Donna Smallin Kuper's Blog: The One-Minute Organizer Blog, page 16

3 Clutter Solutions + Special Discounts

I recently attended the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). One of my favorite parts of this conference is the Organizing Expo and this year was no exception.

I spent hours at the expo checking in with returning exhibitors and discovering new clutter solutions. In the June 2014 Organizing Tips Newsletter, I introduced you to FotoBridge, one of the solutions I found for fast, safe, secure scanning of your photographs.

Today, I want to share three more clutter solutions that were unveiled at the 2014 NAPO Conference & Organizing Expo to rave reviews.

Wrap iT Gift Wrap Organizer

When I first saw this product, I thought, “Who has that much gift wrap that they need such a big organizer?” Apparently, I don’t get out enough.

My conference roomie told me that parents today are always buying gift wrap from school fundraisers. So… I give to you the Wrap iT Gift Wrap Organizer. Listen up. If this organizer doesn’t hold all of your gift wrapping supplies, it’s time to pare down and give some away – or stop buying this stuff. Seriously!

What I love about this product is that you can hang it up in any closet and pull it out when you need it. (You can also store it under a bed.) It holds rolls and rolls of wrapping paper, plus gift bags, tissue paper, bows, ribbons, cards, scissor, tape and anything else you need for wrapping gifts. You’ll find some really cool videos about the Wrap iT organizer here.

Now, here’s the kicker. Adam Levine, creator of this product, came to the conference with a special offer for professional organizers – a whopping 40% off this product. I asked if I could share that discount with my readers and he said YES! Enter the coupon code NAPO2014 at checkout to get a 40% discount. You might want to do this sooner rather than later as he was only going to make that coupon code valid for a few weeks after conference until a bunch of us begged him to extend it. Go take a look at Wrap iT and see if it’s something that will help you organize your gift wrapping.

Move-N-Order Color-Coded Moving System

I’ve moved 1o times in the last 22 years and it wasn’t until the last few moves that I discovered how much color coding simplifies moving for movers and movees alike.

Maria White (voted 2012 Professional Organizer of the Year by her colleagues) recently created the Move-N-Order Moving System, a color-coded system designed to reduce stress and save time by ensuring that all of your boxes and furniture are delivered to the correct room and set up the way you intended.

This is the most complete color-coded moving system you’ll find anywhere to streamline your move. It includes more than 500 color-coded stickers for each room (including “Open First” and “Fragile” stickers), special removable furniture stickers, color-coded floor graphs, an inventory tracker, moving tips booklet, home staging video, and more

I’m not moving again for awhile, but if I was, I would get this system to put my “move in order.” Are you moving any time soon? Learn how to move like the pros do at Move-N-Order.

Oh, and isn’t this nice? Maria set up a special discount code for my readers. So be sure to enter “unclutter” (without the quotation marks) at checkout to get 10% off your order!

(For more tips on moving, see my May 2014 Organizing Tips Newsletter.)

LifeinCase Document Storage System

At the Organizing Expo each year, attendees vote for their favorite products in several categories. The winner for Best Organizing Solution for Organizing Information at Home was LifeinCase Document Storage System.

The name describes the product pretty well. It’s a case for storing essential life documents…in case. Basically, it’s a handy place to keep all of your important documents that’s small enough to grab and run with it, yet large enough to hold everything you need. It comes with five folders for your five main categories of documents(personal, midical, estate, financial, and property) with checklists to help you figure out where to file each document. Plus, if you want, you can opt for the secure Cloud Storage option so you can access your files from anywhere – even in the event that your documents are stolen or destroyed.

Whether you’re downsizing (like I did last year!) or just trying to organize your important documents, take a look at LifeinCase as a clutter solution. Click here to learn more about it. If you decide to get one, use this special discount code: UNCLUTTER or UNCLUTTERUSA for 10% off any one of the military versions.

 

The post 3 Clutter Solutions + Special Discounts appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.

Organizing Tips Newsletter – June 2014

ORGANIZING PLAIN & SIMPLE MONTHLY

Tips & Inspiration for Organizing a Simpler Life

June 2014 – Vol. 13 No. 3

“Maybe the life you have always wanted to live is buried beneath everything you own.” ~ Joshua Becker

3 good rainy day organizing projects

Summer is here and that means plenty of sunshine and outdoor fun. But what do you do when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day (like me here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho today)?

You could read a book, play board games with the kids or… here’s an idea… tackle some organizing projects you’ve been meaning to get to!

I came up with three good rainy day organizing projects that might just brighten an otherwise gloomy day as you bask in the glow of a job finally done!

1. Declutter your closet.

A rainy day is a great day to go through your clothes closet and figure out what you love, what you need – and what you don’t love or need. Start by pulling out your favorite items and set them aside. Look at what’s left.

