Toss the Box

Organizing tipTo save time, remove items that are used frequently, from their boxes, and toss the box. For example, take small appliances, like hand-mixers, blenders, and mini choppers out of their boxes and store them directly in a kitchen cupboard or on a pantry shelf.  Also remove smaller items from their packaging and store them in containers without lids, for example batteries, paper plates, q-tips. This eliminates the step of opening and closing the box or packaging each time the item is used, and makes it easier to get things out and put them away.

Pantry Organizing

Organizing tipBefore stocking the pantry with items for your Thanksgiving feast, organize it. Clear off one shelf at a time. Check expiration dates. Remove all expired items. Donate anything you won’t use before the expiration date to the local food bank. Group like items together and put back in the pantry with the closest expiration dates in front.

An Organized Bathroom

Organizing tipSchedule yearly bathroom purges to help keep your space organized. Items to purge include outdated lotions, makeup, and topical skin products, broken bath toys, soiled bath linens, and expired medications and prescriptions. The Drug Enforcement Administration website has information on safe drug disposal and the national drug take-back initiative in October.

Worthwhile Giving

Organizing tipMy clients tell me all the time that it is easier to get rid of stuff when they know it is going to a worthwhile cause or someone truly in need. Therefore, as an incentive to reduce and de-clutter pick a worthwhile local charity and give.

Some of my most frequented drop sites are:
Savers
Bay State Textiles
New Hope
North Attleboro Animal Shelter

Have Only One

Organizing tipUsing one product from start to finish helps maintain order. For example, have only one opened tube of toothpaste. Use it until it’s finished. Then, and only then, open another one. This works for other products as well. Use one bottle of shampoo, bar of soap, tube of ointment, bottle of dish detergent, etc.