Cleaning & Organization Articles

Article / Updated 09-11-2024

Pet lovers understand that there’s nothing like a furry friend to keep you company. But then shedding season arrives, and you’re wearing more of your pet’s hair than he is. You find it on your sofa. You find it in your coffee. You find it in little dust bunnies on the hardwood floors. Don’t let your cat’s or dog’s fur take over your home. We’ve compiled our best tips for how to choose the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair, including information on the best robot vacuum for those who want a little convenience. We also have some great tips on other ways to reduce the fur storm in your home so you can get back to enjoying your pet. Best vacuum for pet hair on carpet Most vacuum cleaners that are worth their salt are also good for pet hair. But some models stand out for features that are especially important in a home with a shedding cat or dog. We’ve compiled a list of the top vacuum cleaners for pet hair by budget. Best vacuum for pet hair under $150: The Eureka NEU180B is less than $100 and is surprisingly powerful for its small price tag. It’s an upright vacuum but is only 12 pounds, so it’s easy to use frequently (which you know will come in handy all through shedding season). It has an extra-large capacity dustbin to hold all of that fur. Best vacuum for pet hair under $300: The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum sits right at $300 and is also one of our top overall picks for vacuums. It comes with a mini brush attachment meant for pet fur and also has anti-allergen seal technology specially designed to reduce the dander in your home. Its LED lights make it easier to see the little hair dust bunnies under your furniture and in the corners of your home. Best vacuum for pet hair under $500: At $400-$500 depending on the model, the Dyson Animal 2 Upright Vacuum is the best on the market. It has an allergy filter, incredibly strong suction (Dyson says it’s the strongest on the market), and easy maneuverability to get under all the furniture where Fido likes to hide. You can also use this vacuum cleaner’s special attachments to remove fur from your furniture and even your clothes. Best robot vacuum for pet hair Truthfully, robot vacuum cleaners can’t compete with classic upright vacuums for removing pet hair from the carpet. But the right robot vacuum can handle some of the workload for you so you don’t have to vacuum every single day. We found two models that are ideal for pet owners. Best robot vacuum for pet hair under $300: The Proscience 790T comes in at $260 and has several features that make it ideal for a pet-friendly home. It has a built-in filter and a stronger motor than most robot vacuums at similar price points. It also has a mop feature that can help clean up pet accidents and stains on hard floors. Best robot vacuum for pet hair under $500: The iRobot Roomba 890 is a great option for pet owners. It’s about $400. It has a built-in filter to reduce allergens caused by pet dander. It also has an auto-adjust feature that senses the height of the carpet or floor and adjusts accordingly for a nice snug vacuum, ensuring even suction across surfaces. How to vacuum your dog This definitely doesn’t work for all dogs, so only try it if you have a laid-back pup that is obedient. You can vacuum your dog by using a hose on an upright or canister vacuum cleaner. Some companies sell a pet attachment to attach to the hose, or you can try the upholstery attachment that came with your machine. Get your dog used to the vacuum cleaner gradually by letting him sniff it when it’s turned off. Then turn it on and set it down near him, offering him treats for coming near it. Do this over several days if needed; the important thing is to get him accustomed to the vacuum without being afraid of the loud noise or mysterious suction. After he’s used to the vacuum’s sound, pet him while gently vacuuming across his back. You can use the hose with no attachment or use the upholstery attachment, whichever he prefers. Be careful to avoid his face, ears, tail, and underside (and his paws if he’s sensitive about them). Reward him generously with his favorite treat frequently as he sits still for you. Many dogs actually come to love being vacuumed and come running each time they hear the vacuum cleaner turn on. Others never learn to love it, and that’s okay, too! You can use other strategies if your dog won’t let you vacuum him. How to get dog hair out of a car We’ve all been there: Your dog rides in your car one time, and the car looks like a fur bomb went off in there. Or maybe you never let your pet in the car, but somehow his hair magically appears anyway. Once the hair is in your car, it’s difficult to remove. Something about the fabric in many vehicles makes it much harder to remove pet fur from it than from other fabrics; the fur just sticks to it and gets embedded like Velcro. Before you get too desperate, try using the upholstery attachment on your upright or canister vacuum cleaner. If you have a handheld vacuum, you can try that as well, though most of them don’t have enough suction power to remove pet fur. A few vacuum cleaner brands have a special attachment for pet hair, and that may work as well. You can even purchase a pet hair attachment from the pet store from brands like FURminator; just be sure it’s compatible with your model of vacuum cleaner. If the vacuum doesn’t cut it, you can purchase a specialty glove to remove fur from your car; this is what many auto-detailing professionals use. You simply put the glove on and rub it across the fabric, picking up the fur as you go. The gloves themselves can be hard to clean, but you’d probably rather have a furry glove than a furry car. Another option is to try using a boar hair brush to gently brush the fabric on the floorboards. It might scratch up leather seating, so be sure not to use it there. Some people swear by using Velcro-style hair curlers to remove the fur from floorboards. Other tips for shedding season Whether your pet is blowing his coat or sheds year-round, these tips can help keep the fur out of your carpet and minimize how often you have to vacuum in the first place. Wash your pet, especially if it’s a dog. Weekly baths help loosen the undercoat so that it comes off easier during brushing. Use a gentle pet shampoo, using your fingernails to massage it all the way through his coat. Use your hand or a special fur-removing glove to coax as much of his fur off of him as you can while he’s soaking wet. Then apply a gentle pet conditioner and rinse it off, again using your fingers to brush through his coat and remove as much loose fur as possible. Rub him down with a towel and then, if he allows it, blow dry his coat on a warm or cool setting while brushing. Have your pet professionally groomed. Long-haired pets especially benefit from a trim or even a shave in the warm months. This leaves less hair to adorn your carpets. Brush your cat or dog every day. Train your pet to sit still while you brush him with a curry brush, and reward him with treats and lots of love when he does well. Most pets learn to love this time with you, and it’s also great for their skin and circulatory system. Once a week to once a month, use a tool specially made for shedding, like the FURminator deShedding Tool for cats or dogs. These tools remove more loose hair with each swipe than a standard pet brush, so you can spend less time brushing and more time playing.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 10-18-2022

