Quick Organizing: DVDs, CDs and Silverware

Project #5: DVD and CD Recovery
Grab a box or a basket and gather all the cases and lose discs scattered around the house (The kids could easily help with this project). Match up the CD, DVDs and their covers or, perhaps you can use a CD album to store your music and movies. Get rid of the ones that are unwanted, damaged or not used.

Project #6: Silverware Drawer
What does your silverware drawer look like? Does it need attention? Take everything out of the drawer and wipe it out. It's amazing how many crumbs can get in there! Sort all the utensils. Take out the stuff you don't use. Could you add inexpensive containers to keep the drawer better organized? Hey, maybe you could win some free ones! Enter my giveaway to win Rubbermaid's 6 piece Drawer Organization Set.

View more Quick Organizing Tips.

For more Works for Me Ideas I usually tell you to visit We Are THAT Family, but this week, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

Quick Organizing: How to Organize a Junk Drawer

Project #4: Junk Drawer
Almost every home has one (or two). It’s that special drawer where you can find anything, from hair bands to hammers, batteries to balloons. My friend calls it the magic drawer because you just don’t know what you'll find in there.

I’ll break it down using my STUFF System™
Take everything out of the drawer and Sort like things together. Take Out (throw, recycle, donate) the broken items, keys that have no home, dead ink pens, etc. Determine how you will Utilize the Space. Where will everything live? It makes sense to keep the frequently used items near the front of the drawer.

Fill Containers to keep like items together and eliminate the shifting of items when you close and open the drawer. I like to use the inexpensive containers shown here. Finally, Follow Up with your organized space on a regular basis. Straighten up things every once in a while, put items back in their homes after each use and adjust as needed if you find something just isn’t working.


Watch a short video on Organizing a Junk Drawer. Feel inspired to get your junk drawer organized? Post a link to your before and after photos. I'd love to see them!

View more Quick Organizing Tips.

For more Works for Me Ideas, visit We Are THAT family.

Enter my giveaway to win Rubbermaid's 6 piece Drawer Organization Set.

Rubbermaid Drawer Organization Set Product Review and Give Away

The good people at Rubbermaid sent me a set of their new 6 piece Drawer Organization Set to try out. This is perfect timing as I just shared my latest Quick Organzing Idea, How to Organize a Junk Drawer.

Here's shot of the product out of the package.

The drawer organizers interlock with one another. This allows you to adjust and create any any configuration that fits both your needs and your drawer space.

These containers are very sturdy and I like the various sizes.

The drawer organizers also have grips on their bottoms which stop them from shifting back and forth when the drawer is opened and closed. I love this feature because it I want my baskets to stay put!

You can use the drawer organizer in other places, too. Places that come to mind are the utensil drawers in the kitchen, desk drawers, bathrooms - to keep all those hair band and barrettes organized. These would be great for craft supplies as well.

Another neat thing about Rubbermaid's drawer organizers is that they come with a tip sheet on how to tackle your junk drawer. I like that they supply the buyer with the how-to!

Updated Note on the Tip Sheet: The tip sheet is not included in the package when you buy this product at the store. I was mistaken. I'd love to see this happen in the future!

Now for the giveaway.

1. Simply leave a comment on this post and tell me about your junk drawers. Don't be shy. Everyone has them.
   
2. I will randomly pick 2 winners and notify them by posting the results on my blog.
   
3. This giveaway will close at 5pm Central Time on March 5.

Feel inspired to get your junk drawer organized? Check out my post Quick Organizing : How to Organize a Junk Drawer. Post a link to your before and after photos. I'd love to see them!

Quick Organizing: Make a Donation Box

Project #3: Make a Donation Box

Have a designated container for donations. When you come across an item that can be donated, put it in the box right away. Keep a slip posted near by to make a note of items for tax deduction purposes. Be sure to grab your donation box when you are working on an organizing project.

I keep my donation spot in the laundry area because it's right by the back door. When it gets full, I put it in the van and drop off the items the next time I'm running errands.

View more Quick Organizing Tips.

For more Works for Me Ideas, visit We Are THAT family.

Quick Organizing: Tackle One Moving Box at a Time

I know it's not always easy for busy moms to find large chunks of time to devote to major organizing projects. When time is tight, I like the idea of tackling mini organizing projects projects around the house. Last fall I posted 8 Quick Organizing Ideas and over the next few weeks, I'll share even more ideas.

Project #2: Tackle One Moving Box at a Time
If you still have boxes in the basement, garage or storage from you last move, pick just one box to tackle. Have your donation box handy because chances are, if you haven't seen it or used it in a while, you can probably donate it.

