How To Do Fall Cleaning….

I will be honest, despite years of growing up and helping with “fall”‘ and “spring” cleaning.. it is not one of my strong points.  When I first had my own apartment, yes I cleaned bi-weekly.  Fast forward to being a crazy busy single mom, and cleaning was not on the top of my list.  The house was always neat but there have been the occasional dust bunny.  Now, when I struggle with days of not being able to move, I can see the dust bunnies and want to clean. YES!  I said I want to clean.  Then when I feel better, I am playing catch up and still don’t get everything done I wanted to do.

So, you are wondering how someone like me, can teach you about “fall cleaning”, right?  Well this is more about “decluttering” which may or may not lead to cleaning.  BUT it will help you get organized which could make cleaning much easier..

Step #1 – Determine if your clutter is, well, clutter.  

I know this may sound like a no-brainer but sometimes clutter is hard to recognize. Yes, it is true!   Seriously, hear me out.  We live in our house day-in and day-out, so clutter really becomes part of the landscape. Maybe you don’t recognize the piles and groupings of stuff because it’s become the norm. You know the pile of mail you are going to get to.  Or the stack of papers to be filed in the office.  Maybe it is the shoes piled by the door and never making their way to the closet.  Whatever your pile looks like, we are pretty good at ignoring clutter, or just plain not realizing when it’s moved in.

So, when do you realize it is clutter?  When you can’t find something you’re looking for, or realize you have bought something you already had – costing time and money. Admit it, you have run to the store to get something only to find it about a week later (after the tags were off and you can’t return it).

Are you wondering if you have clutter?  Try this:  Take a photo of the space in question.  Start small with a drawer, a closet shelf, or a bookcase. Zoom in on the photo. How does the stuff make you feel? Are you horrified what others would think if they saw it?  Does it make your head spin wondering how this happened?  Do you use all of the stuff? If so, how often? How would your life feel if the space was tidy, leaving room to grow?

The answers to these questions are a great indicator there is work to be done.

Step #2 – Accept you probably do need to declutter

Have you recovered from the shock of seeing the pictures of your clutter?  Have you now started to stress over whether or not you can part with ANY of this stuff?

Even with you think you have pruned your closets, drawers and home, you will likely still pick items up and think, “Why did I keep this?”  Life tends to bring new items into our space each day, and we frequently fail to recognize the pace at which we are accumulating things.

I used to clean out closets twice a year.  Donating them to the church rummage sale or Goodwill.  The biggest one was always before the holidays especially when Belinda was younger.  I knew the gift giving season would bring a whole lot more “stuff” while there were many things sitting in the bottom of the toy box which hadn’t see the light of day in years.  Now, as I notice things are no longer used or needed, they go in the box in the garage to be donated.  Slowly, I am decluttering…

Step #3 –  Let yourself let go

How many items do you have which you have only used once a year or maybe once in five years?  It is sitting there taking up space, right?  You wonder how you could live without it.  I have a wok which I have had for years and it hasn’t been used in years…. why?  you never know.

Ownership is overrated. We often feel we need to own something to enjoy it.  How many things do you have which you could have rented or borrowed instead?  The truth is we may get more pleasure out of borrowing or renting something than actually owning it.  Sounds crazy, right?   Well, when we own something, it requires we clean it, move it, store it, maintain it, and maybe even insure it.  It all takes energy. Be open to alternative ways to access and enjoy physical objects.

Step #4 Baby steps when setting organizing goals

Yup, I hit you with a lot in just a short period of time, right?  I know it is overwhelming.  What happens when you get overwhelmed?  If you are like me, you run and hide.  NO, seriously.  Do you avoid the situation?  Most likely, when you are overwhelmed, you lose interest and momentum.  So what if you just took baby steps.  Do a little bit every day.  Continuity is key.  Do small spaces first, as you do small spaces, you will begin to see the difference around you and you will feel energized to do more.

Organizing is not an end destination, it’s a process of acquiring skills, applying them, and being committed to being organized every day.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Fall Cleaning Tips

 

The summer has ended  – okay so there is 10 more days till the official start of Autumn but for the most part, we are all shifting into a new season.

Who can resist the urge to refresh and clean the house after a long summer? A chance to start cleaning out BEFORE the holiday craziness hits us, right? For many, we have had the air conditioning running non-stop for what seems like forever.  It is a great opportunity to open the windows, let in the fresh air and start fresh.  I mean, let’s be honest, how many of us really did much cleaning during the lazy days of summer?

