Most of those areas in our homes that we use to contain our things could probably use a little organization. For some homeowners, this task can seem daunting, so if you don’t know where to start, sometimes it helps to tackle the clutter you can't physically see first, like the family laptop or tablet. Once you've uncluttered the electronics, you will feel more inspired to start organizing the closets, the pile of mail, and maybe even that junk drawer.
Computer
Digital clutter is as much a problem as physical clutter. Take some time to go through your computer and clean it up, then be sure you are backing up those items you don't want to lose.
- Organize stray files into folders and delete anything you won’t use again.
- Reserve your desktop only for your most important and frequently used items. A cluttered desktop of excess folders and icons slows down your computer because each time you open it, your desktop has to refresh each item as it loads.
- Delete files you haven’t used lately, especially duplicate and junk files as well as any old video files you've downloaded.
- Remove programs you no longer use. Unused programs take up hard drive space and, sometimes unbeknownst to you, have been set to open automatically and run in the background, which slows down processor time and uses up valuable memory.
- Clean your computer's outside, too.
- To clean the screen, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth. A damp soft cloth will take care of dust buildup, followed by a dry cloth.
- For the keyboard, you can first simply turn your keyboard over and gently shake out crumbs and other debris. You can also use a small clean paintbrush or makeup brush to clean around the keys. To get the keyboard really clean you can use a keyboard compressed air duster product to spray out the debris quickly and easily.
Closet
How many hours have you spent in front of your closet trying to find a specific piece of clothing? Take a few minutes and separate your clothes, maybe by color, occasion or season. There are a lot of different methods for closet organization, the trick is to pick one and stick to it. If you come across items that you haven’t worn in a while, this is a great time to donate them.
It may seem trivial, but many homes, especially those with several house members, struggle with mail organization. If you don’t already have a designated area for mail, create one. A simple basket in an out-of-the-way area or a hanging container work well. Make a habit of cleaning this area out once a week so that it doesn’t become too unmanageable, shredding any items that could compromise your identity and recycling non-sensitive papers.
Linen Closet
Could your linen closet use a little TLC? Many homes struggle with this because they have too many extra towels, sheets, and pillows. Slim down your linens by keeping only the items that you will likely use and donate all the multiples. One of the biggest organizing mistakes homeowners make is to try to tackle too much too quickly. Focus on one area of a room at a time to avoid getting easily burnt out and throwing in the towel.