Try on things you haven’t worn in awhile. Do they fit? Do they make you look fabulous? If not, what are they doing in your closet? Make a decision to let go of clothing that’s just taking up valuable space in your closet. Bag your cast-offs and (when the rain stops) take them to a consignment store or donate them and take the tax write-off.

Here’s an idea that might get you motivated to tackle this job: For every 10 items you release, allow yourself one new item of clothing.

2. Organize drawers.

What better way to spend a rainy day than catching up on sold old television programs – and getting some organizing done! Just pull a drawer out of its cabinet and bring it into room where you watch TV.

When the commercials come on, empty the drawer and sort the contents. Toss the junk. set aside items to donate or sell. And put back the rest. Repeat until the sun comes out!

3. Sort photographs.

Talk about a good rainy day project! If you’re like a lot of people, you have boxes of photographs that you want to organize and put into albums, but what an overwhelming task!

Here’s an easy way to get started. Cut or fold 5-7 paper grocery bags down to about 8 inches high. Use a marker to label each one with a category for sorting that makes sense to you such as vacations, special events, parents, kids, and grandkids. Sort all of your photos into one of these categories. Toss duplicates and any that really aren’t worth keeping (or set aside to give to another family member).

Once you have sorted all of your photos into broad categories, you can take the photos in one category and sort into sub-categories. For example, you can sort vacation photos by different destinations. If you don’t finish this project in a day, just store the paper bags under your bed until the next rainy day!

The other option is to scan all of your photos, which is what I plan to do. Yes, I have photograph clutter, too! I stopped printing photographs years ago, but I still have two large bins of photographs in the “basement” of our motorhome that I didn’t have time to go through before we sold our home last year.

You can do your own scanning or pay to have them scanned. I’m opting to pay for this service because I’ve decided that it’s the only way this job is going to get done in my lifetime! (Read the next article to learn more about the company I’ve chosen to scan all of my photographs.)

BONUS ORGANIZING PROJECT:  Clean your fridge! Read my tips for how to get this job done in 15 minute or less, published in this Today.com article.

 

Favorite organizing products and resources

As a professional organizer for the last 14 years, I’ve used and recommended a lot of organizing products, services and resources. Every month, in this column, I share my favorites.

Last month, I shared a new ebook from my friends at List Plan-It, one of my readers’ favorite resources for getting organized. 100 Days of Summertime 2014 is available in PDF (145 pages) and includes a 34-page workbook for planning out a fun and productive summer – all for just $8 (unless you use the coupon code: 100DAYS3OFF and then it’s just $5. You’re welcome!). 

This month I want to introduce you to FotoBridge, the company I’ve chosen to scan all of my photographs. I met them at the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Organizers last month and was impressed with their commitment to fast, safe and secure scanning services for their customers – and they guarantee 100% satisfaction. You send your photos, slides, negatives, even video and they will transform them into digital memories on DVD. But you also have the option (and it’s a free option) to have your photos stored on your own private Cloud for safekeeping and sharing.

Now, you should be aware that you still need to sort your photos into categories. You can do your sorting before sending photos (they scan in the order they receive photos) or after they are digitized. All your photos will be digitized as .jpg files in one folder on the DVD they send back. If you want to do your sorting later, I recommend creating 5-7 main category folders and moving photos into the appropriate folder. If you wish, you can further sort into sub-category folders (see advice above).

My new friends at FotoBridge have kindly offered a 10% discount that you can apply to your order should you decided to try this service. Enter the coupon code “Unclutter” without the quotation marks at checkout. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to cross this project off my list. And I’m excited to have all of my old photos in digital form. Finally, I’ll be able to post some old photos on Facebook for Throwback Thursday! Mostly, I’ll be glad to have the extra basement space.

For a look at more of my organizing favorites, visit www.unclutter.com/favorites.

 

Shameless promotion: Could you use some help getting organized?

About a year ago, I created an organizing support group on Facebook and we are now have more than 800 members. When new members join, I ask them about their biggest organizing challenges and respond to each one with organizing tips specific to their challenges. In a conversation this morning with one new member, she shared a great tip in return. She said:

My daughter gave me some good advice. She said to stand in the doorway to a room, look at it, then close your eyes and imagine what I want it to look like. Then open my eyes and anything that wasn’t in that mental picture has to go. It’s perfect for when I feel overwhelmed.

Members of the Unclutter.com Organizing Support Group on Facebook benefit by learning from each other and also from articles and surveys I post on the group page along with inspirational quotes and even some comic relief. We encourage each other to declutter, organizing and simplify life – and we invite you to join us. (FYI, this is a closed group, so anything you post here can only be seen by other members.)

