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How to Remove an Old Recessed Mirrored Medicine Cabinet

Athena Hessong

Before installing a new recessed medicine cabinet, you need to remove the old one. Unless you take precautions, this could result in injury. Replacing the cabinet in the bathroom increases the visual appeal and it provides a quick project to change the overall decor.

  1. Cover the bathroom sink under the cabinet with a thick towel or blanket. Place the support board on top of the towel, unless you're using an assistant. The base of the medicine cabinet should rest firmly on the board without additional support.

  2. Turn on a hands-free battery operated light and shine it on the medicine cabinet. Turn the power to the bathroom off at the circuit breaker if the medicine cabinet has built in lights.

  3. Empty everything from the medicine cabinet and remove the shelves. Set the shelves aside for discarding.

  4. Look at the screws on the inside of the medicine cabinet holding it to the wall. Choose a Phillips head screwdriver if these have Xs on them and use a flat head screwdriver to remove screws with a single slit in the top.

  5. Unscrew the screws holding the medicine cabinet to the wall, and gently pull the cabinet away from the wall. If you are removing the old light fixture go to Step 6.

  6. Unscrew the lightbulbs in the sockets if changing the light fixture. Remove the cover from the light fixture and cut the wires inside with wire cutters or unscrew the wire nuts attaching the wire ends from the fixture to the house wires.