Break down any cardboard boxes and recycle those right away. Schedule a date with yourself to do one more box, and then one more, etc.

Quick Organizing: The Kids' Dresser Drawers

I know it's not always easy for busy moms to find large chunks of time to devote to major organizing projects. When time is tight, I like the idea of tackling mini organizing projects projects around the house. Last fall I posted 8 Quick Organizing Ideas and over the next few weeks, I'll share even more ideas.

Project #1: The Kids' Dresser Drawers
Get the kids' clothes in order. Areas that are used frequently will require more attention so I tend to straighten up my kids' drawers about once a month and it doesn't take much time. Another good time to do this is during the change of seasons.

This is a great project to do with your children. Show them how to sort the clothing. Let them help fold their clothes ---- don't expect perfection.

As you are sorting, take out the stuff the doesn't fit or isn't worn. Have the kids try items on questionable items. Have a donation box close by.

Eventually, older children can tackle this project on their own. Getting the kids involved in a small organizing task like this can help teach them the skill of organizing and that it's okay to let go of things. Talk about how having an organized dresser makes getting ready in the morning easier and finding that favorite outfit is a snap.

For more Works for Me ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

Quick Organizing: Makeup

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session to tackle small projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less. See past Quick Home Organizing Ideas.

Project #8
Go through your makeup, skin care products and lotions. Get rid of the old stuff. Keep only what you use on a regular basis. Can you add containers to keep like items together?

Quick Organizing: Linen Closet

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session to tackle small projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less. I'll be sharing these quick projects with you during the next few weeks.

Project #7
Take a look at your linen closet. Sort through the items and take out the stuff that you don't use or need anymore. Straighten up the stuff that you do use.

Utilize a system by designating a purpose each shelf. For example, one shelf could be for the master bedroom linens, another for the children's room, and the next for extra toiletries. Check out the before and after photos of this linen closet.

*Apply project #7 to any closet in your home.

See past Quick Home Organizing Ideas.

Quick Organizing: The Nightstands

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session to tackle small projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less. I'll be sharing these quick projects with you during the next few weeks.

Project #6
Clear off your nightstands. Are there books that need to go back on the bookshelf or back to the library? Dust off the top. Go through the drawers using my STUFF System™.

See past Quick Home Organizing Ideas.

Quick Organizing: Declutter Your Closet

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session to tackle small projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less.

Project #5

Get rid of 10-20 items from your closet that you haven't worn in the last 6-12 months.

See past Quick Home Organizing Ideas.

Quick Organizing: Kitchen Counters

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session to tackle small projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less. I'll be sharing these quick projects with you during the next few weeks.

Project #4
Feeling overwhelmed in your kitchen? Clear you kitchen counter tops. Keep only what you use on a daily basis on your counters. Think of your counters as a work space, not a storage space. Do you have large appliances that are use only a few times a year that are taking up your workspace? Can they be stored in a lower cabinet? If you are feeling really ambitious, check out my post on Kitchen Organization.

See past Quick Home Organizing Ideas.

Quick Organizing: Fast De-Cluttering

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session to tackle small projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less. I'll be sharing these quick projects with you during the next few weeks.

Project #3

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Next, grab a box and fill it with all the stuff hanging out in your kitchen that doesn't belong there. Then, return items to their homes. If you come across something that you are holding onto "just in case", get rid of it. If you come across an item that you are just not sure what to do with, start asking yourself questions.

1 - Do I need this?

2 - Do I have a use for this?

3 - Is this something someone else can use?

*Repeat Quick Organizing Project #3 in your mudroom, entryway and laundry room.

See past Quick Home Organizing Ideas.

Quick Organizing: Paper Shredding

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session to tackle small projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less. I'll be sharing these quick projects with you during the next two weeks.

Project #2
Do you have a pile of papers that are sitting around waiting to shredded? Gather all those papers and box them up. Find a free upcoming shred-a-thon near you and get those papers shredded!

See past Quick Home Organizing Ideas.

Quick Organizing: Magazines

Do you feel like you just don't have a lot time to devote to organizing? No problem! You can schedule mini organizing session with yourself to tackle small projects. These mini tasks may give you the motivation to tackle larger organizing projects.

I've come up with 8 simple home organizing projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less. I'll be sharing these quick project with you during the next few weeks.

Project #1

Weed through that magazine pile and keep only the last 2 months' issues. Straighten up the pile or put them in a decorative basket. Re-evaluate the subscriptions you are getting. If you find you just have the time to read all the magazines, decide which one you will no longer receive.

For more Works-For-Me ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.