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Kid-friendly kitchen organizing

June 29, 2018 by Heather Filed Under: Home, Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Systems & Techniques

Our kitchens are becoming increasingly multi-functional so it makes sense to have some kid-friendly kitchen organizing system to manage multiple schedules and all of our busy lifestyles.

10 kid-friendly organizing tips to keep your kids and kitchen happy and healthy!

1. A Household Command Center might include the following items:

  • A weekly or monthly calendar
  • Menu’s, shopping lists
  • Meal planning tools
  • Coupons (these can also be kept in the car)
  • A drawer or cabinet with a few basic office supplies (scissors, tape, envelopes, stamps, pens & pencils)
  • A contacts list or
  • A “household management binder”, see my post here on what to include
  • An area to keep keys (hooks or a tray)
  • A white/blackboard or note pad jot down notes or ideas

2. Create a “perpetual” calendar and utilizing insides of cabinets or a Household Binder, especially if you do not have space or want to create a full command center. Include menu’s, shopping lists and household management info.

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Source: bhg.com via AHG on Pinterest

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Source: simplifiedbee.blogspot.com via HKpowerStudio on Pinterest

3. Use over the door accessory organizers. Here they are put to use holding snacks.

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Source: indulgy.com via Lois on Pinterest

4. Use low drawers, shelves and baskets for kid-friendly foods and lunch-meal making supplies. This will make it easier for your kids to help out in the kitchen with small tasks like putting things away. It also makes lower cabinets safe for kids to access for play and snacktime.

kid-friendly kitchen organizing

5. Label it! This includes shelves, drawers and containers so that everyone knows where things go. Picture labels can be a great solution for smaller children.

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 Source: google.com via Jen on Pinterest

Smart companies are starting to market to this need with low drawer refrigerators and “Kid-Zone” cabinet options!6. Keep cleaning products up high, especially if you have very little kids and keep only kid-safe items like clean rags, extra paper products, a stool, drying rack etc. under the sink (use kid proof cabinet locks too).kid-friendly kitchen organizing

7. Portion out snacks into small containers that are stored in a basket or bin in a kid accessible area so they can help themselves.

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Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest8. Corral small items into a mesh bags when it comes to cleaning (or baskets) to throw into the dishwasher so they don’t get lost!

9. Keep an island or open counter space where you can have your kids participate will surely keep them more interested in cooking and eating healthy.10. Incorporating kids artwork using chalkboard paint or another display area makes your kids feel they are a part of the household activities that probably center around the kitchen.

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Source: designismine.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest
Bonus! If your kids like to participate (or you want them to) be sure to have a safe step stool (10) that gives them access to counter space (or a stool they can sit at) and kid safe tools they will want to use!

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Sporty Space Organizing

June 21, 2018 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Almost every sport we play involves some type of special clothing, footwear or equipment. It’s hard to keep up with it all especially if you or your family all play different sports. Sports equipment takes up time, money and precious space in your home which some people might not be able to give up. That’s why it’s important to take your time to create a system for your sporty space organizing needs.

Organizing sports equipment can be tricky the variety of sizes and shapes such as balls, sticks, rackets, board, clubs, fishing rods and bikes. A popular place to store sports equipment is the garage. There are many storage systems  available such as Elfa, Organize It and Store Wall that help keep everything in its place. For those who enjoy DIY projects, you can create a unique storage system for your sports equipment. Pinterest has many great examples that range from complete wall organizers to custom lockers.

Sporty Space Organizing

[Read more…]

In Car Organizing Tips-Happy Kids & Happy Parents

June 14, 2018 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Having a system for In Car Organizing means you’re more likely to keep your sanity on the road.

This is especially true when you spend a ton of time in your car, to and from work, carpool, errands or before you head out for a road trip vacation! Before you hit the road, give your car a quick clean out with these In Car Organizing Tips.

Estimated time needed, 30-45 min’s.

