Spring is Almost Here - It's Time to Clean

Cleaning your home is not everyone’s idea of fun. But it is something that all of us have to do. In the spring we have a yearly ritual called “spring cleaning” that I am sure everyone is really looking forward to!  😉

We drive ourselves crazy and clean the entire house from top to bottom in one or two days. We clean things that we have ignored all year long.

It's a great idea to clean your house from top to bottom - but break it up over a few days so that you don't wear yourself out.  You can also break down each room into it's own project.

Here are some quick ideas on some of the things that you can do >>>>>

In the Kitchen:

Wash all of the appliances. Both outside and inside.

• Refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stove
• Wash the stove drip bowls in the dishwasher 
  

Refrigerator

• Take down all of the magnets – throw out old ones that you really don’t need
• Remove all of the shelves in refrigerator and wash them
• Remove all of the bins in the refrigerator and wash them
• Defrost the freezer
• Put fresh baking soda in the freezer
• Clean under the refrigerator(throw out expired food)
  

Oven

• Clean your oven (self cleaning or with oven cleaner)
• Rinse the oven thoroughly after it has been cleaned

Shelves / Counters

• Take everything off of your shelves and counters and wash them thoroughly

Backsplash

• Wipe down your backsplash all around the kitchen

Floor

• Wash your kitchen floor with a good de-greaser

Living Room

• Clean drapes and curtains
• Wash your blinds (this can be done in the bathtub)
• Shampoo your carpets
• Wash throw rugs or air them out …outside
• Vacuum the entire house….pull everything away from the wall….
• Vacuum your couches (pull out the cushions and clean underneath them)
• Use furniture polish for an extra shine on your furniture
• Dust ceiling fans, fixtures and lampshades
• Wax your floors

Dining Room

• Take all of your books & knick-knacks off of your hutch or bookshelf and dust each piece
• Dust the bookshelf / hutch
• Wash the chandelier (if the pieces come off they can be run through the dishwasher)

Bedroom

• Wash your mattress pad, blankets, quilts, pillows
• Turn over your mattress
• Dust ceiling fans & fixtures & lampshades
• Vacuum under the bed

Miscellaneous:

• Wash the windows throughout your entire house
• Clean attic & basement
• Scrub deck & patio
• Wash outdoor furniture
• Bring out your spring / summer clothes
• Clean out your car (move winter stuff to storage)
• Dryer – check lint filter…..so it doesn’t cause a fire - vacuum behind the dryer

  

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

 

Getting Organized in the New Year - Some Tips from a few Organizing Experts

 

Getting ORGANIZED in 2021 is more important than ever with so many people working from home. In order to be more productive you have to be more organized - with a space that is functional and clutter free.

This month I was featured in the REDFIN blog.

Read my contribution ---

Change your mindset

With the changes we’ve all gone through in the last year, getting and keeping your home organized and clutter-free in 2021 is more important than ever. Start by changing your mindset. Before you buy anything or bring anything into your home – ask yourself these questions: Do I really need it or do I just want it? Will I really use the item in the next few months? Do I actually have a specific place for the item? If you answered “no” to the above questions then don’t buy it and keep the clutter out of your home. – Organizational Consulting Services

 

Some other words of advice -

Organizing is not a "one and done" process. Even a Professional Organizer has to work at keeping her home organized. One of the things that is really helpful is to keep a "donation box"  handy. As you find things that you no longer wear, use or want - place it in the donation box. When the donation box is full - take it to a donation center. Your home will be less cluttered and you will get the satisfaction of knowing that your items will be used by someone that appreciates them.

Make a habit of going through your closets at least once a season. By purging out things that you don't use anymore you are eliminating the clutter and your closets will look better.

 

To read all of the contributions in the REDFIN blog- visit:

  12 Habits That will Help You Get Organized 

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Hoarding - Help for Families and a Workgroup for the Person with Hoarding Issues

Hoarding is complex. Most people don't understand what's really beneath it - including the person that has issues with hoarding and their family.

There are two virtual seminars that are starting soon that will help explain things to the family and help the person with hoarding issues start on their way to creating a better, less cluttered life.

Understanding Your Family Member or Friend that Hoards

Understanding Hoarding Behavior and How Not to Deal with It 

Thursday, January 14th, 2021  -  from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm  -  Mountain Time 

This seminar offers a judgment-free environment for people that have family or friends with hoarding issues. 

