Feel like you can’t get organized because it (check all that apply):

Will take too long?

Is Boring?

Can be done tomorrow?

Well, did you know that 15 minutes is enough time to get started?   In that time you can clean out your refrigerator, tossing out expired condiments, leftover containers of take-out food, wipe down the shelves and drawers.       


                    
In 15 minutes you can clean out a junk drawer by tossing out pens that don’t work, trash and scraps of paper; you can remove items that live in another part of the house and put them away like tools, hair accessories and office supplies.

You can merge your entire take out menu collection and put in one folder so that the next time you have a craving for Lucky Dragon’s Orange Chicken or the Pizzateria, you don’t have to look far for the menu.

In 15 minutes, you can go through your medicine chest and toss all expired items, consolidate where possible and write down what needs to be replaced. 

                                                                                                

REMEMBER!

Do just one area (closet, drawer, shelf) at a time.

Concentrating on one small area will keep you focused.

If the answer is no, it goes in the donation bin, garbage, recycling, or another room

Take all items out of the area you’re organizing,

Decide what items will live in that area (linens, towels, paper products, etc),

Sort out only the items that will go back in the space,

Put all other items in the donation bin, garbage, recycling, another room or storage.

Pick up each remaining item individually and ask yourself – “Do I really need this?” “Do I use it?” “Is it in good condition?” “Does it deserve a spot in my home?”

If the answer is yes, put that item back in the area. If the answer is no, then it get's tossed, goes in the recycling bin, is donated to charity or put in it's proper home.

        **Karen's Quick Tip**

No-Slip Drawers-

Storing sharp knives in a drawer makes for less-cluttered counters and a safer kitchen. Using artists' drawing-board liner (available at art-supply stores) which has a slightly rubbery surface and keeps sharp instruments stationary; It also wipes clean easily. Using a ruler and a utility knife, cut a piece of liner to fit the bottom of the drawer, and anchor it in place with double-sided tape.

 

Don’t let junk mail add to your clutter… When mail arrives, immediately open it over the recycle bin or garbage.  Only keep those items that require some sort of action (i.e. bills to be paid, invitations to rsvp, magazines that you will actually read, etc.) and toss the rest.  To stop receiving junk mail, credit card applications and catalogs check out these websites:

http://www.greendimes.com
http://www.41pounds.org
http://www.optoutprescreen.com

                                 

Start a magazine swap with your friends.  Rather than subscribing to several magazines, try exchanging with friends or donate your current magazines to doctor’s offices, hospitals or nursing homes.

Many people can benefit from professional help when it comes to organization. Even those capable of doing this on their own are much more likely to tackle what they may otherwise have been putting off with the aid of a professional.  If you’re ready and need some assistance, call Karen at 310-409-9817.

 

   **Karen's Quick Tips**

(I picked up this tip from Organizing Guru, Peter Walsh)  Are there clothes in your closet that you don't really wear but are not quite ready to part with yet?  Try hanging all of your clothes in the closet with the hangers grasping backwards.  In six months, look at your closet and see which clothes you wear.  You can now part with any clothes which are still hanging up in the closet backwards. 

March 23, 2009

Today, we are tackling the bathrooms - We all hate them, but after giving the bathroom a good old fashion scrub, it's so much easier to keep up with spot cleaning.






Cleaning the bathtub or shower can be quite a chore.  Depending on how dirty it is, spray a heavy-duty cleanser and let sit for a while.  Go back and scrub until the residue comes clean.  Once this is accomplished, you can buy a cleaner that you spray after every use to maintain freshness.  After cleaning the tub and shower treat yourself to a new shower curtain and/or liner.  After cleaning and wiping down the toilet and vanity, remove everything from under the sink and in the medicine cabinets- sort into piles:

Keep - Treat yourself to some nice baskets, canisters and contain your toiletries, hair care products etc.

Toss - Expired medications, old makeup, mascara (toss after 3 months as bacteria can build up every   time you plunge the brush  into the canister)

Donate - Use a hair care product once and decide it's not for you?  Have you received one to many Apricot-Mango-Kiwi Body Wash and Lotions sets?  When traveling, you can't resist raiding the maids cart for trial size products then toss them in the vanity drawer?  If you have a large collection of Howard Johnson soaps, you may have a problem... These are all products that can be donated and appreciated by charities such as women's or homeless shelters, churches, synagogues', etc.  It's a win-win:  You've de-cluttered and helped someone at the same time.


   **Karen's Quick Tip**   

Have notes written on little scraps of paper or post-it notes and haven't had time to transcribe them.  Get a small three ring binder and put plastic sheet savers in the binder.  You can then put the scraps of paper in the plastic sleeve, keeping them all together until you have time to either permantly store the information or to take action then toss the little scraps.

Want to get organized?  Call Karen at 310-409-9817

 

March 22, 2009




Was getting organized one of your New Year's resolutions?  Did you start out with full steam and suddenly stop, saying to yourself, "I'll finish it tomorrow" and was tomorrow January 3rd, 4th, or 5th?  Do you now have more clutter than when you started the project?  Don't get depressed or frustrated.  Winter is gone and now that spring has officially sprung, it's time to get it together, de-clutter and get organized.

Today's Tip

KEEP A REALISTIC SCHEDULE! - Rome wasn't built in a day and the clutter in your home or car also didn't build up overnight.  Plan to do your spring cleaning over several days or a few weekends.  You can't bask in the glow of your gleaming success if the weekend warrior in you is knocked out for the count.

Monday:           Clean and de-clutter the bathrooms
Tuesday:          Dusting and Living Room
Wednesday:     Vacuuming

Thursday:         Bedroom and Closet
Friday:             Laundry
Saturday:         Kitchen
Sunday:           Make checklist for chores, shopping, errands and tasks for the week

*NOTE:    During the week, to prevent being overwhelmed, work in blocks of time of no more than one hour.

**QUICK TIP**

To make emptying the utensils in the dishwasher easier, presort, putting forks, knives and spoons in their own separate compartment in the dishwasher caddy.

 

Welcome to The Westside Organize Blog - Check in often to get tips to help you get and stay organized.  We will feature products and tools that we find exciting and hopefully make your life easier.  We will let you know about community activities, time management techniques and feature articles and podcast on organizing.  Thank you for checking in and Let's get Organized!

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