Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Papers piling up? Toys taking over? If your home is more cluttered than clean you’re not alone — 85 per cent of homeowners say that organisation and storage is the most desired feature in a home. Your clean-home dreams can come true. In fact simply getting rid of clutter alone can eliminate 40 per cent of housework in the average home according to the National Soap and Detergent Association in the US. With a few helpful hints your home can get organised and stay that way.
Conquer a Clutter-free Kitchen
With a wealth of gadgets it’s no wonder the kitchen is a clutter culprit. To start your cleanse remove everything from drawers and cupboards. If you haven’t used an item in the last month (unless it’s a holiday necessity) — purge it. Next up clean and line drawer and shelf surfaces with a quality shelf-liner. Not only will it protect them from dirt and grime but it also offers a good gauge: If you can’t see the shelf liner it’s time to purge again.
Get a New Spin on the Laundry Room
Sometimes the laundry room needs a bit of cleaning itself. Detergents and other build-up can cause washing machine odours. Run white vinegar through a cycle to sanitise it with ease. Next improve efficiency and reduce fire hazards by thoroughly cleaning lint from dryer vents — both inside and out. Finally use labelled baskets to ensure everything has its place. And since the laundry room is often a catch-all location label one as a “put away” basket and be sure to empty it daily putting its contents back in their proper places.
Control Bathroom Chaos
From towels to toiletries bathrooms hold a lot of “stuff” which can make organising feel like a losing battle. Create a de-cluttering schedule. Since many toiletries such as toothbrushes and make-up should be replaced quarterly this is the perfect time to purge. Empty drawers and linen cabinets and toss out items that are old or aren’t being used. Shelf liner can once again be a useful addition before putting items back as the antimicrobial protection can add an extra level of clean by helping prevent the growth of odour-causing mould and mildew on the liner. Plus you can toss it in the wash for easy cleaning.
Gear-Up Garage Organisation
From toys to tools to seasonal gear the garage has it all. Unfortunately 25 per cent of two-car garages are so cluttered that there isn’t room to park a car, reports the US Department of Energy. Annually remove everything and categorise items into “keep” “sell/donate”, and “trash” piles. Next designate sections of the garage for “work” (hardware and gardening tools) and “play” (toys, bikes and balls). Create vertical storage by adding hooks and floor-to-ceiling shelves. Finally label bins boxes and shelves to encourage everyone to maintain the new-found organisation.
Purr-fectly Clean Pets
Humans aren’t the only ones accumulating clutter or making messes. In fact Trupanion.com discovered that the average number of pet toys in a home was 34. Start each season by tossing out tattered pet toys and thoroughly disinfecting the keepers – along with leashes boxes and bedding. To keep areas neat and clean place non-adhesive shelf liner under food and water bowls to keep them in place and spills contained. A piece under the litter box can also reduce litter scatter across floors and the grip surface helps pull litter from dirty paws. By following these helpful tips and tricks your home will soon be clean organised and clutter-free.