Here are some tips to make fall cleaning easier and more effective.1. Start with the closet.  As we switch out the summer clothes and move in the fall/winter clothes, it is a great opportunity to purge what we don’t wear.  You would be surprised at how many clothes and accessories are piled up on the closet. Rather than keep unnecessary things around, follow this rule: If an article of clothing hasn’t been worn for at least a year, it’s time to get rid of it.

2. Fall cleaning means cleaning from the top to the bottom. As people clean, dust and grime floats through the air and settles on furniture and flooring. To keep the areas that were just cleaned free of residue while working, dust the tops first, then the bottoms. Clean floors the very last.

3. Go through kitchen utensils and dishes while fall cleaning. A lot of clutter can build up in the kitchen over the course of a year. It is a perfect time to match the Tupperware bottoms and lids, then toss the lids that there is no bottom.

4. Go through the linen closet and discard shabby towels or linens. Turn them into dish towels, cleaning rags or get rid of them entirely. If bed sheets have lost the elastic around the corners, it’s time to let them go.

5. Organize the pantry. Put things in groupings together, such as dry or canned goods. This helps everyone keep track of just what groceries are really needed, and can prevent duplicate buy due to pantry disorganization.  Make sure you check the expiration dates too.  If you stock your pantry with staples that you use a lot, make sure you rotate them so you use the oldest first.

6. Rearrange the furniture.  I actually LOVE this part of fall cleaning.  Now, if you don’t have a lot of space, a  simple change of the wall hangings, or arrange the end tables differently can make a difference. Those little things can add a sense of freshness to a room, and can inspire a sense of fun to the fall cleaning. Wash the curtains in the room and add a plant or a focal decorative point.

7. When the housework is done, scrub all the floors completely. If it is carpet, shampoo it. If it is linoleum or wood flooring, get in the corners and scour and mop. This is also the time to use a floor polish or shining product on the floors. At the end of the work, the house will be left gleaming and everything will be organized and in easy reach.

These small tips can make a house an oasis of comfort.  What are your best tips for Fall cleaning, share them with us!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

National Get Organized Week

Did you know that this week was National Get Organized Week?  This week was originally created by The National Association of Professional Organizers to focus on the benefits of getting organized along with some techniques. They have since gone to January because most people have “get organized” as ONE of their New Year’s Resolutions.

I am old school and remember October as being “fall cleaning” when I was growing up.  In fact my mom still does this.  It was when we cleaned the house top to bottom, over furniture, stored away  summer clothes and brought the dreaded winter clothes out of storage.  So, if your goal at the beginning of the year was “to get organized” now is a great time to finish up the year reaching that goal (if you haven’t already).  Take this week to simplify your life and make it more manageable by getting organized.

I read a quote by a fellow blogger, Cheryl Richardson who is a spirituality and self-help author. Does this sound like your office (or house):

“Stuff has tentacles. Every pile of paper, cluttered counter, or disorganized closet is filled with items that have cords attached to them. These cords reach out and suck the energy from us whether we’re near the stuff or not.”

GO, right now. Grab a broom, a mop, and a dust bin (that’s old school talk for “trash can”). Roll up your sleeves, put on some rockin’ movin’ music and do this!

Here are some solutions to those organizational problems in your home or your office:

   

I love that you can label things to make it easy for kids (and hubby) to know where to put things away.  Like that is going to happen, right?  The cubes are solid on one side while the other side has a clear opening so you can actually see what is inside.  A great way to  hid things when company comes to visit!

As for your office (or even the home), my BEST tip is:

Touch each piece of paper (or email or mail) only ONCE!

I know, crazy right? The truth is it is possible. I used this system for years in my JOB. It made life so easy. I am not sure why I have such a problem in my home office.

What will help you get organized as we enter the last quarter of 2015?  I am not a professional organizer but I do have some great tips and products that will make your life just a little easier.

Wouldn’t it be nice to call someone and have them come in and just pull together that messy closet or counter space or maybe even your office?  Think of how much more energy you will have when you are not faced with the clutter every day.  Remember, clutter drains your energy. It zaps your creativity too. If there’s more to do, continue the process of decluttering and organizing. Twenty minutes a day is all it takes.

How about a “Product Experience“?  A NO obligation consultation.  I will come in and help you with suggestions for your “hot mess” using things you already have or sharing some of Thirty One’s awesome product.  If you are interested in our product and they meet your needs;   I will help you find the best deal for you. If not, it is okay – I will be grateful for the chance to meet some new people and share the gift of Thirty One.

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