Last week I shared with all my Bella friends that I am in the process of cleaning and organizing my house in order to get control of my life. I’ve been calling it “Spring Cleaning” but the sad reality is that I’ve needed to do it for some time now- so this year I jumped on the seasonal bandwagon and told myself that it was time. Which meant collecting the tools and supplies I’d need to get the task accomplished. I guess you’d say I was organizing  to ORGANIZE.

Here are my personal favorites-the things that I cannot do without- when it comes to cleaning and organizing my closets, cupboards and drawers:

#1: Clear containers with lids

I love the clear containers that are the small enough to stack on my shelves. Because these come in a variety of sizes I alway pick up at least 2 different sizes when I come across them at the store. I always have extra on hand just in case I feel the need to fill it with junk that’s laying around the house.

Item #2-Closeable plastic bags-

I find that I use the quart, 1 gallon and 2 gallon size bags the most. Each bag has an area for you to label what’s on the inside-so I do. I  put “like” items together in these bags. For instance, I put all of my store receipts in a baggie before filing them away. That way I’m not fighting with lots of little pieces of paper. Once you start organizing with baggies you will find that they are great for gaining control of the little things around your house.

Item #3 Sharpie Markers

These are my personal favorite for using on the above mentioned baggies. They don’t smear and will never come off. I sometimes forget all that’s inside a bag or a folder so the sharpies comes in handy for labeling these things. It’s also great for the times that I need to find something quickly.

Item #4 Small white baskets

These baskets have so many different uses! For example I have found that in my pantry there are many different ways to use these for organizing: I put all of my seasoning mix packets (taco, dressings, gravy) into quart size baggies and then “file” them inside a white basket, I use the larger size baskets for separating and holding things like breads, crackers, pasta, baking supplies. In my craft closet these are a “must-have” for holding all the different things I have like scissors (I bet I have 15 pairs), Ulta-fine colored sharpie markers, glues, etc.

Item #5 The LABELER!

This is my personal favorite because it not only helps me to know what’s inside the various containers that I’ve put things into-it also helps OTHERS know what’s inside. (Or what’s to go back inside the container when they’ve finished using it.) For example, I just organized the toy cupboards using clear lidded containers which I labeled. So now when you open the cupboard you know what toys are where-and the grandkids (or should I say their parents since my grandkids can’t read yet) know where they go when it’s time to clean up.

Item #6 Diet Coke

I think that this is self-explanatory. About halfway through organizing I always need a little “pick me up”  so that I have the energy to finish. (Although this week I am taking the bold step of going off this beverage-am I crazy or what? Wish me luck.)

Later this week I will show you the areas that I’ve been organizing.

Debs