by Natalie Morey | Sep 20, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips
It’s Time to Clear The Clutter and Organise
The infamous second draw (or the utensils draw) often causes havoc in most clients’ homes. It is always jam packed, cluttered and you can never find what you are looking for.
Firstly, you need to decide if you really need to keep every utensil.
Tip 1: For the next month when you use an item from the utensils draw, place it in a separate draw, or a canister on your kitchen bench. You will be surprised at just how few items you actually use. Then:
i. Decide if you really need to keep the other utensils.
ii. Research the right storage product for the space.
iii. Declutter and organise the space
iv. This is how it should look once you have finished your decluttering.
Organise your kitchen, pantry and cupboards
Until next time, happy organising.
Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 18, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Office Organising, Tips
Creating a Filing Structure For Your Home Office
Do you just save stuff anywhere on your computer?
It will save you time (and I mean lots of time) if you have an organised filing structure. You will need to create (and write up) a simple filing structure. I hear you say, but where do I start. A good strategy is to decide on two main categories that all your files will fit into. For example it might be “Household” and “Personal”. Then create as many folders as you require under each of the household and personal categories. Keep it simple to be effective.
Simple Filing Structure
The most effective filing system is simple and easily achievable. It’s the one that is written down on paper and agreed to. Whatever structure you implement in your home office it will work best when it’s consistent and followed by everyone in your business/family.
Replicate Your Filing Structure
To take it one step further – mirror/copy your computer systems filing and replicate it in your hard copy system. Type up a list of your filing system, print it out and hang it in view of your computer and files. You will have organised paper work and consistent filing systems in both electronic and hard copy in no time at all.
Another issue that is really important with regards to computers is security. It another blog article I wrote about setting up and managing your home computer.
Internet Security and Virus Protection
Internet security and virus protection is just as important on home computers as it is on business computers. If you get a virus on your computer and it deletes all your files off, then you won’t need to worry about a filing structure. So our goal is to avoid this situation.
Make sure it is current and working correctly. There are some cost effective virus protection programs on the market such as AVG, Norton. We use Trend PC Cillon which I find to be really reliable. If you need some assistance, then organise for your IT technician to purchase and install one for you. At The Lifestylers Group, we work with a range of computer technicians that do this sort of thing, so if you need some assistance, then we are only a call away.
Don’t learn the hard way. It is essential that your virus protection is working.
If you have wireless internet connection at home (or in the office) it is vital that the network is locked down so no one else can access it. If it is unlocked people in the surrounding neighborhood can log onto your internet connection and use your internet. Unsecure networks makes it easy for people to hack into network and access data such as bank account log in details.
Suspect Emails
It’s also really important to have a policy for how you handle suspect emails. This becomes particularly important when there are different family members using the same computer and receiving emails. If you see a suspect email “doing the rounds” let the other uses know not to open it, and delete it straight off the computer.
Always be wary of files that have the following wording EXC after the file name. These files are called executable files and often contain virus. Organising your home security is such an important part of owning a computer.
So do you need to check your internet security and virus protection after reading this article.
By Melissa Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 15, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips
It’s that time again – Spring Cleaning Season.
September and October are a great excuse to do that annual Spring Clean. Your place looks great, it feels fresh, you feel great and it provides the perfect time to get rid of all that clutter that has built up over the past 12 months. Of course there is the usual carpet and window cleaning, wall washing, balcony cleaning and rubbish removal. However, a Spring Clean also provides the opportunity to go through those old piles of magazines and papers and throw them out.
Here are some other tips which makes spring cleaning and organising quicker and easier… and we all like that!
Natural Cleaning Products
I love natural cleaning products. I often wonder with all those smells and chemicals that we are spraying into our house, what are we doing to our environment and more importantly, what are we breathing in.
My all time favorite cleaning product is Bicard (sodium bicarbonate baking soda). When mixed with Vinegar it becomes a fantastic cleaner and sanitizer. They say that cider vinegar is best on hard surfaces and that white vinegar is good to use on white marble and fabrics.
Shower Heads
If sediment has built up on your shower head and is blocking the spray of your water flow, then it’s easily fixed. Unblock the head of your shower by placing some vinegar and bicard soda in a plastic zip lock bag, put it over the shower head, zip up and leave overnight.
Window cleaning
Methylated spirits and water in a spray pack works a treat on your windows.
Chandelier cleaning
Did you know that there are professional chandelier cleaners that you can hire to do this.
Spring cleaning and decluttering the wardobe and need to donate old work clothes
Of course there are the well known places like St Vinnie’s and The Red Cross, but did you know there is a great organisation called Fitted for Work, www.fittedforwork.org. They collect old and unwanted suits and give them to disadvantaged women who are trying to enter the workforce. It’s a great concept and one worth supporting.
Until next time, Happy Organising.
By Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 13, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips |
Did you know that just like other products, cosmetics have an expiry date? When was the last time you decluttered your cosmetics draw?
I am fanatical about use by dates on food and I apply the same principle when it comes to cosmetics.
In Europe, cosmetics have a use by date on them, however, interestingly in Australia cosmetics don’t. Given you are putting product on your face and eye area, you can never be too careful. When working with clients to organise their home, I regularly find old perfumes and moisturisers in the back of their cupboards that have been there for years and years. When organizing and decluttering bathrooms, I like client’s to get involved in reviewing the product, as they know how long they have had things for.
What is the average period after opening (PAO) expiry date for standard makeup?
Reference: Better Homes and Gardens, October 2012
Declutter your Makeup
Professional Organising Tip:
- As soon as I open new mascara, I purchase another one, and pop it in the bathroom.
- Strawberrynet.com. is a great online store that sells premium brands at competitive prices. It is worth a look if you want to update your cosmetics.
Good luck with decluttering your cosmetic draw!
Until next time, Happy Organising.
By Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 12, 2012 | Tips
Papers, Papers, Papers
The dream of a paperless desk is still light years away for many of us. In the meantime, we need to devise a way to reduce the paper on our desk and organize it. Here are some decluttering tips.
Declutter your Desk
Start with a declutter and remove all the things that don’t belong on your desk.
For big items that need to be kept on or near your desk, you can use a range of boxes to keep the items sorted and grouped together. There are some lovely colours out there, so you can have fun and make your office look stylish too.
Set up an In-tray
Papers need a “home” when they arrive on your desk. Remember to label your in-tray too.
Set up a Filing System
When filing or creating a filing system, remember that you are doing this to make your life easier. Make sure your system makes sense and that anyone coming into your office would be able to find what they need quickly. Don’t forget to label it as well. Lever arch folders also work well when you want to file documents.
Organize your Drawers
Group similar items in each drawer. For example, put all of your office supplies in one drawer, stationery and notepads in another. That way, it’s organised and you won’t waste time trying to find items.
Now if you need some more inspiration on how to organise your desk, then checkout tips-to-organise-your-office, a previous blog that outlines 14 easy tips to help organise your desk. Start at the top and work your way down the list and before long your desk will be looking totally different.
Until next time, happy organising.
By Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
