organizing

Keep Your House Clean In Just 30 Minutes A Day

Doing something every day – just 30 minutes invested – can help your already clean house to STAY clean on a regular basis. Here are some expert tips from cleaning-pro Pamela Garner to help you stay on task!

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1. Make a schedule and stick to it!
If you choose a regular time to clean every week, especially if you want your whole family to participate, it will provide consistency that will ensure the job gets done. It will also encourage good habits in everyone.

2. Make a list of cleaning priorities before you clean.
Checking things off lists can make you feel more accomplished and it’s a great way to stay organized.

3. Work in sections.
If you bounce from one room to another you may feel disoriented and overwhelmed. Start in one corner of the room and focus on the task you are doing then work your way across. No backtracking! Walk around the room once and you’re done then go back once for the floor.

4. Start with your least favorite room or area.
Might seem counter intuitive, but getting that bathroom or junky hallway out of the way at the beginning will make the rest of your cleaning seem like a breeze.

5. Pick up clutter first.
Picking up will automatically make everything look cleaner. Do this before you actually clean surfaces so you have less to clean around.

6. Always start at the top of the room and work your way down.
This way dust all ends up on the ground before you vacuum. If you work in the opposite way dust from the top will fall onto areas you have already cleaned below.

7. Always clean with dry things before wet.
So wipe off and dust surfaces before using any kind of wet cleaner. Getting rid of a lot of stuff with the dry cloths prevents streaking and spreading of dirt.

8. Take your cleaning tools with you from room to room.
The best way to do this can be a cleaning apron with pockets or a bucket. I suggest finding the right supplies (this is important) and then organizing them in some kind of bucket or tote. Just store them in the bucket all the time and all you have to do is pull it out and all your tools are there at your disposal. Plus they’re easy to carry!

9. Deal with stains early!
If you leave stains on carpet or furniture for long period of time they can become permanent.

10. When removing stains from clothing work from the back to the front of the fabric.
This keeps the stain from spreading deeper into the fabric as you’re working on the front.

11. Turn off your phones while you clean.
Try to eliminate any other distractions like televisions or computers too.

12. Make the house smell fresh!
Febreze and other odor killers for air and fabrics do this, but my personal favorite is leaving baking soda on the carpet for a few hours before vacuuming (some people suggest overnight).

13. Take pictures of your home (or specific “problem rooms”) when it is completely decluttered and cleaned.
It may seem a little silly, but I used to take pictures of a room I had cleaned and post them on the inside of the door. This was the way I wanted the room to look, and with pictures, whoever in the family used the room could see it was possible.

14. Control Clutter daily.
Try to make a daily effort to keep down the clutter in your home so you have less to clean next time. The more you deal with things as they happen the better.

15. Maximize your cleaning time.
Sometimes cleaning can be dull and there are so many better things we could all be doing with our time. A way to fight this problem is to find an easy and fun background task. No, I don’t mean turn on your computer or phone while cleaning. Don’t even think about work or anything distracting. Paying attention and focusing on the task are important for speed. You should also not do anything while speed cleaning that requires one hand – use both hands to clean.

But you can find an activity you enjoy (that requires no hand or heavy brain power) and may not get to do otherwise. This will make your cleaning time feel a little bit more like a treat. Just make sure you can still focus on the task at hand: cleaning with speed.

A couple of examples:

If you don’t have much time to read and miss reading great books, buy some books on tape and listen to them as you clean.
Good music, especially upbeat or something you haven’t gotten to listen to in awhile, can really do the trick. Plus, if no one’s around you can fit in some quality dancing time with the mop.
Cleaning is also great exercise.
Need basketball practice? Shoot hoops with the laundry and other things while putting them away.
When I am picking up or cleaning with kids I often challenge them to a competition: either that I can pick up more things than them or that I can finish picking up half of the room faster then them. This is just good old fashioned fun competition and always gets everyone a little bit more excited about the chore. It’s even fun with other adults.

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Keep your house clean in just 30 minutes a day - 15 simple tips! #cleaning #home #tips Share on X

3 Simple Time Savers In The Kitchen

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household hints, kitchen hacks, moms, tips

How much time do you spend in the kitchen? There are times when I feel like I live there. Those are the days that I’d like to do a “Lisa Douglas” of Green Acres fame – clear the table of the dirty dishes, open the window and throw them out! Lisa took “speed cleaning” to a whole new level!

In truth, there are ways to cut down the time we spend in the kitchen ⇒ and abandoning the mess is NOT one of them.