One last thing before I go…I mentioned attending the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Organizers last month. In addition to FotoBridge, I discovered several other organizing products that might be of interest to you including an amazing gift wrap organizer, an organizer for storing important documents, and a special timer for getting things done. I plan to share one a day in quick blog posts during the coming week. Stay tuned!

That’s all for this month. Until next month, keep it simple.

************************************************

FULL DISCLOSURE: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission which goes toward the continuation of this complimentary newsletter. Please note that I only recommend products that I would recommend whether I got paid or not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Organizing Tips Newsletter – June 2014 appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.

Letting Go to Create a Life You Love

June is Rebuild Your Life Month and June 23 is National Let It Go Day. Here’s Certified Professional Organizer Kathi Burns to help you get started with letting go to create a life you love.

photo credit: alexisnyal via photopin cc

Many of us are stuck where we are in life because we’re afraid of change. Fear of the unknown is such a strong force that it outweighs that desire to eliminate the source of our discomfort.

Maybe we’re in a bad relationship, but are afraid to get out because we’re worried that we will never find another partner. Or we hate our job, but with the job market being the way it is right now, we keep going to work despite dreading each day.

Our ability to create the life of our dreams has a direct correlation to our willingness to embrace change.

People who are not afraid of change are the ones who are less afraid of the unknown. They decide to dump the useless partner even if they don’t know when and if they will meet someone else. They decide to begin reinventing their career even though the job market is volatile.

As a professional organizer, I see a direct correlation between clutter and change every day in my work. To keep things as they are right now, many of us continue on the same path we have trudged for years, sometimes even literally trudging over our own junk and clutter every day!

Maybe your home is so full of stuff, you can’t park in the car in your garage. So you park it in the driveway because it’s easier than getting rid of things because that would mean change.

People who are not afraid of change don’t ask themselves, “What happens if I need that later?” They say instead, “Well, if I need it, I’ll figure out how to get it later.” They do not make decisions or avoid making decisions because they are afraid. They are the folks who know innately that everything works out in the long run. If they really do need something later, the universe will provide and they will get it easily, exactly they when need it.

The good news is this. If you are one of the many who are afraid of change, there is an easy way to diminish your fears and that is to begin by letting go of stuff you no longer love or use.

For starters, perhaps you can donate the old coffee machine you have stored in the garage, just in case your new one breaks down. It doesn’t matter where you start. Simply start by letting go of one thing.

As you learn how to let go of items in your home, you will be able to work your way up to letting go in the more difficult areas in your life.

Letting go is a muscle that needs exercised. The more you use it, the more you will eliminate the fear of the unknown in your life. As Plato said, the only thing constant in life is change. Learn how to embrace change and create a life you love by practicing the art of letting go.

Kathi Burns is a Certified Professional Organizer and creator of Home Organizing Made Simple, an online course designed to motivate and guide you step by step as you clear out your useless clutter and catapult yourself into the life of your dreams.

The post Letting Go to Create a Life You Love appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.

Organizing Tips Newsletter – May 2014

ORGANIZING PLAIN & SIMPLE MONTHLY

Tips & Inspiration for Organizing a Simpler Life

May 2014 – Vol. 13 No. 2

“Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.” ~ John Petit-Senn

One way to declutter…move (or just pretend to)!

Did you know that May is officially National Moving Month? Are you planning to move this summer?

CLICK TO VOTE

Yes

No

Maybe

I’ve moved 10 times in the last 22 years, including my last move from a 3,500-square-foot home to a 350-square-foot motorhome. So even if I wasn’t a professional organizer, I could give you a few decluttering and moving tips!

I recommend creating a moving binder where you can keep your to-do list and notes, moving estimates, and everything related to your move, including phone numbers for utility companies at your current and new home.

One checklist everyone needs – whether you’re moving or not – is a home inventory checklist. You can download one from www.InsureUonline.org, the non-profit site of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, where you’ll also find lots of good information about things to consider when you’re buying a new home and protecting yourself right from the start.

As soon as you know you will be moving, start decluttering room by room. You only want to take with you those things you love and use (and can use in your new place). Why pack and move stuff that will just clutter up your new home?

Have a yard sale or better yet, donate everything to charity, get a receipt and take the write-off on your tax return. A lot of charities will pick up your donations if you ask. It doesn’t get easier than that! Go to DonationTown.org to find a local charity that picks up in your area.

I’m a big fan of selling on Craigslist. I’ve sold things on Facebook, too. I created a photo album with pictures of what I was selling and then asked my friends if they would take a look and share with anyone they thought might be interested.

When we sold our last home, we had a 3-day estate sale. The company we hired priced everything, brought in tables and set up the sale, advertised the sale, and took care of everything from start to finish, including running the sale, for a 35% commission – well worth the price. Check out EstateSales.net to find a local estate sale company.

