When we travel as a family, one of my biggest pet peeves is bathroom organization. At home, my three kids share their own bathroom. Since they’re plenty old enough to maintain it, I don’t venture in there often. Tooth paste all over the counter? Fine. If that’s how they want it. Personal products covering every inch of space? That’s fine too. It’s not my mess!
When we travel, we don’t have the luxury of two bathrooms. So, their mess becomes my mess. Or, more likely, I freak out over the mess and make them clean it up.
While I could fight with them on bathroom cleanliness at home, I choose not to engage in that battle. They’ll grow up, marry, and their spouses can teach them! (Tee hee!) When traveling, the five of us share a space meant for two. I had to develop a strategy for bathroom organization, because fighting about bathroom counter space is not my idea of vacation fun!
EASY How To: Travel Bathroom Organization
As you can see in the photo above left, with enough effort we can keep the counters fairly organized during travel. But, the counter on the right gives us far more space. I can actually apply makeup without knocking something off the counter.
All it takes is this:
Yep! An over-the-door shoe rack is the best tool for bathroom organization! It doesn’t take much space in the suitcase and provides organized storage space to make the tiniest hotel bathroom more manageable.
**It also works on cruise ships, though take zip-ties to secure it to the shower rod or closet bar. It doesn’t work on most cabin doors.**
Here’s how it looks when used:
- We tuck the water bottles into the top row to keep them clean and because we don’t need them daily.
- Below that, there’s a row for everyone (if needed). On this particular trip we packed light, so we didn’t use the whole thing.
- Lowest pockets can be used for kids’ toys, dolls and stuffed animals. Their “stuff” is easy to get to and it doesn’t get lost under beds. As an added bonus, lego pieces — safely stored in a zip-lock bag or small snap-shut container — don’t end up all over the floor for adults to step on!
Our bathroom organization shoe bag is made of fabric and is machine washable. I store it with my overnight bag so it’s always ready to go.
This simple solution keeps the whole family happy. I don’t yell at the kids and they don’t have to think too hard to put things away… Now, if only they’d figure out that the drawers built into their bathroom vanity work just as well! 🙂
What’s your hotel travel pet peeve? How do you manage it?
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Tough Cookie Mommy says
Thanks so much for linking up with us this past week for the Monday Mingle at Tough Cookie Mommy. I would love to connect on Facebook too https://facebook.com/toughcookiemommy
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
I’ve used shoe organizers for clutter control before, but I never thought to take it on a trip. Brilliant idea, Karen! Do you slip everything in the pockets after you arrive or does it go into the suitcase fully loaded?
Karen Dawkins says
I pack it flat and load it when I get there. I just fold it and lay it in the bottom of the suitcase so it’s always ready to go. 🙂
Antionette Blake says
Great idea, thankfully my sons are neat freaks and they share a bathroom – wish my counter looked as good as theirs do!
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
Karen Dawkins says
Lucky you to have a pair of neat freaks! 🙂
Pepper Tan says
Oh that’s so clever! A shoe bag to hold everything in. I will keep that in mind if and when I have more kids 🙂
Karen Dawkins says
Even small families can use them to keep things organized, especially if staying in a hotel for several days.
Tonya {The Traveling Praters} says
What a great idea! I also freak out when the bathroom is not neat and tidy. I just can’t stand an already cramped hotel room to look cluttered.
Karen Dawkins says
We’d make great travel buddies, Tonya. I’m a neat freak… I am horrified by the thought of hotel staff having to wade through my kids’ dirty clothes, toys, snack wrappers and bathroom junk just to clean and tidy the place. A little order goes a long way toward calm and enjoyment! 🙂
Amanda says
Brilliant! And so simple! 🙂
Thanks for spreading the LOVE around with us on Showin’ Some Love Hump Day Blog Hop!! 🙂
Already following you!
<3 Amanda*
https://modernhippiemomma.blogspot.com/2013/05/showin-some-love-hump-day-blog-hop-4.html
Karen Dawkins says
Thanks!
LadyInRead says
very neat idea.. my first visit here and will be back.. I am following you on Pinterest and via email now – came here from Monday Mingle..
BTW, love the blog subtitle – Makers of staycation in a box..
Karen Dawkins says
Thanks, Lady in Read! I look forward to getting to know you better. So glad you stopped by!
Cynthia says
BRILLIANT! You never cease to amaze me!
Karen Dawkins says
Awwww… shucks! **blush**
Christy says
Good idea! I haven’t had to worry about this issue too much.
Karen Dawkins says
I’m glad for you… You must train kids better than I do!
Susan says
Karen, seriously! This is brilliant. My kids are still young enough that bathroom issues don’t exist YET when we travel. My oldest daughter uses my stuff mostly (sigh) and my boy, well, I’m lucky to get him to brush his teeth at all! lol
Karen Dawkins says
Thanks! You’ll be ahead of the game going forward! 🙂
Lexie Lane says
Wow Karen, you really have this down! I definitely could use some organization when I travel. I get too relaxed sometimes that it all ends up everywhere!
Karen Dawkins says
Thanks, Lexie! The more I travel, the more organized I get. Home on the road you know!
Sharon Green says
I actually have one of those and it’s absolutely amazing. You get to store your items without taking up any floor/counter space. Truly a great invention!
Karen Dawkins says
Sharon, do you have any other great tips to share? Sounds like we’re kindred travelers.