3 Simple Steps To Save Time and Get You Out of the Kitchen Faster

1. Cooking Tip⇒ toss as you go. Put an empty trash bag or plastic grocery bag in the kitchen sink or on the edge of the counter. As you cut food for your meal, and open up packaging, put the trash all in that bag. You will save steps and time. When you are done, just take the bag out to the trash and say “goodbye!”

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2. Enlist help from your family. Let them crack open the eggs, stir the mix, set the table. “Many hands make light work.“

3. Double Up! Plan your meals with leftovers in mind. Some families are delighted to enjoy “part 2” of a good meal the next night. For those who require variety, just freeze the second portion to pull out for another day.

My favorite dish to double up on is chili. I make a big pot, which we have with toppings on night #1. The second night, it becomes a topping for hot dogs or as a delicious chili salad served on greens. Then I freeze the remainder to pull out for a meal 2 or more weeks later. Note that the real cooking only took place one time but three great meals were produced. Smart!

So how about you? Any time-saving advice that will get us out of the kitchen faster?

3 simple time-savers to get you out of the kitchen faster!

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Enjoy!

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. Anything you purchase from Amazon through ads and links on Ducks ‘n a Row will, at no additional expense to you, result in a small commission for me. In advance, “thank you!” … Sinea

How to Gift Wrap a Big Box!

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If you have a big gift you are giving and want it to be really pretty, you need to know how to wrap a big box. It’s easy!

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Not long ago, I shared my story about the joy that plus toy rockers have brought to the little tykes in our family. I received four of them when I was hired by the company to write about these wonderful toys.

Well, three of the rockers went to our kiddos who live nearby but we held onto the fourth one to give to our great-grandson, Little B, on his first birthday.

Large Rolls of Wrapping Paper

This picture says it all … Little B is in love with his new plush toy rocker! His folks tell us he plays on it every day.

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A plush toy rocker is a gift to remember – perfect for baby shower gifts, birthdays, and any gift-giving occasion. But how do you wrap one? That box is BIG! There are no gift bags large enough to handle it so I did it the old-fashioned way and wrapped it in wrapping paper.

Large roll of Navy and White Striped Wrapping Paper

How To Wrap A Big Box

Supplies

Big Gift Box

Large roll of wrapping paper

Scissors

Tape

Bow or Ribbon

Card (optional)

First, put the rocker back in its plastic covering and into its box. (We had it out for the kids to play with when I wrote the previous post.)

Tape the box closed.

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How to wrap a BIG gift box - step by step! #tips #gifts Share on X

Unroll some of the wrapping paper.

Cut two pieces that fit on the ends of the box.

Tape them on each end using rolls of tape.

Roll out more paper, leaving it on the roll.

Place the box squarely onto the wrapping paper.

Gently pull the roll up an over the box.

Cut the paper off leaving some extra to overlap it.

Secure the open ends on the underside of the box with tape.

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Now fold the ends around like an envelop and tape them.

The ends will not cover completely but your two ends already have wrapping paper on them. It will look nice!

Add a bow to the top and, if you have one, the card.

Done!

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How Big Is Your Mountain Of Undone Stuff?

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Do you feel like you are always behind? Things that need to be done have grown from molehills into mountains of “undone stuff?” Get it all done by first concentrating on tying up your many loose ends!

organizing, lists, checklists, planning, decluttering, cleaning, success

Ever heard the saying “It’s the little foxes that spoil the vines”? This age-old wisdom holds true. Let the little things go undone for too long and the mole hill will become a mountain. On its own, each item is no big deal. Many of them left undone, though, makes for chaos and a sense of unrest.

Is there something lurking in the shadows that you forgot about? Perhaps an overdue bill or an important deadline?

How big is your mountain of undone stuff? #organizing #tips Share on X

Be encouraged. A “Tying Up Loose Ends Day” will do a world of good. Can’t give it a whole day? Then start by devoting an hour or two. You will get lots done and will LOVE how it feels.

What kind of loose ends are we talking about? See if any of these ring a bell…

Appointments that need to be scheduled:

Doctor
Dentist
Vet
Hair Dresser
Optician

Auto needs:

Oil change on the car/winterizing
Auto inspections

Financial duties that need attention:

Bills: pay them
Checkbook: balance it
FAFSA forms for college students in your home
Tax information updates

Repairs not done:

Replacing burned out light bulbs
Sewing repair jobs (buttons, loose hems)
Tightening screws on door handles, etc.

