Here is a list of tools you may want to gather when you are Spring Cleaning your Entryway:

Message Center, Key Rack & Mail Sorter, Magazine/Catalog Rack, Entryway Furnishings, Umbrella Stand, Coat Rack, Shoe Rack, Doormat, All Purpose Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Cleaning Cloth, Floor Mop, Broom

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to get started.  Here’s how:

Start with a clean up. Put away shoes that just sit there in the way, recycle old catalogs & junk mail, and store winter coats that you won’t need until next season. With a cloth and all purpose cleaner, wipe down the front door (knobs especially!), tabletops, and walls in the entryway.

Next, spray windows, mirrors, and glass tabletops with glass cleaner.  Then vacuum, sweep, and/or mop the floors.  Don’t forget to shake out indoor and outdoor rugs… or better yet, replace them with new ones for spring!

Now that everything is all spick and span, it’s your job to keep it that way! Find solutions that keep mail and keys in their place and off the tables, like a mail sorter and key rack. Magazine racks are handy places to store catalogs. Spring showers are a given, so be prepared with an umbrella stand and coat rack. If you store shoes in the entryway, kick them off into a stylish shoe rack. With these simple solutions, you’ll have a place for everything and your entryway will be organized.

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Here is a list of tools you may want to gather when you are Spring Cleaning your Garage:

Heavy Duty Storage Bins, Lawn and Garden Storage, Sports & Bicycle Storage, Overhead & Attic Storage, Wall Storage Systems

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to get started.  Here’s how:

Once you’ve gone through all the cabinets, boxes, old holiday decorations, etc. and decided what you want to keep, it’s time to organize everything; and we mean everything! Buy matching bins for all storage items, you’ll be amazed how clean your garage feels with coordinating storage containers. Store items you need access to frequently on lower shelves, and seasonal or keepsake items up high.

Next organize the wandering sports equipment and bikes. Using a large bin, rack, or multi-compartment sorter, your sports equipment will remain in one place and easy to find. Utilize wall and ceiling space with mountable bike racks.

Now we can get down to the important things…tools! Tools are only useful if they are accessible.  A tool board organizer is a great solution for organizing tools to have handy as fast as you can say Tim the Tool Man Taylor! The Schulte Grid System is convenient for storing larger, lawn and garden type tools.

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Here is a list of tools you may want to gather when you are Spring Cleaning your Junk Drawer:

Toy Bins, Boxes & Cubbies, Toy Hammock, Stacking Storage Boxes, Book Case

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to get started.  Here’s how:

This might be the only time you tell your child, “dump all the toys on the floor!” This is a great way to see what you’re dealing with and can easily sort what your child wants to keep or decide what they have grown out of. Make a pile to donate or sell at your next garage sale.

Next, step into your child’s shoes and help him or her organize from the bottom of the room to the top. Most used toys should live on lower shelves, and higher cabinets or shelves should store the less frequently used toys and keepsakes. Sort the remaining toys by category: Books, blocks, trucks & cars, dolls & accessories, kitchen toys, happy meal giveaways etc. Use items like the Snap N’ Stack Container or Lego® 4-piece Square Stacking Basket to store smaller items. Large Bins are perfect for dolls & accessories, trucks & blocks, movies, games, etc.

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Here is a list of tools you may want to gather when you are Spring Cleaning your Junk Drawer:

Garbage Bag, Cleaning Cloth, All Purpose Cleaner, Measuring Tape, Utility Drawer Organizer

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to get started.  Here’s how:

Dive right in! By emptying the drawer completely so it’s easy to start fresh. Toss out trash, old pens, unknown keys, expired batteries, etc. Remove any items that don’t belong in this drawer. While the drawer is empty, wipe down completely with some all purpose cleaner and a cleaning cloth. You’ll be surprised what has built up through the years!

Measure the height, width and depth of the drawer and find a drawer organizer that fits your drawer; or one that is customizable to fit most size drawers. Sort the remaining contents and group like items together, pens, keys, rubber bands, sticky notes, etc. Put back all the contents, organizing them into compartments with your new drawer organizer!

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Here is a list of tools you may want to gather when you are preparing your Winter Storage:

Garment Racks, Garment Bags, Storage & Space Bags, Under Bed Storage, Hangers, Lidded Storage Bins, Canvas Sweater Chests with Cedar Inserts, Labels

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to get started.  Here’s how:

As you go through your winter gear, sort through what to keep or donate, while throwing away any damaged or broken items. It’s always a good idea to launder or clean all items thoroughly before packing them so they don’t sit dirty for 4-6 months.

With the remaining items you want to store, sort them into categories so you can easily label and find items for later use; for example: coats/jackets, sweaters, snow gear, boots, scarves, etc. Now start packing!

If you have little storage space: Storage Bags are a great way to protect and store your winter clothing while taking up little space. Under bed storage items are also a good solution for homes with limited space. Protect coats and wools by storing them in Canvas Sweater Chests with Cedar Inserts (Tip: be careful with mothballs, they are deadly to children and that’s why cedar is preferred to protect your clothing from insects).

