Step Into Our Tupperware

The brand name “Tupperware” has become synonymous with (and inaccurately used when describing) our many collections of cheap plastic containers and mismatched lids. The majority of these polyethylene containers are not “Tupperware” and only became available during the last two decades (replacing the oh-so inconvenient aluminum foil and plastic baggies for food storage).

 

What was once a luxury has become a major clutter issue for many of our Customers – especially when it comes to housing mismatched shapes, sizes and lids.

We encourage those struggling with said clutter to reuse the containers for tiny miscellanea (board game pieces, tool related items, gift tags, buttons etc…) and upgrade to glass and stainless steel wherever possible. Because despite the World Health Organization’s findings on Bisphenol-A, we believe in mitigating health and environmental risks wherever possible.  

  

Check out the kitchn’s fantastic article, appropriately titled “How To Control Plastic Container Clutter”, for tips on organizing and discarding.

Then treat yourself to some vintage “Pyrex”!

Step Into Our Paper Plates

Happy Thanksgiving!

We’re thankful for stylish, compostable plates. They’re perfect for hosting large, messy, Tofurky dinner parties.

We love WASARA’s modern, elegant design (made of reed, bamboo and sugarcane pulp). 

Most grocery and health food stores carry one or two lines of completely renewable, biodegradable and affordable plates and cutlery.

They’re also perfect for seasonal crafts!

Enjoy the holiday (and not washing dishes!).

Step Into Our Pegboard

Wall Mounted storage boards are a super easy (and inexpensive!) way to use vertical space while organizing and displaying everyday items.

And everyday items acting as art.

 Also perfect for tiny spaces.

 

Not keen on the perforated aspect of the visual? Our friend, a new restaurateur, just shared his secret of magnetic wall paint!

What a perfect way to display art, grocery lists, love notes and whatever else your organized heart desires.

Call us if you’re … stuck.

Step Into Our Table

Wedding season and summer dinner parties equal large centerpieces and cluttered tables. Flat surfaces in general tend to accumulate “stuff”. Here are a few tips for keeping tables streamlined.

De-clutter before dressing – remove keys, papers and anything else that won’t be used during the event. We love all natural lemon cleaners in the summertime!

 

Don’t overdress – adding too many items to a table means putting them back after dinner (and after a few glasses of vino who wants to bother?). Essential dishes, a vase, maybe a candle and a bottle of wine is really all you need.  

 

Kitchen and coffee tables are often centralized locations for homeless items – be diligent in keeping them clear by designating permanent places for mail, keys, napkins and non-centerpiece decorations.   

Step Into Our Party

 

We were thrilled last weekend when asked to help de-clutter for a party.  Our customer thought he had time to prepare for twenty something guests – but he didn’t!

It happens! And we were more than happy to help (and happy to stick around afterwards for some fun – we owe you some vodka and a box of crackers Brian).

Quick easy wins are key when strapped for time. Here are some tips to make a messy place sit-able, stand-able and, by the end of the night, crawl-able.  

 

Consolidate loose papers (mail, coupons, flyers, business cards etc…).  Put them in a basket and then put them in a cupboard. Think Zen for a party.   

 

Do the dishes.  Do them quickly and get ‘em off the countertop.  

 

Wipe down the coffee table or communal table – remove art pieces, books and clutter to make room for drinks and snacks.

Won't hold potato chips!

Take out the garbage and recycling.

Do a quick vacuum or sweep. Five minutes, that’s it.

Lower the lights – plug in a lamp or light a candle.  Instant ambiance.

 

Cheat-clean the bathroom!

Take a towel or fiber cloth (piece of toilet paper works too) and simply polish the faucets.  No scrubbing necessary – this trick takes two seconds! The fixtures will shine! Do the same for the visible parts of the toilet (behind the seat and on top of the tank lid and toilet seat). 

 

A party‘s success is measured by how long the line to the bathroom is.

If you have time to spare, remove personal items from the front closet to hang up coats. No time? No worries. Your toilet sparkles.

Step Into Spring Cleaning Part II

This week tackle the kitchen, living room/main living area and front entrance way!

