Articles

Search Our Articles

Searching for ideas on how to save space and get organized can be a chore all on its own. We’re making it easier by pulling together the best articles and tips that will help you un-clutter and simplify your life.

Search the list below:

• Arts and Crafts
  • Crafty Storage
• Attics, Basements and Garages
  • Eliminate Clutter From the Garage
  • Holiday Décor Organization and Storage Made Simple
• Back to School
  • Dorm Room Space Savers From Jacquie Ross
  • A Smart Start to the Back-to-School Season
  • Dorm Room Organization 101
• Closets
  • Bedroom Closets
    • Making the Most of Shared Closet Space
    • Cleaning Out the Kids’ Closets
    • Closet Organization Made Easy For Summer
    • Make an Escape ... to Your Bedroom!
  • Linen Closets
    • Unclutter the Linen Closet
  • Utility Closets
    • Cutting Clutter in the Utility Closet
• Disaster Preparedness
  • Make Disaster Preparedness A Priority This Month
• Fall Organization
  • Get Organized for Autumn Activities
  • Seasonal Storage Solutions for Fall
  • Dorm Room Organization 101
  • Get the Kids' Rooms Up to Standards
• Holiday Organization
  • Be Prepared for the Holiday Season
  • Get Your Home Holiday Houseguest Ready
  • Get Organized for the New Year
  • Holiday Décor Organization and Storage Made Simple
  • How to Safely Store Family Treasures
• Kid’s Play Areas/Bedrooms
  • How to Organize Kids’ Rooms
  • Cleaning Out the Kids’ Closets
  • Get the Kids' Rooms Up to Standards
• Outdoor (Camping, RV and Boating)
  • Outdoor Entertaining
  • How to Save Space on a Boat
  • Preparing for an Outdoor Adventure
  • Smart Packing for Summer Travel
• Special Features
  • Get Organized for Autumn Activities
  • Dorm Room Space Savers From Jacquie Ross
  • Outdoor Entertaining
  • How to Get and Stay Organized in 2011
  • Clean That Closet Challenge
  • Clean Closet Tips from Professional Organizer Kathi Burns
• Spring Cleaning
  • Spring Cleaning Preparations
  • Spring Cleaning 101
  • Closet Organization Made Easy For Summer
  • Get the Kids' Rooms Up to Standards
• Travel/Packing
  • Tips for Traveling Abroad
  • How to Avoid Excess Baggage Fees
  • Secrets for Saving Space and De-stressing a Move
  • Smart Packing for Summer Travel

Spring Cleaning 101

Depending on which part of the country you call home, spring weather has either arrived or is just around the corner. Finally! With temperatures rising and the days getting longer, attention is turning toward the spring cleaning season and all of the reorganization projects you’re ready to tackle.

So, in the spirit of getting ahead of the game, here are our top tips for making this year’s spring cleaning season as efficient as possible. Happy spring cleaning!

• Observe the 80/20 rule. In general, people don’t use 80 percent of the stuff in their home, and only 20 percent of items are used on a regular basis. Keep this in mind when you’re doing your initial sweep. Try to clear out and donate as much as possible and reserve your home’s valuable storage space for that critical 20 percent that you reach for regularly.
• Store off-season clothing. Perhaps the most common source of clutter in your home’s closets is the clothing that isn’t even being used. Spring is a great time to reassess what’s needed. Anything that won’t be worn in the warmer months can be stored in a Space Bag Hanging Bag and stashed at the back of the closet in half the amount of space it would usually require. While separating clothes by season, evaluate your wardrobe and donate anything that you haven’t worn in the last 12 months.
• Reassess your clutter zones. Where does clutter accumulate in your home? The entryway? Hall closet? Kitchen counters? Spring cleaning season is the time to take a closer look. Maybe your home’s foyer needs a coat rack and shoe trays. Perhaps everybody in the house needs to pick up their belongings and place them in the appropriate parts of the home on a certain day of the week. The key is to find whatever works best for you, and get some new methods in place!
• Assemble cleaning “tool kits” for each of your tasks. Make cleaning various parts of the house easier by gathering all the cleaning products and tools you need for each zone. A kit for the bathrooms and kitchen should include cleaning products, scrub brushes, wash rags, etc. Make a separate kit for bedrooms and one for the garage/basement/attic and you’ll have all that you need to tackle the major cleaning zones in the house.
• Don’t forget the yard. If your home has gutters, it’s time to break out the ladder. Make sure that gutters are clear of leaves and debris to ensure that they’re ready for the spring showers. Also do a sweep of the yard to pick up branches and leaves before you break out the lawn mower.
• Make it a team effort – Everybody in the house has something they can contribute to the effort. Get the whole family involved to complete projects more quickly, and increase the likelihood of having the family’s support in keeping spring cleaning results from backsliding.
• Enjoy the music. Make the spring cleaning more enjoyable by arming yourself with an iPod play list or collection of CDs you can play while you work. It’ll help you stay focused and give you the extra energy you need to get through some of the tougher projects.

Tips from Tips from GoodHousekeeping.com and Bigy.com.