Spring Cleaning Your Medicine Cabinet: What to Toss & What to Keep
Over time, it’s easy for your medicine cabinet to turn into a collection of half-used products, outdated prescriptions, and expired medications. While it may seem harmless to hang on to “just-in-case” items, an overstocked or outdated cabinet can lead to confusion, or worse, accidental misuse.
At Dundas West Pharmacy, we want to help you stay safe, organized, and prepared. Here are five simple steps to refresh your medicine cabinet the right way
1. Start by Emptying Everything
Take out every item: prescriptions, over-the-counter products, ointments, and supplies. Lay them out on a clean surface. Seeing everything at once makes it easier to sort through and identify what no longer belongs.
2. Check Expiry Dates
Inspect each product carefully. Discard anything that is expired, especially liquids, eye drops, or medications that have changed in colour, texture, or smell. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe and let it go.
3. Discard “Just in Case” Medications
Avoid holding on to leftover antibiotics, old prescriptions, or one-off pills. If a medication is no longer prescribed to you or has been sitting unused for a long time, it’s best to remove it. Medications should only be taken under current medical guidance.
4. Keep Only What’s Necessary
After sorting, hold onto:
- Medications you’re actively using
- Over-the-counter essentials (pain relievers, allergy meds, etc.)
- First aid basics, like bandages and antiseptics
- Prescriptions that are current and have valid refills
Not sure about something? Bring it to the pharmacy. We’ll review it with you.
5. Dispose of Medications Properly
Never flush medications or throw them in the trash. Bring expired or unused medications to Dundas West Pharmacy. We offer free and environmentally safe medication disposal—no appointment needed.
6. Restock Mindfully
Now that you’ve cleared space, consider what you truly need. Whether it’s seasonal allergy relief, first-aid supplies, or updated everyday essentials, our team can help you choose the right products to keep on hand.
5. Let’s Get Started
Stop by Dundas West Pharmacy to refresh your medicine cabinet with confidence. We’re here to help you stay safe, organized, and well-prepared.
Dundas West Pharmacy
(416) 368-9143
Proudly serving the Etobicoke community