Throughout my books and teachings, I always say get started now versus later. Whatever you declutter today will help you tomorrow, so start small and stay consistent. These quick tips can be a reference guide to help you get started or keep you motivated in between your decluttering sessions.

Article / Updated 03-04-2022

Your bathroom shopping habits have a lot to do with how cluttered your bathroom is. Your habits and hobbies have a lot to do with the amount of clutter you accumulate. You may not think of skincare and makeup as a hobby, but tell that to the countless makeup YouTubers making seven figures on their delightful monthly favorites and product reviews. As you may have already realized, bathroom decluttering goes deep into your bathroom cabinets as well as your habits around grooming and lifestyle. Yes, it is sometimes a sensitive subject. From pill poppers to makeup junkies like my former self, this decluttering subject may make you deal with some of your inner bad habits. The dreaded bathroom cabinets will soon emit a clutter-free, Zen-like serenity that the entire bathroom should reflect. Here are a few strategies to help get you started: Avoid storing multiples. I think being prepared for anything is important, from earthquakes to having spare toothpaste so you don’t have to run to the store at midnight. However, I don’t agree with storing multiples of all your bathroom products and certainly not more than one extra of each. If you’re at Costco and you see your exact moisturizer on sale in a set of 20, think twice. Will they expire before you’re even ready to use them? Will you switch moisturizers next month? Will your skin type change? Are you willing to give up your precious real estate in the bathroom for these to sit for possibly years? Let your bathroom real estate guide you. Often, I caution against space — just because you have a 1,000-square-foot attic doesn’t mean you have to fill it! The bathroom is usually the only room in the house where I say that space should help you determine how much stuff you can physically keep. And more often than not, especially with newer modern bathrooms, there is actually less storage space. So, let this be the first sign to declutter. Your bathroom is not Sephora. You don’t need endless numbers of products that essentially do the same job or are the newest trends. You can have a spare of your essentials, but that is it. Do an inventory of how much you have and how much it cost you, and you will soon realize how much money you are wasting on bathroom products! The bathroom can be a serious money pit! Let go of the past. You don’t need to keep the prescribed throat spray for that strep throat you had five years ago. That special shade of eyeshadow you wore at your wedding ten years ago and haven’t worn since? You likely won’t wear it again, and neither will your daughter. Ditto the overpriced beard oil you bought two years ago but always forget to use. Bathroom decluttering applies to both genders. Even dogs somehow have more shampoo selections than I did when I was a kid. Determine your essentials Remember that bathroom items are easy to replace, find, and source. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries are two of the largest industries in North America; therefore, you can replace anything. Plus, they continue to innovate. This is one area of decluttering that you can freely declutter knowing that tomorrow you could buy ten more easily if needed. The medicine cabinet is a good place to start. Medicine cabinet Now, chances are you have lots of items — not only medicine — in this cabinet, and I challenge you when you’re doing this exercise to focus only on medicine. Go through all your cold remedies, prescriptions, pain relievers, and whatever else you have stored and check expiration dates, first and foremost. Then, toss what you have not used in the last year. Yes, even the NyQuil. You may say, “But I could get a cold this year.” Yes, you could, but you also could not. And chances are your local pharmacy will have an updated cold medication if you need it. When it comes to medications, I even get a bit scientific. According to a study at the University of California, many staples that you have in your medicine cabinet, such as nasal sprays, eye drops, and even some lotions, have ingredients that can inhibit mitochondria, which is a bad thing. This can lead to many diseases and even affect fertility. Therefore, you really don’t want to keep more products than you need. It’s hard to determine which products are harmful from ingredient lists, but any ingredient that ends in “ammonium chloride” is best to stay away from if possible. When medication is prescribed, it’s usually for seven to 14 days and should be completed, so in theory you shouldn’t have any left over to declutter. If you don’t finish it and think you can use it the next time you get sick, remember this is very dangerous. Using medication without talking to your doctor first, even if you have taken it before, can lead to misuse, development of antibiotic resistance, and susceptibility to other diseases, plus you may not be getting the right treatment for what you actually have. So, what is the best way to quickly declutter your medications? Taking them back to the pharmacy is the best advice, as pharmacies professionally dispose of them. Don’t flush them down the toilet as this can contaminate our waterways. After you have decluttered your medications, determine whether your medicine cabinet is actually the best place to store the medications that you are going to keep. Most medicine should be stored at room temperature — 68 to 77 degrees — and kept away from moisture. My bathroom does see moisture, especially when I shower, and most bathrooms are prone to higher temperatures and humidity, making them poor places to keep drugs. So, after you declutter, consider moving your medication out of the medicine cabinet or your bathroom in general. And whatever you do, keep the label. You want to avoid the cluttered mess