topic Re: How do you keep home organized, clean and neat? in Home

How do you keep home organized, clean and neat?

CherryHugs — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 22:44:41 GMT

Do you have any tips to stay organized that you use? And to keep up cleaning etc.

I will clean up and clear clutter and then a few days later its a mess again!

For days I will get the dishes down and then in a few days I have a sink full, clutter all around, papers and lists on the table, etc.

I try to stay organized but not sure what Im doing wrong!

Its all on me too LOL since Im divorced and cant blame anyone else for making a mess

Re: How do you stay organized?

Venezia — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 20:58:15 GMT

The only time I really stayed organized was when I was on my own. My apartment was neat, tidy and I had fresh flowers on the table every day.

Put me together with another person, who isn't particularly tidy...forget it.

Wish I could help but, when you figure it out, please let me know.

Re: How do you stay organized?

BunSnoop — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:07:47 GMT

Gosh @CherryHugs , I'll be following this one hoping that you get some good suggestions that I can use too.

I think I am pretty organized, but unfortunately, it seems as though being that way, keeps me very, very busy all the time.

As soon as I find out that I need to purchase something, I add it immediately to a list. I have a list for grocery store, home improvement store, Walmart, etc. When I leave to go shopping, I always take my lists with me so that I can hopefully cross out a few items.

As for things that need to be done around the house, again I keep a list. For example, I list that I want to wash the back fence, I want to take the grill out of the basement to sell on Craigslist, I need to put a nail in the wall of the shed to hang the broom, etc. Then each weekend I look at the list to see what items I can get done, so that I can cross them out. I never want to have the "to do list" get too big where I'll just feel overwhelmed by it.

I keep up with my mail pretty much everyday. I throw out the junk and pay the bills as soon as I get them. I put all of the mail that I need to save in a drawer. When the drawer starts getting full, I then file everything in file folders that are labeled - for example, Comcast, Village Bills, Discover Card, Electric Bills, etc.

As for dishes, I wash them every single day as soon as dinner is done. I never let them accumulate.

If I could get rid of more "stuff" I would feel very good about my situation. But I still have closets, cabinets, etc. that are stuffed way too much, but I still have a hard time getting rid of something that still works or is still in great condition.

Good luck!!!

Re: How do you stay organized?

Carmie — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:07:56 GMT

I'd you do not wash your dishes immediately and put them away, they will not wash themselves.

The same with paperwork and clutter. I walk around the house bedore I go to bed at night and make sure everything is straightened up and tidy.

I don't want to have anyone have to come into my home at night on an emergency basis and see a mess. You never know when you might have to call for for police or medical help.

Re: How do you stay organized?

ALRATIBA — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:13:24 GMT

I generally keep to a schedule - do certan things on certain days.

For instance - Friday mornings - I go through the apartment with the swifter duster.

My dining room table gets cluttered because I drop everything there when I come in. Every couple of days, I'll take a coffee break and sit down at the table with a trash bag and go through the clutter.

I clean up the kitchen every night. I don't want to wake up in the morning and walk into a messy kitchen. Rooms are small - washing kitchen and bathroom floors takes no time at all with a Swifter Wetjet.

Shoe bags hanging inside all the closet doors and the bathroom doors for miscellaneous stuff - scarves, gloves, toiletries, etc., etc.

Re: How do you stay organized?

gidgetgh — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:14:54 GMT

@CherryHugs To quote you, "what you're doing wrong" is you're not putting your things away and washing your dishes.

There is no magic pill or organizing tip appropriate here. You live alone. You gotta do the work to stay organized. Develop good habits.

Re: How do you stay organized?

SloopJohnB — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:20:25 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
I'd you do not wash your dishes immediately and put them away, they will not wash themselves.

The same with paperwork and clutter. I walk around the house bedore I go to bed at night and make sure everything is straightened up and tidy.

I don't want to have anyone have to come into my home at night on an emergency basis and see a mess. You never know when you might have to call for for police or medical help.

@Carmie I agree with your post, especially the last paragraph.....Reminds me of " always wear clean underwear in case you get involved in an accident. "

Re: How do you stay organized?

mspatmac — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:21:46 GMT

To answer the question honestly - I don't! It's just me and I have earned the right to do what I want when and if I want to.

Re: How do you stay organized?

sandy53 — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:25:42 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
I'd you do not wash your dishes immediately and put them away, they will not wash themselves.

