Organizational Tips and Tricks

Tip #56

Every mother, but me, probably knows this trick. There aren't many stuffed animals that my little man likes, but he loves this crocheted bear that my husband gave him for Christmas. It was stinky and needed to be refreshed. It was also delicate. My sweet friend, April, suggested that I put it in a pillow case and throw it in with his regular laundry. What do you know? It smells better, and it stayed in tact! Try it with your fuzzy friends :-)

Tip #55

This is a goodie! A fantastic woman from my church, Rebecca, shared this tip with a small group of ladies that I met with last semester. Rebecca is married and has four children, and she grew tired of hearing arguing over who gets to help with dinner, who gets the front seat, who gets to choose a TV show, etc. So...she instituted "Special Days." Get this...each family member, including Rebecca and her husband, get a special day of the week (Mom on Monday, Dad on Tuesday, child #1 on Wednesday, etc., and it stays the same from week to week!). On that day, that person gets to choose what's for dinner, they get to ride in the front seat, their room is straightened by their siblings, their dishes are cleared by other family members, and they get to choose a game or an activity to do. This takes care of fighting issues since each person knows their day is coming soon! It also teachers children to serve one another in love, and how to humbly accept gifts and acts of service from others. Our little man is a bit too young to implement this, but I plan to do it in the future. I just love it! Hope you can try it at your house!

Tip #54

This is a just a cleaning tip, but it's a good one! A mixture of baking soda and vinegar will unclog just about any drain! My bathroom sink was terrible after two years of doing my make up and brushing my hair above it. I tried Drain-O and a salt and baking soda solution...both were a mess and didn't work. Pour (or shove it in, if it's really clogged!) 1/2 cup of baking soda with a cup of vinegar down the drain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse down with boiling water. You may have to do it a couple of times, but it will be worth it!

Tip #53

When you bless someone with a meal, keep it easy on yourself and your friend by packing everything in disposable containers. Next time you're at the Dollar Store, stock up on foil pans and gallon-sized Ziplocs. Put casseroles, main dishes, even soups in the foil dish and seal completely with plastic wrap and foil. The Ziplocs can hold fruit salad, mixed salad, side dishes, etc. Bake some cookies and pack those away in a quart-size plastic baggie. No, they aren't your cute serving dishes but trust me, the host will appreciate not having to return a dish, and you won't be missing all of your casserole pieces come Thanksgiving Day!

Tip #52

Who wants to take this challenge with me?!? I found a neat post at 21 Day Organization Challenge that will attempt to make me feel really on top of things by the end of March! I'm giving myself some grace and hoping to achieve this list in the next 31 days. Check out this list of twenty-one areas to organize in your home, one day at a time:
 
Tip #51

Oh, sweet Dollar Store. You make my heart sing! I ventured to the Dollar Tree to find some inexpensive Valentine's decorations, and I stumbled upon a myriad of organizational options...ALL for a dollar. The next time you have a few minutes, make a list of items that could be stored away in bins, baskets, and buckets. Head to the $ store and shop 'til you drop. This week, with one trip, I organized our bath toys, his toys in our master bedroom, started a dirty clothes basket for the downstairs, and he has a larger toy basket for his bedroom. Want more Dollar store organizational ideas? Visit House Organization.
  

Tip #50

A great way that I've found to organize purses is to hang each one around the top of a hanger in your closet. Line them up together, and they will stay clean, straight, and easily accessible!

Tip #49

Tooth-brushing is one of those necessary, yet difficult, tasks to complete with toddlers! Right before bedtime wasn't working for us, as Caleb was tired, winding down, and just wanting to sleep. Shoving a toothbrush in his mouth didn't really jive with our calm atmosphere. So, I switched it up. I now keep his toothbrush and paste in the kitchen, and he brushes after breakfast and dinner. He gets to do it while I clean up his tray, then I finish for him. It's become part of our routine, and he isn't fighting me as much lately! If he does have a snack or milk before bedtime (rarely), I figure that his teeth probably won't fall out of his head...well actually, those baby teeth will eventually fall out of his head :-)

Tip #48

Ever hear an idea that makes your mommy heart leap for delight, only because it will make your life that much easier?! Or, you pull your hair out because that super amazing idea is ridiculously simple, and you should have thought of it earlier in mommyhood?! Well, check this out...all you fellow mommies tending to children with double ear infections :-( Hope this helps!

 Tip #47

A friend of mind just did this as a cute method to deliver Christmas cookies. Keep those used Pringles cans (that you bought with a coupon, of course!), tape scrapbook paper around the base, add a ribbon, and you have a super cute way to deliver those delicious treats in an organized way!
  

