Prevention is the name of the game when it comes to handling kids’ #summer messes, says The Maids. Set boundaries for kids: A mudroom drop-off tray for dirty socks and shoes can help household keep floors free of mud, grass and sand. Having children eat ice cream and popsicles outdoors plus a post-treat washup regimen can keep sticky hands away from, well, everything. Pick backseat snacks that won’t drip or spill, and pack a roll of paper towels or wipes in the car for spot #cleanups. And have a towel “tree” or clothesline available for wet towels and bathing suits. #Cleaning goes fast when most of the house is a mess-free zone. #SummerMesses
Tag: clutter
Conduct Resets to Keep Summer Messes at Bay
With #summer’s busy schedules, making memories often supersedes everyday tasks such as #cleaning. Learn to expect the routine #messes of dirty dishes, stacks of laundry or strewn-about toys — the kind of mess that differs from #clutter. “It’s a byproduct of being a living, breathing human being, and no matter who you are or how #organized you may be, there is no escaping it,” says decluttering expert Katie Joy Wells. Establish quick cleanup rituals or “resets” by taking a few minutes to put things back where they belong. Busy areas such as the kitchen might need a few quick resets per day. #SummerMesses
Keep Summer Fun(k) Where It Belongs
Fun in the sun often means dirt in the home. To keep those #summer messes at bay, think ahead and outsmart the mess, says Clean My Space. Lay down a liner or tarp before loading the car to prevent dirt, mud, gravel and pet hair from adhering to auto upholstery. Leave moisture-laden sporting goods, beach towels and coolers outdoors to dry rather than leaving them inside your vehicle or home. Keep sunscreens and bug sprays sequestered in freezer bags so they don’t leak on other items. Wet bags and totes can keep the mildewy funk of wet swimwear, beach toys and towels in check, too! #SummerMesses
Handling Some of Summer’s Worst Stains
Winter may be messy, but summer has its own set of #cleaning and tidiness challenges. Some of the most difficult stains to handle result from the grease and oils that spatter from favorite cookout foods such as burgers, steaks and potato salad, says Blueland. Blot stains immediately with a rag or paper towel whenever possible. Then, presoak garments in a 1:1 water and vinegar solution for half an hour. Scrub the area with a soft brush such as an old toothbrush. Use an oxygen bleach laundry product and wash in cold water before hanging to dry — and repeat if necessary. #SummerMesses
A Dad’s Guide to Decluttering
Father’s Day is June 15, and — like most people — #dads sometimes need a little help with #decluttering. Whether they’re #minimalists when it comes to extra #stuff or irrepressible #packrats, there’s always room to streamline.
Of course, every dad is different. Some are juggling family, kids and career in starter homes with little space to spare, and others may be dealing with the weight of a lifetime of accumulated paperwork and other #stuff post-retirement.
His hobbies will have an effect on the level of #clutter. If Dad is a woodworker, mechanic or tinkerer, he may have hundreds of tools and parts to #organize. He may even have duplicates! Help him sort out his favorites — the ones that really get used — and #donate or sell the rest.
If he’s an avid athlete, sportsman or musician, he will probably have more than one piece of specialized equipment that takes up a lot of space when not in use. And even if Dad just likes to read or listen to music, chances are he has a lot of accumulated books, papers and media.
Young dads with kids may not have as much stuff of their own, but struggle to keep the family #organized. Brooklyn’s Tidy Dad believes that #decluttering, #cleaning and #organizing responsibilities should be shared in a household, since everyone contributes to the #clutter and mess.
His advice? Know what makes a space seem #messy and #cluttered. Reassess the “hypothetical someday” to determine what’s really in use. Find a balance of possessions, space and everyday life. Schedule #decluttering on the calendar. And make #tidying tasks manageable and routine.
Ultimately, he says, #tidying is more than decluttering — it’s a way to create space for every part of your life. Young or old, the idea is for dads to have “just enough” #stuff and systems in place to make it easy to maintain an equilibrium.
Once you’ve helped Dad declutter, tidy up and organize, contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup. He’ll be happy you helped, and in turn, happy to help the nation’s #veterans with his donation. #DadsDecluttering