If you’re making a long distance, especially if you’re moving to a new region, think twice about taking all of your furnishings. Furniture can be costly to move and after paying to move it, you may find that your current furniture is all wrong in your new place. Sell it, save the cost of moving it, and buy new furnishings when you get where you’re going. (Lesson learned: Someday, when we decide to leave the traveling life and move back into a bricks-and-sticks home, I plan to buy all of our new furnishings from local moving sales!)

Get your packing supplies early. You can order boxes online and have them delivered to your home. Moving.com is one of many companies that sell boxes online and also have a handy calculator to help you figure out how many boxes you need.

What I do is use the calculator to figure out what I need and then look for them for free at Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org. If you’re going to do this, start looking early and keep looking until you have all you need. It’s hit or miss.

Label each box with the room it will go to in your new home. Write the room name on all four sides of the box – you’ll be glad you did. Also include a brief description or quick list of the contents. And do yourself a favor that will save your back – use smaller boxes to pack heavy items like books and dishes. Save the larger boxes for lighter items such as bedding and decorative items.

You can use newspaper for packing material, but I think it’s worth the extra expense to get packing paper, because I don’t like getting newsprint all over my hands. But that’s me.

In addition to boxes and paper, you need some good packaging tape. Word of advice: Get the good stuff. If you cheap out on lower quality tape, you’ll regret it every time you have to stop to find the lost tape end. I’m a big fan of Duck brand EZ Start packaging tape.  Its special release technology makes it easy to start each time and ensures you never lose the tape end. Plus it won’t split or tear. And it unrolls smoothly, easily and quietly for those late-night packing sessions!

Be sure to pack a “move day” box or or small suitcase for things you want to keep handy on move day, such as a box cutter, snacks, phone chargers, maybe even your toothbrush and pajamas so you don’t have to open a gazillion boxes to find them that first night. I always unpack bedding and make my bed first so I don’t have to do it at the end of an exhausting day.

Take your time setting up and organizing everything in your new home. As you’re unpacking, keep a few empty boxes handy for things that don’t make the cut in your everyday living space. Don’t just move them out to the garage or down to the basement. Make the decision now to donate or sell them. Your future self will thank you.

Favorite organizing products and resources

As a professional organizer for the last 14 years, I’ve used and recommended a lot of organizing products, services and resources. Every month, in this column, I share my favorites.

Last month, I mentioned Shoeboxed, the service I use to organize and store my receipts online. I can forward email receipts or scanned receipts or just snap a photo with my smartphone and upload to my account that way.

This month, I want to share a new ebook from my friends at List Plan-It, one of my readers’ favorite resources for getting organized. 100 Days of Summertime 2014 is available in PDF (145 pages) and includes a 34-page workbook for planning out a fun and productive summer.

100 Days of Summertime 2014 lists for $8, but for you, it’s just $5 with the coupon code: 100DAYS3OFF. Oh, and if you want to take a look at an excerpt of the book before you buy, you can click here. Then come back here to purchase.

For a look at more of my organizing favorites, visit www.unclutter.com/suggestions.

Shameless promotion: Autograph, anyone?

If you don’t have a copy of Secrets of Professional Organizers (Volumes 1-3) in your Kindle library, you can grab a copy for just 99 cents today through Sunday, May 25. On Monday, May 26, it will go back to its regular price of $8.97. This is the #1 bestselling organizing book on Amazon! Click here to get this book for just 99 cents!

I signed up for a special service that allows me to autograph your Kindle books. If you’d like me to do that for you, click here to request an autograph.

And for your reading pleasure…

Got kids? You might find some useful tips (including one of mine) in this DailyParent.com article on organizing the playroom.

I was also interviewed for an article that appeared on Forbes.com – 7 steps to a clutter-free closet. Great tips in there for you!

That’s all for this month. Until next month, keep it simple.

************************************************

FULL DISCLOSURE: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission which goes toward the continuation of this complimentary newsletter. Please note that I only recommend products that I would recommend whether I got paid or not.

 

The post Organizing Tips Newsletter – May 2014 appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.

May 2014 Newsletter

ORGANIZING PLAIN & SIMPLE MONTHLY

Tips & Inspiration for Organizing a Simpler Life

May 2014 – Vol. 13 No. 2

“Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.” ~ John Petit-Senn

One way to declutter…move (or just pretend to)!

Did you know that May is officially National Moving Month? Are you planning to move this summer?

CLICK TO VOTE

Yes

No

Maybe

I’ve moved 10 times in the last 22 years, including my last move from a 3,500-square-foot home to a 350-square-foot motorhome. So even if I wasn’t a professional organizer, I could give you a few decluttering and moving tips!

I recommend creating a moving binder where you can keep your to-do list and notes, moving estimates, and everything related to your move, including phone numbers for utility companies at your current and new home.