Tip #46

Is it your job to organize meals for new mommies, friends recovering from surgeries, or simply to be nice to a friend going through a hard time? Well, put away the phone trees and sticky notes, and check out Food Tidings for all of your meal-organizing needs! Share the link with interested women, and each person signs up for a day, the meal they are cooking, and they can view all of the important information for the recipients. It's a great site that has blessed many a new mommy in my small group!

Tip #45

How cute are these organizational ideas! In the past, we've always taped Christmas cards to our kitchen windows, but I like the ribbon idea much better! And, instead of hanging on to all of the cards because you don't want to lose the pictures, I love the idea of taking a picture with your phone camera and using it as the contact picture for the year. Great ideas!
http://melissadark.blogspot.com
http://blog.tinyprints.com/holiday/what-to-do-with-all-those-holiday-cards-you-tell-us/
Tip #44 

Such an awesome idea! As we move into gift-buying/giving season, it can be difficult to remain organized. Check out what I found on Pinterest!
This will help with organization, AND your budget. I also have a certain spot in our home (the guest bedroom closet) where I keep all gifts that I purchase, until it's time to wrap. When you have them spread throughout the house, it can get cluttered very quickly, and little eyes might sneak a peek! 'Tis the season!

Tip #43

This is both an organizational tip and a MMSM. You know how they give your kiddos crayons when you go to restaurants? I figure the price of those crayons is included in the horrendously priced dinners, so they are free for the taking! I have also found that each new box of wipes that I purchase from Costco has an extra wipe box in it that I do not need. I have now turned those wipe boxes into craft supply containers, one of which is a crayon box for art projects! Nothing like a container full of free crayons to pass the time with your little one!
 

Tip #42

My son just got excited about drawing/coloring. Something that I tried is a dry-erase marker on an empty picture frame to use for practice. Put the kiddo at a glass table, and the clean-up simply involves a good wipe down with a dry cloth! Yes, he tried to eat the marker...but that's just another day in the life of toddlerhood :-)

Tip #41

After working with this for a couple of months, here is a revised cleaning schedule. It's really working well for me, and I rarely feel overwhelmed or embarrassed by the house! Tweak it to fit your situation, and see if it can bring some organizational blessing to your home!


MONDAY:
  • Make Bed 
  • Bathrooms
  • Clutter
  • Trash
  • One Load of Laundry
  • Kitchen

TUESDAY:
  • Make Bed
  • Clutter
  • Dust (weeks 1 and 2)
  • Catch-Up (week 3)
  • One Load of Laundry
  • Kitchen

WEDNESDAY:
  • Make Bed
  • Clutter
  • Windows or Floors
  • One Load of Laundry
  • Kitchen

THURSDAY:
  • Make Bed
  • Clutter
  • Mail
  • One Deep Clean Project
  • One Load of Laundry
  • Kitchen

FRIDAY:
  • Make Bed
  • Clutter
  • Vacuum
  • Bills and Budget
  • One Load of Laundry
  • Kitchen

SATURDAY:
  • Make Bed
  • Clutter
  • Yard/Inside Project or...
  • Coupons
  • Water Plants
  • One Load of Laundry
  • Kitchen

SUNDAY:
  • Make Bed
  • Clutter
  • Kitchen


Tip #40

Who knew?! Recently, I spilled red wine on the carpet :-( I've never been very skilled at removing stains, and my son was screaming upstairs. So, I grabbed this product that we use when the doggies leave a mess and soaked the area while I attended to Caleb. I came back down about 15 minutes later, and ladies, I couldn't even find the puddle. It was totally gone! No blotting, scrubbing, or rubbing. The solution lifted the stain and there is nothing remaining. Try it then next time you knock over a glass of grown-up juice! 


Tip #39


It's time to tackle the closet, ladies! In response to the great G3 class that I am attending at church, we were inspired to take inventory of our closets. Closet organization is a fantastic method to knowing what you have and wearing what you love. Take an hour while the kids are napping and do the following...remove everything you don't love and take it to the Goodwill, organize your clothing into groups (see below), then organize-by-color each group. My groups are:

  • T-shirts
  • Sweaters
  • Outerwear (cardigans and the like)
  • Tank tops
  • Long-sleeved
  • Short-sleeved
  • Dresses and Scarves
  • Bottoms that fit
  • Bottoms that will eventually fit :-)
Get crazy like me by organizing-by-color, and you can enjoy knowing what you have, knowing where it is, and watching fantastic outfits simply create themselves! 