of unidentifiable pills. Toothbrush and essentials I strongly advise that you only keep products you use daily in your bathroom. Separate the stuff that you use each and every day — toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and so on — from the stuff you don’t use daily, such as antibiotic cream and first-aid supplies unless you’re sterilizing cuts and icing bruises daily, in which case you may have bigger problems than a cluttered bathroom. And consider keeping your toothbrushes away from anything that splashes or sprays. Instead, put them in a see-through holder that can be easily cleaned (as pictured in the following figure) and set them in a safe place to avoid dirt and buildup. Set strict timelines for product lifetimes After you go through your dangerous medicine cabinet and determine what is truly essential, set timelines for all your products. Coming up are the guidelines I try to follow. These are just my guidelines — you might disagree completely, which is fine. Some expiration dates are actually set by the FDA, hopefully for safety reasons and not to sell more products. If nothing else, seeing these expiration dates may make you think twice before you buy and store too many multiples. The bottom line is that if you don’t use something in your bathroom, it is clutter and it should go. Another thing to keep in mind is that any products that have been compromised by heat or light can actually expire even faster! The more you focus on only essentials, the less you need to worry about extensive expiration lists! Makeup Following, are my recommendations for how long to keep makeup: Mascara: Three months — yes, that is right. Otherwise, you can be at risk of an eye infection, and I have one friend to whom this has actually happened! Liquid eye liner: One year; again, due to the risk of eye infection. Eyeshadow: Powder forms can last up to three years depending on the quality. Liquid eyeshadow has a shelf life of one year, after which it starts to separate. Lipstick: Up to three years. Lip gloss may start to separate after one year, especially the thin cones. Lip balms can actually last up to five years. Blush: Powders can last up to three years; creams usually one year. Bronzer: Up to three years. Foundation: This is a tough one as it depends on the type. Oil-free foundations usually last only a year, while ones with oil can last up to two years. Follow the supplier’s recommendations. Concealer: Liquid forms last up to one year; powder up to two years. Other powders: Up to two years. Everything else We often forget how long we’ve had miscellaneous bathroom products. Create a system to help you keep track of when your items are expired. Here are some guidelines to follow: Moisturizers: Up to two years; however, check the expiration dates because sometimes products in jars are pretty but not properly packaged, so they expire faster than they should. How manufacturers package moisturizers can make a huge difference in how long they can last. You now see many lotions in darker glass bottles for this very reason. Sunscreen: One year (this is actually federally regulated). Acne products: Any products containing benzoyl peroxide will only work for three months. Anti-aging products: It depends on the ingredients, but anything with vitamin C, retinol, or glycolic acid tends to break down pretty quickly. It’s best to stick with six months. Shampoo: Unopened shampoo should last for three years; however, remember you don’t need to buy a bunch of extras. Once opened, shampoo is good for two years. The same rules apply to conditioners. Deodorant/anti-perspirant: Up to three years, but check expiration dates. Toothpaste: Check the expiration date, since most toothpastes contain fluoride and this ingredient expires. Soap: Usually up to three years; the same applies to body washes. Shaving products: Up to two years. It’s important to note that depilatory and bleaching creams usually only last for up to six months because of their harsh ingredients. Nail polish and remover: Some say that nail polish remover actually never expires, which may be a good thing as it’s one of those things we don’t usually use daily; however, nail polish usually goes bad in under two years. Organic or all-natural products, which I totally recommend if you have the option, actually expire much sooner than conventional products. You really need to watch them, as their ingredients expire very quickly due to the use of less chemicals in their recipes. Even more reason to keep a clutter-free bathroom if you are into organic products. Minimize unwanted products It may seem repetitive to determine your essentials, but now I want you to go a step further, and I am going to help you with four quick questions to help make your bathroom product decluttering easier. Ask yourself these questions: Do I use this? This should be a quick yes or no answer. I did not ask you if you will possibly, maybe use it one day. Is this a duplicate or extra? Of course, you can have a spare for your most-needed supplies, emphasis on most needed. But how many extra lotions do you need? Do you really need to keep that sparkling lip gloss? Remember the timeline of beauty products from the previous sections and think hard about whether you need to keep that extra. Perhaps you can donate it or pass it along to a friend who would love it! Would I buy this right now? Chances are you’re keeping some things because you feel bad about the money you spent on them. Toiletries and beauty supplies can be very expensive. But this question can help you analyze without considering cost. Think hard about your products, the color, the way it works or doesn’t work for your skin type, and whether it’s as effective as you thought it would be. If you wouldn’t buy it again right now, then it is clutter and it’s time for it to go. Is the space worth it? Are the products taking up precious space? Can you transfer them to a different container or make them smaller, remove the packaging? Or declutter extras? The bathroom is