Good Housekeeping Magazine has a great article on discovering your organizing style. Follow this link to get the info.
Happy Organizing,
Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama
Monday, February 16, 2009
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Making Clothes Last
I wrote my weekly organizing post for Pink Lemonade online magazine and today's topic was laundry. Yes, that never ending mountain of dirty clothes that stares at us from the laundry room, mocking our attempts to keep up with it. That laundry!
Writing on that topic got me thinking of clothing in general and things we can do to make our clothing last longer. In today's economy, clothes shopping may not be a priority so we need to take care of the clothes we already own.
The following are some tips I found while researching this and others (marked with an *) that I have tried myself:
~This is one that I mentioned in my article today- launder your whites after every use. Our body oils and perspiration can get in our white clothes without us even noticing. If you allow those to set in the fabric, it becomes like any other oil stain- difficult to remove. So, wash whites after each wear*
~For heavy sweaters (the perspiring kind, not the wool LOL) you can order (or make your own) fabric barrier between your underarms and the material of your shirt. I often layer clothing to achieve this same affect as I sweat alot as a side effect of a medication. One company that offers such barriers is Garment Guard.
~Take clothes from the dryer and fold them immediately. This can often reduce the need to iron. If you do need to iron a garment, make sure to use the recommended settings according to the clothing manufacturer. Using too high of a heat setting can damage the garment. (this is something I strive to do but let's face it, is not always possible.)
~Rid your closet of wire hangers! Please! There are actually plenty of things you can do with wire hangers (crafty things). Our Christmas wreath is made from a hanger, but for clothes- so not good for them!*
~Wash your jeans less often. Yes, you read that right. The denim fabric is not made to sustain being washed after every wear. Some sources say every other wear and some recommend every third wear. Instead of trying to keep track of all that, I just wash them when I know they are getting dirty (and that could be 1-2-3+ wears)*.
This topic has really piqued my interest. I am going to keep looking into it and may have more random clothing tips for you soon!
Happy Organizing,
Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama
Writing on that topic got me thinking of clothing in general and things we can do to make our clothing last longer. In today's economy, clothes shopping may not be a priority so we need to take care of the clothes we already own.
The following are some tips I found while researching this and others (marked with an *) that I have tried myself:
~This is one that I mentioned in my article today- launder your whites after every use. Our body oils and perspiration can get in our white clothes without us even noticing. If you allow those to set in the fabric, it becomes like any other oil stain- difficult to remove. So, wash whites after each wear*
~For heavy sweaters (the perspiring kind, not the wool LOL) you can order (or make your own) fabric barrier between your underarms and the material of your shirt. I often layer clothing to achieve this same affect as I sweat alot as a side effect of a medication. One company that offers such barriers is Garment Guard.
~Take clothes from the dryer and fold them immediately. This can often reduce the need to iron. If you do need to iron a garment, make sure to use the recommended settings according to the clothing manufacturer. Using too high of a heat setting can damage the garment. (this is something I strive to do but let's face it, is not always possible.)
~Rid your closet of wire hangers! Please! There are actually plenty of things you can do with wire hangers (crafty things). Our Christmas wreath is made from a hanger, but for clothes- so not good for them!*
~Wash your jeans less often. Yes, you read that right. The denim fabric is not made to sustain being washed after every wear. Some sources say every other wear and some recommend every third wear. Instead of trying to keep track of all that, I just wash them when I know they are getting dirty (and that could be 1-2-3+ wears)*.
This topic has really piqued my interest. I am going to keep looking into it and may have more random clothing tips for you soon!
Happy Organizing,
Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama
Friday, February 6, 2009
Frugal Friday- Slashing the electric bill
Be sure to check in with Biblical Womanhood for other Frugal Friday posts.
I came across a great website- SmartPower and wanted to share some of the tips they suggest for saving money on your energy bill.
~Put all electronic devices on a power strip that you turn off at night. If you are consistent with turning it off (and unplugging other things that are not in use) SmartPower says you can expect to save up to $175/year!
~Wait until you have a full load of laundry and make the most of the same amount of hot water and electricity that is used for any load (I do have to tell you I lauged out loud at this- what mom doesn't always have a full load of laundry waiting for her?) In addition, switching to cold water detergents can reduce water heating costs. Savings= up to $100/year
~Take a shorter shower (this is also good for your skin in the winter time- 10 minutes max is recommended to avoid drying out your skin). SmartPower recommends setting a timer so you know when you need to get out.