Having a nap on the ironing board is perfectly acceptable!

Kitchen

Remove all items and dishes from the cupboards and drawers.

Wash and dry things that haven’t been used in a while (maybe toss them?).

Vacuum and wash the cutlery tray (we’re not kidding).

Definitely toss broken dishes or dishes with chips (they collect bacteria).

Organize your spices!

Wash down the empty cupboards and drawers and re-line (if you’re a liner user – the wholesome kind).

Use this time to wash cabinet doors (inside and out).

And don’t forget about your fridge!

Living Area

Living rooms are full of flat surfaces – de-clutter them by finding homes for things strewn about.

Vacuum thoroughly – baseboards, under the couch behind the entertainment unit. It’s tres important to vacuum underneath furniture. And it doesn’t move itself so enlist someone’s help. Like your cute new neighbour.

Use ammonia free glass cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to clean electronics.

Hate vacuuming? Invest in a robot!

Spring cleaning is an opportunity to steam clean couches and carpets. Especially if Superman’s been staying with you. If you have slip covers, or pillow covers, it’s time to clean them as well.

We’re a little obsessed with the Thymes Mandarin-Coriander all-purpose cleaner.  Use it to dust and clean your front entrance floor and door. It’s safe (all natural solution with essential oils) and will make your entire place smell and feel like spring.

Our last piece of advice – look up!  Clean the corners and dust ceiling fans and light fixtures.  It will instantly freshen the air in your home.

The key is to be thorough and clean/organize things missed throughout the year.

See you next week!

Step Into Our Cleaning Caddy

Are you sick of ads harping on about the magical properties cleaning products possess? And of being told nothing else will clean your grime faster or better? And that Mr. Propre, err Mr. Clean, will appear out of thin air while scrubbing your toilet? We are.

Everyone knows elbow grease is the only real magic when it comes to cleaning and yet we’re all lured into purchasing multiple cleaners for “different purposes”.

Lately we’ve been helping customers downsize their cleaning supply inventory – forcing them to ask “how many products are REALLY necessary?!” The result has been a reduction in cleaning supply clutter, fewer chemicals in their homes and lungs and an overall movement towards cleaning simplicity.

Here’s how:

Don’t let unused products overwhelm precious storage space. Sort through and discard products that haven’t been used in six months. Always dispose safely.

Cleaning products are often kept under kitchen and bathroom sinks –make the most of that space with Do-It-Yourself shelving systems! Available at any hardware store.

Stop shopping. Effective, inexpensive and environmentally safe cleaners can be found in the kitchen:

*White Vinegar

*Baking Soda

*Lemons

*Oregano oil and thyme oil (natural disinfectants!)

Keep all cleaning supplies accessible in a handy caddy.

What’s in our caddy?

-  Rubber gloves

-  Paper towels (compostable)

-  Scrub brushes

-  Sponges

-  Microfiber cloths for dusting (they’re machine washable, great for polishing (no streaks!) and can be used again and again)

-  Only necessary cleaning products!  One all-natural, all-purpose cleaning solution covers the majority of cleaning needs.

We like these lines:

Or make your own using all-natural dish-soap and lavender oil – aromatherapeutic!

Other neat tips:

A little rubbing alcohol makes stainless steel appliances, canisters and garbage cans shine.

Use crumpled newspaper (!) to make windows sparkle!

Apply heat to wax based messes (think crayons on the wall or candle wax on your glass coffee table) with a hair dryer.

Check out The F.U.N. Place for more great tips!

And don’t be dirty!

Step Into our Holistic Closet

We’re living in an age where “natural”/”alternative” therapies and products have merged with more western, traditional interpretations of health. They’ve also merged with our need to consume. As a result we’ve met many customers who seek assistance editing their supplements.

It seems everyone has a sales pitch around how to detox, have a more restful sleep, ward off illness, lose weight quickly, or have younger looking skin. These potions and lotions, in exchange for our hard earned money, are supposed to make our lives, and our bodies, “better”.

The problem is this: after being bombarded with a million “solutions”, we’re often left with many unused products (creating another health concern – clutter!).