often the smallest space, and therefore real estate is very precious. The following sections provide some more simple tips. Cosmetics Go through all of them, keeping in mind the product expiration noted earlier. Then go through the remaining non-expired items and determine whether you actually use them. I know that you have some beautiful colors that look better in the case than they do on you. Keep only what you use and give the rest away to someone it might look great on! Makeup brushes I know that when I buy a complete set, I end up using only one or two brushes. If this is the case for you, discard the remaining ones you don’t use. This is also a great time to clean your makeup brushes, as this often isn’t done consistently. The less you have, the easier it will be to keep to a regular cleaning schedule. Hair accessories Go through these with a fine-tooth comb (don’t mind the pun). Toss hair accessories you don’t use, as giving these away can be tough sometimes (many people can be fussy about hair germs). Skin care Be brutal with skin-care products. Many of you will pick up a product and think, “Oh I wish I used that more” or “If only I used this every day, I wouldn’t have these fine lines." If you haven’t used it consistently, chances are you won’t start. Again, check expiration dates and test products to make sure they still smell right. Appliances/gadgets Sort through your hairdryers, straighteners (do you have two?), shavers, face massagers, nose clippers, or whatever other bathroom gadgets you may have. These are usually items that you hold onto for “someday,” but if you haven’t used something in the last year, what are the chances that you will? I suggest even treating yourself to a treatment instead of buying the equipment. For example, instead of buying a foot bath you use twice a year, why not get a pedicure for the same price? Hair brushes/combs I have a pet peeve about hair and dirt buildup in combs. Sometimes when I see combs that are full of hair or other debris, I get a bit sad. I suggest the less you have, the easier it is to keep these clean. Go through the ones you use and toss the rest, as old hairbrushes are often also not welcome at donation places. Knickknacks Decorative items sometimes make their way into your bathroom, but I suggest taking a hard look at these items and determining whether they are taking up valuable space. Could you replace a purely decorative item with something more functional instead? Trial sizes Be honest about what you use. Often you can donate these if they’re unopened or give them to friends who run an Airbnb, as they love to have travel sizes for their guests! Perfume/cologne Perfumes and colognes are other items that may be better stored outside the bathroom due to temperature fluctuations. I have heard various recommendations on how long you can keep perfume, ranging from one to five years. Review all your bottles and what you actually apply. If you have more than you can use, this is a great item to donate to a friend because everyone loves getting a new scent. Pass along the scent love! Bath accessories/toys Often large bathtubs can be real estate for fancy bath mittens, loofahs, bath bombs, and fancy bath bubbles we rarely, if ever, use. Plus, if you have kids, how many bath toys do they have that line the bathtub walls? Check these items for mold, which can easily happen to things that sit on damp surfaces, and then of course discard what you don’t use. First-aid supplies I don’t actually recommend storing these supplies in the bathroom unless you’re super accident prone and use them daily. Go through your supplies and see what you actually need to restock and what you never use. Chances are you have no Band-Aids but enough alcohol swabs to swab the neighborhood clean. When an emergency does happen, you want a well-stocked first-aid kit. And one you can find, not lingering behind other clutter! Other personal stuff We all have other products we use or think we might use. Go through your entire bathroom and discard as needed, keeping in mind all the tips thus far. It’s easy to re-buy cosmetics, toiletries, and medications. They are readily available and better to re-buy than hold onto because these products can expire or their chemistry can easily be altered. Why risk it? Declutter now and if you do happen to need a similar item one day, trust me, you can get it. What you need versus what you think you 'might' need Getting the right products in your bathroom can take trial and error. Just when you think you have a routine, your favorite product is discontinued, or you need to change based on your skin’s changing needs. It is a balance to find out what works best and what to keep. This figure shows a few simple products, which is what most of us could live with, but we have more. The image above shows coconut oil, which, personally, I find works wonders as a multiple bath product, hair mask, face cream, foot cream, body lotion, and so on. Coconut oil is one of those super products that we have had all along! There is no specific formula or timeframe that can be prescribed to help find the actual products you might need, as our bodies and lives are always changing. So, to help you at least find what you need at this current moment and break free from your current clutter, here are some general tips: Enlist support. Get a friend or even a professional to help you choose the right products for your skin type. Check in twice a year like you do with the dentist, as your skin can change, resulting in the need for different products. Buy smaller sizes. The smaller the bottle, the less chance of expiration and the higher your chance of finishing it. Research. You may spend time researching what you eat because food goes into your body. What you put on your skin also enters into your body, and you should know what is in your products. Trust me, the more you research and find out about the hundreds of chemicals in bathroom products, the more likely you’ll be to make your list of products much smaller.