One checklist everyone needs – whether you’re moving or not – is a home inventory checklist. You can download one from www.InsureUonline.org, the non-profit site of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, where you’ll also find lots of good information about things to consider when you’re buying a new home and protecting yourself right from the start.

As soon as you know you will be moving, start decluttering room by room. You only want to take with you those things you love and use (and can use in your new place). Why pack and move stuff that will just clutter up your new home?

Have a yard sale or better yet, donate everything to charity, get a receipt and take the write-off on your tax return. A lot of charities will pick up your donations if you ask. It doesn’t get easier than that! Go to DonationTown.org to find a local charity that picks up in your area.

I’m a big fan of selling on Craigslist. I’ve sold things on Facebook, too. I created a photo album with pictures of what I was selling and then asked my friends if they would take a look and share with anyone they thought might be interested.

When we sold our last home, we had a 3-day estate sale. The company we hired priced everything, brought in tables and set up the sale, advertised the sale, and took care of everything from start to finish, including running the sale, for a 35% commission – well worth the price. Check out EstateSales.net to find a local estate sale company.

If you’re making a long distance, especially if you’re moving to a new region, think twice about taking all of your furnishings. Furniture can be costly to move and after paying to move it, you may find that your current furniture is all wrong in your new place. Sell it, save the cost of moving it, and buy new furnishings when you get where you’re going. (Lesson learned: Someday, when we decide to leave the traveling life and move back into a bricks-and-sticks home, I plan to buy all of our new furnishings from local moving sales!)

Get your packing supplies early. You can order boxes online and have them delivered to your home. Moving.com is one of many companies that sell boxes online and also have a handy calculator to help you figure out how many boxes you need.

What I do is use the calculator to figure out what I need and then look for them for free at Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org. If you’re going to do this, start looking early and keep looking until you have all you need. It’s hit or miss.

Label each box with the room it will go to in your new home. Write the room name on all four sides of the box – you’ll be glad you did. Also include a brief description or quick list of the contents. And do yourself a favor that will save your back – use smaller boxes to pack heavy items like books and dishes. Save the larger boxes for lighter items such as bedding and decorative items.

You can use newspaper for packing material, but I think it’s worth the extra expense to get packing paper, because I don’t like getting newsprint all over my hands. But that’s me.

In addition to boxes and paper, you need some good packaging tape. Word of advice: Get the good stuff. If you cheap out on lower quality tape, you’ll regret it every time you have to stop to find the lost tape end. I’m a big fan of Duck brand EZ Start packaging tape.  Its special release technology makes it easy to start each time and ensures you never lose the tape end. Plus it won’t split or tear. And it unrolls smoothly, easily and quietly for those late-night packing sessions!

Be sure to pack a “move day” box or or small suitcase for things you want to keep handy on move day, such as a box cutter, snacks, phone chargers, maybe even your toothbrush and pajamas so you don’t have to open a gazillion boxes to find them that first night. I always unpack bedding and make my bed first so I don’t have to do it at the end of an exhausting day.

Take your time setting up and organizing everything in your new home. As you’re unpacking, keep a few empty boxes handy for things that don’t make the cut in your everyday living space. Don’t just move them out to the garage or down to the basement. Make the decision now to donate or sell them. Your future self will thank you.

Favorite organizing products and resources

As a professional organizer for the last 14 years, I’ve used and recommended a lot of organizing products, services and resources. Every month, in this column, I share my favorites.

Last month, I mentioned Shoeboxed, the service I use to organize and store my receipts online. I can forward email receipts or scanned receipts or just snap a photo with my smartphone and upload to my account that way.

This month, I want to share a new ebook from my friends at List Plan-It, one of my readers’ favorite resources for getting organized. 100 Days of Summertime 2014 is available in PDF (145 pages) and includes a 34-page workbook for planning out a fun and productive summer.

100 Days of Summertime 2014 lists for $8, but for you, it’s just $5 with the coupon code: 100DAYS3OFF. Oh, and if you want to take a look at an excerpt of the book before you buy, you can click here. Then come back here to purchase.

For a look at more of my organizing favorites, visit www.unclutter.com/favorites.

Shameless promotion: Autograph, anyone?

If you don’t have a copy of Secrets of Professional Organizers (Volumes 1-3) in your Kindle library, you can grab a copy for just 99 cents today through Sunday, May 25. On Monday, May 26, it will go back to its regular price of $8.97. This is the #1 bestselling organizing book on Amazon! Click here to get this book for just 99 cents!

I signed up for a special service that allows me to autograph your Kindle books. If you’d like me to do that for you, click here to request an autograph.

And for your reading pleasure…

Got kids? You might find some useful tips (including one of mine) in this DailyParent.com article on organizing the playroom.