In Car Organizing Tips

Zone by Zone In Car Organizing

  • Doors (interior pockets)-Keep a small umbrella and items you need frequently like coupon a caddy.
  • Center Dashboard-All cars are different, most have some small storage compartment, for glasses, chap stick, gum, hand sanitizes and your charger. Just the basic’s here folks.
  • Corral the cords-Use a cord organizer to keep your chargers untangled.
  • Center Console- Go Vertical! Group small items in small bags bins and line them up vertically so you do not have to dig to the bottom to find what you need. Keep toiletry items, a note pad, pen, wipes (hand & car), change for meters (in an old Rx bottle), pain reliever, first aid etc.
  • Glove Compartment-Store extra napkins in a plastic envelope or ziploc to keep tidy. Keep your car manual with insurance card and registration/inspection, a copy of drivers license, and maybe your coupon caddie? Other possibilities if you have room, a lint roller, fold up extra bags.
  • Tidy Toss-A plastic cereal storage bin with a flip top (with or without a bag) is a great trash “can”. Other options a trash bag (hang from hook on back of passenger side) or place on floor in back.
  • Back Seat– Reusable bags, hang behind driver or passenger seat (folded inside a bag).
  • Kid Tip-keep an empty cleaning bin (like supplies are stored in) in the back seat to hold snacks and drinks and prevent messes-just brilliant!
  • Constant Clean-Wipe down all surface. Do this while pumping gas or waiting in carpool (safe times when you are not moving). Keep a small duster (fuzzy microfiber or even a paint brush!) for light cleaning in a door pocket or console.
  • Trunk/hatch back– An elastic trunk net keeps things from sliding out and creates extra vertical storage. Use collapsible fabric bins, either cubes or a hanging sweater “shelf” that expands. These are great to hold items like grocery bags and sport gear. The can be folded up when not in use. Keep a towel or small blanket for warmth, protect seats etc.
  • Caddie or organizing bin-Keep this in the trunk for other essentials including a tape measure, plastic trash bags, rope/bungees, flash light, tire pressure tool and optional pet supplies.
  • Safety Kit – Include a multi-knife tool, matches or lighter, thermal blanket, hand/foot warmers, window scraper, flare light, first aid kit, emergency food (bars), water in glass or metal (won’t go bad as quickly). Also keep a life hammer (window break tool) in a door pocket or your center console. This can be mounted with velcro or command tape. Be sure it’s easy to access in case of an flooding-not in trunk!

If you can pull it all out and sort it on the driveway, in the garage or even in the street!

Once it’s empty, take your car for a Spa Day! Get it cleaned, detailed, feeling and smelling great before you return only what you need.

What did  I miss? Everyone’s different, this list covers the basics for In Car Organizing, including safety but you might need other essentials. If you have tips or questions please share them in the comments below!

Looking for more kid-friendly organizing tips? Check out how to create a Practical Command Center.

Love or Loath Laundry? Quick Laundry tips

March 13, 2018 by Heather Filed Under: Closets, Home, Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 1 Comment

Do you love or loath laundry? I don’t mind it but I know for so many people Laundry is not about love, at all! That’s why I work with my clients to create a laundry schedule, including what I to keep on top of weekly laundry tasks.

Loving or Loathing Laundry

In creating a laundry schedule I ask a few questions to help determine what the best household action plan for doing laundry…here are some questions you can use to create your own laundry schedule.

  • How many household members? How many loads of laundry per person per week do you generate?
  • How many “able bodied” people do you have do delegate laundry to? Kids age 10+ should start learning to help with laundry, including having a laundry basket in their room, helping to bring laundry to the washer/dryer, helping to sort, fold and put laundry away.
  • Do you have a cleaning person that helps with laundry? If so, what day do they come and what laundry tasks do they do or could you delegate to them (sheets and towels or more)?
  • Do you and your kids do sports activities or work that generates extra dirty (stinky:() laundry? If so, how soon after these activities do you need to wash things (to re-use or prevent smells)?
  • Do you take a lot of things to the dry cleaner? If so, do you have a pick up drop off service or is this something your drycleaner offers?
  • Do you have a lot of ironing, do you like to iron?