Article / Updated 03-04-2022

After you spend all the time and effort required to get your home organized, rather than waiting for the disorganization to return, you can do a number of things to maintain the order and harmony that you’ve achieved. An ounce of prevention goes a long way. Take care of it right away Sometimes, the best way to fix something is to get to the source of the problem. If your roof is leaking, you can spend copious amounts of time figuring out where to put the buckets to catch the drips. But it’s better to simply fix the leak. The same principle holds true for the disorganization in your life. Rather than coming up with more intricate strategies and systems to manage your overly complicated life, it may be better to catch the problem at the source. You can, for example: Put groceries and other purchases away as soon as you bring them home. Put photographs in an easy-to-load album as soon as you get them home from the photo shop and finish oohing and ahhing. Don’t throw them in a shoebox and put off the task of sorting and marking them. Put it back as soon as you're finished with it. No “Yes, but . . . ." Keep a container that can be recycled next to where you usually read the newspaper. After you finish reading the paper, put it immediately into the recycling container. Clean up as you go. Don’t wait until the end, when you’re looking at a big mess. Add fewer things to your life One of the reasons your life becomes more stressful is that you probably have too many “things.” Fewer possessions mean a less complicated life. You can really live very happily without many of the things you buy. So before you pull out your wallet at the cash register or pick up the phone or computer mouse to order something, ask yourself the following questions: Do I really need this item? Would the quality of my life be seriously compromised if I passed this up? How many of these do I already have? If you’re like most people, your answers to these questions will be No, No, and Enough. Here are some other buying suggestions that you may want to consider: Don’t buy stuff just because it’s on sale. Don’t buy in bulk unless you’re sure that you have a place to put it all. Don’t buy anything without considering where you’re going to put it.

Article / Updated 03-04-2022

You are probably thinking that a small closet is easier to declutter, but this is not necessarily the case. Larger spaces let you see more of the items inside, which can cause less clutter to build up. On the other hand, larger closets can also be the reason you accumulate so much stuff and feel the need to fill the space. The moral of this paragraph is that closet space alone is not the reason that clutter builds up. If you have a small closet, don’t get discouraged, as there are plenty of ways to streamline and organize the space to make it seem bigger. The first step when maximizing your closet space is to declutter; then with a few products, installations, and decorating tips, tiny closets can be the perfect size. Take inventory Without knowing your inventory of closet items, it is inevitable that you will acquire more clutter or “stuff” than you need. Taking inventory of what’s currently in your closet will automatically help you declutter! Assess each piece. If it’s not even worth keeping track of, it’s not worth keeping at all. Here are a few top ways to take inventory in your closet: Get an app. There are tons of closet apps on the market. It may seem tedious, but trust me, it is a game changer. Not only will you have your entire closet with you when you shop, but it also makes trip planning easier, encourages you to continually declutter, and keeps you conscious of how much you are adding to your closet with every new purchase. Look at the following figure for a glimpse of the Closet+ app in action. Take photos. If technology is not your thing, or if you’re too scared to make the commitment to document every piece of clothing, take photos of each section of your closet. Although less detailed, photos can give an overview of what you have and can be used for basic inventory purposes. Make a list. Old-school methods still work. Using a notebook or an Excel spreadsheet to list your items can be helpful, but it can be a lot of work to sustain and doesn’t give you a visual overview. Review quarterly. I am an advocate of quarterly decluttering regardless, but if all the preceding points don’t work for your lifestyle or you aren’t ready to fully commit to an inventory tracking system, review your closet inventory quarterly and make the best mental notes possible. Evaluate your space While you may dream of 500-square-foot closet spaces, adding closet space is not necessarily the best approach to decluttering. Less space naturally forces you to be more conscious of what you are putting into that space. I recommend evaluating the space to make sure it fits the clothes you want to keep and that your existing clothes have a well-designed home. You want your space to reflect your needs and optimize your efficiency. Evaluate whether you need to add or change the space to make it easier to grab items, or add another section if there is not enough room. There are no guidelines for how much closet space a person typically needs. A small New York city dwelling might have the tiniest closet space, but the person living in it might work in fashion and have more clothing needs than someone living in a larger house with less clothing needs or interests. To properly utilize your space, you may need to create either more hanging or shelving space depending on what is needed for your items. Closet organization is a big business with do-it-yourself packages available at home improvement stores or Ikea and professional consultants and custom builders available to those with a bigger closet budget. Whichever way you go, here are some basic closet organization ideas you can apply to your situation: Organizing a walk-in closet Walk-in closets can vary in shape and size depending on your home’s layout. If you do have the chance to design your closet, it’s a great time to work in your specific lifestyle clothing choices and build around them. This way you will have the appropriate rods and shelves versus too much shelving, which then prompts you to buy more if the shelves look empty. Typical walk-in closet shapes are square, rectangular, and L-shaped. The following figure shows your basic rectangular walk-in closet space. The key is to design a solution around your already decluttered items that fits your current needs and lifestyle. I have seen many large walk-in closets that are clutter-free, and it usually stems from the owner doing thorough planning and also making the space part of their home — something that they are proud to show off with no fear of guests seeing a cluttered mess. Organizing a reach-in closet Reach-in closets (see the following figure) are typically found in smaller bedrooms and apartments. They are usually rectangular and approximately 8 feet long. They are perfect for single users, and with decluttering strategies, I have seen these closets fit most people’s needs. The key to organizing a reach-in closet is to be sure to plan for seasonality, if it applies, as sometimes modifications or extra storage space may be needed for seasonal items. Your goal with the reach-in closet is also to make it part of the home and not be afraid to open it when guests arrive. This is a sign of a peaceful and clutter-free space. What to hang and fold Don’t underestimate the importance of deciding what to hang and what to fold! If you have four shelves full of folded pants, it may be time to reevaluate whether you need them all. If you have no room for your hanging blouses because your pants are taking up all the hanging space, this is another opportunity to reevaluate what to hang and fold. Keep in mind the type of clothes you own and what takes up the most space. Do most of your clothes hang or need to be folded? If you mostly wear sweaters and T-shirts, you need a lot of shelving. If you mostly wear a lot of collared blouses and dresses, you need plenty of hanging space. I don’t want to go into details of what to hang or fold since this book is dedicated to decluttering rather than organizing. So, I suggest you declutter first and then make sure you are properly hanging and folding what is needed. Following are my guidelines to help you get started. What to hang: Pants with a crease (pants without can be folded) Blouses made of any material (iron and button top, middle, and bottom buttons) Jackets Blazers Slippery silks and satins Clothes made of delicate fabric Most dresses Camisoles What to fold: Sweaters Knitwear T-shirts Jeans Sweats Lingerie Special dresses (things that are heavily beaded, or dresses similar to a Herve Leger bandage dress)