Tip #38

I always keep plastic grocery bags in the car for stinky diapers, clothes, etc. Until recently, they would float around the trunk and fall out when I open the hatchback. Then, I had an idea from my own brain :-) We buy our wipes at Costco and each new box comes with new wipes holders. I've been trying to think of a creative way to use them (they will eventually be art supply holders), but for now, they will be bag holders! Pull the bags out just like wipes, and they will stay tidy and organized in their little compartment! 



Tip #37


You know those things that have to sit out, but they are just really ugly? I'm thinking of tampons, dryer sheets, keys, K-cups, etc. I've found a new way to make me smile! Get cute wicker baskets at thrift stores or garage sales and use the baskets to store those less than lovely items. My laundry room looks cute, the bathroom looks better, and our kitchen counter is more organized. It's the little things that perk up any house!


Tip #36


Because I LOVE consignment sales, I like to shop ahead. I keep a running supply of clothes my son will eventually need. I organize them into sizes in a closet in our guest room. When your little one's pants start getting a bit too spandexy or start to look like capri pants, you can go visit your closet for great deals you already found, instead of frantically buying too expensive outfits at the store!


Tip #35


Because checks are used so infrequently these days, I tried a method at minimizing "stuff" in my wallet. Try this! Instead of hauling around your checkbook register with you, simply keep track of the check number, the reason, and the amount on the back of your check pad. Write small so that you have room for twenty-five entries (amount in a typical check pad), and then you have one little thing to worry about!


Tip #34


Until recently, our pantry has been a disorganized, crumby abyss. Not so, anymore! I have implemented the rule of "everything has a place, and everything in its place" when it comes to the kitchen. For anyone who may use the pantry on a regular basis (ahem...my sweet husband), there is now no excuse for remnants being shoved to the back, never to be seen again. Get some folder labels, organize the shelves/drawers in a way that works for you, and ask that your family members comply with the system. My sections are as follows:

  • Health Mixes
  • Breakfast
  • Pasta and Side Dishes
  • Snacks
  • Kid Snacks
  • Appliances and Lunch Boxes
  • Cooking Liquids and Condiments
  • Soup and Cans
  • Baking
  • Kid Items
  • Warm Drinks
  • Dogs
  • Paper Products 
A bit of an odd list, but it works for us! Happy pantry organizing!

Tip #33


Our son goes through a lot of sippy cups. I became annoyed when I was constantly going back and forth to cabinets trying to pull all of the little pieces together for one stinkin' cup. So now, they just stay on our counter! He has a basket with his cups and bottles (yes...he still has a bottle at night!), wash cloths for wiping his face after a meal, and Tylenol or Advil if we are using them. Cups and bottles go right from the dishwasher to the basket, so we always know where they are.


Tip #32


I've now decided to sort through mail once a week, instead of attempting to keep up with it daily. Until sorting day arrives, our mail gets to sit in a cute little holder. I found this at a thrift store for $2. It sure beats looking at a cluttered pile of paper on the counter!


Tip #31


I found this great blog with a super cute idea for playroom/craftroom organization. Don't throw away cans after you use them in the kitchen! Remove the label, run them through the dishwasher, and put a cute label on after you nail them to the wall. I use them for Sharpies, pens/pencils, scissors, and dry-erase markers in my craft room. It looks pretty cute! Check out her site for this and many other ideas at http://laissezfairedesign.blogspot.com/2008/02/clever-ideas-to-declutter.html.


Tip #30


Need some help on garage organization? I've found that there is no reason to re-invent the wheel. If you do a quick Google search on whatever organization topic you may be looking for, you're bound to come up with a myriad of helpful sites. I love this one for the honey-do list. Since much of our honey-do list gets done by me (due to my husband's traveling), this will make a great winter project. Happy organizing...of the garage...Organizing your Garage.


Tip #29


This tip is being implemented today in the McNamee house. Trying to clean the whole house in one day is way too time-consuming, and it rarely gets done. Use this link that I found to help get you started on your cleaning schedule, or design one that works just for your house...Cleaning Schedule. Here's to a happy and sparkling home!


