Organizational Tips

ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS

by Lois Breneman ~ Heart to Heart Newsletter

1982 ~ Revised 2004 ~ Reprint Permission Required

Once you put more order into your life, you will reap the benefits of getting more accomplished and enjoying a slower pace and a more relaxed lifestyle.

Organization is very much a matter of common sense! It is looking at a task and asking yourself, "How can I do this better to save energy or time?"

Someone has said, "People that are organized are just too lazy to get up and look for it!"

SCRIPTURE VERSES

Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

I Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house...

I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.

I Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Titus 2:3-5 Older women...encourage the younger women...to be keepers at home...

HOUSEKEEPING

Make a list for each day, a week at a time, using your family calendar, and filling in with things you need to do in the home, errands you need to run, etc. Plan the next day the night before in more detail. Use a space on your schedule for things to mention to your husband when he comes home.

Use the "Mount Vernon Method", as described in The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton. Attack and conquer one room at a time, using three boxes for (1) things to keep, (2) things to give away and (3) things to throw away.

Make your bed as soon as you get up and train each child to do the same.

Before leaving the bathroom in the a.m., clean it up.

Keep bathroom cleaning supplies in each bathroom. It only takes a minute or two, if you keep it up. Keep out of reach of young children, however.

Train your children to do as much as they can by themselves. See that they do it. Don't just expect it, but inspect it.

Have children pick up their own toys and belongings, as well as put their clean and dirty laundry in the proper places at an early age.

Tidy up the house before bedtime. This only takes a minute or two.

Leave a room as orderly as you found it. Teach your children to do the same.

Rules of the House: "If you open it, close it. If you get it out, put it away. If you sleep in it, make it up. If you take it off, hang it up. If you turn it on, turn it off. If you drop it, pick it up. If you clip it, file it. If it's not broken, don't fix it. If it hurts, comfort it. If it cries, love it."

Develop your own cleaning system, and you can have company come without too much cleaning to do.

Plan for easy maintenance. Don't buy white rugs, clothes that need ironed or dry-cleaned, long-haired dogs or a lot of knick knacks that need dusting.

Store things where they will be used.

Keep a small dustpan and brush, as well as a cloth sprayed with Endust or a small, wool dusting wand in your car. When you're waiting to pick up someone, you can do some quick cleaning and keep car dust to a minimum.

Time your jobs. They take less time than you would think. Make a list of mini jobs (jobs taking less than 10 minutes). You can do these when you see you have a few minutes before an appointment. Once the clutter is gone, the actual job takes less time than you realized.

A long-handled wool dusting wand (about $6 to $10) is a great time and energy-saving device, and cuts down on bending and stooping. It is good for hard-to-reach places as well.

When your children are playing outside, set a pitcher of ice water and cups outside, so they don't need to run in and out.

A large basin of soapy water (outside) for children to wash their hands is convenient and saves you a mess in the house. A large Tupperware dish with a lid is good to take to the park, with soapy water, so everyone can wash up well before a picnic.

When you wash your sheets, fold roughly right from the clothesline or dryer and put directly back on the beds. This saves work, time and money. No need to have more than one set of sheets per bed--only extras for company.

When you wash towels, there is no need to fold all of them. Some can be hung up where needed. Skip the fabric softner for more absorbent towels.

Fold towels lengthwise first, so they will be ready to hang up when you need them, without rearranging the fold.

Clean out your refrigerator the day before you grocery shop.

Keep up with laundry daily or every two days, when you have children. When they leave home, you will look for dirty clothes to wash!

Example of a cleaning schedule:

(This is only an example. Every wife and mother will have a different schedule - whatever works best for her family's needs. This is just a guide.)

Mon. Take trash out

Dust and vacuum main floor

Clean kitchen appliances and cupboards

Wash kitchen floor

Tues. Wash sheets, hang out to dry

Clean out refrigerator

Sewing, crafts or hobby

Wed. Cook dinner in crock-pot

Run errands and grocery shop

Thurs. Clean bathrooms

Sweep porches, steps and sidewalk

Do one special job (see list below) - More, if you have a spurt of

energy

Fri. Dust and vacuum upstairs and downstairs.