Article / Updated 03-04-2022

If getting organized is one of your goals, you have lots of company. In recent years, more and more people are getting into getting organized. That's because it makes our busy lives and daily tasks less stressful. After you’ve psyched yourself up for some serious decluttering, try using the following techniques: Pick any number from one to two: When considering what to do with an item of clutter, remember that you have two basic options: Keep it or lose it. If you decide to keep it, you must figure out what to do with it. If you choose to lose it, you can chuck it or give it away. Clearly, the biggest obstacle to getting rid of anything is having to make this choice. Use the Triage Method of Clutter Control: Create three categories: Definitely Keep, Definitely Get Rid Of, and I’m Not Sure. Then throw out or give away everything in the last two categories. The upside of unloading much more of your clutter far outweighs the downside of making a mistake. Don’t look back. If it doesn’t work, toss it: Look around your home for a broken toaster, blender, vacuum cleaner, radio, or clock — any small appliance that hasn’t worked for a long while. Once you find one, ask yourself whether you truly need it. If you decide to fix it, fix it. If not, replace or discard it. Taking a second look Reassess your keeper pile: It’s never too late to get rid of some of the stuff that you decide to keep. Go back over your keeper pile and take a second look. Organizing even a small pile of things takes a lot of time. And, although storage and filing plays an important role in managing all the possessions that clutter your life, simply getting rid of stuff often makes more sense. Play the dating game: If you can’t bring yourself to throw something out today, put it in a box and put a date on the box that is exactly a year away. Don’t list what’s in the box — just the date. If you find that future date has come and gone without your needing anything in the box, chuck it, without looking inside. Don’t look back. And should you need and use some of the things from a box, find a good place to keep those items. Getting others involved Get a clutter buddy: You’re probably less sentimental, less ambivalent, and more determined when dealing with other people’s clutter than your own. Make this concept work for you. Ask your mate or a friend to help you de-clutter. Listen to that person, and do what he or she tells you. Find a clutter recipient. Getting rid of stuff is much easier when you know that it won’t end up in the trash, but in the hands of somebody who wants it and can use it. In fact, your rejects may be someone else’s cup of tea. Clothing, sports equipment, books, and furniture are often welcomed by others. Give your relatives and friends first crack at your treasures. The Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, thrift shops, and charity drives would all be delighted to take the stuff that your family and friends turn down. You can even get a tax deduction for donating to charitable organizations. Getting organized Invest in doors and drawers: Store things in cabinets and closets with drawers, in bureau drawers or file cabinets — anyplace that contributes to a sense of visual order. But remember that the space things occupy behind doors is still space that you could use for something else. Take a sample: Create a large art folder and began taking samples of your children’s masterpieces you are especially fond of. Get rid of the rest. Take a picture: Often, items in your “I’m Not Sure” pile have sentimental value or are too big to keep around. You want the memories, but not necessarily the object. Take its picture. Pictures take up far less space and still can bring a warm smile to your face.

