Monday, January 14, 2013

Time to Tame the Linen Closet!


Organizing doesn’t have to be hard. Attacking it just a little bit at a time is the best way to approach it. And, the dividends you will receive by having a neat and organized home (and life) will far outweigh the time you spent on these organizing tips. Today – let’s tackle the beast in the hallway – the Linen Closets.
Don’t know about you, but my linen closet used to be the dumping ground for everything that had no other place to live. There was never any room for what was supposed to be in there, namely linens!
No more – here are my best organizing tips:
  1.  remove everything from the space.
  2.  find new homes for anything that isn’t a towel, sheet, tablecloth, extra blanket, anything that isn’t a linen!
  3.  toss out the half used sample bottles of shampoo, the mini soap bar. Or donate them.
  4.  store extra shampoo, soap, toothbrushes etc. somewhere in the bathroom. They   are of no use to you in the hall when you are in the shower and need soap.
  5.  keep only enough towels for your number of family members X 2. For example, if you have 5 family members, you need 10 towels. One set to have out, one waiting in the wings. Note I said 10, not 30. Having extra towels makes no sense, you can only use one at a time, the rest just lay around waiting for their turn. If you have guests frequently, they can use the towels laying around waiting their turn. (see above.) Storing guest towels just takes up space. Use the good ones for you! have 2 sets of sheets for each bed. Same principle as towels. How many can you use at one time?
  6. take a look at whatever you have left. Donate what you no longer need. Worn out towels are always welcome at animal shelters.
  7. line the linen closet shelves with some pretty fabric or paper. Inspires you to keep it neat.
  8. fold, stack and replace only the items the deserve to live in the linen closet.
  9. hang a full length mirror on the inside of the closet door for last minute outfit checks.
  10. and finally, break the rules by putting a few baskets in there for any odds and ends that you just can’t part with. (we have a gopher statue in there, don’t ask!)

So, take a stop back and absorb the neatness. Doesn’t it make you feel more in control? Great job!
I’m Evelyn Cucchiara of The Hopeful Life, and my goal, my reason for being, is to make your life easier. I teach crazy, busy people with no time how to lose the crazy and get more time.

I’m all about the shortcuts – shortcuts to getting out the door in the morning, shortcuts to getting dinner on the table. I admit it, I’m a very selfish person, I like my me time. That’s what my shortcuts are designed to do – get you more time. What you use that time for is up to you! Over on my website, The Hopeful Life, I share tons of shortcuts on how to make your life HOPEFUL – which stands for Happy, Organized, Peaceful, Efficient and Full of Fun. Come visit me!

1 comment:

  1. Evelyn,
    Just a note to wish you a blessed holiday season this spring despite winter's still hanging on! Thanx a bunch for all you have done as a Recorder blogger. Please know that we at the papers as well as our readers appreciate your efforts. If there is anything I can do to help you with your blogging just let me know via e-mail or by phone at (908) 832-7420.

    I tried to e-mail you but seem to have a wrong address (evelyn@organizingwithevelyn.com). I do need your correct e-mail address for our records. Please let me know via e-mail at panderson@recordernewspapers.com.

    Pat

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