This article is for all you creative moms out there (and wanna be creative moms) that are looking for innovative ways to solve your organizational needs. Yes, this is a fitness blog, but as a mom we need to take care of everything we do, which includes our household.  The more organized our lives, the more time we’ll have to reach our health and fitness goals.  These ideas are simple and easy to implement.  I was searching high and low for something NEW and DIFFERENT to share with you. I found that there are quite a few clever tricks of the trade that you just don’t see everyday. I’ve already implemented some of these in my own home, hope you will find value in them too.

Lid Holder

Why not give LIDS a home of their own by mounting simple metal towel bars inside your pantry door.  Look for basic ones that stand out about 2 inches.

To hang a lid, all you have to do is slide the bar so the knob or handle catches and holds the lid in place.

This is an ingenious idea!

Storing baking pans, sheets, cutting boards, and platters just became easier.

Create dividers with; get this… Tension Rods.

Unreal huh?

Just buy rods to fit the space, and position pairs of them at intervals.  Twist to tighten.  You can also use thicker rods for closets by hanging rods horizontally.

Peg Rack Organizer

Another clever way to organize your POTS & LIDS. Place a wooden peg rack in a cupboard, and line up the lids vertically between the pegs.  You could also attach a graduated rack to the door.  You can arrange lids from smallest to largest, with their partner pans close by.  This is such a quick and inexpensive way to maximize space in your cabinets.

Very creative!

Make the most of your countertops by using a beautiful cake stand to hold frequently used items like olive oil, salt, pepper and other seasonings.  The stand makes it easy to find these ingredients while you cook, and gives you space to arrange other herbs and spices around the base of the pedestal.

It’s visually pleasing; and chic too.

Under the Sink Organizer

I don’t know about you but I absolutely hate having all my dish towels and gloves thrown under the sink on top of each other.

Not only does it smell, but you can’t tell which ones you’ve used already.  Why not hang them from hooks screwed to the inside of the cabinet door instead.  This way they can dry and not smell (as bad, that is).  A grommet-sewing kit  (available at hardware stores)  allows you to make tear-proof holes in cloth, rubber, and other soft materials.

Make sure you wring out the wet items well first; so they don’t drip.

I absolutely love this idea and have already implemented it in our home.

Tray Dividers

Wanna increase your cupboard space?

Use a simple serving tray.

All you have to do is get a tray as wide as the cupboard depth.  Cut a piece of non-skid liner so glasses don’t slide; arrange glasses upside down for more support.  This is definitely maximizing your cupboard space.

Great idea!

I seem to have plastic bags everywhere!  Remedy this with a handy holder that matches your kitchen decor.  You can easily make this yourself with a 15 inch wide dish towel.  Fold towel in half lengthwise & sew.

For more information on HOW TO create this incredible idea go to: www.MarthaStewart.com.

I hope that this has been helpful and that you are able to use some of these simple and Creative Space Saving Solutions in your home.  It saves tons of time when you can find things quickly and easily.

All these ideas were researched at www.MarthaStewart.com.  Martha has tons of innovative organizational idea’s to help you stay organized.

Stay tuned next month for more cool and creative ways to Organize Yourselves in making your home a house of order.

Mother of 2, CEO and Master Organizer of "Organize Yourselves" a home organization company

Hi Ladies!! It’s that time of year again!

Spring is the time when homes often get a thorough cleaning. I usually start with the dirtiest room in my house.

Once I’ve done that room- all others seem like a piece of cake in comparison.

So, it’s time to get rid of all the cobwebs and dust bunnies that accumulated in corners throughout the house that you just haven’t gotten around to or felt up to cleaning.

It’s ok- I have them too!

There’s something about spring that makes you want to start fresh.

I’m especially excited for this season which will bring sunshine into the state of Oregon ( I hope)

and give us a break from the rain.

Yay Spring!

I’ve already tackled my Spring Cleaning.

I’ve scoured every room in my home from top to bottom and I have to tell you- it feels great to get it done!