Article / Updated 03-04-2022

If your range top is looking less than sparkling lately but you're not quite sure how to get the grease and dirt off, you'll find some tried-and-true methods here. How you clean your range depends on whether it is gas or electric, and we have answers for both below. In general, when cleaning a range top, pull off the upper and lower control knobs and wash them separately in warm soapy water. Air-dry the knobs thoroughly and completely before replacing them. Use a hair dryer to remove moisture from nooks and crannies if necessary. When food spills occur, immediately sprinkle them with table salt, which absorbs moisture and makes the spill easy to clean up later when the stovetop cools. Cut and remove filmy grease with full-strength white vinegar or lemon juice. Electric range tops Plug-in burners tend to collect grease and moisture down at the tips where they go into the power source receptacle. This leads to minor arcing (electrical shorting) that slowly builds and eventually ruins the burners. When you replace a burner, you must also replace the plug-in receptacle to prevent the arcing problem — not a cheap or convenient repair. To prevent this problem, remove the plug-in burners and carefully clean the surfaces and tips with a damp rag or stiff nylon brush. You can use a soapy steel wool pad if plain water and a rag or nylon brush don't do the trick. Never submerge plug-in burners in water. If you do, trace amounts of moisture usually remain on the plug-in tips and electric receptacles even if the metal prongs appear fully dry. The tips and receptacles contain porcelain, which is extremely porous and absorbs water. The result: You've brought water and electricity together for a potential electric shock. Another kind of electric burner, the fixed unit, is hard-wired and generally lifts up for cleaning. The advantage of this type is that the tips never corrode or burn out from dripping grease. Euro-style solid cast-iron burners (also called hobs) have a coating that wears off with use. To prevent rusting, manufacturers and dealers offer a special cleaner/sealer that you apply to a cold burner; it burns off when the burner heats. You can also use a light coat of mineral or cooking oil to prevent rusting, but oil smokes a bit when the burner heats. Turn on the vent fan to remove any light residual smoking or burning odor. Round cast-iron tops that cover elements to create a neat Euro-burner look distribute heat more evenly and prevent spills from dripping down into the drip pan and receptacle below — but they often cause undue heat stress and can shorten the life of a burner. It's a question of whether you want to trade a longer lifespan for a slicker image and ease of cleaning. For an electric range with a glass top, you can use a mix of half water and half vinegar. Wait until the surface is cool. Then, spray on the water/vinegar solution and wipe with a soft cloth so you don't scratch the glass. If you're looking for a high shine, there are cleaning products made specifically for glass-top ranges. Gas range tops Take out removable gas burners periodically and clean them with a stiff nylon brush, cleaning the gas jet holes with baking soda and hot water. Between the burners is a connector tube (called a flash tube) with an opening and a pilot light or electric spark igniter. This is where the gas is ignited and carried or drawn to each burner by what's called a venturi action. Cleaning is important since the flash tube can become clogged with grease. Clean nonremovable sealed gas burners with a small brush and a solution of baking soda and water. If you have a sealed gas burner, the drip pan that surrounds each burner is anchored securely to the cooktop and can't be removed. The only components that can be removed for cleaning are the burner grate (the part that rests above the flame, where you put the pots) and the burner cap, which distributes the flame evenly. Use an all-purpose cleaner to clean these components. Never use soap to clean burners. The chemicals in soap trigger corrosion on burner housings, which are made of aluminum. Baking soda is noncorrosive and is not harmful to aluminum. Make sure that you wipe the burner housings thoroughly clean and remove all water from the gas jet holes — first use a soft cloth and then use a hair dryer to remove any remaining moisture.

Step by Step / Updated 03-04-2022

Whether on your garage or basement floor, cleaning mildew from concrete is important because it can cause serious health problems if left alone. Knowing how to clean mildew from concrete can prevent falls (it can get slippery) and respiratory problems. To treat mildew, use a mildewcide — a chemical that will actually kill the fungus that causes mildew. If you don't kill it, the mildew will return. Sunlight is another major enemy to mildew. Prune and thin trees and shrubbery that shelter concrete surfaces. Prevention is another way to control mildew. Standing water is a primary source of mildew, so mop up puddles and keep surfaces dry. Try this mildew killer developed by the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Products Laboratory. It’s effective on all kinds of surfaces: You'll need: 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent, 1 quart liquid chlorine bleach, 3 quarts warm water, 1 mixing bucket, safety goggles, rubber gloves, 1 stiff bristle broom or brush, 1 garden hose, and running water.

Article / Updated 03-04-2022

You don't need a cabinet full of commercial products to clean your kitchen and bathroom appliances. You can make your own household cleaners out of a few simple components. Here's what they are and what they do: Baking soda: This is sodium bicarbonate, an alkaline substance produced naturally in mineral springs. Its mild abrasive and foaming action is a gentle but effective favorite. White vinegar: The acetic acid in vinegar gives it a tart taste — and great cleaning properties! The vinegar in the following recipes is distilled white household vinegar with a standard 5 percent acidity. For tough jobs, you can increase its acidity (and cleaning power) by boiling off some of the water content. Just remember: Higher acidity requires more careful handling. Lemon juice: Next to vinegar, lemons are the hands-down favorite for all-around cleaning and freshening. The secret ingredient of this wonder fruit is ascorbic acid. By comparison, vinegar is inexpensive and has a sharp odor, while lemons cost a bit more and smell a heck of a lot better. Salt: Its mild abrasive and absorbent action makes it a cleaning natural. Even though these homemade cleaning solutions are made with natural products, they still contain mild acids that can sting and burn eyes and skin. Always wear rubber gloves, protect your eyes with goggles, and have plenty of ventilation when using any type of cleaner, whether store-bought or homemade. All-purpose, handy dandy cleaner You can use this solution to clean and freshen just about any surface. It works especially well for day-to-day cleaning of range tops and cooktops. Mix up the following ingredients: 1 teaspoon borax 1⁄2 teaspoon washing soda 2 teaspoons white vinegar 1⁄4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid 2 cups hot water You can replace the washing soda with baking soda and use lemon juice instead of white vinegar, depending on what you have lying around the house. The former is a bit stronger than the latter. D-I-Y cleanser scrub This cleaning formula is especially well suited for cleaning baked-on spills on glass or porcelain ranges and cooktops when you would normally pull out the cleanser. Start with the following ingredients: 3⁄4 cup borax 1⁄4 cup baking soda Dishwashing liquid to moisten Combine the two powders and moisten them with just enough dishwashing liquid to create a gooey paste. You can use all borax or all baking soda if you wish. For a more pleasing and lingering aroma, add 1⁄4 teaspoon lemon juice. Gentle glass cleaner The following solution works well for cleaning the glass shelving in your refrigerator, glass cooktops, and the windows in range and oven doors. You need the following materials: 2 tablespoons ammonia 1⁄4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid 1⁄2 cup rubbing alcohol Hot water Mix the ingredients and add enough hot water to make 1 quart of cleaner. If you prefer, you can avoid the smell of ammonia by using white vinegar or lemon juice. However, this substitution will make the formula less powerful. For super-duper window cleaning — especially in cold weather — add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to the formula. People-friendly oven cleaner The following is a safe alternative to conventional caustic oven cleaners. It's also great for cleaning barbecue grills and grungy pots and pans. 2 teaspoons borax or baking soda 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid 1-1⁄4 cups ammonia 1-1⁄2 cups hot water Mix the ingredients, apply generously to spills, and let soak for 30 minutes or as long as overnight. Loosen tough spills with a nylon scrubber and then wipe up with a damp sponge. Super-duper disinfectant This solution works well anywhere you would use a store-bought disinfectant, such as appliance pulls and handles and the inside face of the refrigerator where the gasket seats. Mix the following ingredients and then scrub: 1 tablespoon borax or baking soda 1⁄4 cup powdered laundry detergent 1⁄4 cup pine-oil-based cleaner or pine oil 3⁄4 cup hot water For kitchen use, dilute with more hot water. Easy mildew remover This mildew formula works great on painted and other washable surfaces. Wear gloves and eye protection and have plenty of ventilation when working with this solution: 1⁄3 cup powdered laundry detergent 1 quart household liquid chlorine bleach 3 quarts warm water Apply the remover by using a spray bottle, a sponge, or an old toothbrush. Allow the solution to sit for five to ten minutes, but don't let it dry. You'll know the solution is working when the black mildew stains turn white. Rinse all the surfaces well with hot water and then towel-dry.

