Now that spring is upon us, in theory if not always in the high temperature for the day, you’re likely preparing for some spring cleaning sessions. When you’re wiping down the mirrors in the bathroom, though, you might overlook the space behind them.

Organizing the medicine cabinet will ensure that you won’t be greeted with an avalanche of cough syrup and rubbing alcohol the next time you open the door. It’s also a good way of improving household safety, as it will let you identify any outdated or unneeded medications.

The amount of space in the cabinet will vary from home to home, but it’s always a good idea to keep the most essential items accessible. Tara Aronson, author of the blog Clean Organized Family Home, says things that you use frequently—such as bandages and hydrogen peroxide—should be given their own space. This way, you won’t be fumbling through a variety of other bottles and items when you’re trying to treat an injury or find the cold meds.

The medicine cabinet can sometimes become a catch-all location for everything from nail clippers to packaged tissues. Some of these items will find a better home in a bathroom drawer, while others can simply be thrown out.

For some prescription medications, the bathroom is not the best storage location. Aronson recommends checking the labels for storage instructions, since these will often tell you to store the bottle in a cool and dry location. Hot and humid bathrooms don’t exactly fit this description.

If the bathroom isn’t a good place for these medications, look for an alternate place to store them. Options might include the top of the bedroom dresser or a kitchen cabinet. If you have pets or small children in the house, make sure the bottle will be out of their reach.

The American Osteopathic Association says you should check the medications at least once a year to see what can be removed. The organization says duplicate medications, damaged bottles, or bottles without labels should be disposed of. Medications should never be removed from their original containers and repackaged.

Keep an eye out for medications that are past their expiration date. Medications will be less effective and can even cause harm if they are taken too long past this date. Consumer Reports says you should remove any items that are more than one year past this date.

Getting rid of old medication isn’t as simple as tossing the pills into the trash or flushing them down the toilet. Melissa Stanton, writing for AARP, says pills put in the trash can be recovered by small children or animals or fished out by people who want to use or sell them. Improper disposal can also cause environmental pollution, since the chemicals in the pills can leech into the soil and groundwater.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says pharmacies will often collect unneeded or expired medications for safe disposal. You can also get rid of these drugs in drop boxes located in some police departments or at special events to collect unneeded medications.

Keep the medication in its original container when you get rid of it. You can protect your privacy by removing the label or using a dark marker to cross out your personal information.

If it is more convenient for you to discard the medication in your household trash, take steps to discourage the consumption of the medication. DEEP says adding a small amount of water to pills or capsules will partially dissolve them, while liquid medications should be mixed with an unpalatable substance such as kitty litter, charcoal, or flour.

Containers can also be wrapped in duct tape or hidden within other containers. Do not place them in food containers, as animals will be more attracted to them.