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Ali's Tips-n-Tricks

Helpful Laundry Tips

9/17/2019

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Time to do laundry….”eeeerrrrrrrr!!!!”. If you are like me, laundry is your least favorite chore. I’ve been in a few homes where laundry is a beast and I have helped families get out from underneath the piles! Here are some tips-n-tricks that I’ve used to make this unavoidable task go a little bit easier:
  • ​Ensure you have a pre-sort system: lights, darks, delicates, towels and linens. Have a dedicated hamper or basket for every category and make certain everyone in the household knows where to put their dirty clothes. If your family members are use to having one hamper for themselves in their bedroom or bathroom, that’s fine! Those contents just need to make it to the “household” sorting hampers/baskets.
  • If your family is small and doesn’t have a ton of laundry piling up, dedicate one day a week to tackle it in a few hours. Multi task and have the laundry going while you do other household chores (one of the few upsides to having to do laundry😊).
  • If your family is larger, and it would take you hours and hours to complete in one day, pick certain days of the week to complete specific categories. Maybe Monday’s are for towels, Tuesday’s are for lights, Wednesday’s are for darks and Thursday’s are for linens and delicates. 
  • Any “Mini-Me’s” in the house? Have them help out by folding or putting their own laundry away. Older ones may even be able to start a load, especially if you have your pre-sorted system up and running. Have a little chart to remind them of detergent/softener levels and wash settings for each category.
  • Really behind??? Pay a babysitter that you use and trust, a friend’s child or neighborhood kid looking for extra cash to help dig you out! Remember, many hands make light work😊

I hope that this has given you some ideas that you can use in your home! If you think you need some one on one help, contact me for a consultation!
 
Your answer for organizing,
Ali  

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Creating a Memory Box for Your Child's Artwork

9/12/2019

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Picture
​With the new school year in full swing, I thought I’d write about a question that I hear from many of my
​clients: "what do I do with all of the artwork my child brings home?!?”. Naturally, there is an emotional tie to almost everything they make, especially items made just for you!  Of course, we can’t keep it all (and I’ve seen what happens when people try!) so here is an idea that may help: create a Memory Box for each child. Here are the steps:

  • Designate a “gallery”. This should be a place in your home where the artwork will be on display for all to see. Maybe it’s a door or wall in the hub of the home, above their bed in their bedroom or on the side of the fridge. Make them a part of the decision on where it will be, and decorate. This could be a fun weekend afternoon project! Here is a link to Pinterest for inspiration! (Thank you Craftionary)
  • When your child brings artwork home, take time to review it with them, and see if it is something that they would like to display in their gallery.
  • If no, then it’s time to let it go…preferably in a recycling bin. If they protest, explain to them that it is not possible to keep everything they create. Sometimes the fun was in the creating, and not in the keeping. If we keep everything, then nothing is truly treasured. This will help them learn the important life lesson of letting things go!
  • If keeping, date it and jot down any details that you would like them to remember on the back. Hang it in their gallery immediately, or else you may be in danger of creating another pile! You may need to take something down in order to make room for the new piece (1 in, 1 out rule). If something is coming down, help in making the decision of whether or not it’s something they'll keep in their memory box. Some things to consider:
    • What memory is it attached to? (Your notes on the back will help remind you!)
    • Is there something similar already in their memory box?
    • How easy is it to store?
  • If it’s not a keeper, let it go! If it’s a keeper, file it in their memory box! The easiest way to set up their box is to use a file box like this one and label one for each child. Organize it by year before they start school, and by grade after they start school. If they create during the summer months, use the file for the grade that they are starting in August/September.  At the end of each school year, go thru the file with your child and ensure you are keeping only the absolute favorites. Keep the boxes in a place where your kids can access and enjoy them…the notes that are jotted down on the back are sure to bring laughter and happiness for years to come!

Your answer for organizing,
Ali

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    Alison J. Monaghan, Owner of Organizing By Ali

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