The same with paperwork and clutter. I walk around the house bedore I go to bed at night and make sure everything is straightened up and tidy.

I don't want to have anyone have to come into my home at night on an emergency basis and see a mess. You never know when you might have to call for for police or medical help.

When my best friend died suddenly of a heart attack, it was especially sad to come back to her home from the hospital and find it a mess. The kitchen had dirty dishes, pots, and pans from the bacon and egg lunch she had made for herself that day. It certainly added to my grief. I learned a huge lesson that day.

Re: How do you stay organized?

SloopJohnB — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:28:05 GMT

@mspatmac You go girl !!!

Re: How do you stay organized?

queendiva — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:30:09 GMT

First, start getting rid of everything you don't use and need. Everything. Grab a bag and start now with a drawer, table or counter top. Spend 15 minutes a day on this- every day. The less stuff you have, the easier to organize and stay that way.

A place for everything. Return things to their places every time after using. It just takes a minute.

Make a written priority list every day along with a schedule. I make my list for the following day and usually start on it in the morning when I have the most energy. I also make my bed everyday, first thing. Make the list doable. Reward yourself with a "coffee break" when you complete the list. Do not start your day with a break- earn it.

Ask for help when and where you need it. Call a family member, friend or housekeeping service to get started, then keep after things.

Your local library has books on how to organize your home. A good way to get motivated.

Re: How do you stay organized?

Bri369 — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:43:32 GMT

You can't let things to. Every day you have to pick up after yourself. Don't let dishes pile up in the sink, clean them after every meal. Don't let mail pile up. Take care of it daily. When you wear something, either hang it back up or throw it in the hamper. Clean up the bathroom after you've finished using it. These things take minutes.

If you have a big chore to tackle, take it in small steps so you don't get overwhelmed. Eventually you'll make progress. Then move on to the next chore. If your closets and drawers are a mess, take one small drawer and empty it out. Get rid of anything you don't want or use. You'll get a sense of accomplishmentj and can move on to another drawer. It might take a while, but it makes a big difference when you have things neat and organized.

Pick up the work book by The Home Edit. They have an easy to follow system that will give you great results.

Re: How do you stay organized?

jlkz — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:48:08 GMT

@BunSnoop

Instead of putting things in the drawer and then when it gets full, placing the items into files, why not just place them into their files to begin with ? It cuts out a needless step and wasted effort.

if you don't have an office, why not find some sturdy woven baskets that can hold the regular monthly files ( hanging type )and keep it under the table or by your chair in a corner.

Small things that are well thought out will help with organizing daily life. Good luck !

Re: How do you stay organized?

LuvmyLab — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:48:32 GMT

I am OCD so I have absolutely no problem staying organized. It's getting my hubs to stay organized that is my daily challenge! He's gotten better over the years but there is still work to be done!

Re: How do you stay organized?

duffy2 — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:52:03 GMT

Clean as you go. Never leave any dishes in the sink And everything has a place be sure to put it back after you use

Re: How do you stay organized?

Meowingkitty — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:57:03 GMT

Very little mail actually enters my house. I stop at the recycle bin and almost all of it goes in there unless I have something to shred. I do dishes as I make them several times a day. I have 6 cats so I have lots of plates to clean up. My house is not clutter free by any means but you have to pick your battles.

Re: How do you keep home organized, clean and neat?

Mz iMac — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 22:56:04 GMT

I have a housecleaning crew & a dishwasher

Re: How do you keep home organized, clean and neat?

Sooner — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 22:58:31 GMT

Two of the biggest for us are using the dishwasher every day. When something gets used, in the dishwasher it goes. It gets washed that night, unloaded in the morning, and that's where dishes go.

Also, having a place for paperwork and working the mail every day. You have to have a place to file paperwork or it sits around.

Re: How do you keep home organized, clean and neat?

Sooner — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 23:05:56 GMT

And you have to have a place for everything. If you don't you have clutter. It's finding what you use and need, and organizing that so it has a place to go.

Re: How do you keep home organized, clean and neat?

Pook — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 23:12:48 GMT

Life is too short to be too organized. I want to enjoy the rest of my life without forcing myself to get it all done ASAP!!! The world won't end if my rinsed off dishes sit there or things do not all have a specific place!! I would sooner relax and enjoy myself in a little mess!!!