The Clutter Cure: Office and Closets

            A new year is here! January is always a great time to do some serious clean out and many stores have organizational tubs and items on sale. Today we will look at the home office and closets and some specific things we can to do start 2013 off on the right foot.

 

Home Office

Papers-recycle any papers you don’t need long term; expired coupons, old invitations, out of date school calendars.

Purse-dump everything out and only put back what you need. Go through your wallet and file or throw away any receipts you no longer need. Maybe this is your chance to get a new lip color for the winter. There-ten pounds lighter.

Magazines-make it a rule to throw out the previous issue when the new issue comes in. Or like me, read it and throw it away or pass it on to someone who would enjoy it.

 

Closets

 

Shoes- Weed out any shoes that are uncomfortable or beyond repair. Polish any shoes that need it.

Hangers-remove all extra hangers. Many dry cleaners will take back wire hangers and recycle them.

Clothes-after all of the holiday parties there are probably some items that need to go to the dry cleaners or need some mending. Give away anything you haven’t worn in the past year or no longer like.

 

When in doubt, ask yourself these questions.

1. Do I really need this?
2. Do I love it?
3. Do I already have something else that will work?
4. Do I use it regularly?
5. Where am I going to put it?
6. How hard would it be to replace this item someday if I needed to?

The Clutter Cure: Kitchen Edition

            A new year is here! January is always a great time to do some serious clean out as we put Christmas decorations away and give our houses a good cleaning. Today we will look at the kitchen and some specific things we can to do start 2013 off on the right foot.

 

Kitchen:

            Plastic containers-go through and match up every lid and plastic container. If                               you don’t have a match for it, throw it away.

            Small appliances-does your toaster only toast one side of the bread? Crockpot                              only cook on half the bottom? Get rid of anything needing repair.

            Plastic cups-do you have stacks and stacks of plastic cups? Keep only the ones                             you use on a consistent basis and get rid of the rest. Don’t worry-you will                          accumulate more.

            Spices- Clean out your spice cabinet. Look online to see how long each spice                                 should be kept and throw away accordingly.

            Glasses- Did your aunt give you hand painted drinking glasses? Hand wash only?                          Have they been sitting in your cabinet for the past 5 year untouched                             

                         because you don’t want to have to fool with hand washing them? Give them

                         away! Goodwill would be happy to accept your donation.

            Junk Drawer-we all have one. Dump everything out and only put back what you                                     need to keep. Be ruthless!

 

When in doubt, ask yourself these questions.

1. Do I really need this?
2. Do I love it?
3. Do I already have something else that will work?
4. Do I use it regularly?
5. Where am I going to put it?
6. How hard would it be to replace this item someday if I needed to?