Organizing Tips for September

Photo from Ikea

Organizing  our clothing is a very significant part of our life and it is a continual process.  It takes money, time and space. Pictures of many closet systems look organized mostly because there are so few items in them. 

     * It is thought that clothing belongs to Pareto’s 80/20 rule.  Applied here it means 80% of the time you choose to wear only 20% of the clothes you own.  More than likely you repeatedly wear the clothing that is the most comfortable, looks the best on you and is the most versatile with your lifestyle and other items in your closet.  Those are the pieces you want to keep and use to guide you as you build a wardrobe.

      * Make a list of the types of clothing you need and how many of each.

            *If you establish a limit for how many pieces of clothing in each category you need, then deciding which items to keep is easier for you.  When every piece has been evaluated and sorted, then you are ready to organize.

• If it no longer fits or is uncomfortable to wear, it should be moved on. 
• If it is out of style or not flattering, it should be moved on.  Forget the idea of saving it because styles repeat themselves.  When it does come back in style it will be different in length, color, etc. and not what you hoped it to be.
• If it needs repairing and you will actually do it or pay to have it done, it should be placed in that sorting category.  (Note:  I sew but my children actually outgrew clothes needing repair.)
• If it needs cleaning, it should be placed in the laundry area or the car for the trip to the cleaners. 
• If you have not worn it in a year but it fits you and your wardrobe, it may be passed on or put in the “I am not sure” category. 
• If you like it and it fits but you don’t have anything to go with it, consider making a list of coordinating items you would like to buy so that you can wear it.
• If you already have enough of that item, let the extras be moved on.
• Is it worth the trouble it causes?  Too much care, snagging easily, riding up or down on your body, catching on other items, etc. are all reasons to move clothes out of your closet and life.
• Purge any items that are not worn, that do not fit or that need repair and won't be fixed.. 
• Do not save items for a special occasion someday. They are taking valuable space.  Keep only those garments that you actually use.
• Use dividers and/or containers within the drawers and shelves.  Some specialty containers are available for separating all types of clothing including socks, bras, lingerie and more.  You could use simple boxes to do the same thing.  Before making any purchases be sure to measure the spaces. 
• Rather than stacking similar clothing in a drawer, some items can be rolled and arranged so that each piece is visible.  This keeps you from having to dig under piles to get what you need.  On shelves, rolled items can be placed upright in containers which go on the shelf.

If you are really serious about have your clothing organized you will have to move out some of your things.  When you do, you will find you have the space to sort and categorize them more efficiently.  Personal preference is the name of the game as you do this. 

 

You must decide what works best for you:

• Sort by color
• Sort by ensemble
• Sort by use--work, gym, etc.
• Sort by type-pants, tops, dresses, etc.
• Sort by hanging up, folding on shelf, rolled in drawers, etc.

Organizing is a trail and error process.  If one system does not work for you, then change it until it is  simple to use and maintain.  Once it is workable you will be amazed at the time, space and money it will save you.

Organizing Tips for August

Photo courtesy of goodhouskeeping.com

 



This month brings us the back-to-school events, the end of summer sales and final trips to the beach and other vacation destinations. Planning for fall activities is a good idea, too.  After a few tips for making the most of the back to school sales, we will concentrate on organizing the toys and electronics.

Many states have a weekend of freedom from sales tax to help with school supplies.  Many office and stationery supplies are covered, too.  These stores will identify covered items for you. In Virginia the tax holiday is the first weekend in August.   What's Exempt: During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying school supplies selling for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item will be exempt from sales tax.

Most stores have increased their inventory of school and office supplies.  You can find a better selection and better prices this month. Make a list and try to find those things you need while there are good choices.   Plan ahead for consumable items like printer paper, notepads, etc.  Be sure you have room to store these items.  Clean out items that are no longer useful or in disrepair.  Organizing your files is a great indoor activity when the weather is too hot for outside work.   For children, check the supply list created by the specific school or teacher. 

Think ahead in purchasing children’s clothing. My oldest child grew 3” the first two months of his 9th grade year. The clothes I purchased early in August to get the best selection were too small in October. (This was before long baggie pants were acceptable.) 

