Ladies, scarves are lovely and fun to wear. We can loop them, tie them, knot them and drape them…. but where and how do we store them? How about a decorative bin lined with muslin for your closet shelf? Try folding the scarf in half lengthwise and rolling it from top to bottom. The scarves can be stacked in the bin, color coded or seasonally coded. Scarves will stay wrinkle free; you have more space in your drawers/closets and now you can find the doorknob! Hang your pashminas, as they are too big to roll and place those alongside your short hang clothes. That’s a wrap!
Weekly Tip
Ever wonder why your pantry or refrigerator space isn’t efficient? Cupboard shelves and refrigerators are not round, but many containers are. Why? Purchase square or rectangular containers… they are pantry space savers. Organize your fridge with odd-sized items on top shelf, eye level shelf for healthy snacks. Since the door is the warmest, a great place for condiments. Meats belong in their own special spot to avoid cross-contamination. Another tip for freshness? High producing ethylene gas products (apples, avocados, cantaloupes) should ripen outside the fridge before mixing with other greens. Once ripe they can join their fresh friends in those crisper drawers.
That one earring… those paper clips… the rubber band… on which garment does this button belong? This screw fell off of what? The tiny tube of super glue… All things to keep but where? How about a command center in a kitchen or laundry room drawer? There are many drawer organizers that would love to house all these little gems… they expand to fit most drawers and all these gems can be housed handy… but sew on the button when you find the garment to which it belongs!
Wall space is often the most overlooked real estate in your home, especially in closets and mudroom areas. Hooks are a great solution for hoodies, backpacks, keys, handbags, umbrellas… the items we all throw on the floor or table when walking through the door. Hooks can be decorative or utility-like, but most functional. There are hanging solutions for stick cleaners like your Swiffer, brooms, small vacuums… Let’s use this “real estate” and get hung up!
A good friend just lost her father and then moved her mother to live closer in assisted living. After all the arrangements were made and mom settled, my friend returned to the family home to prepare it for sale. She found some interesting things in unsuspected places, however. Tax documents that dated back to the 1970’s… old magazines… boxes of shredding to be done.
But the biggest surprise of all was the cash she found.
It started with loose coins throughout the house which she collected and when she took them to a coin machine found several hundred dollars worth. Then they needed to replace carpet and when they pulled the old up? CASH! She began searching carefully everywhere and thought she was thorough, but the estate sales team found even more and were honest enough to report it. All in all, $15,000 was recovered. That will help pay for assisted living!
If you are in this position… look up down and all around and then do it again!
I am often asked what to do with belongings when a loved one passes away. The “when” is different for everyone. You will know when it is time. When you are ready to make some space, it will be freeing for you. You want to cherish the memory of your loved one, so keep the items that will do just that and remind you of that loved one.
Who will be up to the task? Just you? Or are siblings involved? Communication is key. Everyone has their own pace for this task as they cope with loss. There is no hurry if there is room to store items until you are ready. I did not have time, however, so I probably kept more than necessary at first. Then a few months passed and when I was ready the task was easy. Plus, we needed the space in our garage, so I knew it was time. Come to an agreement with other family members that nothing will be thrown out until everyone has had an opportunity to go through the belongings.
Elect one person to be in charge of documents and paperwork as this can be overwhelming all by itself. Save all shredding for a load to be picked up by a shredding service. It is not that expensive and will save you valuable time. Shredders will shred hard-drives and CD’s… staples and paper clips too!
There are five categories for items: save for me, save for others, sell, donate, and throw away. Set up a “ground zero” in an area to work from.
Sometimes a photo is better than the object. Take a lot of items and condense… like several blankets made into one quilt. USE the items you choose to keep. Don’t store them in cardboard boxes in the garage or pay for storage. Integrate them into your daily life and the memory will be enjoyed.
At the risk of losing business, for this is what I do… now is a great time to take a little time each day to choose a drawer, cabinet, under sink, and organize it. Purge and maybe move things around to where they make more sense. A family garage day is fun and necessary before it gets too hot. Sweep out the corners, the dead bugs, and evaluate what you need to keep. Or not. Are those bikes too small for your growing kids? Are the deflated balls inflatable? And those freebie cups, straws and water bottles, are they safe and clean? While at it, clean out the inside of your car. Vacuum out the car seat and disinfect it.
When the task is complete the entire family can go for a bike ride. Reward for job well-done.
Growing up in the Midwest where salt was used on icy roads, it was common practice to never wear shoes in the home. We saw how the salt eroded our cars, and there was no way we wanted that on our carpet or hardwood floors. I kept that practice anywhere I have ever lived as a germ preventative.
I like to wear sox or bare feet in my house, so why would I want the dirt from shoes on my floors? Have you ever looked at the soles of your shoes? Ewwww. With Covid-19 invading our lives, it is more important than ever to LEAVE YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR! Keep your floors clean and disinfected often. Swiffer products are great and I love my “spin mop” for wet mopping. You will be so pleased with clean floors, shoeless may become a way of life.
Maintaining a routine at home is so important for home organization. Kids are home, the couch begins to sag from overuse, spouses are in and out of cabinets, drawers and fridge. Junk drawers are rifled through, stuff piles in the garage and paper piles accumulate. Does anyone put anything where it belongs?
Make all beds when rising up in the morning. Be creative how you make them. Roll back the sheets to “air out” the bedding and have fun folding or rolling up the comforter decoratively. Many pillows can be washed and disinfected. Dry them outside in the sunshine now that our weather is warmer. Wash sheets more often and spray bedding with linen spray or even a spritz of cologne and your bed will be inviting you by nightfall.
Schedule exercise for you or the whole family. Get outside and enjoy the Spring wildflowers. If this time isn’t scheduled, it won’t happen.
Spend an hour each day picking up the house. This can be a family effort – each picks up their own things and put away where they belong. Set the kitchen timer and when it “dings” the one who finishes first gets a prize or treat.
Laundry? Are you living in your pajamas? One load a day is adequate for most households, but it must be washed, dried and put away. Kids love to match sox and they can put their clothes away, as it will help them keep their drawers organized.
No reason for Mom or Dad to do all the work. We are all home together; teamwork and routine are the best solution to keeping your home organized.
Organizing a tiny space you use constantly, even your handbag, will motivate you to bigger projects. Get started somewhere…