Sat. Bake, cook ahead, sew or family outing.

Freeze food for lunches

Special Cleaning Jobs:

1. Clean silver and light fixtures

2. Wash windows

3. Wax car

4. Clean pots and pans

5. Clean and organize toy room

6. Clean sofas and chairs

7. Shampoo carpet

8. Deep Clean Gertrude's room - cobwebs, walls, baseboards, under

furniture, etc.

9. Deep Clean Hortense,'s room

10. Deep Clean Buford's room

11. Deep Clean master bedroom

12. Clean closet and drawers - Gertrude's

13. Clean closet and drawers - Hortense's

14. Clean closet and drawers - Buford's

15. Clean closet and drawers - master bedroom

16. Clean filing box and night stands

17. Clean storage area

18. Clean laundry room

19. Clean family room

20 Clean recreation room

21. Clean study

22. Deep Clean bathrooms - ceiling, walls, baseboards, tile, etc.

23. Clean pantry

24. Clean kitchen cupboards

25. Clean coat closet

26. Clean hall closet

27. Clean game closet

28. Clean family room closet

29. Wash front and back of house (wood) and porches

30. Clean out buffet and China closet drawers.

* This list must be written out to match the jobs that need done in your own home. Another method of cleaning your house is to do all the ceilings in the entire house at one time, wash all walls, wash all woodwork, clean tops of all door frames, etc. Do what works best for you.

KITCHEN

For a pretty tablecloth that does not need washed (on a round or oval table), cut desired fabric two inches larger around the edge of the table, sew 1/4 inch elastic around the edge, pulling elastic tightly as you sew. Then do exactly the same with clear, heavy plastic from a department or fabric store. You can even make the cloth tablecloth reversible. Put the cloth tablecloth on the table first, then the plastic one. No more slipping, sliding or needing to launder your tablecloth! A tablecloth adds color to your kitchen, yet with this method spills won't matter as much any more! In twenty years, I have had just two tablecloths in my kitchen, yet they are both still like new, because of the durable plastic over them. If using vinyl for a tablecloth, of course, the plastic is not necessary, since the vinyl can simply be wiped off, yet there are many lovely designs to match your kitchen decorations.

Recipe files - Use divisions (apples, eggs, cheese, fish, chicken, ground beef, yeast breads, quick breads, muffins, appetizers, beverages, Jello, salads, dressings, cookies, dessert bars, pies, breakfast dishes, children's recipes, etc.)

Recipe files can be made to attach just below your kitchen cabinet, like some small space-saver appliances. If your husband is handy with tools, he could do it for you.

Categorize coupons - Mark coupons that say "no expiration date" with a magic marker. Those are worth more to you. File those in alphabetical order in a small box. A stationery box works well. On coupons with dates, circle the dates, so you won't need to look for expiration dates. Or they can be filed in envelopes, according to the months.

When items are on sale, stock up to save time and money. Use double coupons, if you can save. You may find that it is easy to stock up on the following items: Shampoo, conditioners, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soups, dish detergents, cereals, catsup, laundry detergents, soap bars, frozen juices, canned food, Jello, tissues, frozen food, ice cream, toilet tissue, school supplies, cleaning supplies, almost any staples. Be aware of expiration dates, especially for juices, mayonnaise and salad dressings.

When you open the last ketchup, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, etc., add it to the grocery list. Encourage every family member to do so. It's frustrating to start to start a recipe and not have all the necessary ingredients.

Clean the kitchen as you go. Don't leave all the mess until last. Fill the sink with hot, soapy water and allow your dirty dishes to soak while you eat.

Set the breakfast table before you go to bed at night. A good job for a child.

Delegate household work. Children need to learn how to do household work. They will be glad someday that you taught them and gave them that responsibility, even though they don't thank you now!

