Spring Cleaning Tips

It’s springtime, or is it? With the temperatures fluctuating day to day, it’s hard to believe it is actually Spring. This is the time of year to roll up your sleeves and “Spring Clean”, or as I prefer to say “Spring Clear”. Everyone could use a few time saving tips to speed up the process, preferring to “get er done” during the rainy season to be able to enjoy the sunny weather.

Create your own to-do list with the following tips. If you choose to hire someone, be prepared with the list of things to do.

Main Closet

 Be prepared with bins to separate recycling, re purpose and donated items
 Move winter outerwear to an alternate closet, if available. If not, move winter items to the back.
 Donate items that are too small
 Do not keep damaged or mismatched items
 If necessary, install a shoe shelf. You will more than double the space for shoes

2. Refrigerator

 Wipe down shelves and walls with a solution of water & vinegar. For stains, try water & baking soda. Be sure to clean between the door
 Check expiry dates on all containers. Remove all expired and old food

3. Flooring

 Steam clean the carpets
 Clean baseboards

Walls

 Wipe down walls, start with a sponge and rinse with a cloth

Windows

 Clean the inside (Hey, it’s rainy season...) with water, vinegar, and squeegee. Dry with a cloth
 Wash curtains or clean blinds

When you’re done, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Speaker, Writer

http://www.organizeyourworld.ca/
http://www.lurleneanderson.com/

Organize Your Home

Are you afraid to invite anyone over due to clutter? Or apologize to unexpected guests for the mess?
It is very easy to become overwhelmed when clutter takes over. There is also a cure. You can achieve peace and harmony in your home if you make a commitment. It takes practice and if you are ready here’s a few tips:

1. Start small start in a small room or try in stages. Take it slow so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. You will begin to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” as you chip away bit by bit.

2. Create a habit to keep each room clear of items that do not belong in the room. Things that do not belong in the room should have a “home” in the appropriate room.

3. Put things away as soon as you return home. This will help keep your entrance clear and free of clutter.

For more ideas and solutions, visit www.LurleneAnderson.com

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker
www.organizeyourworld.ca

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Is today the day that you are making a list of your resolutions for the New Year?

Are you thinking about a change? Has anyone asked you about your resolution today?

Every year, getting organized or spending more time with family and loved ones are one of the top ten.

Getting organized is actually a “habit” that you can develop with conscious effort and commitment. It takes 28 days to develop a habit, so why not commit to one change in your daily routine to create a new you for the month of January!

Start slow, here’s a list of small, baby steps to get you started:

• Make your bed each morning. (Even if you pull up the covers to your pillow, your bed will look better than an unmade bed)

• Put your keys in one location every time you walk in your door

• Clear your kitchen table each night

• Put your dishes directly in the dishwasher instead of the sink or wash your dishes right after dinner

• Designate one location for all your mail and put it in the same spot each day

• Recycle junk mail as soon as you receive it-put it in the recycling bin right away

• As you become more organized in your daily routine, you will find you have created more time to spend with family and loved ones. “Being organized can save you time”, according to the Fast Company magazine, Executives waste 6 weeks per year searching for misplaced documents!

This is my New Year’s gift to everyone-work on one resolution and you actually succeed in making two of your resolution wishes come true!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

Last Minute Christmas Tips

Do you feel time is running out? Don’t stress... Don’t panic...use these tips to help you enjoy the holidays!

Gifts

• Gift certificates are safe purchases but could appear “last minute” and not creative. To spice up the certificate, tape the certificate to a box of chocolates, or a practical item such as a candle, favourite bottle of shampoo or hand cream. Another option is to tape a gas certificate to a bottle of engine oil or windshield washer fluid
• Purchase a Christmas themed platter and Christmas cookies or dessert. Put the items on the tray and wrap in clear plastic wrap with ribbon.
• If you are giving a bottle of wine and do not have a wine bag, decorate the bottle with a ribbon or bow.

Wrapping

• Gift bags are always quick, easy & simple solution to wrapping gifts. They are great for re-use and the tissue paper can always be re-used as wrap for storing delicate Christmas ornaments.
• Clear plastic wrap is also great for last minute items. The wrap is usually sold in a three pack with a decorative tie-or you could use your own ribbon if you have some handy at home.
• As an alternative to ribbons, decorate gifts with candy canes, peppermints or small boxes of chocolates or cookies
• If you run out of Christmas paper, make your own with printer paper. Print a design or paint, draw or crayon your own design on the paper-personalize it!

Don’t forget to enjoy the holiday. This is a time to socialize and share the love with those near and dear to your heart-family, friends or both!

Entertaing Overnight Guests

Tis the season to be jolly! If you are hosting a Christmas celebration at your home, it is a good idea to be prepared for overnight guests. Sometimes you plan to have guests, other times it may be last minute due to weather conditions or excessive drinking. Whatever the reason-be prepared!

If you have a guest room, you are one step ahead of the game. If you don’t have a guest room, any spare couch will do. Inflatable mattresses are an easy economical choice for a quick spare bed.

The following items will help you be better prepared and create a comfortable environment for your guests:

• Books or magazines
• Bathroom amenities
• Spare towels
• Over the door hook for wet towels or clothing
• Extra pill or blanket
• Alarm clock
• Night light (very important for guests who may have to find the bathroom in the middle of the night)
• Water or other refreshments in room or on kitchen counter for easy access

It is also a good idea to be clear about boundaries and personal preferences. Not everyone wakes up at the same time-ensure breakfast or snack items are easy to find in the kitchen.

Enjoy your party!

Yesterday I cleaned my windows. I guess you could say I “cleared” my windows...

It always feels great after you clean your windows, the sun shines through a lot brighter and the air always smells and feels cleaner as the breeze blows through the windows. I had to remind myself of the benefits before I tackled clearing my windows yesterday.
Before I started, I assembled all my old towels and cleaning rags (damaged clothes that I cut into rags) and mismatched socks. I put old towels on the floor and placed the windows on them as I took the panes out of the windows. I always use many cleaning rags for cleaning the window because I like to clean the windows twice, once to remove the dirt and a second cleaning for the shine. Single socks are great for cleaning the hard to reach tracks of the window. Any difficult corners are cleaned with cotton swabs. I had my tunes on loud enough to hear as I moved from room to room. Some people sing in the shower, I sing when I work!
When I finished, I needed a hot bath, more good tunes but the choice this time is ballads, and the singing continues.
Today, the sun is not shining as brightly outside, but I am still enjoying the view and the air is perfect-almost as fresh as sitting outside. I am happy I motivated myself and enjoying my day off.
Next week I will get motivated for the next step in spring clearing. I know the benefits will be worth it!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

A Walk That Motivates!

One of my favourite times to walk is during the spring, especially on a sunny day with a cool, light breeze. Today was just one of those days. Everyone always appears to be in a good mood and will nod their head or give a quick smile and hello as they pass you by.
I just love to hear the different songs of birds in the trees and see plants in bloom. It is a wonderful season to witness new life and rejuvenation.
Today, I discovered I was smiling more than usual and really taking in the beauty of spring. It made me think of how I feel after I clear clutter. You know, those times when you clear space and you put everything in order. It always feels good to look at the renewed space and you keep sneaking a peak to enjoy it again and again.
The walk inspired me to tackle the pile of papers I need to shred and put in the recycling bin. I know when I finish I will have immense joy looking at the newly cleared space...

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca