Home Organization: Clutter Busters

Home Organization : Clutter Busters

Home Organization: Simple, Strange, and Slightly Odd Clutter Busters

by Lorraine Brock

Have you ever had a hard time parting with a small twist tie, empty used container, or a thing-a-ma-jig that you are sure you will use later? Organizers call this clutter. Too much of this and that causes a lot of that, which causes clutter. This blog is all about helping those slightly stubborn folks that can’t seem to part with their “I’ll need it someday” stuff.

If you know you are a pack-rat and are ready to do something about it, here is a simple and seasoned idea. Anytime you bring a new item into your home that is not a gift, you have to find something in your home to throw away, sell, or donate. For example, if you bring in a new waffle maker, you have to get rid of the old one or something else in the kitchen. If you bring in a new camera, you need to get rid of the old camera or something else electronic. The item you give up does not have to be the exact item that you are bringing into the home, but it should be something that is in the general area and takes up about the same space.

Like some of you, I save simple, strange, and slightly odd things that some may consider trash but I consider organizing treasure. I use toilet paper rolls for storing extension cords or controlling cords on electric kitchen appliances. Ice cube trays are perfect for storing earrings, and clear glass candle jars can be cleaned and used to hold Q-tips®, cotton balls, or other small items.

Use empty Swiffer® containers for organizing small toys, kitchen or bath items, garage parts, and so many other things. The lids are clear and snap on tight, creating perfect, leak-proof, storage containers. Clean cardboard boxes make great dividers in sock and underwear drawers.

Black twist ties have many uses, but one of my favorites is to help keep electronic cords under control when stored and also to shorten cords when in use. Old magazines or a piece of a worn out swim noodle make great inserts to hold boots upright in the closet.

There is a difference between saving things you plan to repurpose, and keeping things you “think” you might use one day. One saves money and brings joy, and the other creates stress and clutter.
I tell my clients that we do not want clutter to take over the spaces needed for items used on a daily basis or an area that is supposed to be for rest and play. It is best to make savvy choices about what simple, strange, and slightly odd things to keep so the result is not just a bunch of clutter.

 

Lorraine Brock is a professional organizer, family coach, speaker, and founder and owner of Get Organized! Get Organized! is a professional organizing company in the Dallas, Texas area. Get Organized! specializes in organizing and de-cluttering homes as well as implementing systems in the home for better family management. A popular media guest, Lorraine has appeared on Dallas’ two top morning television shows: Good Morning Texas and Good Day Fox, and has been featured on various radio outlets. She has been hallmarked in many local, regional, and national print and online magazines, such as the Dallas Morning News, The North Texas Kids Magazine, SheKnows.com, and Daily Candy Kids. To get more information about Lorraine, visit www.GetOrganized.ws.

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