Toni-Lynn
06-18-2009, 02:15 PM
Have you ever thoroughly cleaned your house, only to find that it's a mess within a day or two? Clutter is a force of nature that's tough to beat, but you can keep it under control with regular vigilance. Here are some strategies: Make it easy on yourself.
Keep small garbage cans in numerous rooms around the house, so family members have no excuse not to throw out garbage immediately. Keep at least one small recycling bin on each floor. In addition, label several boxes, bags or bins for sorting clutter where you are most likely to run into it, such as your bedroom closets, near the kitchen, in the basement and garage. You'll need as many bins as you have sorting needs, such as:
Save & store
Donate to charity
Garage sale
Freecycle (find out more about freecycling here (http://www.scottcommonsense.com/EveryDaySense/Articles/TheFabulousFreecycletradeMovement.aspx?articleID=5 6&catID=4))
Pass it on to a friend or family member
Look for clutter-busting opportunities.
The easiest way to minimize clutter is to sort as you go, but sometimes you have to take advantage of special opportunities:
On laundry day, when closets and drawers are relatively empty. Have the family pull out what hasn't been worn in a year or more.
When you're packing away off-season clothes. As you're getting out your summer things, clear out items that no longer fit or look a little too used. Before you put away winter clothes, eliminate anything you didn't use all winter.
When your neighborhood is planning a garage sale, or your church or civic group is looking for rummage sale donations, the cash or tax deductions you gain may inspire you.
Make it a nightly habit. Set a timer for 15 minutes (or put on your favorite 30-minute sitcom) and spend that time sorting and getting rid of clutter. When your living areas are in good shape, tackle a dresser drawer or a closet shelf. You don't have to clean the whole closet to get a feeling of accomplishment.
When you've filled all of your bags and bins, it's time to get them out of your house. Empty the trash and recycling, make a road trip to your favorite charitable drop-off site or post it on a freecycle site. And say goodbye to clutter!
Question:
What are your tips for keeping clutter under control?
SOURCE (http://www.scottcommonsense.com/EasyOrganizing/Articles/NeveroutofSorts.aspx?articleID=56&catID=2)
Keep small garbage cans in numerous rooms around the house, so family members have no excuse not to throw out garbage immediately. Keep at least one small recycling bin on each floor. In addition, label several boxes, bags or bins for sorting clutter where you are most likely to run into it, such as your bedroom closets, near the kitchen, in the basement and garage. You'll need as many bins as you have sorting needs, such as:
Save & store
Donate to charity
Garage sale
Freecycle (find out more about freecycling here (http://www.scottcommonsense.com/EveryDaySense/Articles/TheFabulousFreecycletradeMovement.aspx?articleID=5 6&catID=4))
Pass it on to a friend or family member
Look for clutter-busting opportunities.
The easiest way to minimize clutter is to sort as you go, but sometimes you have to take advantage of special opportunities:
On laundry day, when closets and drawers are relatively empty. Have the family pull out what hasn't been worn in a year or more.
When you're packing away off-season clothes. As you're getting out your summer things, clear out items that no longer fit or look a little too used. Before you put away winter clothes, eliminate anything you didn't use all winter.
When your neighborhood is planning a garage sale, or your church or civic group is looking for rummage sale donations, the cash or tax deductions you gain may inspire you.
Make it a nightly habit. Set a timer for 15 minutes (or put on your favorite 30-minute sitcom) and spend that time sorting and getting rid of clutter. When your living areas are in good shape, tackle a dresser drawer or a closet shelf. You don't have to clean the whole closet to get a feeling of accomplishment.
When you've filled all of your bags and bins, it's time to get them out of your house. Empty the trash and recycling, make a road trip to your favorite charitable drop-off site or post it on a freecycle site. And say goodbye to clutter!
Question:
What are your tips for keeping clutter under control?
SOURCE (http://www.scottcommonsense.com/EasyOrganizing/Articles/NeveroutofSorts.aspx?articleID=56&catID=2)