20 Organizing Tips from the Pros!

• To help mornings go easier, switch some of the time-consuming tasks to the evening. You can make lunches or have kids lay out their clothing the night before.
• Keep a ‘To Do’ list and a Project list. This makes it easier to complete projects and marking things off a list is a great feeling of accomplishment!
• Edit through magazines and be honest with yourself on how much time you have to catch up. Find something to corral them (this container will be your limit). When it gets full, it’s time to edit.
• Keep your schedule organized by using only one calendar for everything. Using more than one will cause missed or double appointments and confusion.
• It’s good to go through kids’ toys in November and edit out the ones they’ve outgrown. This will make room for the incoming gifts and it helps keep the clutter at bay.
• In July, help the kids go through their clothes and donate the old or worn and make a list of items needed to start school.
• Stuffed animals can really take over sometimes. Find something to hang, house or hold the keepers and donate the excess.
• Go through all the towels to edit out the worn out or mismatched. You may want to put a few in the garage for big spills/doggie drying and donate the rest.
• Organize the bathroom by going through all cabinets and get rid of unused items. Be sure to put items that tip over easily into a small basket or container so you’re not constantly picking them up.
• Small drawer organizers work great to help keep items organized. Go through your cosmetics, hair accessories, and other bathroom items to edit the old or unwanted items.
• Is your bathroom floor a towel magnet? Using hooks rather than towel rods are easier, quicker and more likely to be used. Be sure to have enough hooks for all members in the household.
• Cleaning supplies – Put all the cleaners and tools you use frequently in a carry-all with a handle. You can find these at the dollar store.
• No more junk drawer! Take everything out and sort it like with like. Get a drawer divider tray or small containers to keep items separated and organized. Only keep things you recognize and use.
• Pick a week and mark your calendar for kitchen clean up! Go through one cabinet each day to declutter. Remember to only keep what you use or love.
• Help organize your vehicle by putting two containers in the trunk – one for emergency items and one to keep periodic items corralled.
• Clean out the car and put a stock of small plastic bags under the seat, keeping one hanging somewhere available. Make a habit of putting your trash in the bag and toss it out when it’s full.
• Declutter hanging clothes easily…slide them down the rod (like you do while shopping). Go with your 1^st instinct – you should know quickly if you’ve worn it in the last two years. Donate all those you’ve been skipping over.
• Edit shoes to those you wear. Get a shoe rack/holder if you need and this will help keep them organized. Donate unwanted shoes.
• Put on your favorite music and come prepared with small boxes to edit and organize your books. Go through each book pile in your home and edit those you won’t reference or read again.
• Most crucial tip: Take ten minutes at the same time each day to pick up items and put them in their proper home

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