Spring Cleaning Your Medicine Cabinet

Spring Cleaning Your Medicine Cabinet

It’s that time of year again: spring cleaning! That’s when we clear out the mess of winter and the past year by thoroughly cleaning up our house or apartment at the start of the new season. The timing is perfect for another important tidy-up in the house – your medicine cabinet.

Unlike regular household trash, the contents of your medicine cabinet need to be treated with care to ensure their safe disposal. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Check the dates of every medication and get rid of anything that has passed the expiration date. Many expired meds lose their effectiveness after this date and, most importantly, can become toxic.
2. For solid medications, add some water so they can dissolve. Add kitty litter, coffee grounds, saw dust or any material that mixes well and makes it unappealing for children or animals to eat. Seal the bag and put it in the trash.
3. Because of potential harm to the environment, NEVER flush any medication down the toilet. These pharmaceuticals can pollute the water and unintentionally expose communities to the chemicals in the medications.
4. You also might consider relocating your medicine cabinet. A dresser drawer or lock box in your closet are cool and dry locations that keep medications from curious toddlers and teens. (And while you’re at it, take a moment to check that your liquor cabinet is also locked for the same reason.)

One of the best ways to dispose of your expired, unwanted or unused medicines is through a drug take-back program, like the recent National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. You can also get information about the proper disposal of your medication from your local pharmacy or police department.