I was also interviewed for an article that appeared on Forbes.com – 7 steps to a clutter-free closet. Great tips in there for you!

That’s all for this month. Until next month, keep it simple.

************************************************

FULL DISCLOSURE: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission which goes toward the continuation of this complimentary newsletter. Please note that I only recommend products that I would recommend whether I got paid or not.

 

The post May 2014 Newsletter appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.

Spring Cleaning Part 3 – My Favorite Cleaning Tips & Tools

photo credit: gwen via photopin cc

You know I’m a cleaning and organizing expert. But if you think I ENJOY cleaning, you’ve got another think coming!

The truth is that there a LOT of things I’d rather be doing. But I do love a clean home. Luckily, I’ve figured out how to have both.

In today’s post, I’m sharing some of my favorite cleaning tips and tools to help you get your spring cleaning done, so you can get out and have some fun!

10 Tips for Fast, Easy Spring Cleaning

Recruit help. Make a list of chores that need doing. Ask family members to commit to at least one. Hire out big jobs like window and carpet cleaning.

Zoom, zoom. Remove clutter from floors, coffee tables, and other horizontal surfaces before you start cleaning so you can zoom through each room. (Try using a laundry basket as your clutter collector.)

If it’s not dirty, don’t clean it. Spot clean visible dirt and smudges and skip cleaning walls, inside windows, hardwood floors if they look okay. (I love those cleaning “eraser” sponges for wiping marks from walls, moldings, and around door handles and knobs.)

Start high. Dust ceiling fans and corners, door and window moldings with a long-handled duster or broom. Clean lighting fixtures. The last thing you should clean in any room is the floor.

Go low. Move furniture and large appliances so you can vacuum underneath and behind. Roll up large area rugs and vacuum underneath.

Try the one tool rule. Grab what you need to tackle a specific cleaning project throughout your home. Done? Put that tool away. Grab another.

Dream clean. Before going to bed, set your oven to self-clean. Pour toilet cleaner in toilet bowls, then just brush and flush in the morning.

Do it room by room. Plan to clean one room at a time or for just 30 minutes a day until the job’s done.

Don’t forget. Remove and wipe smoke detector covers with a damp cloth; vacuum interior. Replace batteries. Change furnace/air conditioning filters.

Plan your reward. Treat yourself to fresh flowers for your table, a massage or pedicure – or invite a friend for coffee.

Now, once you get your home all spring cleaned, then what? One thing I’ve learned the hard way… it’s a lot easier to keep up than to catch up.

Imagine if you only washed dishes once a week. Not only would that  chore be quite daunting, it would also be more work and take more time overall because you’d have to clean dried, caked-on food off those dishes. The same is true for  many household cleaning chores such as cleaning sinks, tubs, countertops. A quick wipe will clean up a drip or spill that would otherwise harden and require more effort.

I find I can get in a little cleaning each day while I am in “wait” mode. For example, while I’m waiting for water to boil to cook spaghetti, I can clean the front of my kitchen cabinets, clean out a junk drawer, or sort through mail with the aim to recycle as much as possible.

I keep things picked up (because an uncluttered home looks a lot cleaner!) and then I do a full house cleaning every other week. Each time I clean, I pick one extra job that needs doing occasionally like cleaning dust and cobwebs from ceiling corners and light fixtures.

3 Tough Cleaning Problems – Solved!

I recently discovered a really easy way to clean glass shower doors – with a Brillo steel wool soap pad! I know what you’re going to ask and the answer is no, it will not scratch the glass. Just get the pad nice and wet and use it to wipe away soap scum and water spots in a matter of minutes. Rinse with the shower sprayer or a wet towel and that’s one tough job you can check off your to-do list. BONUS TIP: Keep the glass cleaner longer by giving it a quick wipe with a shower squeegee after every shower.

The best way I’ve found to clean a stainless steel refrigerator is with a citrus-based furniture polish. It not only cleans water spots, streaks and smudges, but also leaves behind a slightly oily finish that helps to repel them.

I still think that the absolute best way to clean floors is on your hands and knees with a bucket of suds and a scrubbing brush…not! No, I’m a big fan of cleaning hard floors with a steam mop. I’ve tried a few and my favorite is the new Reliable Steamboy PRO T3 Steam Mop. It does a super job of cleaning my wood floors and can also be used to clean and sanitize linoleum or tile floor – and even clean grout – without chemicals. When you’re done, you just toss the microfiber pad in the wash.

What’s your favorite cleaning tip or tool?

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To Buy or Not to Buy?

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A member of my Unclutter.com Organizing Support Group on Facebook posted today that she went to a big fundraising yard sale. She was happy to report that she only bought a package of napkins that she can use at work and one paperback book.

