DIET | DETECTIVE^®

As far as the cleaning part goes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends doing it at least once a year. Anything outdated should be discarded, and you should restock supplies that are low or missing. Also, make sure you keep all items in their original containers. If you aren't sure if an item is out of date, such as aspirin, smell it. If aspirin is kept in a humid environment like a bathroom, it will begin to develop a vinegar-like smell when it is deteriorating, says Thomas McGinnis, R.Ph., at the FDA's Office of Policy.

Here's what the FDA says everyone should have in his or her medicine cabinet:

Adhesive bandages
Adhesive tape
Gauze pads
Tweezers
Thermometer
Calibrated measuring spoon
Alcohol wipes
Disinfectant such as Neosporin or bacitracin

Wait a second! you might be thinking. What about my vitamins? My Advil? Well, there's another lesson to learn here. The FDA recommends that over-the-counter medication and prescription pills not to be kept in the bathroom, where medicine cabinets usually are. Bathrooms generate heat and moisture, both of which can speed up the deterioration of medications. A good choice for storing medication is a "cool, dark and dry place such as the top of a linen closet, preferably in a locked container and out of a child's reach," according to the FDA.

Here's a list of the basics you should see in your medicine closet:

Analgesic (relieves pain)
Antibiotic ointment (reduces risk of infection)
Antacid (relieves upset stomach)
Antihistamine (relieves allergy symptoms)
Syrup of ipecac (induces vomiting)
Decongestant (relieves stuffy nose and other cold symptoms)
Fever reducer (adult and child)
Hydrocortisone (relieves itching and inflammation)
Antiseptic (helps stop infection)

Now, don't you feel refreshed and better prepared? We thought so.

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