The air seems cleaner; I can breathe again and I don’t have to do it again until next spring- Ok -well, maybe not that long!

Using the right tools, techniques and products for different surfaces, from windows to counters to floors, is key to doing the job easily and effectively.

Below are BASIC 101 techniques that will help you clean those areas in your home that aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. This works for any surface (and object) in any room. The tasks are easy and can be done in minutes a day ( I’m sure your thinking yeah right) but if broken down by area and day, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can get it done.

• Dust Your Home Thoroughly

Start your spring cleaning by dusting everything in your house first. This could possibly be the single best way to clean your home in minutes. Eliminating dust from the air is best for those with allergies and air sensitivities.

This includes hard to reach places, such as the tops of ceiling fans and window casings.

Always work from the top of a room down, vacuuming the dust that settles on the floor.

Avoid using dusting sprays or dusters as this just scatters the dust and dirt around.

• Wipe Walls and Ceilings

Use a handheld vacuum with a long nozzle to remove dust.

Tackle the stubborn surface grime.

A winter’s full of dust, smoke from cooking and perhaps fireplaces has settled on your walls.

Generally a good cleaning is all that is needed to make them look freshly painted again.

• Dust Books and Shelves

Take everything off the shelves, and wipe shelves and books with a microfiber cloth.

These cloths are great because they trap the dust and keep it from spreading around.

Use the dust-brush or crevice tool on a vacuum to reach into tight spots.

I will be the first to say that this is a pain in the butt!! But once you do it, the air seems so much fresher and you’re able to breathe easier and it looks so much better.

• Vacuum and Shampoo Rugs

Synthetic carpets and rugs with waterproof backings can be deep-cleaned with a rotary shampoo machine and a hot-water extraction machine. If you don’t have your own you can rent them at your local grocery store. (Rug Doctor) Rugs without backings, including Orientals, require professional cleaning; which is great because you don’t have to do it yourself. 

• Clean Upholstered Furnishings

Take cushions outside and gently beat them by hand to remove dust.

If there are stains, check the pieces for care labels.

Use a vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean under seat cushions.

• Windows

Using a non-toxic cleaner and a microfiber cloth; make sure to use plenty of cleaner to remove the dirt. Change the water and cloth as necessary. Avoid washing windows on sunny days because the cleaner will dry too quickly and leave streaks. (you won’t have a problem with streaks in Oregon.)  

•Window Blinds

Close plastic blinds and wipe with a damp cloth. Reverse the slats and clean the other side of the blinds with a clean, damp cloth. Use a tool designed for blind cleaning to clean between the slats. For cloth blinds, use a vacuum attachment to remove dust and dirt. You will love your blinds when you’re done.

• Wash Window Screens

Using warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid, scrub each screen with a brush; rinse thoroughly.

You will be amazed how much dust you’ve removed.

• Clean Window Treatments

Many draperies and curtains are machine washable; check labels.

I vacuum mine with a handheld vacuum starting from top to bottom and they come out beautifully.

Dry clean fabric shades.

• Wood floors

Wash floors with a cleaner designed for wood surfaces. Choose the cleaner that’s appropriate for the finish on the floor, either wax or polyurethane. Ask at a flooring supply store.  Use a microfiber cloth on a mop with a swivel head.

It will leave your floors clean and shiny. (once you go microfiber- you won’t go back to just any rag)

• Laminate Floors

Since laminate is a very durable surface, it can be cleaned with a variety of cleaning products, hot water and a mop or a microfiber cloth.

2 VERY HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE EXTREMELY BUSY MOM!!

Purchase doormats for the interior and exterior of your home. The mats will collect and absorb dirt and prevent it from being spread indoors.

Cleaning rags should be washed regularly. Put sponges in the dishwasher or microwave to sterilize. Soak microfiber cloths in hot water without fabric softener. Clean brooms and scrub brushes in soapy water or hydrogen peroxide.

If there are any specific topics that you’d like to hear more about, simply let me know and I’ll “Spring” the idea right into an upcoming article.

What are YOUR best spring cleaning tips???