Article / Updated 03-04-2022

Cleaning your oven helps keep it in peak operating condition. Ovens can be powered by gas or electricity; they can be self-cleaning and even continuously cleaning. So, choose the proper cleaning method depending on the type of oven you have. Cleaning an electric oven An electric oven has two heating elements: one above for broiling and one below for baking. Some models have lower elements that you can lift up, which allows easier cleaning of the oven's bottom surface. Most ovens have special hinges that allow the door to lift right off ― open the oven door 8 to 10 inches and try lifting. If you are able to remove the door, you can easily clean deep in the oven's interior without stretching over the lowered open oven door. You also can clean the glass and the inside surface of the door on a towel at countertop level. Cleaning a gas oven You can use this people-friendly oven cleaner to make the inside of your gas oven sparkle. 2 teaspoons borax or baking soda 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid 11⁄4 cups ammonia 11⁄2 cups hot water Mix the ingredients, apply generously to spills, and let soak for 30 minutes or as long as overnight. Loosen tough spills with a nylon scrubber and then wipe up with a damp sponge. The bottom of a gas oven requires the most cleaning. You can remove the bottom panel simply by lifting it out or by removing a couple of screws that hold it in place. With the oven bottom out, inspect and clean the gas burner. To determine how the burner is working, turn it on with the bottom panel off. If the flame isn't continuous along both sides of the burner, some of its holes are clogged. Turn off the oven control and insert a wire — such as a coat hanger — into the clogged holes. After the gas burner is clean, check to make sure that it's burning efficiently — a steady blue 1-inch cone, with an inner cone of about 1/2 inch. The air shutter, which you can adjust, controls the air mixture and, in turn, the color of the flame. Consult your owner's manual for information about how to adjust the burner flame in your gas oven. Cleaning a self-cleaning electric oven Never use a commercial oven cleaner on a self-cleaning oven. These harsh cleaners can pit, burn, and eat into the porcelain surface. The result? When you reach the normal 850- to 900-degree level for self-cleaning, you can actually pop chunks of porcelain off the oven walls. Instead, let the intended high heat action turn food spills into carbon, which all but disappears with complete combustion, and then wipe up any minor dust-like ash residue with a damp cloth, paper towel, or sponge when the oven cools. Don't open the oven door if you notice a flame-up or smell something burning. The oven is doing what it's supposed to do. If you're really worried, shut the oven off. The lack of oxygen in the closed and sealed oven and diminishing heat level will extinguish any burning in a matter of moments. You can clean the area surrounding the oven door gasket with a mild abrasive. With a wide spatula or paint scraper, lift up the gasket edge to prevent rubbing against it and possible fraying. Manufacturers recommend removing racks during the self-cleaning process to prevent the racks from turning brown. Cleaning a continuous-cleaning oven Continuous-cleaning ovens have a special rough-texture porcelain interior. Spills gradually burn off as you use the oven. A speckled surface helps hide foods while they burn off, but these ovens may not always look clean in the process. Combusted foods tend to remain on the oven walls. To prevent this problem, wipe up large spills as soon as the oven cools — especially sugary or starchy foods. These models work best on greasy spills. Never use harsh abrasives, scouring pads, or commercial oven cleaners on continuous-cleaning ovens. These cleaners damage the special lining. Gentle cleaning by hand with baking soda and warm water works best.