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Newsletter Archives

December 2011
Fresh Start

November 2011
Organizing for a Flight

October 2011
Closet Organizing

September 2011
Organizing for Retirement

August 2011
Warning Signs of Disorganization

July 2011
Essential Organizing Tools

June 2011
Where Do I Start?

May 2011
Reclaim the Garage

April 2011
In Case of Emergency

March 2011
Organizing for Dementia

February 2011
Organizing for Guests

January 2011
Paper Overwhelm

December 2010
Top Ten Causes of Disorganization Revisited

November 2010
Just in Case…Organizing for Death

October 2010
Kitchen Organizing

September 2010
Photo Organizing

August 2010
It’s the Small Things

July 2010
Procrastination

June 2010
Expert Organizing Tips

May 2010
Tips from my Clients

April 2010
Tips for Setting Up a Garage Sale

March 2010
Unusual Ways to Organize

February 2010
Staging your Home for Sale

January 2010
Favorite Places to Buy Organizing Products

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

ORGANIZING TIPS OF THE MONTH: OCTOBER 2011
Closet Organizing

Cluttered closets are the 2nd biggest problem areas for everyone. (Paper is the #1 problem.) Fortunately, a closet is one of the quickest organizing projects.

Be in the mood: Attempt a closet organization only when you have the time, energy, and enthusiasm for the project. If any of the three are lacking, you will give up in frustration.
Decide on function: A closet used to hang coats has a very different configuration than one used to store office supplies. Choose a theme for the closet before you start organizing.
Empty it out: Remove everything from the closet. Stand back and wonder how you fit so much stuff into such a small space. You will discover forgotten treasures and useless trash.
Quick sort: Do a fast sort, without agonizing over each piece you take out of the closet. Make distinct piles. Make a big label, at least 8x11, for each grouping so you have a clear visual to help you sort quickly.
Purge the piles: Go through each item and decide what is worthy of closet space and what needs to go. Give away items others may value. Torn, broken, stained stuff is trash.
Have a closet buddy: If you touch something, you are more likely to keep it. Ask someone to hold up clothes and shoes for you. All they need to ask is “ Yes or No” for keep, donate or trash. No judgmental comments, favorable or unfavorable.
Shelf or rod: The closet function determines the type of configuration that is most effective. Long hanging clothes—single hanging rod. Shirts and pants—double rod. Children’s clothes or office supplies—shelves with bins for small items and/or drawers.
Dividers: Vertical dividers for wire or solid shelves are available in the closet section of home improvement and organization stores. They are invaluable in keeping handbags upright and stacks of T-shirts from toppling
Bins: No matter how neatly you arrange small items on shelves, they inevitably migrate into a jumbled mess. Bins are lifesavers to keep things organized.
Group like items together: It is one of the consistent mantras of organizing. It does no good to purge and sort, unless you put things back in the closet by grouping like items. Hang all the blouses together. Stack sweaters separately from T-shirts. Don’t mix Legos and Matchbox toys.