In this seminar you will:

·         Learn what hoarding is – and is not

·         Explore the complex issues surrounding hoarding

·         Learn how to understand and support your family member/friend

·         Learn ways to enable your family member/friend to start on the way to making changes

·         Learn how to help your family member/friend “let go” and start to declutter

·         Have the opportunity to ask questions

Registration required.   Call or email for more information. Seminar Fee is $ 40. 

Registration link:  Family-and-Friends-Seminar 

                    ******************************************************

Hoarding - Help is Available - if You are Ready to Make a Change

A  VIRTUAL Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

              "Buried in Treasures" - a 16-week work group

Starting:  Wednesday, February 17^th, 2021  -  from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm  Mountain Time 

or  9:00 am - 11:00 pm Mountain Time

  This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Early Registration and Acceptance is required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

 

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

January is GO Month! "Get Organized" in 2021

 Organizing and Productivity Professionals Celebrate January’s “GO Month” with Advice for 2021, Reveal their Most Unusual 2020 Client Requests

During 2020, our home and work lives saw a major shift as we turned our living space into workspace - and classrooms, and workout areas, and even quarantine zones – resulting in a call for help to organize, downsize and streamline to professional organizers and productivity experts.

“As we head into the new year, I have seen more people looking for organizing help to make the best of the difficulties around the pandemic,” says Karin E. Fried of Organizational Consulting Services and a member of the National Organization of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO).

“January is GO Month – get organized and be productive – with clients seeking a new or increased focus on being organized and starting fresh.”

NAPO conducted a national survey that found 64 percent saw an increased focus on organizational and productivity needs due to a new COVID-driven norm. The survey reveals that NAPO members, who routinely handle a wide range of client requests, were asked to take on some very unusual tasks in 2020. The most surprising tasks reported include:

•     Organizing one client’s 387 pairs of shoes
•     Overseeing the sale of a large collection of mounted animal heads and  stuffed animal bodies
•     Arranging the sale of 400 Steiff teddy bears
•     Staging a treehouse for a client putting their home on the market
•     Packing up a client’s husband’s ashes to dispose of 
  
•   Organizing a closet packed with hundreds of paper and plastic bags

Looking ahead to 2021 that is already showing promise to be as busy as 2020, NAPO professionals predict that the most requested services will be: decluttering and downsizing (35%); productivity coaching for an in-home work environment (17%); packing/unpacking for a move (16%); and creating a new space for work, home or hobby (13%).

“While we are all optimistic that the pandemic will come to an end this coming year, we are all still adapting to the lifestyle changes and new work-from-home norms,” said Karin E. Fried. “Hiring a NAPO professional to help with changes you want to make in life is the same as hiring a personal training or financial advisor. We abide by a strict code of ethics and discretion. We don’t judge – we help. Who wouldn’t want judgment-free support during this challenging time?”

A Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant can do more than just organizer your closet (though we love closets!). As a Professional Organizer we can help our clients with not only organizing their space – but also organizing their business, their time, their estate and their lives! And so much more!

Reach out to a Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant this month and start 2021 Organized and Clutter Free!

 

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Year End Clear Out - Donate & Write-Offs

 

As we get closer to Christmas and Year End - you should start to think about "clearing your clutter" and "donating" your "stuff"!

We all know that there will probably be presents underneath your tree - but most people don't think about where they will put all of their new "stuff". 

If you have kids - start clearing out their old toys (that they have outgrown). But - let them make the choices. Get the kids involved when they are young. Explain to them that they have outgrown some of their toys and how great it would be if other children could get the same joy out of playing with them. It gives them a sense of purpose. Letting them be in control will make them feel more grown up and you will have accomplished your goal of making room for other things.

Now - do the same thing with your stuff! Go throw your closets and be honest with yourself. If you haven't used something in the last year, if you don't like it anymore, if you have lost interest in some of your crafts, if your clothes don't fit or your are tired of them - let it make someone else happy! Let it go to a good home!

And don't forget to get your donation receipt for your taxes!

By starting early - you can go through one room a day or one closet a day. Don't try to do it all at once and stress yourself out. It's still the holiday season and you should also take time for self-care.

You want to start the new year with an uncluttered home - where your new items have a place to belong.

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....