Plan meals ahead, using family favorites, as well as some new recipes - 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks ahead.

Make and freeze the main part of one month's meals all at once. The book, Once A Month Cooking, by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg has lots of ideas and great recipes for this method, and you can use your favorites too.

Sit down to do jobs, if you possibly can. Peeling potatoes, snapping green beans, etc.

Make use of your "electronic maids" to save you time and energy. When is the last time you let your crock-pot work for you?

Learn how to get the most out of your microwave oven. Read up on it.

Color code your drinking glasses. Each family member can use a certain color every day and set them back on the counter top. Only one glass per person per day for less washing. If having milk or juice, each person needs to be sure the glasses are rinsed out well in between.

Grocery shop early in the day. There's no crowd and you save time.

Store your cookbooks in a cabinet, along with a small tissue box standing on its side. This saves space, and yet it is handy.

Buy meat on sale and stock your freezer only at those times. Make lots of hamburgers all at once, shaping patties for each member of the family (Dad gets a large one, Toddler gets a small one). Place a square of wax paper between each patty. They'll separate easily even when frozen, by using a knife, but be careful. Prepare meatloaf in large quantities also to freeze for later use.

A vitamin organizer can be purchased for organizing supplements. An organizer by Shaklee can also be used for picnics to carry sugar, salt, pepper, coffee, creamer, etc. It could also be used for spices in camping.

Plan certain Sunday dinners that can be made simply in the oven or crock-pot, while you are in church. List them in your notebook for easy reference.

The Sunday evening meal can be extremely simple. If you have had a big meal after church, you won't need much. Peanut butter crackers, fruit, and ice cream may be plenty. List your favorite Sunday evening meals for easy reference also.

You may want to try rolling your kitchen towels and washcloths, rather than folding them. They may stay neater for you, and you can rotate them easier.

For storing salad dressing mixes, taco seasoning mixes, Kool Aid, etc., stand them on end in a shallow box to keep them orderly in your pantry or cupboard.

Midget cups from Tupperware are great for storing things ahead of time for lunches. (raisins, sunflower seeds, peanuts, salad dressing, etc.) They are also nice for vitamins when going on a trip, with one day's vitamins in each cup.

You'd be surprised how much information you can get inside those cabinet doors! Tape up a spice chart, a stain chart, a chart telling the best months to buy various items, a substitute chart for cooking ( 1 ounce baking chocolate = 3 Tbsp. cocoa + 1 Tbsp shortening).

If you have storage shelves in your basement for canned goods, food from Sam's, appliances you seldom use, etc., you can prevent them from collecting dust, yet still see what you have. Purchase clear, heavy plastic from a department or fabric store. It comes in 45" widths. Tack the plastic at the top of the shelves and let it hang down to the floor in 45" widths. Overlap pieces about 3" so you can reach inside to get what you need. This works great!

MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS

Make a weekly schedule of your family's favorite TV and radio programs with the times and stations listed. There are many educational TV programs which teach cooking, painting, drawing, sewing, gardening, vocabulary, science, math, first aid, geography, language, etc. Many of these are very worthwhile. There are also many Christian radio and TV programs which are available, though discernment is needed. By listing special ones that would benefit your family, you would have all that information readily available at your fingertips.

Buy or make gifts to keep on hand, for birthdays, weddings, new babies, graduations, etc., so you don't need to run to the store so often, and be tempted to buy more than you should. If you come across a nice gift that is a real bargain, you might want to purchase that item in multiples to have on hand as gifts.

Store all your gift-wrapping items together - paper, bows, tape, scissors, cards, pen. A waste can is great for storing rolls of gift-wrap. Plain Christmas gift-wrap in a solid green, red, gold or silver is appropriate year round.

Plan a day to run errands all at once. List the places you need to go to and what you need to buy or drop off there. This will eliminate back-tracking or forgetting. Planning your day in a clockwise manner to eliminate as many left-hand turns as possible also saves time.