Relationships to catch up:

Writing “thank you” notes
Visiting a friend or relative (by phone or in person)

Routines ignored:

Checks: reorder them
Coupons: clip / sort and discard expired
Empty pop bottles: return them
Family Calendar: fill in dates
Invitations: RSVP
Library Books: return or renew
License renewals (car registration, driver’s license, dog license…)
Mail: sort it and file/throw junk mail away
Prescriptions: reorder them
Smoke Alarms: replace batteries and test them

How about the secret recesses of the REFRIGERATOR? Got some long-lost leftovers to sniff out and destroy? Yuck! (When you do clean it, don’t forget to clean the ice dispenser on the door of your frig.)

These are just some of those loose ends that, when accumulated, can seem overwhelming. On the other hand, stressing over them or trying to get them done all at once can be equally debilitating.

So, fight the perfectionist inside of you and accept the fact that you can only do what you can do. Schedule a time to tackle the list, check each item off one by one, and watch the stress go out the window.

OK, what did I miss on this list? Anything nagging at you that needs to be there? Share your thoughts with us!

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. Anything you purchase from Amazon through Ducks ‘n a Row may result in a small commission for me. In advance, “Thank you!” …Sinea

Family Photos – How To Keep Them and Not Get Buried In Clutter

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Do you delight in having photos of your loved ones? Family photos from graduations, birthdays, weddings, the birth of a new baby, and other special events in life are important. Many of us keep ours online – such as on Facebook – but others prefer having pictures they can print out and hold in their hands or put in a frame to display.

If you are like me, you love to have great photos all around you. Especially when the subjects are members of my family, I’m all about seeing them every day. I have photos in my kitchen, family room, living room, dining room, home office, day-job office. They are everywhere.

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With an ever- growing family, five kids and kids-in-law, 12 grand-kids, 4 great-grands with two more on the way… well, you get the picture. (No pun intended. Well, maybe a little!)

And then we have events! Everyone loves to give us a copy of their “Kodak moments”. Graduations (preschool through master’s degrees), weddings and newborn babes, dance recitals, soccer team photos, the school musical and on and on. And I love it all! But, how do I organize them so that I can still use the tops of my tables? I am a woman in search of answers!

Photo Albums

Wedding albums and baby albums are such a popular item. They are a fundamental part of the milestones of our lives.

Though today’s families have less time to browse through an album, it remains important for us to have one book for our weddings and at least one per baby, as each little one is born into the world.

Even significant anniversaries — the 25th, 50th and so on–truly deserve their own picture book chronicling the special occasion.

Photo albums come in various shapes, sizes and styles. Covers can vary from simple, to cute, to elegant! Some have a sticky surface on each page to which you apply the photo. A clear plastic sheet then covers the page for protection.

Digital Picture Frames

Electronic picture frames are a great solution to time and space. The clear, crisp digital images are deep and rich in color. It becomes more than a picture frame. It’s a part of the decor and a constant reminder of precious loved ones and fond memories.

Some allow you to upload your favorite pictures from any location, online. Others call for a thumb drive – very easy to use. Add more pictures whenever you wish. Switch some out for variety. The best part is that you only need one frame to contain hundreds of pictures, eliminating picture frame clutter.

Collage Picture Frames
There are some very attractive photo frames designed to help those with an abundance of pictures to enjoy. These frames of photo collections can be hung on a wall or exhibited on a table, mantel or desk.

How about a very unique multiple-photo system that looks something like a clothesline! Photos hang at various lengths off of a rod. Creative challenge: make one yourself! See what you can come up with.

Magnetic Picture Frames

Using your refrigerator as a bulletin board? Stop using scotch tape and purchase some magnetic picture frames, instead. They come in various sizes, protect your photos from harm and can easily be re-arranged as new ones arrive. This style is especially nice!

What creative ways do you use to display your family photos in your home or office?

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Five Tips For Making Your Kitchen More Efficient

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Guest post by Anne Shirley

How efficient do you think your kitchen is? It seems like every home owner has their vision of a dream kitchen, but it can cost a lot of money to make their dreams a reality.

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HGTV did a survey on the average cost of kitchen remodeling projects on homes in the United States, and they found that remodeling a 12×12 kitchen space can cost people anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000. If that sounds a little out of your price range, you don’t have to worry. You may think that your kitchen needs to be redone so that you can work more efficiently in it, but it may be your cooking and cleaning methods that need to be changed. If you want to make your kitchen more efficient, follow these simple tips.

Get your supplies together before you start

Are you planning on cooking dinner? Are you ready to take on a big cleaning project in your kitchen. Before you start to do any work your kitchen, gather everything together that you’re going to need. This will make sure that you won’t waste time digging through your fridge, spice cabinet, or cleaning supply closet to find what you need. It also makes sure that you’ll have everything

you need on hand in case you end up making a mess during your project.

Clean as you go

Do you ever wonder how some people can keep their kitchen looking organized right after they cook a large meal? Do you want to know their secret? They don’t wait until they finish cooking to start cleaning up, they start cleaning as soon as they start cooking.

