Thrifty Thursday!

                                    Household Tips

  organizing hints

Clutter hampers our ability to clean effectively and efficiently. Our goal in making a house a home should be to make almost every item in the house functional. With developing this functionality, the home begins to shine with a simple beauty, and is easier to maintain, freeing us to do some of the other parts of homekeeping.


Keep counter tops clear of storage items with the exception of one or two of the most used items. In the bathroom that might be a basket of washcloths and soap; in the kitchen, perhaps a bread box and utensil holder, or canisters.

To save use on complete towel sets, put guest hand towel by the sink for children to use. This is easier than changing the large towel set and is less costly to replace.

Store clean, folded plastic grocery bags in empty tissue boxes. They are easy to pull out as needed.

If activities outside the home are taking place on any given day which are not part of the routine, you may need to rise a little earlier to accomplish some of the normal tasks before leaving the home.

A set of hooks or pegs in a child's room or closet helps keep their bedroom uncluttered. Require them to keep pajamas and clothes that can be warn again, bath towels, robes, etc. hung up on a daily basis. Place a laundry basket in the closet for dirty clothes or if there isn't room, a clothes hamper in the bathroom. Require that children put their dirty clothes away when they  take them off. Mom, children not yet school-age will need guidance or if there are older children , have them assume responsibility of helping the younger ones. this teaches the skill of orderliness.

Keep children's clothes in order by sorting out things that are too small and putting them away if they are needed for other children. Always mend or repair if needed before storing. Store clothes in boxes with lids or large plasticstorage containers. Mark the outside with the sizes, this saves rummaging later.

Place a bulletin board or cork board in the children's bedrooms for some of their special things. Keep only  a few of their most special things for them to have as memories such as pictures, art projects, etc. We stress that only a FEW of these items may be kept, for they will add up over the years. These may be kept in a plastic storage bin.

Sort through the toy box a couple of times a year. Throw away broken toys and sort out those that are no longer played with. The children can help with this task but need guidance as they like to keep everything. Toys that are in good shape but no longer are needed may be donated to Goodwill, a mission, or other organization. This is a good time for teaching organization.

Please tune in next Thursday for more tips!