Author: L.A.

We have a quick fix!

1. Spray the inside of the microwave with Windex
2. Fill a coffee mug with water and microwave for 5 minutes
3. Take a paper towel and wipe the inside of the microwave
4. Done!

The rules:

1) Start with out-of-season items. These you can put aside and worry about them later.

2) Pack things used infrequently

3) Pack the things you’ll need until moving day in clear bins.

4) Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, and anything that would puncture or damage other items.  These delicate items can be wrapped in socks, or if you suspect leakage, place them in a zip lock bag and place them up-right in a separate box.

5) Blankets, sweaters, lingerie, bath towels and similar soft, lightweight goods may be left in drawers, since they are light and easy to carry.

6) Always pack similar items together.

7) Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic zip lock bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.

8) Any type of electrical cords should be wound and fastened so they do not dangle or tangle.

9) Invest in a large role of bubble wrap.  Its worth it.  When purchasing the wrap ask to see 2-3 rolls.  Most merchants use a portion of the larger commercial roles to sell smaller rolls in their retail store.  Then they try to sell you the left over roll as a “full” roll.  No one gets over on The “O” Boss!

10) Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of a carton for cushioning.

11) Build up in layers, with heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top.

12) As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper. It is also a good idea to add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer or use sheets or cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.

13) Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets also may be used for padding and cushioning.

14) Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with wash clothes or dish towels.

15) Avoid overloading cartons, but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting. The cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.

16) As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the carton (for easy viewing while cartons are stacked) and in a special notebook. You might want to number and/or code the cartons as well.

17) Indicate the room to which each carton should be delivered at destination on the label. Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels so movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly.

18) Put a special mark on cartons you want to unpack first at destination.

19) Tip the movers prior to your move, you take care of them, they will take care of you!

The garage is often a dumping ground for whatever doesn’t fit into the house. If your garage needs a serious overhaul, set aside enough time to put it right and enlist help

Sort contents into piles of related items — house maintenance and repair supplies, sports gear, garden tools, holiday decorations, recycling, etc. For items that need to stay in the garage, install shelving and cabinets that will house the items close to where they’re needed.

Multiple drawers and cabinets keep everything organized and at your fingertips, so you don’t have to go searching through boxes in the garage.  This feature allows visibility and accessibility of frequently used items, while other materials can be locked away.

Hang coat hooks for jackets and hats, and install a rack close to the outdoor door for muddy boots. To draw the eye away from clutter, turn the wall into an eye-catching space. Paint the wall a different color than all the other walls to add architectural interest.

Slatted walls and ceiling hooks accommodate storage of bicylces, kayaks, beach cruisers and golfing equipment.

A garage floor doesn’t have to be pretty. However, to reduce dirt tracked into the home, you might consider adding floor tiles. These tiles come in a variety of colors and can be mixed and matched to create various patterns.

Corner the Enemy. A tiered triangular shelf avoids the plumbing that has taken up most of the cabinet space.  One on each side can help keep things organized.  Another option is a roll-out under-sink drawer cleverly designed to glide right past pipes.

Put it in its place. Office desk organizers work well in these small spaces.  Consider purchasing two three draw organizing containers (take measurements first)

Add a little Spice. “Spicy Shelf” is a stackable organizer.  It expands and contracts to fit most spaces.  It can be used for just about anything when space is limited.

 

On March 12, 2015 an article was featured in Time magazine “Americas Clutter Problem” by Josh Sanborn.

“Americans have more possessions than any society in history. Can we finally take control of them?”

Clutter has taken over our lives; the most common clutter spots are children’s bedrooms, home offices, attics, and garages, professional organizers say. What does it take to create a clutter-free space? Here are 10 key home organization strategies …

Find a place for every item. One reason things pile up on counters, tables, and floors is that they have no “home.”  Storing items in the room where they’re used helps ensure they get put away when you’re done, and usually it’s best to store similar items together. If it’s something you use frequently, make sure the storage place is easy to access. “If you need to reach to a high shelf and take down a turkey platter just so you can return a bowl to its ‘home,’ odds are it’s not going to get put away.

Don’t Take the Freebees. The better you are about keeping things out of your home, the less likely things will pile up inside. Freebies. It’s nice to get a T-shirt or coffee mug, but will you really use it?  Take a minute to opt out of mailings from credit card companies and other direct marketers. Bottom line? Always look for ways to block unneeded items before they cross your threshold.

Look for the mole. Periodically scan your home for sneaky clutter spots, and spend some time figuring out why stuff accumulates there. Often, it’s not what you think.  Once you understand the problem, you’ll find it easy to devise a solution.

Hold off on shopping for storage containers. We often think the solution is to stock up on organizing products.  Most likely you own plenty of storage containers and have plenty of places to store your items, therefore it is best to organize first and then decide what is necessary to purchase.

How Many similar items do you own. Why have 3 of these, 5 of those, 12 of these, 9 of those…Anytime you get something new, get rid of something similar.

Memories are great. However, they can take up a lot of room.  Consider alternate ways of preserving memories.  Lots of photos… transfer them to your computer and create back up folders.  If you are a tactile person, organize them in photo books. In todays technology we can chronologically organize our life on Facebook, Instagram and many other digital venues and still save a back up to our computer.  If you have a favorite photo… sure print it, but why keep boxes old photos that only accumulate dust and risk the chance of mold.   Something your child made… why not take a picture of your child with the creation, and let that be your keepsake.  Why have something in the garage collecting dust when you can display a photo for your quests to compliment on.  Of course, if you have something truly special, you’ll want to keep it, maybe even display it in your home.

Look in your Clothes Closet.  We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.  Sorting through your clothes, and your children’s, at the end of each season. Does a particular garment no longer fit, or maybe it’s uncomfortable? Toss it into a box. Then take the box to a favorite charity or a consignment store. And don’t hold onto things because you think you might need them someday. One key to de-cluttering is getting rid of things, not simply rearranging them. Tidying up is not the same as organizing.

Look for simple clutter control solutions. Think home organization “kits.” Buy some clear plastic shoebox-sized containers, and use them to create kits where you store all the items you need for a particular task. For instance, you could create a shoeshine kit, a bill-paying kit, and so on. That way, you can easily find everything you need to accomplish everyday tasks.

Stick to a schedule. Some spaces, like kitchen counters, need daily de-cluttering. Others can be tackled weekly or monthly. When that time comes, be systematic. Take all the items in a defined area (a cabinet, a desk drawer), and spread them out so you can see what you’re facing. If you’re de-cluttering the drawer where you keep kitchen utensils, for example, spread them on the counter, and then sort into two piles: utensils you use regularly and those you don’t use. Be patient — effective de-cluttering takes time.  Don’t get discouraged if de-cluttering takes longer than you think it should.

Hire a Professional.  Don’t be afraid to hire a professional.  We have the experience and knowledge to put you on the right track and assist you in getting the job done in an efficient timely manner.  After all, life has lots of moving parts and we want to help you get things in order to help you enjoy your home and space with out clutter or casualties.

 

 

Welcome to the Family!!!

– the “O” Boss –