Tip #28


Love this idea! Want to know how to keep all of those cleaning products away from your little ones? Try an over-the-door shoe pocket holder! Hang it on the garage door for easy access to supplies, but always out of reach for the tiny tots. I can't claim this idea (Pinterest!), but I do love it. Check it out:


Tip #27


When staying in a hotel room, things can get messy and cluttered very quickly! I've implemented some rules when we travel together as a family. Each of us has a "spot" for our suitcases. Each of us has a "spot" for toiletries. We live out of our bags, since I think it takes too long to unpack and re-pack. We have a communal pile for dirty laundry, and the desk holds our electronics and chargers. Food stuff goes by the fridge, and all of Caleb's things are stored in his pack 'n' play when he isn't sleeping in it. I straighten up and return things to our respective piles before housekeeping comes each day, and then we call come back to a clean and put-together room at the end of the day. Give it a try! It's working for us!


Tip #26


Today's tip? If you have to stay in a hotel or with relatives on the way to your final destination, simply pack an overnight bag. That way, you don't have to drag everyone's suitcase in with you. Place it closest to the back door of the car, and it's ready to grab when you arrive at 3am! I used one bag for the three of us with jammies, next day clothes, and bathroom necessities. I also brought in the diaper bag and pack 'n' play. Loading back up was
much easier, and we were well on our way to the next destination!


Tip #25


I admit it. I'm a bag-hoarder. No, not the fancy purses that I use to strut around with before kids and a strict budget, but gift bags! Those things are not cheap! I am now a proud gift bag re-user. Don't worry, I make sure they are free of tears and wrinkles, but if you receive a present from me, the wrapping is usually recycled! I will be the first one to volunteer for clean-up after Christmas morning, birthdays, and any other gift-giving holiday! I use a large Rubbermaid container to sort my bags into three categories...birthday, Christmas, and plain/other. I have one basket for cloth ribbon (LOVE to use this, and you can get great deals on this post-holidays at Hobby Lobby), one basket for curling ribbon, and one box to the side of tissue paper. I refer to it as my wrapping station in the basement. No need to spend $5 on your kid's friend's birthday bag...just visit your own store!


Tip #24


Keeping a calendar is a favorite past-time of mine. Feel free to laugh now :-) I've tried many different methods...on the fridge, carrying a day planner with me, and using my phone. I am now a huge fan of the Google Gmail calendar. It links to your Gmail email account, so it's always accessible wherever you can get email. Plus, my husband can access it as well, and it will send us both text message updates about upcoming events. It also syncs with any iPhone or Droid. Just sign up for Gmail email, and click on the "Calendar" link at the top to get started. 


Tip #23


Before my son, I was one of those women who would ride in a mom friend's car and think, wow...my car will never look like this. Guess what?! My car sorta looks like that :-( Perhaps I shouldn't let my son snack on animal crackers and cereal in the car, but then I wouldn't have anything to pick out of the crevices later! I have implemented a trash bag/can where all trash must be thrown and a toy box/bag that sits right next to his car seat. When we get home from wherever we've been, I try and take time to put his toys away and check for trash. No, my car will probably never look like it did pre-kids, but at least I feel slightly more in control with this method!


Tip #22


Check out this fantastic organization website...
http://getneater.blogspot.com. I love her idea on this page about "Crap Baskets." You can call them whatever you'd like, but it's a great method to combat clutter on the main level of a home. Enjoy checking out this and many other great ideas for home organization.


Tip #21


Most of us will have guests stay at our home from time to time. Because things are usually crazy as you are preparing for the next round of guests to arrive, don't add to your to-do list by washing sheets and remaking the bed. Instead, do it the day guests leave, or the day after. Put the pretty pillows on the bed, wipe down the room, vacuum, and it's ready to go for whenever the next guest pops in!


Tip #20


I thoroughly enjoy doing various projects with scrapbook paper. No, I don't have tons of amazing scrapbooks, but I do other various projects using my imagination. I use to have the paper "neatly" stacked on some shelves, but it inevitably would get mixed up and fall off. I tend to avoid projects when my supplies are unorganized! So, I found a Rubbermaid product that works great. The bottom drawer holds my 8.5x11 paper, the middle drawer holds my 12x12 paper, and the top drawer holds my scraps! Happy paper-crafting :-)


Tip #19


It's no secret that I have a flourishing stock-pile of awesome coupon deals. I use to store my extra products underneath sinks, in cabinets, etc. Eventually, I became overwhelmed with five partially used bottles of Pledge. I now keep only one of each item in the appropriate area of storage. All extra products are kept on a shelf area in our garage. I look at it as my own personal store. When we run out of glass cleaner, I simply visit my store instead of rummaging through the under-the-sink cabinet hoping to find a bottle that will do the trick for the latest mess. Try this at your house! The cabinet areas are clean and organized, and I always know where to go (or where to send my husband) for a re-fill.


