TIp Tuesday: Cleaning and Organizing Clothing for Storage

Getting your closets cleaned up and out is the best thing to do in between seasons. You can move winter things into storage for Spring/Summer or you can move Spring/Summer things into storage for Fall/Winter.

Some things to keep in mind: 

1) Keep boxes, bags, etc. all labeled
      Whether you want to label by size, color, season or whatever you choose - it needs to be labeled. Otherwise it will stay in storage and you will be guessing what is in the box/bag.

2) Keep like things grouped together
      You can choose how to group them - this one goes along with the previous one. However you choose to group things. You can group your entire families seasonal clothing together - if your family is small enough. OR you can separate by size or color, etc.

3) Make sure things are clean when you box them.
      Nothing is worse than pulling out things and needing to launder them before you can put them to use. You will always need to air them out and perhaps iron but you should need to launder them if you put them away clean.

4) Make sure to add some baking soda (in a mesh bag) to the box or bag of clothes.
      NEVER STORE CLOTHING IN PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS! These are too smelly when the clothes come out. Especially if they are closed up for long periods of time or stored outside.

5) The neater you fold and place your clothing into the container the neater it will come out.
      Find the best and easiest way to fold your laundry so that it fits better and comes out more neatly after sitting in storage.

Some things to remember when REMOVING clothing from storage:

1) Give the clothing time to air out.
      Hang them up so they can completely air out. You could even hang them on an outside clothesline. Once they have aired out for a day or two, you can decide if it needs ironing or a quick tumble in the dryer.

2) Take a second look at what you stored.
      You might find that it isn't what you want any longer or it won't fit or it won't work any longer for whatever reason.

3) Make sure you get it put away correctly as soon as possible.
      Don't waste space with things you no longer have use for. (see #2 above)

Taking time to clear out closets of clothing that you don't need during the current season, frees up space as well as neatens up everything up!



Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: RePurposing the Rooms in Your Home

When you are merely changing spaces or trading out the actual "purpose" of a room it can help to have a list of things to keep in mind.


 #1 - Label

       Everything that you are moving out needs to be placed in properly labeled containers. This makes it soooo much easier to find its proper home in its new residence.

 #2 - Pack

        When you are packing, make sure you don't pack up trash or junk. Take the time to sort through it - sift out the stuff that you don't need or use anymore

 #3 - Furniture

        Plan out where you are placing the furniture in the room ahead of time. This alleviates the need to keep fiddling with the furniture trying to get it 'just right'. Ultimately, you will probably make a few adjustments to get it the way you really need it. However, having it mapped out ahead of time can help you see how it will look in the long run and save you some steps.

 #4 - Designate

         Make sure you have designated spots for EVERYTHING that will be living in the space. If it doesn't have a designated home then you probably don't need it anymore. From big stuff down to tiny things - it all needs a home. This is a great time to get space saving baskets, files, etc. 

 #5 - Simple

        Nothing makes a space cleaner than keeping it simple. Simple storage. Simple filing. Simple and clean. The more you purge, the easier a space is to keep clean. Your rubbish 'piles' don't get out of control.

 #6 - Organize

         This is so much more than filing and trashing. This has to do with keeping things simple (above) and also easy to locate and find. Labeling (above) is key to keeping the space organized, especially if it is an office or craft space. If its a toy room: keep bins for each type of toy or item. Every thing has a place and everything in its place.

 #7 - Clean

         Washing the walls, floorboards, tops of door frames, tops of blinds/rods, etc. will help your room be fresh. If you have time and are able, shampoo the carpets. If it is wood/laminate floor - then you can mop before bringing the furniture in and then again, if it needs it, a quick spot clean when it is all in. 

 #8 - Freshen

         An awesome air freshener (homemade) that you can spritz in ANY room is:
            Ingredients:
                  1/4 c Downy Unstoppables (your favorite scent)
                    4 tbsp Baking Soda
                    1 c HOT water
             Directions:                  In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients. Let sit, to dissolve, for roughly 3 minutes. Stir and add immediately to a spray bottle. 

                   Spray.
                   Unlike fresheners that use fabric softener, this will leave no residue. 

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!