new year, clean home

It’s the New Year and everyone has their respective resolutions and everyone has the resolution that they state every single New Year in hopes of “this is the year for [insert resolution here].” I haven’t figured out my resolution yet but I do try to start each New Year off by basically cleaning and organizing the entire house. I love it, Al lovingly accepts it. Together we went room-by-room and organized, cleaned, re-arranged and every other which thing that needed to be done. In the end we both (I mean it, Al did to) felt very accomplished and very clean. I know, extreme, but a great way to start 2010. Below are some organization tips that are helpful all around the house while using pretty much whatever you already have in your home.

Using shoeboxes and other boxes with lids I wrapped them with paper that I already had and placed a label on the front. This was an easy, free and cute way to organize a bunch of random things. I continue to wrap more boxes as we get them too because I can always find things to store in them. I happened to have some labels lying around but you can also glue a piece of scrap paper on too.

I needed more food storage but it was cold and nasty out and I was in no mood to go out so I looked around to see what I had and I was able to use a few jars that were right in the recycling bin. I peeled the labels off and ran them through the dishwasher to make sure they were very clean. I’ve also started collecting the sturdy take out containers and reusing those. I run everything through the dishwasher (top rack only) before using them.

We all have annoying cell phone cords, computer cords, iPod cords, camera cords, etc, etc. They drive me nuts. You can easily use a TP or paper towel roll to store them. It keeps them orderly in a drawer and saves time from having to dig through the obnoxious nest of cords.

One day I decided I was going to try using a microfiber dish towel in the kitchen. It turned into a love hate relationship. I hate them. They do not dry the dishes well and the fuzzies get all over the dishes. I love them. They are the perfect, reusable cloth to clean and dust with. They attract all the dirtiness on the kitchen counters and the dust on the bookshelves. Throw em’ in the wash and their good as new.

I’m a little nutso when it comes to lining drawers and shelves. I won’t put anything in a drawer or on a shelf, let it be new or old unless it’s lined.  But it can get annoying dealing with the sticky contact paper and cutting it and getting it stuck on you, ugh I’m annoyed thinking about it. So another option is to use an old place mat or scrap fabric. A place mat will stay in place on it’s own fairly well but the fabric may shift a little so just place a push-pin in each corner or double-sided tape underneath it.

There you have it, some ideas to get you started on your marathon cleaning/organizing day for the New Year. I’ll continue to post more suggestions as they come up but please feel free to share any organization solutions that you use or have heard of. Happy cleaning and Happy 2010!