Fall & Winter Tips and Ideas

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:33:08 +0000

Download this Article as a PDF

It’s fall give those blinds and valances and good cleaning, with all the window open from the summer they will be dusty and dirty.Take out screens wash and store in safe place. Tip: all screens can be different sizes “make label’s: Lisa’s room, David’s room etc…)
Treat your fall clean like an important house meeting and place it on the calendar or in your blackberry.
Remember these 3 things while you de-clutter and clean. Keep only what is beautiful, useful or loved. Once you realize that STUFF is just STUFF-not memories and relationships-it becomes easier to discard or donate unwanted items.
Start your fall clean/organizing where you enter the home. Your front and back door. take out all summer shoes, coats umbrellas etc.. Clean inside and out your closets. and all clothing.Place them in a well marked tote and place into storage. Take out your coats, mitts, hat, and boots. If you have baskets this is the best way to store your hats mitts and scarves. place boots on a shelf inside your closets. make sure the hanger you use is strong enough to hold your coats. Tip: (purchase a pack of 50 felt hanger from Costco there great, looks good). Place a nice fall wreathe at your front and back door and in a few weeks change to Christmas.
Time to rotate the treasures,decor & nicknacks from the living and family room. Lets bring out all your favorite fall & winter display and decorations. Tip:(spray all silk plants with Silk n Splendor from Michael’s). Place all spring and summer arrangements and nick knacks away, wash and clean first. store them in well marked totes. If you have a china cabinet, take everything out wash and clean inside cabinet clean all china place back adding some of your favorite fall arrangement or decoration, shortly after add some Christmas wreathes and ornaments, favorite family Christmas pictures.
Your kitchen. When the space is well organized, it’s not only the hub of activity, it’s the heart of the home. It’s a place to gather, share, talk and bond. Start by clearing the counters, remove everything that you don’t need or use. Find new homes for them by using baskets,organizers & in and out trays.While de-cluttering and cleaning always have these 3 boxes or bags close by. Keep, Sell or Give Away. Now open each drawer. Remember what I said “Only keep what is beautiful,useful or loved” take out and clean and only place back what is needed. Reward your efforts by displaying a vase of fresh flowers or a pot of mums for your table and counters.
Toss the Toiletries. Just before you brush your teeth or jump into the shower, spend a few minutes getting rid of expired & not used hair, bath and skin products. Now you will have more storage space in your bathroom & easier access to items you use regularly.
Are you the…. I may use it or wear it someday person? with that as your hold, you could be re-organizing the same items yearly!!Let’s get to work in all your bedrooms. Yes!! the closets and drawers.Take out what cannot be classified as clothing or footwear. Find new homes for things you have taken out. Also take out all the wire hanger and extra hangers, you have just gained 8-10 inches. Wash all spring and summer and only place in totes what you will wear next year. Tip: (If you didn’t wear it this summer you most likely will not next.) Remember to wash and vacuum under and around all furniture. Donate or discard things that you have not used in a long time.” if you did’t wear it this winter, you likely won’t wear it next’ Remember the hundreds of people that are impacted through your donations of clothes and house old items you no longer need.
Take magazines & books to a nearby retirement home, hospital or after school childrens center. This will help you clear some space on your book shelves and in your kids rooms. This will not only de-clutter your shelves but you will be doing a great deed for your community.
Now, take a hot bath with essential oils, light a few candles and RELAX!

2012 Spring Tips

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:04:10 +0000

Download this Article as a PDF

It’s Spring! Time to open the windows and clear out all the musty smells from winter and feel the breeze.
Treat your Spring Clean like an important house meeting and place it on your calendar or in your blackberry.
Remember these 3 things while you de-clutter and clean. Keep only what is beautiful, useful or loved. Once you realize that STUFF is just STUFF-not memories and relationships-it becomes easier to discard or donate unwanted items.
Let’s start your spring clean/organizing where you enter your home. Your front and back entrances & closets. Time to switch out all winter boots,coats,hats..etc. Wash all and place in well labled tubs.Wash inside and out the closets & entrances. Place all spring sunhats,rainjackets & umbrellas into your spring fresh closets. Add a spring “WELCOME” wreath at both front and back doors.
Time to rotate the treasures,decor & nicknacks from the living and family room. Move all the furniture, vacuum, dust and clean the lighting. Lets bounce into spring and bring out all your Easter and spring candles,flowers and ornaments. Don’t forget to take down the sheers and window valences and wash, then rehang. Use this tip often ” Move it else where” when leaving a room glance around, if there is something in this room that belongs in the room your going to. take it & move it!!
Your kitchen. When the space is well organized, it’s not only the hub of activity, it’s the heart of the home. It’s a place to gather, share, talk and bond. Start by clearing the counters, remove everything that you don’t need or use. Find new homes for them by using baskets,organizers & in and out trays.While de-cluttering and cleaning always have these 3 boxes or bags close by. Keep, Sell or Give Away. Now open each drawer. Remember what I said “Only keep what is beautiful,useful or loved” take out and clean and only place back what is needed. Reward your efforts by displaying a vase of fresh flowers or a pot of spring bulbs for your table and counters.
Toss the Toiletries. Just before you brush your teeth or jump into the shower, spend a few minutes getting rid of expired & not used hair, bath and skin products. Now you will have more storage space in your bathroom & easier access to items you use regularly.
Are you the…. I may use it or wear it someday person? with that as your hold, you could be re-organizing the same items yearly!!Let’s get to work in all your bedrooms. Yes!! the closets and drawers.Take out what cannot be classified as clothing or footwear. Find new homes for things you have taken out. Also take out all the wire hanger and extra hangers, you have just gained 8-10 inches. Do the same as all the other rooms “switch” take out all the winter and replace with spring and summer. Remember to wash and vacuum under and around all furniture.Donate or discard things that you have not used in a long time.” if you did’t wear it this winter, you likely won’t wear it next’ Remember the hundreds of people that are impacted through your donations of clothes and house old items you no longer need.
Take magazines & books to a nearby retirement home, hospital or after school childrens center. This will help you clear some space on your book shelves and in your kids rooms. This will not only de-clutter your shelves but you will be doing a great deed for your community.
Now, take a hot bath with essential oils, light a few candles and RELAX!

The Clutter Helper

Fall & Winter Tips and Ideas

2012 Spring Tips