Put it Simply Organizing | Blog

Recycling X-rays

9/12/2013

Some of my clients have accumulated small collections of x-ray images over the years. If you have too, and are looking for an environmentally-friendly way to dispose of them, bring them to:

Sywest
18 Corporate Circle
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 414-0313

They will recycle and remove the recoverable silver from them.

Organizing with mason jars

8/27/2013

Fall is quickly approaching and if you have a garden, it's almost time to pull out those mason jars!

Here are a few ideas for using mason jars for organizing small unruly items:

-In the bathroom for cotton balls, q-tips, make up sponges, and make up brushes
-For art supplies such as crayons, pom poms, and buttons
-In the kitchen for cooking utensils on the counter
-In the pantry for pasta, rice, oatmeal, and quinoa
-In the office as a pencil holder
-For cupcake wrappers
-In the bathroom as a toothbrush holder
-In the kitchen for spices
-In the workshop for screws, nails, and nuts/bolts
-For sewing supplies like spools of thread, needles, and ribbons
-As a match holder with a piece of sand paper secured above the lid for striking
-As a keepsake holder
-In the basement for leftover paint

Bangle Bracelet Storage

5/1/2013

I just learned a creative way to store bangle bracelets.....with candlesticks, candle holders, or vases. Functional and pretty! What more could a girl ask for? Thank you Pinterest.

Holiday Decor: How to Store

1/2/2013

The holidays are over and it's time to look forward to the new year. How can you turn dread into ease and enjoyment next December when it is time to pull out your holiday decorations? Before you just shove all your decorations in a box (tangled/non-working lights, broken ornaments, and all), organize and pack them like a pro now. It doesn't take that much more effort and you will thank yourself later, I promise.

Ornaments:
Many retailers sell ornament boxes. I recommend the plastic type with cardboard dividers. Fabric ornament boxes tend to be too flimsy and the dividers don't stay in place when the box is lifted or moved. A green alternative it to wrap ornaments in tissue paper left over from unwrapping gifts and store them in their original boxes. If you don't have the original boxes, grab an empty wine or liquor box from a liquor store and use that. You can use egg cartons for your little delicate ornaments.

Lights:
Store indoor and outdoor lights in separate bins. Consider using a ziplock bag for each strand or, for a green alternative, use a piece of cardboard and wrap each strand around that. For either option, I recommend labeling with the length of the light strand and where it was last used.

Gift wrap:
I like the Gift Wrap Work Station that you can purchase online from The Container Store. It hangs from a closet rod and has a table-height holder for wrapping paper when in use. This organizer holds gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper, bows, gift tags, and even has a place for pens, scissors, and tape. The key to this, and any organizing system you choose, is not to overwhelm the system with too many items.

Wreaths:
Wreath bags are handy because they come in different sizes and zip closed to protect from dust and light. For a green alternative, repurpose a dry cleaning bag and a wire hanger. Either option can be hung from a nail from attic or basement rafters or from a hook or nail on the wall.

Inflatables:
Try a duffel bag or small tree bag for storing outdoor inflatables. Be sure they are clean and dry before storing because these items tend to mold when stored wet and will emit odor the next time you pull them out for use.

Artificial Trees:
We are all familiar with tree bags but if you are looking for the mecca of tree bags, check out the Tree Keeper Pro. It comes on wheels and the bag bundles up at the bottom of the tree to be concealed under a tree skirt. I always love products that are designed to keep things together. Less likelihood for the bag to get lost if it is attached to the tree itself.

Where does all this stuff go?
I suggest keeping all your holiday decor together on existing shelving if ample space is available. If space is an issue, consider a ceiling storage lift system like this one by Racor. Getting storage off the floor is always helpful because it gives you more room to live and play.

Collecting shoes for Soles4Souls - 725 pairs was the final count

10/25/2011

I have been very busy the last few weeks hosting a shoe drive for the charity Soles4Souls (S4S). S4S collects gently worn shoes and monies to provide shoes to those in need. With the help of MANY generous donors, I was able to collect 725 pairs of shoes! Thank you all for your support!

If you are interested in donating shoes to S4S, click here for shipping information and discounts.

Make your own magazine holder out of a cereal box

3/30/2011

My daughter has more books than a small library. The good news is that she loves to read. I (of course) love this. The flip side is that I am faced with a plethora of books strewn about the house. To encourage her to put her books away when she is done reading, I made a few magazine holders out of cereal boxes. I made each one a different size to demonstrate the size of the books that go into each box. I lined them up on a shelf and taught her the "new system" for organizing her books. She loves it because she enjoys looking at the pictures on the sides. I love it because it has encouraged her to put her books away. A win-win. The best part is that they are put away nicely and not heaped up in a "leaning tower of Pisa" pile. To learn how to make a magazine holder out of a cereal box, click here.

I want to be green but can never remember my reusable shopping bags!

9/29/2010

Stash enough for a grocery trip (maybe 5) in the trunk of your car. After you unload the groceries, hang the bags on the door handle so you remember to bring them back out to your car next time you leave the house.

Managing your recycling

9/15/2010

1. Know what is recyclable.  Items that are accepted by your local recycling vendor vary by county. Obtain a factsheet from your local recycling vendor that lists items that are recyclable and hang the list in a prominent location near your recycling bins and refer to it often. If you live in Onondaga County, click here to find out what's recyclable.

We have good news for Onondaga County residents: #5 plastics are now recyclable! Place yogurt containers, margarine tubs, and cottage cheese containers (i.e., wide-mouthed, tub shaped plastic containers with the number 5 on the bottom of them) in your blue bin.

2.  Sorting your recyclables. Consult the rules of your local recycling vendor to find out whether they require that you separate your recyclables (e.g., separate bins for papers and containers). If you live in Onondaga County, OCRRA recommends that you continue to separate your recyclable papers from containers. Click here to find out more information on how haulers collect recyclables.

3. Assign a home for recyclables.  Everything needs a home, even your recycling. Make it easy for yourself by having small recycling receptacles where your recycling is generated (e.g., in the kitchen and office). Once a week, or when full, empty these small receptacles into your blue bins which can be kept in your garage or in a hallway closet. Click here to find out how to obtain a blue bin.

4. Assign chores. Just like laundry, dishes, and other household chores, taking out the garbage is a necessary evil. Some families assign the same chore to each family member each week while others rotate chores weekly. Do what works best for your family but hold someone accountable for taking the trash and recycling out either the night before or the morning of trash/recycling pick up day. Consult your local municipality to identify which day your trash/recycling is picked up.

Being organized can also mean being green

9/13/2010

Being organized can also mean being green. Adopt a favorite charity to give away unwanted items. It will make you feel good knowing that those items will be used and loved by someone in need.