If you have been playing along since January, we have completed a full one-third of the year. Are you noticing a difference in your home? Is it starting to get a little easier to keep up with the Weekly Chore Schedule?
Today we’re tackling the medicine cabinet—or cupboard, or closet shelf. We don’t care where you keep your medications as long as they are stored safely.
As you go through the medications you have on hand looking to get rid of those you no longer need, remember you should not just flush every pill down the toilet. Some are not meant to enter the water supply without going through the human body first, at least.
Don’t just flush the expired medication unless it is on this list. If there is no information about a drug take-back program in your area, you can dispose of unused medications by following these guidelines.
- Remove them from their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds, dirt or kitty litter (this makes the drug less appealing to children and pets and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through the trash seeking drugs).
- Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can or other container to prevent the drug from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
Make a list of over-the-counter medications you are running low on and stock up the next time you’re out. None of us ever need to repeat some of the stress of trying to find ibuprofen and acetaminophen when it’s really needed and hard to find.
See you next week!
Well, I didn’t manage this one. Yet. I read over the medicine disposal suggestions (good ideas!) and I’ll give doing this a shot again next week. If I keep trying, I’ll get it eventually, right?