No matter how organized you are, there is at least one out of control
closet in your home.
Don't be ashamed to admit it. It is easy to do. Your closet is one
of the last places
anybody sees. Even you probably don't see the closet clutter often.
When you do, the
thought of getting the closet organized may be a little overwhelming.
Taking control of closet clutter is actually an easy task. It may
take you hours the first
time you do it, but once you get your closet clutter free,
maintaining it will only take
minutes a day.
Make sure you have plenty of uninterrupted time when you start
organizing your closet.
If you have to stop during your task, make sure you go right back to
it as soon as you can.
Leaving your task half completed only creates more clutter.
Begin by taking everything out of the closet first. Don't worry
about sorting into
categories just yet. Once the closet is emptied, clean the closet.
Vacuum the carpet or
clean the floors as needed. Scrub the walls down. Don't forget to
wipe down the shelves.
Do the walls need painting? Maybe some paper to line the shelves
with. Just take a little
extra time to make it look remarkable. All your hard work will be a
waste if the closet
looks grubby.
Now it is time to put your items back into your closet. As you go
through your stuff, get
serious and honest about each item. Ask yourself when was the last
time you used it. If it
has been more than one year, toss it. If you only use this item once
a year, try to store it
in a more appropriate place. Attics and garages are great storage
areas for seldom used
items. Just make sure you don't create more clutter in other areas.
Store your times in a
neat and systematic manner.
Another question to ask yourself is, does this item have sentimental
value to you. If it
does, then why is it tucked away in your closet. Take it out and
display it in a way that
shows you are proud of it.
When you run into something that has monetary value, consider whether
it is worth your
time to sell it. Online auctions and local antique shops are both
great places to get rid of
your clutter and make a little extra money along the way. When an
item is not worth your
time to sell, think of a friend or family member that might enjoy it
and give it to them!
The most important step is putting your stuff back into the closet.
Put like items together.
Smaller items need to be put into containers. Pizza boxes, shoe
boxes and video tape
boxes are all inexpensive organization containers. They can be
covered with fabric to
create a more unified look.
When everything is back into the closet, and things are still a
little cluttered, you need to
purge more items. When you have a working system in place, stick
with it. A few extra
seconds to put an item into its home saves you time later.
About the Author:
Roxanna Ward, Community leader and staff writer for
BabyUniversity, lives in Georgia with her husband and
her three children. As a published freelance writer the focus of her
writing is concentrated on sharing household tips, her experience
with her frugal lifestyle as well as the phenomenal process of
breastfeeding, child rearing related issues and romantic
relationships. She is also currently the Editor of three newsletters:
What's New at BabyU?, Intimate Encounters and At Home with Baby
University. Sign up for those Here Roxanna can be contacted at Roxanna30135@aol.com.