Tip #18


It's no secret that I am a huge fan of schedules. While daily schedules are common around our house, I'm playing with a few weekly schedules that I've been introduced to via friends and Pinterest! Check out this idea from 
www.somewhatsimple.com. Try changing it up a bit, if necessary, to work for your family, or ask your older children to give their input. I think it's always fun to have something to look forward to, even if it's a trip to the library! Happy scheduling!


Tip #17


My son is in a huge growth spurt...not only outgrowing clothes, but toys and activities, too. In an early MMSM, I mentioned using diaper boxes to pack away clothes and label them as you go. This way, for the next little one, you can easily grab what you need when you need it from the basement. For larger items that don't fit in boxes (bouncy chairs, play mats, car seats), I've found that putting them in trash bags to protect from dust and bugs, and then tying a garage sale tag around the top labeling what the item is, works great! Make a designated "baby section" in your basement or storage area, and you are a well-organized momma for baby#2!


Tip #16


Because I'm in garage sale mode for this weekend, I have another tip. If you're like me, you HATE rummaging through knotted up necklaces trying to find a fun piece of jewelry at sales. While I love a good deal on cute things, I hate sorting through unorganized messes. Try this tip! If you're selling jewelry at a garage sale, put each piece in it's own snack bag (a Ziploc bag this is about half the size of a regular bag). It makes things look nicer, they won't get tangled, and hopefully, people will acknowledge the effort you put towards organization with a purchase!


Tip #15


Yesterday, a friend/blog reader, asked me for suggestions for the crawling stage. As for me, I am totally looking forward to the walking stage...it's amazing what my child will find in the abyss of my home and put in his mouth while crawling! Here is what is working for us. I have completely baby-proofed several rooms in our home. Honestly, I've found it impossible to baby-proof your whole house. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so our TV room/kitchen is baby-proofed, his room is good, and our playroom/craftroom is safe. Pick the rooms where you spend the most time, fix them up, then give Baby free reign! Baby gates are a staple in our house (although he started to crawl up one yesterday...), and if he's not in a "safe" room, I put him in his walker or make sure my eyes are glued to him.


Tip #14


Because I had our son via c-section, I had a hard time managing the stairs for a couple of weeks after he was born. We decided to put a pack 'n' play in the downstairs living room to be used as a changing table, since his nursery is upstairs. Then, I decided to use it as a store-all to keep baby things away from the dogs. It's purpose has morphed along with my growing son, and it is now the changing table/books and toys to keep baby occupied as I pack the diaper bag/out-the-door items (shoes, hats, jackets, blankets, burp cloths, etc.). This way, other than toys, his items are all in one place, and I'm not constantly running up and down the stairs as we're trying to get out the door. By the way, we picked this one up for $50 at a consignment sale!


Tip #13

If you make your own baby food, don't buy a bunch of those expensive plastic containers for storing your food. Simply, buy as many pre-made food jars as you think you will use. Feed that to your baby (don't worry, it won't kill them!), and then wash and sanitize the jars and lids. Because it's easier to make baby food in big batches, I freeze a lot. Dry-erase markers have become my best friend. They adhere really well to the aluminum lids, and they wipe off easily. That way, you can re-use the jars again and again!

This is veggie casserole. I've heard and found to be true that baby food will keep for a month in the freezer. Happy food-making!

Tip #12

Another garage sale tip...as I'm preparing for a big one next weekend! As you are going through items to price, separate them into rooms or categories before moving them out to the garage/yard. 
After you've organized and priced inside, take things out in categories and arrange them nicely in your garage/yard. Make sure prices are clear and that items are clean. I know that I appreciate a nicely organized garage sale, and I am much more inclined to purchase if I don't have to rummage through broken toys and mismatched socks to get to a home decor item. I'll post a picture next weekend of how I set up ours, and I will share how many millions of dollars we make due to my theory of "an organized garage sale makes a profitable garage sale!"


Tip #11


Be still my heart! I found an amazing blog with all kinds of organizational tips. Visit 
iHeart Organizing for great tricks from a neat woman on different ways to organize every room in your house. So cool!


Tip #10


Preparing for a garage sale? A few weeks before, make a list of every room/area in your house. Commit to tackling one area per day during nap time, and you will slowly but surely gather your sale pile. Go one step ahead of me and price things as you clean out. No one likes staying up until 3am the night before a garage sale!


