A lot of folks keep toothbrushes and toothpaste in a pretty cup on their bathroom counter. But we have just one bathroom for our family of six. That’s a lot of toothbrushes to be cluttering up the counter. Especially when I prefer to have nothing on the counter at all.
So I’ve struggled with finding a way to organize toothbrushes and toothpaste out of sight.
I’ve tried small bins in the drawers. And under the sink.
I’ve tried cups under the sink. (They tipped over.)
Nothing worked. It would all end up in a big toothpasty mess. Gross.
Until I had an idea. What if I used simple velcro to attach light plastic cups to the inside of the bathroom cupboard? Would that work?
It does! This simple little toothbrush organizing solution is the answer to my toothbrush storage woes, and a huge part of how I finally got our bathroom vanity organized.
There are several reasons why this idea works so well.
1) It’s easy to put together and doesn’t cost a lot of money.
2) It takes advantage of unused space on the back of the bathroom cabinet door.
3) The cups are firmly attached to the cabinet door so there’s no tipping over or getting lost with little children running away with them. (Yes that’s happened in our house.)
How to Do It:
What You’ll Need to Organize Your Toothbrushes & Toothpaste:
- inexpensive plastic cups
(I found ours at Walmart for 50 cents), but solo cups should work too! - labels with a label maker or printable labels (here’s a fun selection of free printable labels)
- velcro tape (if you only need one or two strips, I recommend this | If you’ll need more velcro, this is probably a better deal.)
(I found ours at Walmart for 50 cents), but 
should work too!
or printable labels (here’s a fun selection of 
(if you only need one or two strips, I recommend 
| If you’ll need more velcro, 
is probably a better deal.)Make sure you choose plastic cups that don’t have a wide rim at the top or the velcro won’t lie flat and stick well.
Label the cups – this encourages the kids to put their toothbrush and toothpaste away where they belong. Especially if you have multiple kids like me, you don’t want to skip this step!
Next, attach the velcro tape to the cup and the inside of your bathroom cabinet door. Easy enough; no DIY talent required here.
Firmly attach the cup to the velcro on the door.
Do this for the remaining cups and you’re done!
It Works!
The velcro does an excellent job of holding the cups in place. I waited a full month before posting this organizing toothbrushes idea because I wanted to make sure the velcro held up to the wear and tear of my four monkeys. It does! Our toothbrush cups show no signs of budging.
I like that this method doesn’t permanently attach the cups to the door either; you can remove them when you need to wash out the cups. My velcro did fine with a gentle wash and rinse. I wouldn’t put it in the dishwasher but you can wash it by hand and let the velcro dry before reattaching.
My kids each have their own cup for their toothbrush, except for the little boys, who share. (Although I’ve heard rumblings about that, so I’ll be picking up another so they can each have their own.)
There’s one cup for the toothpaste. (I’ve tried getting toothpaste for each child, but my kids always mix it up and share anyways.)
And a separate cup for flossers.
After trying this out for over a month now, I am happy to report this is definitely the solution for organizing toothbrushes and toothpaste.
The kids know exactly where their toothbrushes and toothpaste belong now and it’s stayed that way. SUCCESS!!
And I have a {usually} tidy bathroom counter. Now clean? That’s a different story.
Amanda says
This is an awesome idea! Great tip, Erika!
Jesi says
Oh my goodness this is the best idea ever! So clever! Thank You so much for sharing! I will be pinning this for sure and hopefully doing this in our bathroom!
Lucy says
Oh my goodness! I love this! Our toothbrushes and toothpaste is out of control in the kids bathroom. I’m going to try this!
Sara @ Not Your Mainstream Mama says
UH-MAY-ZING!! Seriously wish I would have thought of this. Bathroom organization is something I really struggle with. This is next on my list of things to do. Thanks for sharing!!
Sandy Cain says
You are a genius. Try putting together a prototype with sturdier materials and marketing this.
Erika says
Thanks, Sandy!
Keara B. says
Love this! Wish I was this creative when it comes to organization. 🙂
Cassie says
This is awesome! I, too, have tried numerous things in our bathroom to keep the toothbrushes organized…going to try this for sure! Now, do you have any solutions on how to keep toothpaste off the counter?? 🙂
Erika says
Haha, still working on that one, Cassie. Or in the sink – gross!
Kim {Stuffed Suitcase} says
I LOVE this. What a clever idea! I really like the look of your site too. New follower! #takealooktues
Erika says
Thanks, Kim!
Jennifer Dawn says
This is such a great idea!
Stephanie M says
Awesome Idea!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing this. I was going to do containers for each kid and then keep the containers under the sink but this idea is one that requires little effort on the kids part. I am so doing this!!!!
Thanks a Million!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hani Shabbir says
This is such a genius idea.. I love how cluster free the sink will stay like this..
steph says
OH MY GOODNESS. This is awesome! Unfortunately, I have a small pedestal sink, and no cabinets that would work. BUT you have so inspired me to do something else!!! (When I figure it out, I will post and link back to you. 😉 ) Sweet, thanks for the tip…
Peace like a river….
Erika says
Thanks, Stephanie! Sounds great! Let me know how it turns out – I can’t wait to hear what you do! That’s one of my favorite things about browsing organizing blogs – their ideas often inspire me to make something different that works for my family. Good luck!
Kayla @ Home Coming says
Great idea! I’m hosting a fall wreath giveaway that you should enter! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-fall-wreath-giveaway.html
Christina Howell says
This is such a clever idea. I will totally keep this in mind when I have more kids.
Nichol says
You are brilliant! Our upstairs bath drawer is a disaster from the kids. How do they make such a mess? Love this idea!
JC Morrows says
I LOVE this post! It’s one of the reasons I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award!
CONGRATULATIONS! GREAT BLOG!
You can read more about this in the post below:
http://jcsbookshelf.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/bonus-post-my-first-blog-award-the-versatile-blog-award
God Bless You!
Amila says
This is a great idea,I like the method of using velcro to hang,it is worth to give it a try mainly it is not a permanent hanging,love it!
Erika says
That was a key part of my idea – I didn’t want to drill holes in my cabinet. It works out so well!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Karen Lawson says
Love this idea. I will definitely be doing thus but using lids on the cups so they can put their toothbrush inside the cup so it is not exposed to anything under the sink or anything in the air
Erika says
Great idea, Karen!
Darcy says
Love it!
Marylyn LeFlore says
I have 4 grandchildren that come for weekend visits regularly this is certainly going to help but I was just thinking would using the removable poster or picture hanger also work? That way if you changed the storage idea or took them down they could be removed easily with out damage to the door. Just a thought.
Thanks I am definitely going to use your idea. Keep them coming.
Erika says
Hi Marylyn! You could certainly try the removable picture hanger (Command velcro), but I’m not sure it’s as strong as regular velcro. It wouldn’t hurt to give it a try though.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Meagan says
This is so clever! I can’t believe I never thought of this