What are you doing to save money on your power bill? Please share your tips with us in the comments.
(photo credits- www.flickr.com, www.fotosearch.com)
Happy Saving,
Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sentimental Value
When you have a family you accumulate keepsakes. It’s natural to want to hold onto a moment in time that you can’t get back. That first haircut, first pair of shoes, first report card- all these things hold special memories for us as parents. But, as a professional organizer who also works with seniors, I can tell you that adult children do not usually hold the same sentimental attachment to such items that their parents did. And then they end up holding on to the item, despite the fact they view it as trash, because it was important to mom or dad.
So, when I look at my kids artwork, vacation photos and such I try to ask myself if this is something worth keeping. Are the kids going to want this item when they are packing up my house after moving me into a nursing home? Or will they shake their heads and wonder why mom held onto all this crap?
Here are a few ideas I have compiled that I hope will add to the chances of our memories becoming my boys’ keepsakes of the future:
• Frame it- My oldest, Jason, made a beautiful poster of his name for an art project in the 1st grade. Even though he is in high school I still look at that poster (and enjoy it) everyday. We framed it in a clear plastic frame (11 x 13) and hung it in Jason’s room. It has truly become a piece of art.
• Craft it- When there has been a particularly cute picture of one of my boys I have made it into a craft- sometimes a Christmas tree ornament. You can easily do this by taking a lid to a Mason jar, cutting the picture to fit, gluing it in and tying a ribbon around the outside of the lid. Easy keepsake and every year when you take it out to hang it on the tree you can oooo and ahhhh at how adorable it is as if it’s the first time you’re seeing it.
• Gift it- Moms and Dads aren’t the only ones that enjoy looking at the things your children create. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc also enjoy so why not give them the chance to own a keepsake? Have your child laminate a favorite picture and cut it into a small puzzle. Use a child’s artwork as wrapping paper next Christmas- think outside the box!
• Store it- there are so many storage options these days but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to put away precious memories. Buy an accordion envelope at Office Max to store kid’s artwork or school work in, get a three drawer cardboard dresser and assign each child a drawer. Once it is full it is time to purge what they want to keep.
• Purge it- Speaking of purge- everything is NOT a keepsake. Keep the things that make you smile, cry or laugh out loud. Every A+ is not a miracle- but what about the A in the class your kid struggled in all year. Those are the types of items to keep for later.
Happy memory making and organizing!
So, when I look at my kids artwork, vacation photos and such I try to ask myself if this is something worth keeping. Are the kids going to want this item when they are packing up my house after moving me into a nursing home? Or will they shake their heads and wonder why mom held onto all this crap?
Here are a few ideas I have compiled that I hope will add to the chances of our memories becoming my boys’ keepsakes of the future:
• Frame it- My oldest, Jason, made a beautiful poster of his name for an art project in the 1st grade. Even though he is in high school I still look at that poster (and enjoy it) everyday. We framed it in a clear plastic frame (11 x 13) and hung it in Jason’s room. It has truly become a piece of art.
• Craft it- When there has been a particularly cute picture of one of my boys I have made it into a craft- sometimes a Christmas tree ornament. You can easily do this by taking a lid to a Mason jar, cutting the picture to fit, gluing it in and tying a ribbon around the outside of the lid. Easy keepsake and every year when you take it out to hang it on the tree you can oooo and ahhhh at how adorable it is as if it’s the first time you’re seeing it.
• Gift it- Moms and Dads aren’t the only ones that enjoy looking at the things your children create. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc also enjoy so why not give them the chance to own a keepsake? Have your child laminate a favorite picture and cut it into a small puzzle. Use a child’s artwork as wrapping paper next Christmas- think outside the box!
• Store it- there are so many storage options these days but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to put away precious memories. Buy an accordion envelope at Office Max to store kid’s artwork or school work in, get a three drawer cardboard dresser and assign each child a drawer. Once it is full it is time to purge what they want to keep.
• Purge it- Speaking of purge- everything is NOT a keepsake. Keep the things that make you smile, cry or laugh out loud. Every A+ is not a miracle- but what about the A in the class your kid struggled in all year. Those are the types of items to keep for later.
Happy memory making and organizing!
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