Learn to double your time by combining several activities. While waiting in the doctor's office, for children in a carpool or while watching TV, you could look at a magazine, read or scan a book, write a letter, cross-stitch or do mending. Or you could jump on a trampoline, ride an exercise bike or walk, while you memorize Scripture, pray or listen to a tape.

Make a prayer list on large index cards with various headings: (country; church; husband; self; each child -- salvation, obedience, good self esteem, friends, to do their best in school work and learning, good health, to develop a special talent, to live for the Lord and for a Christian marriage partner of God's choice for that child when the time comes; relatives; friends; pastor; missionaries by names and needs; Christian ministries; etc.)

Choose birthday and anniversary cards for friends and relatives for one year at a time. Address the envelopes, add the return address label, write the special date at the spot where the stamp will go and sign the card. You may want to embellish the envelope with rubber stamps designs. When it is time to mail the card, add a note or letter, if you wish (or have the time). If not, lick it, stamp it, mail it and it is done! Record on your calendar the day you should mail the card, so you remember to mail it on time.

A large calendar is a great way to keep track of a busy family. Have everyone write in his or her own appointments in easy-to-spot, different colored inks. Teenagers should be responsible for getting their activities posted before the day of the activity so plans can be made.

Have a file folder system. If you can't keep up with the magazine and newspaper articles, tear them out, fold and file them. Read them when you can. This will save on a lot of clutter in your house. You will know where to look for information when you need it. Examples of categories: Recipes, Health, Cancer Prevention, Gardening, Children under Two, Children, Teenagers, Religion in the News, Home Schooling, Public Schools, Christian Schools, Alcohol and Driving, Appliances, Warranties, Use and Care Booklets, Roanoke, Virginia Attractions, Abortion, Interior Design, Colleges, Weddings, Graduation, Marriage, Parenting, Crafts, etc.

Phone numbers to post by your phone: Time and Temperature, Emergency, Weather, Poison Control, Children's Stories, City or County Extension Agent (Home Economist and Horticulturist available to answer your questions).

Write names and phone numbers of people you call most often on a large colorful index card. Laminate and keep by phone. Make one for each phone in the house. This saves a lot of time when in a hurry.

Keep addresses in a recipe box on 3 x 5 index cards. If there is a change, you can keep it up to date and not run out of room, without erasing or crossing out.

When you have a difficult decision, you and your husband may want to list the advantages and disadvantages on paper to help you see the situation in black and white. This really helps in making wise decisions!

A carrying caddy is nice for audio cassette tapes. They fit exactly.

The next time you pack for a trip, make a list of things you need and have a few copies Xeroxed. This will save making a list each time, and you'll never forget panty hose, an umbrella or a blow dryer. Have a section for the various seasons. List things like "Arrangements for mail and newspaper," "Arrangements for pets." Have teens make their own list, Xerox, and pack for themselves.

Store all your correspondence items in one place: stationery, cards, pens, stamps, return address labels, envelopes, stickers, rubber stamps, etc.

Make a pocket wall organizer to store things that normally make a pile of clutter in a special place at everyone's house. Clear pocket organizers can also be purchased. Label the pockets temporarily with Post It Notes. After you decide what you want to store in the pockets, you could label in a more permanent way. Some suggested labels for pockets could be the following: Menus, Home Schooling, Church, Letters I Owe, Immediate Attention, Things to File, Receipts, Correspondence Record, Gifts Given, Craft Ideas, Cute Quotes from Kids, Quotes & Poems, $ Saving Ideas, Items Ordered, Refunding, Grocery List, Youth Group, Pens, Index Cards, Scissors, etc.

Shelf expanders are great if you need more room for storage.

Storage boxes are nice for storing children's clothing, toys, or as a file box.

Clear plastic shoe pocket organizers are nice for storage, because they are "see through." These are great for inside the coat closet for gloves, scarves, umbrellas, sunglasses. Also great inside the hall closet for small medical supplies so you can see them at a glance (Band-Aids, small tubes of meds, thermometer, bulb syringe, samples from mail.

