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Newsletter Archives
December 2009
Wrapping It Up
November 2009
Prepare the Pantry
October 2009
Costumes & Decorations
September 2009
Enough
August 2009
Help for the Home Office
July 2009
Getting Crafty
June 2009
A Better Bedroom
May 2009
Eco Organizing
April 2009
Getting Ready to Garden
March 2009
The Path To Clutter
February 2009
Easing Into Downsizing
January 2009
Organizing For Renovation
December 2008
Organizing For Next Year
November 2008
More Of My Favorite Organizing Tools
October 2008
Making Life Easier
September 2008
Clearing The Closet
August 2008
How To Let Go Of Stuff
July 2008
Managing Medical Records
June 2008
Road Trip Organizing
May 2008
Collections Instead of Clutter
April 2008
Getting Ready for Tax Time
March 2008
Where to Begin
February 2008
When You Want to Help
January 2008
Top Ten Causes of Disorganization
December 2007
Organize for Air Travel
November 2007
Organize for Small Spaces
October 2007
When Life Happens, Reorganize
September 2007
Bathroom Organizing
August 2007
Paper Organizing
July 2007
Uncluttered Kids' Rooms
June 2007
Top Ten Organizing Tools
May 2007
Grapple The Garage
April 2007
Managing Your Time
March 2007
Spring Organizing
February 2007
Help for Caregivers of Aging Parents
January 2007
National Get Organized Month
December 2006
Year End Organizing
November 2006
Give Thanks for Being Organized
October 2006
Holiday Kitchen Organization
September 2006
In Case of a Weather Emergency - Organize!
August 2006
Back to School Organizing
July 2006
Declare your Independence from Summer Clutter
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ORGANIZING TIPS OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER 2009
Prepare the Pantry
The pantry and food cupboards are common areas of disorder. We are often in a hurry after a grocery run and just put things away in any space that is handy.
The result is we can’t find things when we need them, we buy duplicates, and we have expired food. Let me help you bring order to chaos.
- Sort It Out: Start by emptying the pantry or cupboards completely. Sort the items into categories—spices, oil, baking, breakfast, snacks, etc. This will let you see where you have too much or where you need to fill in.
- Get Rid of the Bad Stuff: Look for expiration dates and toss food that is past its prime. Also get rid of damaged packages that have exposed food to contaminations and insect infestation.
- Start with a Good Surface: Clean the shelves. Look in the corners for evidence of moths and spiders. Remove webs and cocoons. Line wire shelves with heavy shelf liner to keep items from falling over.
- Love the Lazy Susan: Round turntables do a great job of storing cans and bottles which otherwise get lost on deep shelves or in corners. Two tier turntables double the capacity of your shelves.
- Containers to Fit the Category: Use small bins to hold small items, such as seasoning packets. Use large bins to held bulky items, such as bags of chips. Clear is best in closed storage areas; baskets look great on open shelves.
- Label: Label shelves and bins to help you others in the household remember to put things away in an organized manner.
- Use the Inside Surface of Doors: Shelf units that attach to the inside of doors are perfect to hold shallow items such as storage bags, boxes of tea/chocolate, spices, and small cans. You can also use the door surface to install bag holders.
- Better Floor Storage: It is often difficult to see items stored on the pantry floor beneath the bottom shelf. Use large shallow bins as drawers on the floor. You can pull the bin out and see everything stored in it. Use floor protector pads on the bottom side of the bins to keep from scratching the surface.
- Hooks are Handy: Install heavy duty coat hooks on the narrow wall space between the shelves and the door. Hang aprons and grilling tools on them.
- Keep It Safe: Use a Sharpie to mark dates on packages and jars when you open them.
This will give you an idea of when to discard the item. Secure open bags with twist ties or clips. Put packages that cannot be securely closed into a plastic zip bag.
You discourage insect infestation when you secure open packages.
©Cheryl Harrell, 2009 All Rights Reserved
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