Simple tidying

In the morning, before leaving for work, leave some time to make the beds, tidy the kitchen, etc. You'll be glad you did when you come home exhausted from work and don't have to deal with clutter.

Keep a place somewhere in the house, shelves, baskets, etc., assign each household member a specific shelve or basket where they are to put their lunch, homework, things to take to work/school, etc. Everyone can pick up their stuff just before leaving quickly as they depart - set up this area near the door everyone leaves by. In the afternoon, they can put their belongings in the staging area.

Create a distribution point in the home. This is an area where you put laundered clothes, books, mail, etc. Each day, have the household members pick up their stuff from this distribution center and take them to their rooms, or put them in their designated shelf or basket. Use a basket, small table, or some other place as this distribution center, and put it where everyone will see it every day, but not where it's in the way, or a distraction to company.

Set up a shelf where all library books, video rentals, etc. are to be stored. Make sure everyone always returns the items to this shelf. Now you won't have to search around for those items to return them on time - saving you fees and frustration.

By the door, keep a small bowl or dish for putting change in. That way, if someone needs some change, it's available as they go out the door if they suddenly need some money. This is also a good place, if you have a small table, to put your wallet, purse, watch, etc. Then you always know where it is. If you don't want it out in the open, you can put some of this in your bedroom by the door.

Make it a point of always putting your shoes and coat in the closet - the same place each time, putting soiled clothes in the hamper or laundry as soon as you take them off, and never passing by any clutter without picking it up.

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

Visitor Comments

am..okay does any-one know where you can get kids cleaning time-tables on the internet?? please help!! and quick i have a guest arriving in 3weeks and need the children to get into a routine ...xxx nicolette xxx

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