Tip #9


While this is mainly a cleaning tip, it's also an organizational tip! I have recently discovered vinegar as a clean-all product. Why does it help with organization? Storing one big container of vinegar as opposed to 30 bottles of various cleaning products makes for a happy under-the-counter area. I use it on our wood floors, to scour burnt pans, to kill weeds, to clean our shower, and to clean toilets. Simply Google "vinegar cleaning methods," and you will be shocked!


Tip #8


If you're like me, you're on the run a lot! I don't always perfectly stock the diaper bag, and sometimes we need more diapers than expected when we're out and about. Here's my solution...I keep a mini diaper bag in the trunk with diapers, wipes, and a receiving blanket for him to lay down on. That way, I'm not having to mess with the regular bag while holding down a wriggly toddler in the back seat. I can easily use our mini diaper bag necessities while I change him in the trunk!


Tip #7


Pee-you!!! Poopy diapers are the worst. Maybe you've found the perfect diaper system that traps and locks all smells, but we sure haven't. An easy, and less stinky, method? I have a little trash can with a grocery bag right outside the door that leads to the garage. Put all poopy diapers in there, not in the diaper pail, and take the grocery bag to the big trash bin when it's full. It keeps the smell out of the house, it keeps the dogs out of the diapers (
sooo gross), and it's right on the way to the trash can so they are not forgotten come trash day.


Tip #6


I never was a fan of meal-planning until I stayed at home. Since I usually grocery and produce shop on Wednesdays, I attempt to be terribly organized and meal-plan that afternoon. Like the to-do boards I mentioned yesterday, do the same thing for a meal planner! Use a background that you like or that matches your kitchen (I used tissue paper with the same pattern as my Mackenzie-Childs tea kettle and cookie jar!), make tabs for each day of the week, and be sure to get some good dry erase markers. My husband likes to see what's coming up, and it helps to keep me organized in the kitchen! Since it's Wednesday, mine is blank...will do this afternoon!



Tip #5


Created a to-do board for you, for your husband, and for your children (if they are of age). Get an inexpensive frame with glass (plastic won't work), make a cute scrapbook paper background with the person's name, and hang it on the wall. Provide a basket with dry erase markers and a wipe-off cloth, and you have a super cute to-do list! I can't claim this idea...found it on
Pinterest, but it works great for our house!

Notice the small basket hanging under the frames. Those two slots are for bills (in front) and things that need to be discussed (in back). I mentioned this organizational method yesterday in Tip #4.

Tip #4

When I sort through our daily mail, I have five major categories...my basket, my husband's basket, couponing area (a.k.a. on top of dog kennel!), bills/to-do, and trash. Our baskets include magazines or things we would be individually interested in, and we go through these every so often. The bills and to-do items go in a basket with two slots that is hanging on the wall. It pleases my heart to see this basket empty, but it rarely happens. My motto is "out of sight, out of mind," so I like for those items to stay front and center. Try this method for your mail and see if it doesn't help the clutter!


Tip #3


If you have multiple bathrooms in your house, swallow the up-front cost and stock each bathroom with its own cleaning supplies...paper towels, toilet bowl cleaner, window/mirror cleaner, shower cleaner, and cleaning wipes (love those!). I also have a toilet bowl brush in each bathroom. If you live near an Ikea store, or want to order online, they have great brushes for $.99! That way, you aren't dragging wet bathroom products all around the house when it's time to clean!


Tip #2


In our house, everyday cleaning includes dishes, laundry, picking up clutter, vacuuming as needed, and making sure the trash isn't over-flowing. Try this tip. Each day during nap time, before the kids get up, or after they go to bed, choose one non-everyday cleaning thing to do. Just one. Maybe it's Windexing the windows, maybe it's mopping the floors, maybe it's quickly scrubbing the toilets, etc. Eventually, you may have developed a little schedule with the deep cleaning chores. At the very least, you'll know you got one extra thing done today that you don't normally do.


Tip #1


If your house is like our house, laundry piles up quickly. We only have one child and two dogs...I can't imagine the laundry situation with multiple kids! I have found an easy way to stay on top of the never-ending chore. As soon as your child(ren) are down for the night, go put a load into the washer. Transfer it to the dryer before you go to bed, then sort and put away first thing in the morning or during nap time. If your family doesn't create enough laundry to warrant a load every day, take the opportunity to wash other "stuff" (i.e. dog blankets, sheets, floor rugs, reusable shopping bags). That way, you can stay on top of the things that get missed frequently. Will there be days where more laundry is required? Of course. But, try this trick out to see if it brings about some relief in the laundry room.

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