroom under the sink.
Toilet paper I always have tons extra (I usually buy a 36 pack, never ever want to run out of that)

 

[budafam]

lol, thanks everyone! I'm set on toilet paper... I bought a few hundred rolls last year on a sale. Won't need to buy any for a long time! I just sold 12 bottles of lotion tonight on a local facebook sale page for $10 (most were little bottles). I have so many bottles of shampoo and soap from Disney.. lol. Not sure what to do with those. Hubby thinks I'm crazy. Also found 10-20 brushes & combs! Yikes!

 

[shortbun]

I have two or three of everything and travel size in my suitcase. Dad and my sister are/were hoarders; I only have one cupboard and one drawer for them. I don't use stuff with fragrance so I don't have all that stuff.

 

[Swimalie]

I keep 1 on hand and one is use, generally. Except razors. I buy the Costco pack of blades so that's about 15 or so but they don't go bad. Sunscreen I replace twice a year so I don't keep it on hand. Now lotion, I bought a bunch when they went on sale so I have a bunch of the country apple since I can't get it in the store. I just try to keep things to a minimum so I don't have too much over stock.

if anyone wants to get rid of their extras, local shelters will accept them.

 

[kellia]

I had a lot, too, but donate any we have too much of at Christmas time when the schools, work and churches are all asking for donations. I've heard that they like toiletries because even if you get food stamps for groceries, they won't cover those things. So, I still do the coupon thing, but not as much as before! It takes a bit to figure out how many your family actually uses.

 

[blessedby3]

We are a family of 5 (but I also supply DD and her DH)...so really 7. I get all of these items for much of nothing at CVS and stock up. I probably have 12 tubes of toothpaste, 18 toothbrushes, 12 deodorants, 24 bottles of body wash, 18 cans of shave gel (I got a bunch of them at Kroger marked down to .45 cents and I had coupons--woohoo), tons of razors, and 10 or so bottles of shampoo and conditioner. I give DD a goodie bag every so often so she never buys this stuff. It is in a rolling cart in my walk in closet.
I like having it on hand and only buy more when the CVS deals are out and Im paying like $2 for 4 bottles of body wash...and there is always free toothpaste at CVS

 

[SC Minnie]

I typically like to have 1 in use and 1 in the closet of every toiletry. When the one in use is done I put it on the shopping list.

Now, I like B&BW shower gel. When they have a sale I usually stock up so right now I have about 6 in the closet.

I do have some half empty bottle of shampoo and conditioner that I bought and didn't like. I really need to toss them but I hate to waste.

 

[hsmamato2]

I used to do the extreme couponing thing and I loaded up on deodorants, toothpastes, etc. We don't have nearly as much as we used to but now I need to downsize even more. How much do you keep on hand?

this makes me .... I think the fact that you said 'used to' is a good step.... I have a small hall closet that I store all linens,extra toiletries,and towels in. So I limit my purchases and stock to what fits there neatly. (plus I have the shoe bag inside the door for little things like first aid stuff,razors,etc)
I usually like to keep 4-5 containers of whatever we use stocked,as I buy on sale/coupons etc. any more than that is just....overstocking IMHO.
In our actual bathroom, I keep one bottle of each item being used,and restock from my hall closet as needed. So in bathroom, one bottle of shampoo (what each person uses) one razor,one bottle mousse,etc.
in closet,I usually have a few of each item to restock,and I keep adding to this shelf as it depletes. T.P. I like to stock about 4 18 packs in the closet...I have small shelf in the bathroom under a table that stores 6 rolls for quick roll changes.
If I see we're out of something,I make it a point to restock that space on my shelf. Maybe once a month,or less(?) I buy new items for the closet.

 

[hsmamato2]

I have an old fashioned metal medicine cabinet/mirror with a sliding door,I keep a row of WDW shampoo bottles and soaps lined up there simply b/c I like to smile at them...it's decoration! and if I need a small bottle for a weekend,I just grab one and go... I have a variety of bottles that remind me of trips over the years...

 

[pocomom]

Not trying to get you to keep too much, but we also made up everyone travel bags we don't touch except for travel, and it is soo much easier now not hearing the kids tell me they forgot their toothpaste, or some other essential. (we also made a set of everything we need for our RV, but in that case we share one thing of shampoo etc) and I made a guest basket with essentials and a note for company. in the guest shower and a smaller one in the downstairs bath. I included some practical items like toothbrushes, mini mouthwash, feminine care products, and some luxury items like nice lotion etc. Anything you might need when you are visiting. I've arranged them nicely and gotten alot of compliments on it, and dd little friends love sampling the lotions when they are over