She said, “I resisted several items and even put down a couple that I thought about buying.” What she realized was that if she wanted to reduce the clutter, she had to (in her words) reduce the inflow.

To buy or not to buy? That is the question. Just in case you think I’m immune to the power of “stuff,” I’m not.

A few weeks ago, I strolled into shop just to take a look. Right away, I spotted a beautiful pair of cowboy boots made in Mexico that were really “me.”

I picked them up and looked for the size. I couldn’t find it, but they sure did look like my size. I put them down and looked around until I spotted the storekeeper. I asked her, “What size are those boots?” She said, “I think they’re a size 7.” My size. Oh!

Then she added, “And I can take 20% off the price. Double oh!

Quick rewind to last summer…

While visiting the state of Montana, where everybody wears cowboy boots from the time they can walk, I decided that I just had to get a pair. Before long, I was the proud owner of my first pair of cowboy boots. They’re beautiful dark brown distressed leather with turquoise leather accents. They’re super comfortable and I really love them. But I’ve only worn them three or four times in the past eight months.

I had to ask myself: Do I really need another pair of cowboy boots? (If only I lived in Montana, I could have answered, “Yes!”)

I really liked those boots. But I wasn’t shopping for boots. And I didn’t need them.

We were going to be in the area for a few days. So I decided that if I woke up the next day and really had to have them, I’d go back and get them. I’m glad I didn’t now.

To buy or not to buy? If you’re trying to declutter your life, it pays to remember that today’s purchases (especially those impulse purchases!) become tomorrow’s clutter. Sometimes you just have to say, “Not today.” And then walk away.

What’s your story? What have you purchased that you wished you didn’t – or didn’t and wished you did?

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Spring Cleaning Part 2 – Cleaning Smarter, Not Harder

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In Spring Cleaning Part 1 – Getting Organized, I shared a couple of tips to help you get going on your spring cleaning, including cleaning your cleaning closet.

If you’re like most people, you don’t use half of cleaning products and tools you’ve collected over the years. Some of them are probably so old, they’re either unusable or no longer effective. Other products may be long past their expiration dates. Chlorine bleach, for example, only has a shelf life of six months.

I like to keep things simple, and I’m a bit of a minimalist, so you know what cleaning products I use most often? Water, vinegar, dish detergent, and my secret weapon — microfiber cloths.

Microfiber magic

Microfiber is a nonabrasive synthetic material that grabs dust, dirt, and grime like a magnet. I recommend getting a few finer weave microfiber cloths for cleaning glass and stainless steel and a few larger weave cloths for bigger jobs like wiping bathroom counters and sinks. When you’re done, toss them in the washing machine, but don’t use fabric softener or machine dry – it lessens the efficiency of the microfiber.

Armed with a microfiber cloth, I can clean everything from mirrors and picture frames to window blinds to bathroom countertops and sinks, and more.

To clean mirrors and all indoor glass surfaces, I spritz the glass surface lightly with water and then wipe dry with a fine-weave microfiber cloth. What I get is a streak-free, lint-free clean – fast.

To dust, I lightly spritz a microfiber cloth with water and get to it. This, by the way, is also the best way to clean your cell phone, computer screen, and television screen. (Microfiber was originally designed for “clean room” applications in the manufacture of electronic equipment.)

For tougher cleaning jobs, I kick it up a notch with vinegar. I mix one part distilled white vinegar with three parts vinegar in a spray bottle and I’ve got a multi-purpose cleaner that does a great job on my kitchen and bathroom counters and sinks as well as backsplashes and grimy light fixtures.

DO NOT use vinegar on granite or marble tops though. Instead, dip a microfiber cloth in sudsy water (that’s where the dish detergent comes in handy!) and wipe clean.

To clean your microwave, fill a small bowl with water and microwave on high for 5 minutes. The steam will soften hardened gunk and make it easier to wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. For extra cleaning power, spritz with my multi-purpose cleaner and then wipe.

Got dried-on spills in the fridge? Wet a microfiber cloth and place it over the spill. Close the door. Come back after 20 minutes or so and just wipe it up.

Bottom line: Microfiber cloths make every cleaning job faster and easier and my expert advice is: Don’t clean home without them!

Watch for Spring Cleaning Part 3 – My Favorite Cleaning Tips & Tools.

 

 

 

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Spring Cleaning Part 1 – Getting Organized

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Is “spring cleaning” on your to-do list?

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When I was writing Cleaning Plain & Simple, I learned something about the annual rite of spring cleaning. It goes back to the days before electricity when use of kerosene lamps and coal burning stoves all winter long left a sooty, greasy film on everything.

If you think dusting is a chore, imagine the work of cleaning soot and smoke from every surface and crevice!

