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Show May 10. 2001 Boxes, bags, suitcases, ice trays store keeosakes of all sizes r. . M I; ! t Be creative. In Ice trays and cookie tins. Store Organizing a room or area can often be daunting. Liesel Woodard, information and referral manager, has some tips to help maintain an organized home. Storage roomgarage Plastic tubs are great for storing holiday n i: jewelry, sewing and office supplies, plastic milk containers (cut off to a desired height) work well for storing items you'll keep in cabinets including spice packets, pens and trial size packets. deco- Kitchen rations, seasonal clothing or memorabilia. Metal shelves can store tools, garden equipment and food storage. Peg boards are also versatile for hanging tools, garden equipment, sporting goods and craft supplies. i shelves or For deep cabinets, install pull-ou- t tall For all of the use baskets that shelves, space. use stacking platforms and for corner cabinets use a lazy susan. Save steps by placing items closest to their point of use. Store cups and glasses near the sink of refrigerator, pots and pans near the stove and put oil and spices in proximity to the preparation area. Plates are generally stored in the upper cabinets nearest the sink or dishwasher. Closets Hang a shoe bag inside the door to store shoes, scarves, toys, nylons and toiletries. It can also make Photos used wtth permission of closetmatd.com an instant pantry in your kitchen for storing paper goods, dried goods and snacks. Fill your suitcases to hide those clothes and free up drawer and closet space. Store suitcases under beds. When folding bed linens, stuff sheets into pillowcases to keep sets together. "Airbag" storage system is great for compressing quilts, blankets and unused clothing into a very small space. Pare down and get rid of unwanted items, wrong size clothing and clothing you haven't worn in two years. Double storage in narrow of closets by adding two tiers of hanging rods. Add hoods on either side of the walls for hanging robes and handbags. Use space under beds. Make an additional closet with inexpensive PVC pipe and fabric. Adding second tier hanging Office out-of-seas- rods, shoe racks and sweater compartments makes the most out of closet space. Peg boards, metal shelves and hooks for ladders and other tools help keep a garage organized. o Shred old paperwork. Only keep information you need for tax purposes, warrantee or legal purposes. Create a storage buffet. Purchase two stacks of drawer-styl- e wire or plastic organizers and top them with a laminated board or plywood. Surround the top with a fabric skirt that's slit in the middle for easy access. but don't For papers you need to keep long-terneed constant access to, take advantage of space like and upper closet shelf or the back section of a file drawer. Place a trash basket near the area where you typically open your mail. This will allow for immediate disposal of all extra papers that come with bills. m less-accessib- le Ideas help simplify house work by Llesel Woodard Information and Referral PS,i V manager Glean winter clothes before summer storage amount of upkeep. The amount of time and energy that's put in is an individual's personal decision. There are some good When the weather warms up, it's a good time to go through closets and store winter items. Utah State University Extension Clothing and Textiles Specialist Karen Biers suggests the following for safely storing clothing: Make sure clothing is clean before storing. Stains, perfumes, hair care products or body oils in clothing fibers can intensify during storage and clothing. Dirt on clothing, crumbs or a tissue in a pocket attractsFinsects. Before cleaning the garment, turn pockets wrong side out and use a brush to remove perma-nentlydama- debris, ; moth.away. i4are not 100 perCedaHined insect cent effectivein preventing damage. The natural cedar oil evaporates and a fresh treatment of cedar oil should be applied every two years. ': - ' chesjts-and-close- ' "bio-repellen- t" should protect clothing for one season. Larger closets and those in daily use may require two or more units. The product should be available in stores in the insect repellent section. COPY s - Ift.i 1. linn Willi wwnniTHHH-yi- , t,inih it is to be done. Decide who is to do it. Then get to work. Do most important first, not the easiest. Stick with one job until it's finished or until you reach a good stopping point Set time limits for yourself of the work will control your time. Play upbeat music while you clean. Don't be distracted by ; things in the right place the first time. " , Put As you leave a room, see if things need to be put away. ' Put things in order before going to bed. AD family members should take care of their own tilings and their own clean up. If there isn't a place, try increasing storage, make better use of storage, have a garage sale or discard useless items. the phone use a cordless or a long phone cord and continue to clean while . you talk. Plan ahead and dovetail . tasks. Teach children to do tasks -- Make a plan of attack Determine your personal . priorities. " Steps in planning: Decide why, what, how and when r- : - iw 7 ...- . - A i..,. Keeping clothing in closets clean and pressed can save time during hectic mornings. belong. ; 1 & Put things where they . Storing garments in plastic cleaner bags can damage the fibers. has been For moth control, a new Besides mothball alternative. as a being developed toxic, mothballs leave an unpleasant odor in clothing and can cause fabric to discolor. The new product uses lavandin oil and is available in a lavender scented sachet that can be placed inside drawers and storage boxes, or hung in closets without damaging clothing. In an average size storage area, one unit u 8 and everything in its Place i 1 A place for rverything ' ts Si ', fsV: it can perhaps make it easier on you: hair or lint that might attract insects. Regularly or 'J V7' ; : ; eliminate the work, but Vacuum the storage area to remove crumbs, dust, -- ' IS clean and organized home. The trouble comes in trying to "keep up with it all." It's a job that's never finished. Just when you think you've made it to the end, it's time to start over again. The following ideas won't ge vacuum rugs Where they fit close to the baseboard. Good housekeeping is critical for preventing or controlling cloths moth damage X The storaglemperatursHould be moderate in the 60s or J70s and shouldn't be in an area with excess moMtrfe of strong sunlight. Use closets with tigjatfltting doors'. Try suspending cotton drapes injrom. of clothing to keep dust and f'4 sfl. arguments for having a 5 wall-to-flo- y We all live in homes, and no matter how big or small, they still require a certain and work together with them. Divide work so each family member has a fair share of responsibility. Avoid Making Work for Yourself Later Wash and clean as you go. Immediately soak pots and pans after use. Put away items used as you work. Wipe up spills immediately. Make use of the best uten- sils available, sturdy multipurpose tools are better than cheap useless gadgets that cause even more clutter. Keep cleaning supplies together in a bucket or carry all. Minimize your cleaning product overload. Use homemade cleaners it takes less money and niinimizes the number you have; Sever dinner buffet style to eliminate cleaning serv ing dishes. Use Scotchguard protector on fabrics, furnishings and carpets to prevent stains. Keep everything within reach Store items close to where they'll be used and according to their frequency of use. Organize use small boxes as dividers. Save space don't layer items behind each other or stack items unless there's more than one of that particular item. Practice safety don't store items together that may cause problems if mixed like bleach and ammonia. Remember good ventila-tio- n in storing all cleaning products. |