If you plan on having a yard sale in the fall, begin planning now. Start gathering items that you need to move on, clean and price them. Young children have probably outgrown last year’s school attire. Take an inventory to see what you can sell or donate now. As colder weather and winter approach, you may need to take another look at heavier clothing to see what can be eliminated.

Go to Craig’s list or EBay to determine a reasonable price for selling your items. In fact, you may want to put some of the items up for sale there now so they won’t take up storage space in your home. If you want to join with others in a sale, pick a date now that is good for everyone.

Tips for Organizing Toys

• Children learn from their toys but there should be limits on how many they own and how many they can have out at one time.  Decide what that will be ahead of time and stick to it.  Encourage relatives and friends to give clutter free gifts to your children.
• Toys should be more difficult to get out than put away.  Books that are stored upright on a shelf are easy to pull out and more difficult to put back in order.  A better choice would be a dishpan, bucket or basket that makes the child look for the book he wants but will be easy for him to drop it back in when he is done with it.
• Depending on the age of the child, most toys should be kept in open bins arranged in cubes or shelves and labeled so that clean up easy.  Picture labels can be used for toddlers and large word labels for children learning to read.
• Some special toys or games can be stored on a higher shelf where only a parent can reach it as a reward or incentive for cooperation, responsibility, etc.
• Hanging pockets and plastic stacking drawers are good choices for small toys such as doll clothes, matchbox cars or train pieces.
• Puzzles should be kept in their original box.  The corners may need to be reinforced with clear tape.  Another choice is zip lock bags with the picture included.  Color code the backs of the pieces for each puzzle with markers or crayons. Then the correct pieces can be returned to the proper box if more than one puzzle is out at a time.
• Other storage options are over the window shelving to display some collectible toys, corner nets to hold stuffed animals and totes on wheels to transport toys that can be taken to other rooms temporarily.

Tips for Organizing Electronics

• Arrange electronic items such as televisions, CD and DVD players and video games in one area so the wires and cables can be contained together.
• Label each end of cables and wires related to the computer and other electronic equipment.  It will save much time in connecting or reconnecting
• Use wire baskets that can be mounted under shelves or cable ties to contain wires.
• Purge videos, CDs and DVDs that are no longer used.  Sell or donate them to a local charity, nursing home or hospital.  If you want to locate one again they can be rented or borrowed from local libraries.
• Renting or borrowing movies and games is an excellent organizational choice and sets a good example for your children in managing finances and spaces.
• Store CDs and DVDs in their case vertically on shallow shelves or if space is limited, they can be removed from the case and placed in notebooks or cases with plastic sleeves.  Sort and arrange by category.
• Videos can be stored vertically on shelves or in shoe box type containers.  Do not stack flat as accessing those on the bottom is more difficult.
• Remotes and game joysticks should be contained in a basket, decorative box or container designed specifically for them.  Keep them within easy reach of the chair or sofa.
• Place a table or shelf near every seating area.  Large coffee tables can take the place of several small end tables.  Choose one with storage shelves, cabinet doors or drawers.  Provide an area for playing with toys if you will allow that activity.  A lower cabinet can be used to store those items or they can be taken back to the bedroom in a tote box or rolling crate.

Organizing Tips for July



The Family Room has probably been used all winter and now that the family is spending more time outside, it needs some tender loving care.  While the family is at the pool or outside playing, make the most of this time to organize it without interruption.  There are many different activities done in this space, so there are lots of tips to help you with each area.

