Decluttering your RV is about more than just tidying up—it’s about improving safety, functionality, and overall quality of life on the road. From reducing weight and fire hazards to creating a more welcoming space for guests, a clutter-free RV offers numerous benefits. Here’s how to start with one of the most important areas: your RV bathroom.
Why declutter?
There are several good reasons to declutter your RV. Here are just a few:
- Weight. Everything weighs something. Yes, some things weigh less than others, but it all adds up. Decluttering can help reduce the overall weight of your rig, help you distribute weight more evenly, and put less strain on your vehicle.
- Fire safety. Clutter can fuel a fire and fire in an RV spreads quickly. This often results in a total loss. Paper, fabric, yarn, and other hobby materials need to be purged often to prevent a potential fire hazard.
- Functionality. A decluttered RV functions best. Knowing where each item belongs helps your RV life go smoothly. Instead of searching for something “that you know is in that cupboard somewhere,” you can access what you need and get on with your day.
- Health. Often the result of clutter is dust. If you have allergies, you’ll really appreciate a decluttered RV. Mold or mold spores can also result from clutter. Get rid of it!
- Social interactions. You may be more likely to welcome a new RV friend inside your rig if things are clean and orderly.
Declutter your RV bathroom
Several online bloggers recommend setting a timer before you begin to declutter. 30 minutes of time should give you a great start and perhaps even complete your RV bath decluttering effort. The point is to not let yourself become overwhelmed. If decluttering the entire bathroom seems daunting, just do it in 30-minute intervals.
Products
I’m not sure how so many different products accumulate inside our RV bath sink cabinet. Remove the items you no longer use along with bottles/tubes in which very little product remains.
Tip: If you and your travel buddy can use the same shampoo/conditioner/body wash, it will double your storage space.
Towels
If you do laundry once a week, one or two towels per person is usually enough. Consider upgrading to quick-dry bath towels. They are made from recycled materials, are superabsorbent, weigh only 8 ounces, and dry very quickly! They come in different designs, too. Tip: Some RVers use beach towels as bath towels—a double-duty solution to save storage space.
Styling
Do you actually use your hair dryer when RVing? If your answer is “yes” perhaps a small, compact version could free up space. Critically analyze other styling appliances and if you don’t use them on a regular basis, take them out of your RV bathroom.
Makeup
I rarely wear makeup when RVing, except occasionally for church and/or date nights. That means I pack along only the bare necessities. I encourage you to sort through whatever makeup you currently have in your rig. If you haven’t used it during the past three trips, consider removing it altogether.
Tip: One item to always keep and use daily is sunblock.
Medicine cabinet
Ideally, medicines should not be stored in the bathroom because of the excess heat and humidity. Discard unused prescription medicines at the local drug collection drop-off station. Also toss out any items you no longer need or use (old razor blades, etc.). Consider restocking missing items now that you have space for them.
Cleaning supplies
If you discover multiple bottles of the same product, combine them. Plan to use the nearly empty products first and then toss the container out.
Décor
Use a critical eye to check whatever bathroom décor you have. Do you still love that vanity hand towel holder or is it taking up too much valuable space? What about the artwork on the wall? Does it please you or just take up visual space?
Tip: Treat yourself to new wall decor once you’ve decluttered your RV bathroom.
Extras
While living in our stix-n-brix home, I like to stock up when certain products are on sale. It’s a difficult habit to break when RVing. Unless you have empty cabinets that can store extra toilet paper, shampoo, etc., stop stockpiling! You’ll appreciate an uncluttered bathroom cabinet at least as much as your “cents off” purchase.
How about you?
Do you have some tips to declutter your RV bathroom? Please share your ideas in the comments below.
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You nailed one of the reasons RVing can cost more. We cannot (easily) take advantage of bulk pricing. We simply do not have the space or weight capacity. The one possibility is splitting purchases with fellow RVers, although this is easier at a long-stay RV park.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 DW added suction cups with hooks to the shower stall, which gives the wash cloths and bath mat places when not in use. We lived in our RV for eight months early in our ownership of it, so we got in the habit of keeping things tidy. We continue it to this day. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
We got rid of a lot of bottles by using bar soap and shampoo/conditioner bars. Hung 2 command soap dishes to hold them. Use limited cleaning supplies which are stored under kitchen sink.