De-Clutter for Spring and Simplify Your Life

We’ve all done it.  Yes that’s right all of us.  Promised ourselves and our spouses that this is the Spring to clean-up the house and kick clutter to the curb.  It seems like each year that goes by we not only do not de-clutter we add to the mess.  If you need an example of this problem you can come to my house and check out my attic.  My husband has been banned from going in there for several years now because it would be bad for his blood pressure.  (Obviously he’s the neat one in our family).   If you are moving this year it is even more important to get organized.  It is difficult for many buyers to see past the mess and get a true picture of the great features of your house.            

I decided that this would be the year I officially kicked off spring the right way and got a handle on the clutter in my own house.  I decided to work with Professional Organizer Susanne Petitto of Streamlined Places to help me reach my goal.   She was kind enough to give me some great tips for managing the mess and getting a handle on my stuff.  Here is some of her advice: 

.      The Spring Changeover  - This doesn’t have to be the monstrous task that it seems like every year.  Towards the end of each season leave a bag next to your dryer for donations.  As you take out the clothes that the kids won’t be able to wear next year put them in the bag so that you don’t have to hunt through their drawers later.  Do the same thing in your garage or wherever you keep boots and other winter supplies (snow pants, gloves, hats, etc).  When the threat of snow has passed evaluate what can be donated and what can be stored for use next year.   You will thank yourself when winter is approaching and you already know what you need to purchase.  Another great tip is to examine the adult boots and get them cleaned and re-heeled when the winter is over so they can be stored clean and are ready for use at the first sign of cold weather.

·      Closets – Whenever you remove an article of clothing from a hanger to wear, put the hanger in a bag or basket.  When you are ready to do laundry bring the basket of hangers down to the laundry area and use them to hang the clothes out of the dryer.  This saves time folding and sorting through it later (or leaving it on the bed for days which I have been guilty of many times).

·      The dreaded countertop clutter!  This one seems to be the worst for most people.  I must admit this isn’t one of my worst offenders but I know a lot of people who struggle with this problem.  Probably the biggest issue with countertop clutter is the mail.  Susanne has a great tip for organizing the mail – don’t bring it in the house unless it’s necessary.   On your way from the mailbox pass the recycle bin and throw out any advertisements, catalogs, solicitations, etc. that you know you won’t look at later.  When I started doing this I realized that I threw out 80% of my mail before I got in the house!  The mail you do need can be put into one or multiple baskets on the counter.  Perhaps you organize the baskets by family member or perhaps by type of mail (bills, letters, etc.) it doesn’t matter as long as you have someplace to put it that will save you time later.  When you go to do the bills you have them organized in one spot.  You can also use the bin/basket system for other things such as letters home from school, invitations, etc.  Susanne also suggests getting clay or plastic flower pots to organize pens, pencils, highlighters, etc.  This is especially important if you don’t have much cabinet space.  

·      Photos – Many of us don’t even print our photos anymore partially because we don’t know what to do with them.  Who has time to sit and put everything into scrapbooks?  Susanne’s suggestion is to collect shoeboxes or inexpensive photo boxes or even plastic containers and write a year on each one.  Each time you get photos or memorabilia from the kids put it into the box for the current year.  Have hundreds of pictures from past years?  No problem.   Sort the photos a little at a time while you’re watching TV at night into bins labeled with past years.  If you have older kids get them involved.  It would be a great trip down memory lane!  When you get everything into the correct year and you’re ready to go further, you can get storage and display ideas at www.exposureonline.com, www.centuryphoto.com, or www.shutterfly.com. 

·      The bathroom – Use silver cups for make up brushes, tooth brushes, etc.  Small stackable drawers can be purchased inexpensively from Target for make-up such as mascara, lip stick, eyeliners, etc.  If you don’t have cabinet space, decorative bins can be used for hair dryers, curling irons, etc.

In the next entry we will discuss the many local charities that will accept your donations.  Happy Cleaning!

Nora McSweeney                                                   Susanne Petitto

Real Estate Salesperson                                        Professional Organizer

Shea & Sanders Real Estate                                  Streamlined Places

(631) 416-0593                                                   (631)617-3007

nmcswe@msn.com                                               streamlinedplaces@yahoo.com

                                                                            www.streamlinedplaces.com