Instead of leaving certain ingredients out after you use them, put them away as soon as you’re done. When something is steaming, frying, baking or sautéing, take some time to start scrubbing your mixing bowls and other cooking utensils. You’ll save a considerable amount of time cleaning up at the end, and you won’t have to dread cleaning mountains of dishes when you’re done.

Adopt a menu

Some people like to plan out their menu for the week, and others will plan their meals for an entire month. Regardless of how you want to space out the time, make sure that plan a menu. Planning what you’re going to eat ahead of time makes cooking so much easier. You’ll know exactly what you need to have, and you won’t have to spend time thinking about what you’re going to cook.

Organize your shelves properly

Organization skills don’t just help you at work, they can help you make your kitchen much more efficient. If you want to improve the efficiency of your kitchen without having to spend a lot of money, you’ll notice a big difference if you place common kitchen appliances and tools around the areas where they’re the most likely to be used. Instead of keeping your pots and pans in separate cabinet across the room, move them to the cabinets around your stove and oven. Move your spice cabinet closer to your food preparation area so that you’ll have everything you need close by when you start cooking.

Replace old appliances

This may sound like a no-brainer, but some people will use their ovens, microwaves, and blenders until they start to fall apart. If you feel like your kitchen could be more efficient, it’s possible that you could need newer appliances. Once you have to double your usual microwave cooking times, look for a new microwave. Stop using the oven that came with your house, and look the best double wallovens your money can buy. Since you’re going to be buying new appliances, try to see if you can find environmentally friendly models to use. Your kitchen will be more efficient, and you’ll be able to use electricity and gas efficiently as well.

Ann Shirley is a freelance writer from that enjoys reading and writing about various topics. In her free time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen by trying new recipes and baking cookies for her fiancé and friends. She currently lives in New York with her fiance and her beloved Maine Coon cat.

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Ridding Your Home of PAPER CLUTTER!

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Paper, paper PAPER!!!! Overrun by paper? Yikes! It’s everywhere.

What is the greatest pile of paper that you struggle with?

Coupons ?

Greeting Cards ?

Important Mail ?

Junk Mail ?

Legal Documents ?

Magazines ?

Newspapers ?

Office “paper stuff” ?

Photos ?

Receipts ?

We all will have different cures for the same problem. What do you do with all that unwanted paper? I have come up with some solutions of my own that kind of do the job for me. As they say, “it’s a work in progress.”

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Coupons–I’ve given up on them. I only cut the ones I absolutely know I will use. Nothing on speculation. Speculation leads to piles of expired coupons that never get used. The few that I do use are kept in my wallet and “spent” as soon as possible.

Greeting Cards— again, I’m not a saver of cards. I am, however, big on my grandkids’ artwork. Their masterpieces are hung on my office wall. ♥

Important Mail–for me, this would be “bills.” (I now do Publisher’s Clearinghouse paper-free, online.) I have an expanding file to stash my current bills. On “bill paying day” I pull it out along with my checkbook and calculator and get to work!

Junk Mail–the name tells the story. “JUNK” goes in the garbage can before it can land on the counter or table! Do not let it stay! There are services where you can opt out of unwanted catalogs and other junk mail. Catalog Choice is a good place to start.

Legal Documents: this would include copies of your annual tax returns, wills, title to your car, birth certificates. You might use a safe, filing cabinet or flat file. I love file boxes but, for ultra important paperwork, label it well so that no one mindlessly disposes of it!

Isn’t this pretty? Black and White Scroll Pattern File Box

Magazines: magazine clutter has been a serious problem in my home. I love magazines and have several subscriptions. Since I don’t have time to “read” them (browse?) soon as they arrive, they pile up.

I have used them for decorating purposes on coffee tables, but then they all have to be moved when I clean the table. So, trays became a solution. They move easily for dusting but trays need to be cleaned, too.

That’s when I made an amazing discovery. I could donate them! My local public library has a “magazine room.” People bring their lightly used magazines in as a donation. Others read them there or buy them for 5 cents each. Guilt is gone! I can keep my magazines long as I want, then drop them at the library and let THEM deal with the clutter! What a perfect solution.

Family Photos: putting them in albums is great but what if you have too many pictures and not enough time? Have a photo party! Invite family or friends to join you for some tasty snacks and everyone start sorting. You can set up albums by years, eras, special events (like graduations, weddings, vacations, babies, etc) or subjects. It make take more than one party but I have found some of the best conversation takes place when you are doing something together. It’s fun!

So, how do you manage YOUR paper clutter?

Enjoy!