Shih Tzu Grooming Supply Storage Tips:  
What Do You to Do with All Those Tools?
8 Tips to Get You Started Plus Some Great Ideas

By  Janice Jones     |Last Updated 03-10-2024

Need a couple of grooming supply storage tips to help organize your home grooming area?

You have decided that it is most economical to groom your Shih Tzu at home.  

You have read about all the tools and equipment that you might need and started to purchase all these necessary brushes, combs, and clippers that will make the job easier, but now, how do you store them so they will be readily available and easy to use at a moment's notice?

If you are like me, I ended up purchasing a ton of tools (or at least I thought so) but didn't have a clue as to how to store them in a way that would make sense but would still be organized so that I could find them at a moment's notice.

That is why I wrote this article.  After many attempts at finding storage solutions, I came up with a couple of solutions that has worked for me.  I am hoping that at least one nor more of these solutions will work for you too.

Shih Tzu Grooming Supplies Storage TipsShih Tzu Grooming Supplies Storage Tips

Grooming Supply Storage Tips:  What Doesn't Work

If you are serious about grooming your Shih Tzu at home, you want the right tools at your fingertips so that when you have time to groom you don't need to rummage through cabinets and drawers  full of miscellaneous junk trying to find just what you need.  

You'd like to be organized. Here are 8 tips to get you thinking.

8 Shih Tzu Grooming Supply Storage Tips for Home Grooming

One:  Establish an area in your home where you will do most of your grooming. (This keeps all the mess in one place for easy cleanup.

Two:  Pick a place that is away from food preparation or laundry facilities.  (Shih Tzu dogs don't shed much, but you'll see plenty of hair when you groom)

Three:  Chose a location where your dog will feel comfortable and secure.  (Warm in the winter, cool in the summer and comfortable)

Four:  Choose a Way to Organize Your Tools that Works for You. (We'll discuss that next)

Five: Separate tools into groups such as scissors, brushes, combs.  (Grooming goes much faster when you're organized.)

Six: Keep all supplies near where you will groom (Towels, shampoo near where you will be bathing)

Seven: Don't forget clean up tools such as disinfectant, paper towels, broom and dustpan.

Eight:  A small first aid kit for you and them should be included.  You'll quickly learn how sharp scissors are and your dog may need a dab of antibiotic ointment if you get too close.

Shih Tzu Grooming Supplies Storage Tips:  Organization

When I first started grooming at home, I thought that the kitchen counter would be the easiest place to groom.  It did have it's ups and downs.

What's good about Kitchen (Bathroom) Counters

On the up side...

  • Countertops are the right height for standing while you work
  • They offer a sturdy surface that isn't going to move
  • There is normally a back wall so you're only concern is keeping the dog from jumping off the other three sides.
  • Countertops are easy to clean
  • You can store your supplies in cabinets or drawers below where you normally work.
  • They are free...you already own your cabinets.

On the down side

  • If you prefer to sit while you groom, you'll need a taller stool to be at the correct height.
  • There is no way to anchor a grooming arm properly on most counters.
  • The counter may be slippery so a mat is needed to keep the dog safe.
  • Hair, hair, hair flying everywhere on your floors, stovetops, even your food.

That last point is the one that finally got me thinking about a different place to groom.  Sure I could bathe the dog in the kitchen sink and then immediately step to the side, dry and groom all within a few feet, but finding Shih Tzu hair everywhere was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

Using a Separate Room

Ideally you will have a separate room to store all your Shih Tzu grooming supplies. This room, naturally should not be the kitchen or anywhere you prepare food.

A spare bedroom, corner of the living room, even a home office works well.  I was lucky to have a separate little room that I inherited from the previous owner of the house.  

Separate laundry rooms make good grooming areas as long as you can separate your grooming from your laundry.    Few people want to put on fresh clothing that is covered with pet hair.

If grooming in a room without a table, consider purchasing a grooming table.  It will pay off in the long run and make the job so much easier.

Shih Tzu Grooming Supplies Storage Tips

Once we have decided where we want to groom, the next step is to organize your tools.

Cabinets and Drawers as Storage Solutions

If your grooming area has cabinets and drawers you can dedicate to your supplies, you are well ahead of the game. 

You can purchase separate trays or partitions to organize your tools.

A handy idea for trash (unless you plan to keep all that hair) is an over the door trash bag holder.  I have found that even small Shih Tzu dogs are fascinated with trash and will easily knock over a garbage can to get to its contents.

I have found that ordinary kitchen storage containers work great to hold loose items such as cotton balls, Q-tips, Ear Powder, bows and bands, and any other small loose items you don't want to lose.

A drawer divider like the ones you might use to divide silverware or your cutlery works great to separate out the combs from the brushes and scissors.  The one below is nice because it is expandable to fit all different sized drawers.

No Cabinet, No Drawer?  No Worries

A variety of portable units are on the market that can substitute for built ins and most of these can be found in your local craft stores.  The ones available for groomers may be a bit sturdier as I have found the ones used to store craft supplies do not provide the best options.

More Shih Tzu Grooming Supplies Storage Tips

Perhaps you'd like something even more portable.  Various sized totes work very well if you have limited space, limited tools and want the option to groom in various rooms.  I like this option for nightly brushing.  Where I wouldn't to give my dog a clip while watching TV, a handy tote can be kept handy for nightly brushing, combing, redoing top knots or clipping nails.

Use small caddies to hold all of your grooming suppliesUse small caddies to hold all of your grooming supplies

I use these craft caddies for portable grooming.  I have a small one for puppy supplies and a larger one that I store the supplies I need for my adult dogs.  Both were purchased at a local arts and craft supply store.

Shih Tzu Grooming Supplies Storage Tips for All Those Cords!

If you hate cords, there are many different products on the market that are cordless. Cordless clippers, dryers and dremel tools still have drawbacks:  They still need to be charged and so you never get away from the cords.

I struggled with this for quite some time. It t"grooming" accessories.  I purchased this little caddy that was meant to hold a hair dryer, curling iron, and flat iron along with room for hair products and accessories.

Dog Grooming Supplies storage solutionDog Grooming Supplies storage solution

There is room for a hair dryer, clippers, nail grinder, and various frequently used products.  I placed a electrical strip behind the caddy so all of the tools can be plugged in and ready to go.  You can view and purchase this item on Amazon.  Just click the picture below.

I hope these grooming supply storage tips will help make your grooming area not only attractive but practical and organized.  Have a suggestion?  Don't forget to let me a comment. The more grooming supply storage tips, the better!

About Janice

Janice is the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu. Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, she served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu.

When not writing, reading, or researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, her husband, and her family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Small Dog Place and smart knit crocheting.