Spring is in the Air!

Home Organization with Cloud 9 Cleaning

There are so many books by experts in organization and they all claim that they have the answers to your home organization needs. There's even a series on Netflix about Tidying Up! Yet so many people are still looking for answers. 

I have read several of those books and watched most of those shows and like many others, I was inspired to try their methods. Some of it was useful information so me, but it may not be for you. 

Having been in the housekeeping industry caring for many types of homes for people who all live within their own standards for most of my life. I have seen many ways that work and don't work. For those that do, I assist in maintaining those homes that are working for their lives and those who haven't found the right techniques for the operation of their home, I assist in creating that with them. 

Finding balance in your home through organizing starts with the decision to make the necessary changes. The right technique for you might be different from someone else so it is essential to understand what inspires you to get things done.

I am a checklist admirer. I enjoy checking off items from my checklist even if they were added after I did them! I am inspired by order and planning ahead. To keep me motivated I need to acknowledge my results. 

You might be the type that thrives on routine. Maybe you're the type that works well when being supported. Are you the type that is motived by the vision of results? Do you prefer to delegate or direct change by coaching? Is competition your motivator or do you prefer thinking things through and doing research before making things happen? Some people are creative in their approach while others need clear rules and guidelines. You may be a combination of two or more. 

You can dig deep in your understanding of yourself here and use the information that works for you to find success in creating order in your home and work life (Yes you can use these skills at work too!). 

Essentials for Creating Order

Before you start, schedule it in! Create a digital calendar or use a paper calendar but you have to schedule in the time and commit in order to be successful!

• You are what you wear so start there! Go to your closet and sort through your clothes. Make 3 piles: 1) Keep 2) Maybe 3) Donate. Put away the clothes that you wish to keep after making sure that they still fit. Go though the maybe pile and reevaluate. Any you wish to keep, make sure they fit and make you feel good otherwise donate. Do the same with shoes and items in your dresser. 
  
  
  
• You are also what you eat so the kitchen is next! Start going through the food in your fridge starting from top to bottom. Look at expiration dates and remove all items that are expired or will be before you will eat them. Clean the shelves and racks as you go. Next is the cabinets, drawers and then the counters. Using shelves and baskets to sort and organize smaller items will help you to see things when you need them. You can find some at a local second hand store or use various size shoe boxes with lids. Donate all the items that you don't use and keep those that you will. 
  
• What happens in the bathroom... stays in the bathroom until you organize it! This is where you will find bottles of mostly empty hygiene products that you will be tossing from all your cabinet and drawers. Look at expiration dates on these too. Use your baskets, boxes and racks to organize your items. Before putting things back, clean the surfaces. 
  
• Other areas- Other areas to delve into are coat closets- you can schedule to do those the same day you go though your dresser and bedrooms closets. Linen closets- those can be done on the same day as bathrooms. Pantry- can be tackled the same day as the kitchen. Living room- or if you have more than one shared space do these on the same day. Garage- Plan on doing this last. If this is where you put all of your donate items, you can plan to organize the garage starting from the farthest left side wall working your way to the right until done. A garage sale would be a great idea as the closing of your home organization project. Just remember to donate any items you don't sell so it doesn't end up cluttering your space again!! 

If you found these ideas helpful, wonderful! If you need more, check back for information about the upcoming interactive book to help you create order in your life. If you need more hands on help and you need it now- request a consultation from Cloud 9 Cleaning and we'd be happy to care for your home!