Housewives would have to empty their homes and spend about a week washing walls and floors as well as every item in the house. A household advice writer of the time referred to spring cleaning as “a general housewrecking process.” And a good husband had the good sense to not complain about eating cold dinners that week!

While spring cleaning is not the necessary evil it once was, a 2013 survey by the American Cleaning Institute found that 72% of all households engaged in spring cleaning. If you’re planning to do some spring cleaning, getting organized will make the job go faster and easier.

Delegate the big jobs. Consider hiring out carpet cleaning and window cleaning. Professionals can do the job faster and better than we typically can do it for a reasonable fee.

Clean your cleaning closet. Get rid of all the products you don’t use or need; give them to a neighbor, friend or family member. If discarding, read and follow the directions on each product’s label for proper disposal. Do not mix cleaning products when disposing of them; some products, such as ammonia and liquid chlorine bleach, create harmful gases when combined.

Only clean what’s dirty. Don’t waste time doing things like washing walls if all you really need to do is spot clean marks. (I love those “magic” eraser sponges for this job!). You can also probably put inside windows on your “not-to-do” list (just dust sills and sashes).

Always declutter first. It’s a lot easier to clean a room that is that doesn’t have stuff strewn everywhere. Remove clutter from floors, coffee tables, and other horizontal surfaces before you start cleaning. I recommend using a large laundry basket for removing items that belong elsewhere. Once you’re done cleaning, you can put that stuff away.

Don’t fight gravity. Clean each room from top to bottom: ceilings first and floors last.

Victorian women started their spring cleaning by opening windows to let fresh air into stuffy rooms. If that’s as far as you get this weekend, consider it a start.

Funny story: A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from a PR gal who said that the Today Show was doing a segment on spring cleaning and wanted to speak with me right away. Turns out they wanted to interview me for an article on Today.com, not the show. Dang! I was all set to drop everything and fly to New York!

Anyway, the Today.com article features seven cleaning tips you may never have heard. My tip was not to forget to dust lightbulbs, because a dusty bulb emits 20% less light than a clean one. And did you know that there is a correct way to vacuum that will not only clean your carpets better, but also help them last longer? Now you have to read the article, right?

Stay tuned for Spring Cleaning Part 2 – Cleaning Smarter, Not Harder.

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Selling Clothes Online: 6 Simple Steps for Getting Top Dollar

When’s the last time you “edited” your wardrobe? Do you keep putting it off because it seems like a daunting task? What if you could get paid to do it?

With so many options available for selling clothes online, the thought of extra cash might be just the push you need to finally tackle your overflowing closet. You can sell on your own through eBay or take advantage of sites like Klury.com that pay cash for items you are no longer wearing. Either way, following these six simple steps will put more cash in your pocket.

 1. Clean and Press

Wrinkles create the illusion that your item has not been well cared for or may be hiding flaws. Pull out that ironing board or steamer and quickly smooth out any wrinkles before photographing it.

2. Take Good Pictures

You don’t need a fancy camera, but a plain background, natural lighting, and no flash are essential to depict the true colors and condition of the item. Put a removable adhesive hook on the wall to hold the hanger as you take the photos and open your blinds to let the natural light in.

 3. Write a Catchy Headline

Maximize the impact of your title, the headline for your ad. Think in terms of what buyers are looking for. A catchy title will include the brand, style, material (if relevant), and size. For example, the title for a pair of shoes may read “Kate Spade Patent Leather Ballet Flat Shoes Size 8.” Using similar keywords, such as both “ballet flat” and “shoes” will make your listing show up in searches for both of those keywords, resulting in more visibility.

 4. Provide as Many Details as Possible

Be specific about any flaws no matter how big or small. Little details like how many times you used the item, when and where you purchased it, and the original price can help ease a buyer’s concerns. Avoid vague descriptions like “very good condition” or “like new” as these phrases are often interpreted differently from person to person.

 5. Keep the Receipt/Tag/Box

For higher valued items, like designer handbags and shoes, make a habit of keeping the original tag and receipt in a pocket of the bag or the box the shoes came in. Include a photograph of the receipt or tag and/or box in your listing. The receipt not only helps prove the authenticity of the items you are selling, but also documents the original retail price. This extra information helps a buyer realize the savings they are receiving from buying a pre-owned item.

 6. Fast Forward to Summer

In the latter months of a long winter, shoppers tend to start daydreaming about their summer vacations and sunny weather. Take advantage of this and have your warmer weather styles ready to sell before the temperatures begin to rise. The best time of year to sell your spring and summer styles is between February and June.

Mandy Roberson is the founder of Klury.com, an Internet-based buying site that pays cash for pre-owned designer clothing, shoes, and accessories. She specializes in helping busy professionals in the Phoenix area and across the United States edit their wardrobes and earn extra cash for their next shopping trip. You can find more tips on editing your wardrobe here.

 

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