Clear plastic shoe boxes are also nice for storage. Sturdy cardboard shoe boxes (labeled) also work well. Cover with fabric and glue into place for nice looking storage!

Shoe boxes are great for gift boxes. You can wrap the lid separately from the box with wrapping paper, and then wrap the bottom, as well. If you need a quick gift, just get a gift from your box with pre-purchased or pre-made gifts, and put it in your pre-wrapped box with some tissue paper! Here's where your organization pays off!

If using a filing cabinet, purchase the deepest one you can find. The same amount of wall space is needed, no matter how deep, so you might as well get the maximum use.

Keep scrap paper and a pen near each phone, as well as in the bathroom. You'll be surprised at all the ideas you'll have while putting on your makeup. Jot them down. A dull pencil in this case is better than the sharpest mind.

A divided tray can be used as a makeup tray.

Bricks are helpful in raising up items in the back of a deep shelf so you can see everything at a glance. Cover bricks with contact paper, if you wish.

Small pieces of scrap lumber are useful in creating more shelf space. Stand two pieces of 2 x 4" scraps on their sides. Lay a divided tray or a board for a shelf over the top, and you have an extra shelf.

Small baskets are handy for storing all kinds of things. If your grocery store displays fruits or vegetables in baskets, go early in the morning to your store and ask if you may have the empty baskets, if they just toss them. Our grocery store used to have mushroom baskets that were free for the asking. Cloth liners could be sewn for them to be used for many different items.

Rubbermaid turntables are great for spices (in alphabetical order like at the store, so you can find them easily), medicine, cleaning supplies, etc. You can't have too many of these!

Desk organizers help to keep paper clips, rubber bands, etc. orderly. Tiny boxes in a desk drawer also work well to separate items. Stationery and jewelry boxes work.

Six Drawer Organizers are great organizational and storage helpers! Multiple uses!

Have two clothes rods in your closet halfway across (upper for blouses and lower for skirts). Lower the rods in a child's room so he/she can reach them.

Store socks in drawers, folded in half, and standing on end vertically, back to back to each other. Use small boxes in the drawer to separate from other clothing items, if necessary. Underwear and boxer shorts both work well if folded into thirds (left side to center and right side to center), then folded in half the other way. Store in the same way as the socks. Handkerchiefs store neatly in this manner as well. This method helps keep a drawer neat and gives visibility to every item in the drawer! Works great!

You may want to keep a weight chart for you and your husband, so you know when you need to cut down and lose a few pounds. Then again, you may not!

For your own personal Bible study time, some methods that may be helpful are: (1) Read through the Bible; (2) Study one particular book at a time; (3) Do topical studies - Example: Child Discipline, peace and contentment, the fruit of the spirit, courage, prayer, marriage, forgiveness, work, giving, etc.; (4) Study a verse word by word; (5) Write down all the verses you have memorized. Review them; (6) Write a poem centered around a Scripture verse or doctrine. (7) Sing hymns and choruses.

A neat and orderly way to store necklaces and bracelets is by hanging them on push pins stuck into a bulletin board, cork board, or the side or back wall of your closet. They are out of sight if using the inside of your closet and don't collect dust.

Store your earrings in a shallow drawer by lining the drawer with a towel or piece of fabric that will not slide around. Place your earrings in groups according to color. This makes them easy to find at a glance.

If you have ever locked your car keys in your house, your car or your trunk, this suggestion may help. Attach your house and car keys to your purse with a matching shoestring, sturdy ribbon or a key clip. This also prevents your keys from getting lost inside your purse. Keep an extra set of keys in your wallet, as well, in case you lock your keys in car. Then hang on to your purse!

Please remember that no one uses all of these ideas at any one time. These tips and ideas are not sent to put a guilt trip on you! I just hope some of these tips will help to make your life a little easier! Try some new ideas this week. I need to work on many of these myself!

God's blessings,

Lois