Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring Cleaning Tips

March 31, 2015
Junk Closet
The Junk Closet

It's Spring Cleaning Time! Did you know that physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention? Clutter overloads your senses, impairs your ability to think clearly and creatively, and leads to stress and frustration. Just think of all the time you waste looking for items that aren't where they should be. Here are some tips on making your unproductive living and work space more productive.

  1. Organize in Small Increments: Organizing is already a daunting task and will, if you let it, completely overwhelm you. Use a timer and set it for 15-30 minutes a day for organizing. Knowing that you won't spend hours working on an organizational project might make working in small bits easier to manage. Google 'Monthly Organizing Checklists' or create a 'Cleaning Calendar' to keep you more organized, uncluttered, but more importantly, on task.
  2. Don't Forget the Small Stuff: Check expiration dates regularly on medicines, vitamins and supplements. Don't forget make up... You certainly don't want to use the eye shadow you purchased 8 years ago! If you can't remember when you purchased it, toss it and stick to the "when in doubt, throw it out" rule.
  3. De-Clutter Your Desk and Work Space: Rule of thumb: if it's not important, pitch it. Since we tend to make piles, utilize vertical units for additional storage solutions. Utilizing wall space is a great option. Set bills in a hanging bin, keys on hooks, and magazines in wall hangers. Use file folders, three-ring binders, or magazine sorters to hold important papers or to file paid bills or other important documents, such as tax returns. Get creative with your containers. Use decorative boxes or jewelry boxes to hold paper clips, tacks, pens and business cards.
  4. Your Cluttered Closet: First step to cleaning out a closet is to empty the entire thing out! If you haven't worn it or needed it in one year, get rid of it. Keep your garbage bags close because you'll need to fill those up with either garbage or for those clothes or shoes you no longer need but want to take to the local donation center. Purchase organizing bins, shoe holders or additional hanging shelving to help you organize your closet items.
  5. Donate Your Items For a Good Cause: Every year, go through your clothes, cupboards, and other items you might store in the garage, basement or attic. Most likely, you'll find something that you'll never use again or haven't used in years and realize it's time to get rid of it. You can either get ready for that upcoming garage sale you do every year or put it in the 'donation center' pile. Someone's trash is always another man's treasure and you'll be relieved at all the new space you just created. You'll also feel rewarded with helping out others in need.
  6. Standardize Your Pantry: It's so easy to use mismatched plastic containers in your pantry; however, mismatched containers become hodgepodge storage. Use one brand of food storage containers so lids will always fit. Also, use clear containers so you can keep an eye on food items that need to be replenished over time. Most people only use a handful of containers in their pantries anyways, so there is no need to keep loads of them on hand.
  7. Shelving and Small Baskets: Use small baskets or other small organizing bins for your linen closets or other shelving. Can't keep your bed linens from going astray? Put matching folded fitted and flat sheets in their respectable pillow cases. They'll stack nicely in your linen closet and you'll no longer need to look for missing bed linens.
  8. De-Junk Your Drawers: Use clear containers in the infamous 'junk drawers.' If it's in a clear and labeled container, it discourages 'stashing' the wrong stuff in the wrong containers. It also helps you see what needs to be replaced, such as batteries or thumb tacks.