• Be willing to purge items no longer used or needed to open up the space.
• Place items close to where they are used and within reach of all family members.
• Use containers on surfaces and in cabinets, shelves and drawers to hold similar items.  Use baskets or colorful containers if they will be seen on shelving.
• Group collections of items together. This is a more attractive way to display them.
• Use hidden areas over windows and doors, under sofas, and in functional furniture.
• Keep stacked and smaller items off the floor to make clean up easier and the room appear more spacious.  Place them in containers for easy clean up.
• Arrange electronic items such as televisions, CD and DVD players and video games in one area so the wires and cables can be contained together.
• Label each end of cables and wires related to the computer and other electronic equipment.  It will save much time in connecting or reconnecting
• Use wire baskets or hooks that can be mounted under shelves or cable ties to contain wires.
• Purge videos, CDs and DVDs that are no longer used.  Sell or donate them to a local charity, nursing home or hospital.  If you want to locate one again they can be rented or borrowed from local libraries.
• Renting or borrowing movies and games is an excellent organizational choice and sets a good example for your children in managing finances and spaces.
• Store CDs and DVDs in their case vertically on shallow shelves or if space is limited, they can be removed from the case and placed in notebooks or cases with plastic sleeves.  Sort and arrange by category. Do not stack flat as accessing those on the bottom is more difficult.
• Remotes and game joysticks should be contained in a basket, decorative box or container designed specifically for them.  Keep them within easy reach of the chair or sofa.
• Place a table or shelf near every seating area.  Large coffee tables can take the place of several small end tables.  Choose one with storage shelves, cabinet doors or drawers.  Provide an area for playing with toys if you will allow that activity.  A lower cabinet can be used to store those items or they can be taken back to the bedroom in a tote box or rolling crate.
• For reading areas be sure to have a comfortable chair with adequate lighting and a place to store books, magazines, newspapers, etc.
• Mix books, plants, attractive storage containers or photographs on bookshelves for more interesting arrangements.
• Use vertical areas to provide extra shelves or cabinets for storage. 
• Upper bookcase shelves and over the window shelving can be used to display collectables and photographs.
• Keep an attractive container with pens, pencils, note pad and scissors in a convenient location in case they are needed.
• Card tables can be used for board games, craft activities or other projects.  When you are finished it can be folded and stored under the sofa, behind large furniture or in a nearby closet.
• If a computer will be located in this room, consider placing a wireless system in your home to eliminate having to connect all of the components with cables.

 

 

Organizing Tips for June

It is the end of the school year and the children or grandchildren will be around so now is the time to prepare for the summer months ahead. 

This month we will tackle keepsakes, children’s rooms, travel and more.

Too many of anything means none of them are special.  This includes collections such as china, dolls, salt and pepper shakers, stamps, etc.  If space is limited and many of these items are stored in the attic or closets, consider saving only those that have special meaning and letting the remainder go to someone who will appreciate them and has room for them.  Put those that you keep in a place where they can be enjoyed and given the honor and respect they deserve.  If you cannot let any go, then consider rotating those on display.

Photographs are another source of keepsake clutter.  Save only the best from each activity.  No one needs 100 pictures of the beach vacation.  A few special pictures are all that is needed to capture that special time.  There are lots of ways to sort and save them in colorful scrapbooks and online.  Each Christmas I receive a calendar with pictures of my grandchildren taken each month the year before.  They are a mini scrapbook of 12 pages and all I need to remember those special occasions for that year.

An avalanche of school papers may be arriving for you to handle this month.  My best advice is to let the child decide which to keep.  Keepsake boxes or binders can be used for these.  Give one to each child and let it be the only place for special items to save.  If it gets too full, let the child decide what to keep and what can go.  Resist the urge to get more or bigger boxes.  Think about how many things you really need from your childhood to remember the good times.  (We don’t want to relive those not so good times!)

Children now have time to go through their rooms and eliminate items they have not used or no longer want or like.  Clothing that no longer fits can be sorted for sale or donation.  Children grow quickly and by fall most of what they wore during the past year will not fit.  Thankfully not much variety in clothing is need for the summer months

Make a point of enjoying the outdoors while the weather is nice.  Keep outdoor umbrellas closed when not in use.  It will extend their usefulness and prevent damage during high winds or thunderstorms.  I have personal experience with this one.

And speaking of storms, this is the beginning of hurricane season.  If you live in an area affected by hurricanes, high winds or rising waters, you should review the list of necessary emergency items and secure those now.  Be sure to update your household inventory.  More information on it can be found on a previous Blog I posted:  http://organizingtipsfromorderlyplaces.blogspot.com/2009/06/pictures-for-inventory.html

If you will be traveling this summer, create a permanent travel kit with activities for yourself and family.  If it is only used for travel, the items will appear to be almost new and more interesting. 