With all this info in your back pocket, calculate how many loads need to be done per week and who will do them. Then, take a look at your weekly schedule and assign laundry tasks by the date to yourself or other household help (kids, spouse, cleaning helpers etc).

I change and wash whites, or linens (towels, sheets and the oddball other white items) on Wednesdays and thus the term Wednesday Whitewash! Maybe doing a couple loads mid weeks and more on the weekends makes sense to you and with your schedule or maybe your weekends are busy with family activities and your better off tackling one load per evening through the week.

Keep Laundry Contained

In my observation, many people do not have laundry baskets, have them where they need them (in the bedroom, bathroom or closet) or seem to use them at all! I find laundry in piles on the floor, draped over furniture, hanging form hooks, light fixtures and everywhere else you can imagine. If you don’t know what’s clean and what’s dirty, you will constantly be re-washing items or at least giving your nose a workout with the sniff test. Keep dirty laundry contained in a basket or bag and use this to take laundry to your laundry area and then sort (or buy bins with sorting compartments if you have room). There are tons of great laundry basket options, like these available…so measure your space and determine what/how many you need and invest!

Minimize Maintenance

When you buy new clothes, think about their laundry requirements.

Sort laundry by color and by weight. I don’t like to wash my husbands heavy duty work pants with my delicate tops or undergarments (which should be in a bag). Sort weekly loads by dark/light/white and weight. This helps keep clothes looking newer longer.

Do you love linen but hate ironing? Maybe these things should be kept for less frequent use or sent to the dry cleaner?

Keep it Green Clean

Do you dislike using dry cleaners because of the chemicals? If so, look for a green cleaner in your area. While we are talking about green options, look for cleaning products that are phosphate free and use minimal scents and chemicals (though there seem to be more an more products on the market to mask odor-that doesn’t mean it’s really clean!). This might seem obvious but wash things only when needed. If you’ve only worn something for a couple hours, didn’t sweat or spill on it, then wear it again before laundering. This is not only going to save you time, it will keep your clothes looking new longer and will save resources (water power etc).

Consider hanging delicate, knits and lightweight items to dry (like the French do!). I use a collapsible laundry rack to dry about 1/3 to 1/2 of every laundry load, it takes a bit more time to dry but it keeps my clothes fro wearing out as quickly and saves energy. When it comes to stains, do pre-treat as soon as possible and if your really stain prone, check out these stain specific products (not all stains are alike!) by Carbona.

Any way you schedule it, whether you love or loath laundry, having this household task in perpetual motion will keep you from melting or collapsing under this task mountain!

A Household Binder can be a portable command center

August 18, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Organizing Projects, Paper management, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 1 Comment

Using a household binder is a great way to keep lots of miscellaneous and commonly referenced loose papers in one place. It can be used anywhere you need, taken with you from room to room (or when you leave home) and is an easy way share information with babysitters, family members etc.

What to Include in your Household Binder

  • Emergency contacts such as doctors, family members and neighbors.
  • Vital household information-wifi code, alarm and utility company info etc.
  • Important personal and medical information such as allergies and medications
  • Schedules including school year, holiday’s, sports and after school activities etc
  • Invitations
  • Takeout food menu’s
  • Meal Planning
  • Grocery lists
  • To Do list
  • Action items-bills to be paid
  • Chore charts/Goal Charts etc
  • Pet Info
  • House Rules (for guests etc)

household binder

How to Set up your household binder

  • Gather supplies including binder, clear sheet protectors, section dividers with tabs, labels (label maker) & markers , pens or pencils
  • Print blank forms for any of the information above
  • Type out or hand write contact info, personal /household info
  • Gather menu’s, mail, lists, invitations and schedules
  • Create sections for Contact &/or Emergency Information, household member, Schedules, Chore charts, pet info. meals, To-Do etc.

This is a great system for households that don’t’ have a lot of space for a command center but it can also be used along with a more “Visual” command center.

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