Well moms- until next time, Happy Spring Cleaning!

Mother of 2, CEO and Master Organizer of "Organize Yourselves" a home organization company

For more of Ani, visit her at Organize Yourselves.  She can help you make your home a house of order.

Customize Your KITCHEN

HUB of the HOME

Hello to all you mom’s out there!

I hope everyone is doing well; staying FIT and ORGANIZED!

What can I tell you about the Kitchen?

In our house the kitchen is the  HUB of our HOME!  Morning’s (M-F) start at 6:00 am in the Perkins household; And let me tell you- that time comes by waaaaay to fast.  Our kitchen is the busiest room in our house.  It’s the first place everyone heads for in the morning and leaves at night.  It’s the place where problems are solved, decisions are made, school work is done, bills are paid, board games are played…. cooking, cleaning, activities are planned, arts and crafts projects are done.

Need I say more??

This is the place where EVERYTHING is done!  So this area NEEDS to be the MOST organized and functional of all rooms.  Here are some thought’s & idea’s that have helped me to maximize and reserve space for ONLY those items I use on a regular basis.

Counter Space

Not everyone is lucky enough to have tons of counter space. So if you are like us and have limited space;  everything that is not being used on a daily basis should be relocated to a kitchen cabinet or another storage area in the house (i.e. holiday platters can be stored with the other holiday items).  Keeping the kitchen uncluttered and clean contributes a HUGE amount of serenity for the rest of the house.  I can’t tell you how many times a day I “pick up & put away”!  Pay close attention to reducing the number of objects stored permanently on the counter.  Make sure every item in your kitchen has earned its right to take up your valuable space, because it is just that- VALUABLE!

Reminder: If you DON’T use it- Get rid of it!

The counter needs frequent cleaning as this is your primary workspace.  Find another place in the house for those cute knickknacks, patty wacks, (as my husband calls them) and anything else that doesn’t absolutely need to live there.

Things that work together, store together

Observe the flow of activity in your kitchen and organize around it.  Place glasses near the sink or refrigerator & put snacks in a convenient drawer or cupboard for easy access. Place baking pans, electrical appliances, plastic containers (with lids), pots and pans, and large platters and bowls, together.  Specific tasks happen in specific areas of the kitchen, so store items where you use them for optimum kitchen organization.  A great way to conserve counter space is by mounting a utensil thingy (yes that’s the official term)  on a wall to create the illusion of more counter space.

photo credit

Kitchen Message Center

Again, the kitchen is such a high-traffic room, it is highly beneficial to have some sort of message center. If you have a built-in desk area, GREAT!  If you do not,  then a corner or area of the counter with a phone jack and outlet will do. Install a cordless phone to free up counter space, and use a nearby drawer for post-its, pens, chalk, markers and any other necessary office supplies. Mount an 8×10 cork board and or white board on the wall for displaying messages and reminders to family members. Write down side projects that you find as you go (such as fixing the sink). Writing them down allows you to tackle distractions later without missing things in the present.  Implement a rule that once the reminder or message has been taken care of that it must be removed from the board.

photo credit

Motivational Quotes/ Or something like that!

The kitchen should be the cleanest and most sanitary place in your entire house!

Unfortunately, for many families, due to the large amount of time spent in the kitchen, it is the least sanitary place.

Here are few cute quotes that will possibly motivate you to a cleaner kitchen.

• Put Things Where You Found Them So You’ll Be Ready To Do The Next Task”
• “Every time you have a spare moment, there’s always something that must be done.”
• “Housework is something  you do that nobody notices until you don’t do it”
• “Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy”
• “It’s all in the attitude – housework is exercise.  Clean to be Lean”

Reminder:

Organize according to how traffic and activities flow, not necessarily according to how they should flow.

No organizational system is set in stone.

Experiment with different arrangements.

Notice what works and what doesn’t.

If you use something differently then you anticipated, or if your habits change, MOVE IT!

Good Luck Ladies!!

Mother of 2, CEO and Master Organizer of "Organize Yourselves" a home organization company