If you travel often and if you have storage space, create a permanent supply box or bag with items you always need.  Some of these may be duplicates of items you use everyday at home but you will not need to disturb those.

A permanent travel checklist that you keep on your computer or in a convenient notebook is a great strategy to prevent forgetting items you always need.  I keep one just for quilt retreats, my favorite travel experience! 

For information on organizing your suitcase, check out this article I posted:

http://hrblogs.typepad.com/homeandgarden/2011/05/organizing-your-suitcase.html

The days will be hot and humid for the next few months but I am thankful.  I was too cold for too long last winter and I vowed not to complain about the summer heat when it arrived.  Even with the mosquitoes, I go outside everyday and appreciate seeing green trees and flowers.  I also appreciate returning to air conditioning!

 

 

Organizing Tips for May

Picture from allstarstorage.net

 

No one wants to be inside in the month of May.  Flowers have been blooming, the weather is mostly nice and we are tired of being in the house.  This is a good time to work on organizing the garage and getting the outdoors ready for summer activities.

Since the Garage is never first on our list of projects, let’s begin there.  During the winter it often becomes a temporary dumping ground for items.  If this is the spouse’s territory, be sure to work together as a team.  God forbid that you should purge or arrange items that were “special”.  I have found the most effective way to motivate a spouse is to begin purging and organizing your things.  Sometimes the guilt factor is motivating.  Sometimes.  Regardless, you never really can win a battle with a spouse.

                 Try to visualize zoning items you store in the garage.  Plan locations for gardening, sports  
               equipment, tools, automotive supplies, etc. so they are together and separated from other   
               areas.

       Take advantage of systems that will allow you to organize your items off the floor.  It is much easier and faster to clean with fewer items on it.   

       Check out the home improvement stores for hooks, peg boards or shelving units to hold items that are now stacked on the floor. For pennies or hundreds of dollars, you can invest in organizing solutions that will work for you. 

       Be sure to label bins and cardboard boxes used for storage. 

       Move out items you no longer need.  Only things you continually use should be kept. 

       Boxes of old magazines, newspapers, etc. should be recycled.  Let’s face it.  You didn’t have time to read them before and you won’t later on.  There are too many new ideas coming at us everyday and those articles are outdated.

       Review the sporting equipment to see if it is still needed.  Move on any you no longer use.  

       Look for specialty hooks, bags and shelves to store the equipment you save. 

       Be sure to keep children’s things at lower levels so they can access them without your help.

       A great plan would be to make room for the car if you have not already done this.  Your automobile is probably the second most expensive investment you have made so take care of it. 

       Mark off a space for the car on the floor.  Identify a wall item or hang a string or chain from the ceiling as a marker for how far you should pull forward.

       If outdoor, yard or garden items are kept in the garage, garden tools and accessories, look over each one and evaluate keeping, cleaning or removing it. 

       Remove rusted, broken or stained plant containers, stepping stones and other garden fixtures. 

       Create racks or hooks for the tools and locate them together in one area. 

       Specialty items are available to hang rakes, shovels, etc. so they do not get tangled together or take up floor space.

       Outdoor furniture may need to be cleaned before using, so check over each piece. 

       Toys that are outgrown or no longer needed can be moved on. 

       If you have water sports equipment or pool accessories, try to store those in good condition in their own area for convenience when they are needed. 

       Yard art is becoming very popular but be careful you do not allow it to take over.  It can become clutter just like anything else.  There is nothing more beautiful then flowering or luscious plants, shrubs and trees, so make them your focal point. 

       Adding hanging baskets or a border of blooming flowers can make a significant impact.

       Once your garage is cleaned, you may consider a Garage or Yard Sale.  Here are some reminders.

       **Collect, clean and repair items weeks ahead as you purge spaces. 

       **Check prices of similar items.  Put on price tags and store in a common area.  (Preprinted price tags can be found in some stationery stores, dollar stores, etc.)