It’s time to tackle excess vitamins, cleanses, teas, protein drinks, bars, skin care products, weight-loss supplements, natural anti-depressants/sleeping aids and even exercise equipment.

Editing your supplement containers, closets, and drawers is a lot like editing your spice rack and medicine cabinet.

Tips

-Holistic products, either topical or ingestible, have a shelf life. Check the dates.

-Compartmentalize and keep supplements used on a daily basis easily accessible. Keep daily vitamins (multi vitamins, B-complexes, Fish Oil ect…) in one compartment and store less frequently used products (sleeping herbs, anti-viral supplements, immune boosters etc…) in another.

-Edit and assess frequently to avoid re-purchasing

-Just like infomercials, product reps and advertisements try to sell (!) and their claims aren’t always accurate or right for everyone. Do your research! Consult trusted health care practitioners, your doctor, naturopathic doctors, homeopathic doctors, TCM professionals, and your gut. You know your body better than anyone else on the planet.

De-cluttering leads to a new you too!

-Remember:

Quick fixes are temporary, especially regarding extreme weight loss.  Long term commitments to health and wellbeing are always more effective.

Health food stores and products are expensive (edit your wallet!) – leafy green vegetables, sleep, water, and exercise (go for a walk!) are inexpensive (and free!) ways to restore and maintain health.

Don’t ignore the nutritional and healing benefits of everyday food. Obtaining this knowledge can (and we believe will) reduce supplement need.

Knock Knock.
Who’s there?
Vitamin.
Vitamin who?
Vitamin for a party!

Step Into Our HookUp

We like to hangout.  And we hook up quite often.

(We couldn’t resist!)

Hooks are incredible little pieces of hardware we recommend to every customer.

Why? Well, they:

• Immediately free up space (in any closet, cabinet, or room)
• Make items visible and easily accessible
• Compel us to put things back in their rightful place
• Force us to take advantage of vertical (often unused) space
• Provide opportunities to showcase our belongings

There are many kinds – here are a few of our favorites:

Extra cubbies = extra storage! Perfect for front entrance ways.

Reusable hooks with command adhesive rock our worlds (and our wardrobes!).  3M makes great products.

Hangout in the bathroom

And the boudoir

Hang purses, belts, keys, scarves, jewelry, and hats. Any accessory really.

Love it, love it, love it!

Organizational brilliance!

Don’t forget about your tools

And check out more fabulous ideas here:

http://freshome.com/2010/05/11/25-of-the-most-creative-wall-hook-designs/

You’ll be hooked!

Hooks are a hoot!

Step Into Our Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchens are practical and necessary rooms.  Thus, they should be kept as sanitary spaces that work with (and not against) their owners.

Cramming unused food, dishes, small/useless appliances, containers, and cookbooks into cabinets and cupboards is an immediate storage solution that does not reap long term benefits.  Unused items rapidly become a source of irritation as more kitchen miscellanea is purchased or received as gifts.

Our motto: If you’re not using it – it’s not useful!

Please ask yourself  – do I ever use the waffle maker aunt Peggy gave me? Or the hot dog warmer I purchased at 4am in a drunken stupor from The Shopping Channel?  Do I really need 53 pieces of mismatched Tupperware just in case I host a dinner party and everyone I know (and have ever known) shows up?

Seemed like a hot idea at the time ...

For such a substantial and high traffic space, we suggest working through our 8 step de-cluttering method.

A kitchen should be functional and its important to keep separate cabinets for complimenting items.  Dishes with dishes, cleaning supplies with cleaning supplies, baking ware with baking ware – you get the picture.

Great Tips

Hide trash and recycling in separate cabinets or under the sink (many are set on tracks that make changing bags easy!)

Corner cabinets? Consider lazy Susan hardware (lazy Harvey? Call it whatever you want).

If space is limited use a mug rack or hooks that hang from the cabinet shelves

Add extra shelving to separate like items

Purchase appropriately sized cutlery trays

Keep your spices, fridges, and junk drawers in order!

And, while de-cluttering cabinets, assess counter space and remove appliances  not used on a daily basis (now that the Garfiled mugs from 1986 are gone - there’s room to hide ‘em!).