If you have lots of storage space: Garment Racks are great for winter storage because they provide easy access to coats when needed. Be careful not to hang sweaters or knit items because over time this can cause the items to lose form. Plastic Storage bins are another favorable option, the clear containers allow you to see the contents and they come in all sizes to fit your needs. Once you have decided on storage containers, fill them with your hanging or folded items. Tip: Don’t over pack your containers! You want to ensure that air can still circulate.

Next, Labels! Labeling boxes, or if you have multiple garment racks or bags, is the easiest way to keep your clothes organized so you can find what you’re looking for without having to open it all up.

Last but not least, don’t forget the four storage necessities!
Clean: Wash the area thoroughly before storing
Cool: Choose a place that is not likely to be exposed to heat
Dark: A dark place will prevent fading and keep the area and clothing cool
Dry: Make sure the storage area is dry because moisture will attract mildew and insects

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs O

Here is a list of tools you may want to gather when you are preparing for Spring Cleaning:

Utility Caddy, Step Stool/Ladder, Mop, Duster, Broom, Cleaning Cloths, Gloves, Brush/Scrubber, Squeegee, Bucket with Handle, Clothes Dryer Hose Brush, All Purpose Cleaner, Carpet Cleaner, Room Freshener, Cleaning Tool Organizer, Professional Floor & Carpet Cleaner

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to get started.  Here’s how:

Getting all your supplies together before you begin your cleaning tasks will save you lots of time and energy.  A handled utility caddy is a great way to transport your supplies around the house. These are the basic areas to remember for a Spring Cleaning home makeover!

1. Wipe down the wall and ceilings. Use a dust mop (with an attachment for those hard to reach spaces). A household step-ladder is a must for getting the tops of bookshelves, cabinets and ceiling fans. Tip: Vacuums work well to remove dust from the walls and ceilings.

2. Vacuum the carpets and shampoo the rugs. Rotary Shampoo Machines work wonders! Area rugs, including Orientals should be taken to be cleaned professionally.

3. Clean upholstery. Take couch cushions and throw pillows outside and gently beat them by hand to remove dust. To further wash upholstery covers, check the care label for proper methods.

4. Dust and wipe down shelves, book cases, tables and entertainment units. Clear out the contents and sort through what to keep, toss, or donate. Use all purpose cleaner and a cleaning cloth for easy dust pickup. Re-organize in the process of putting everything back; alphabetically, by genre, etc… your pick!

5. Clean the windows, wipe down the blinds, and launder machine washable window treatments. To clean screens, remove and scrub using a brush, warm water and a mild dish soap, don’t forget to rinse!

6. Thoroughly dust the house. Work from the top to the bottom of the room, mopping or vacuuming the dust that settles on the floor. Dust hard to reach places, including ceiling fans.

7. Safety First! Check the expiration date of your fire extinguisher and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use one. Change the batteries in the smoke detectors.

With these tasks complete, you’re off to a good start.  Stay tuned for more Spring Cleaning ideas…

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Hop to it; Easter is April 4th!

I know, spring hasn’t quite hit the air yet, but it’s not too early to start making Easter plans.  We have just about everything you need to get organized and prepared for the arrival of Peter Rabbit and all his friends.

Our goal this season is to offer up ideas and solutions for all your Easter needs.  Included in our Easter Section this year you will find Easter Baskets & Ideas, Easter decorations, and Easter Storage options.  You will also find products that will make your Easter dining festive with our Easter baking, brunch & dinner, and everyone’s favorite, dessert.

But wait, Easter isn’t just about products and decorations!  This year we’ve added a collection of our Favorite Easter Recipes, that you have just got to try, and while your indulging in some of our yummy treats, catch up on your Easter Fun Facts.  

As much fun as we had putting all those sections together, let’s be honest, Easter is “all about the eggs.”  We pulled together some great ideas to plan and execute the Best Easter Egg Hunt Ever and compiled a list of some great Easter Egg Decorating Tips.

Before you go; don’t forget to register to win a copy of Pat the Bunny, a classic “tail” that kids of all ages have enjoyed for more than 60 years.

Happy Easter Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Organizing your child’s space doesn’t have to be a chore! Make it FUN and get your kids involved with the process! Involving your kids in the organizational duties will not only get the work done faster, but it will also guarantee that your child knows where all of their stuff belongs.

Here’s some essentials you will need to make organizing your child’s room a snap:

• A Toy Box and/or Toy Hammock
• Pegs & Hooks
• Laundry Hamper
• Trash Can
• Closet Organizer
• Toy Boxes & Bins

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Last year this unique event drew over 200 attendees and helped raise more than $56,000 to support the The Pink Ribbon Place’s breast health programs; providing free cancer screening to uninsured and under-insured women of all ages. This year the goal is to raise $60,000 to continue these programs.

Don’t forget to check out our the our “Go Pink” section at Organize.com as well. A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of all items listed in this section will be donated to Breast Cancer research all year round.

Happy Shopping for a Cause!

-Mrs. O

Good luck with your new adventure Kevin! You will be missed....

-Mrs. O