       **Choose a sale date.  Join with neighbors if possible for a common date.

       **Check community rules and get permits if necessary.

       **Arrange for charity pickup or make plans for items not sold.

       **Write ad for newspaper, Craig’s List, newsletters, etc.

       **Make signs and flyers for bulletin boards and curbs where allowed.

       **Obtain sufficient tables, racks, etc. for items to be displayed.

       **Get change for large bills and newspaper, bags, etc. for fragile items or large sales.

       **Use extension cords for testing electrical items.

       **Place pens, paper, calculator, extra price tags, tape, and stapler at check out table.

       **After sale, remove signs, clean area and dispose of unsold items as planned earlier.

A few other reminders for May:

       Change the a/c filter and have a routine inspection of all its components before the scorching days of summer arrive.

       Clean ceiling fan blades and give other fans an inspection.

       Clean the carpets and floors.  They were used and abused all winter and deserve a thorough cleaning.  If piles of clutter or stacks of items are on them, consider moving the items to shelving, cabinets or tables. 

       Floors are easier to keep clean when only furniture is on them. 

If you get all of this done in May, you are exhausted and need a vacation.  Thankfully summer will be right around the corner and you should take advantage of it.  Have fun!

 

Organizing Tips for April

Well, this update isbetter late than never!  The deer have eaten 90% of our azaleas and camellias so there are few flowers to enjoy this spring.  It is good, however, to have warm weather after an unusually wet, cold and messy February and March.

On the days that are left this month, take some time to organize your linens and bathroom(s).

If space is limited in linen closets, consider placing extra sheet sets in the bedroom where they are used.  They can be stored in closets, inside under the bed containers or even under the mattress of that bed.

Replace heavier bedding with lighter weight items.  Some quilts or comforters need only to be put through the “air” cycle on the dryer to remove dust.  Store them in pillow cases or the large plastic bags now available to keep them clean.  Vacuum bags can also be used but be aware they will gradually allow air to return.

Remove sheets, blankets, etc. that are torn or in disrepair.  If they can be fixed, find someone to do it, otherwise, recycle them to local pet shelters or other appropriate places.

We often collect pillows and other bedding to have on hand in case guests stay overnight.  Evaluate what you have that has rarely or never been used.  Perhaps some of them can replace those you have removed, or they can be donated or sold to allow room for better organization of the space.

Make similar decisions about your bathroom linens.  Towels and wash cloths that are in disrepair should be removed and replaced with those you have been saving for a special occasion or purchase additional items on sale.  Most department stores have linen sales throughout the year and discount or outlet stores also offer good savings.  I suggest rolling towels to make it easier for children (or some adults) to select their favorite from the stack with the least amount of disturbance to those remaining.

Many cotton items will dry rot if not used over a period of time.  This often occurs on the folded edges so check those that have been sitting on the shelf for a longer period of time.

Clear the bathroom counters and contain any times that must remain there.  Use trays, baskets, bins, etc. to make clean up easier there.   I love the portable totes that can be easily moved to other storage areas.  Give one to each person using the bathroom is space is limited.  Be diligent in removing old or expired products and store duplicates of items in another area.

Be sure all products in the bathroom have a label.  This is especially important with medicines.  You may check out taking expired medicines to your local pharmacy or ask them the best way to dispose of them.  Flushing in the toilet or garbage disposal is no longer recommended because of contamination of local waters.

If the bathroom needs updating, consider using hooks rather than bars for towels.  Children find them much easier to use so be sure to put those lower on the wall or door.  Consider using dark or disposable towels for removing make-up

Placing a magnifying mirror on the wall saves space and is more convenient that a portable model.  Using pull out shelves or wire baskets under the sink will make access much easier to items stored in the back of those cabinets.

Keeping these areas organized requires daily maintenance because of daily use.  Setting up a schedule and requiring participation of all the family members can help keep them clean and neat.

Hopefully you have finished your tax forms for this year.  If you would like some help in deciding which papers you need to keep, here is a link to a chart of retention guidelines I posted today.

http://maryfrancesballard.blogspot.com/