Eight Tips for Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition for many. The extensive de-cluttering and organizing that takes place as soon as the weather warms up can be quite the undertaking. Here are eight tips to make the most of your spring cleaning, and you can even use them to keep your home looking great at other times of the year as well.

Take Cleaning Seriously

If you fully embrace your spring cleaning, tackling it head-on from the get-go you will not be disappointed. You may have a lot to do, but you will benefit in the long run. The most important tip to keep in mind throughout the process is that the better job you do with your initial cleaning and home organizing the less work you will have to do later.

Start with the Closets

It can be hard to figure out where to get started with any big cleaning task. The best place to begin organizing your entire home is with your closets. Get rid of all of those unused clothes and other items you may have stashed there over time. Organize the remaining clothing by how you get dressed or by color. For hall closets and other storage closet organizing, you want to have the items you use most often where they are most accessible.

Do Not Forget Bookshelves

After sorting through your closets, the next best area to organize are bookshelves and other shelving in your home like your movie collection. Get rid of damaged dust jackets along with books and items you no longer need or want. Donate your unwanted books and then organize the rest by subject and size. This will ensure that you have room in the future for new books and collectibles.

Dealing with Stains and Odors

After de-cluttering your closets and straightening your shelving, move on to eliminating any smelly stains or large stains that you have neglected on your furniture. The first step to making your upholstery look great again is to blot up as much as you can of the troublesome stains. While doing so put a plastic liner like a garbage bag between the cushion and the fabric to avoid spreading the odors further into the cushion. Use cold water to blot, and to take care of lingering odors use a vinegar and water solution, rinse and repeat.

Managing Floors

Carpet stains can be removed with commercial carpet cleaners and odors taken care of with vinegar just like upholstery. Give all carpets a thorough vacuuming as part of your spring cleaning. Taking care of wood floors should be done with a damp mop and mild soap.

Addressing Countertops

Cleaning countertops can be as simple as a wipe-down of composite material or as a difficult as removing stains from granite. If you have the latter, you can remove most stains with diluted ammonia. After taking care of stains to get it looking its best again, get it re-sealed in the spring. Re-sealing will help to prevent future stains and make maintenance cleaning easier.

Pay Attention to Stainless Steel

Stainless steel looks great when it is cleaned and taken care of, but if neglected it gets spotty and dull. Spots as well as scum accumulation are easily wiped away. After cleaning and polishing all of your stainless steel faucets spray them with a very light misting of a wax-based aerosol. This will keep the fixtures looking shiny and their best for much longer. Wipe them down with a lint-free cloth and avoid using any oil-based products. Bleach should also be avoided because it contributes to a loss of that great luster.

Cleaning Tile

Bathroom and kitchen tile can sometimes be a hassle to take care of. You may have put off cleaning your tile only to find that the situation continually gets worse. Definitely give any tile a good cleaning this spring. A great trick is to use baking soda and water to create an affordable and highly-effective cleaning solution. Mix half of a cup of baking soda with two gallons of water and then apply it with a sponge. It will even take care of build-up in the cracks and can be used on grout.

Robert Mizrahi
Chaos Commandos
NYCOrganizers.com

How to Organize Your Email Folders in Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is the email application that is part of the Windows bundle on all PCs. Outlook has a number of helpful tools to help keep your inbox and the rest of your email organized. Many of the tools are even automated to make the task even simpler once you set it up.
Many people unfortunately do not know how to use these great features or are just plain unaware of them. This can result in an over-abundance of unwanted emails which can prevent you  from finding that important email when you need it, or having your work emails lost in the midst of newsletters, spam and emails from your friends.

The Filter Tool

Filtering your messages allows you to see only the emails you want, and that meet certain criteria. You can then sort these emails into folders accordingly and have them automatically sorted in the future. To access the Filter tool just click on "View". A drop-down menu will appear and you can select one or more categories that have been established like Unread or even Social Updates, which are emails from Facebook and other social networks.

The Sweep Tool

Sweeping is how you send all of a certain type of email to a designated folder. An easy way to sweep is to do so by sender. For example, if you want all of your work emails in a separate folder, you'll want to use Sweep after selecting an email from your boss or co-workers. Click Sweep and then from the drop-down menu select "Move all from". After this you will be sent to another screen where you can select the folder to either sweep to or create a new folder. Sweep is great because you only need to select one email in order to send them all where you want them to end up.

The Sweep tool will also allow you to automate the sorting of emails in the future. All you need to do is select the check-box for "Also move future messages". Sweep can also be used to delete all of the messages from a specific sender. This feature is excellent for getting rid of all of your Facebook notification emails at one time.

The Schedule Cleanup Feature

Schedule Cleanup keeps your inbox and your folders from being overrun by old emails that are no longer relevant. It can be set to delete certain emails after ten, thirty, sixty or ninety days - whichever works best for you. This makes it so that you will only have to deal with more recent emails. You may also use Schedule Cleanup to send emails to folders and have them bypass your inbox entirely. Click on Schedule Cleanup and all you need to do is select the options that are right for your needs.

Turning to Professional Organization

There are also great professional organizing services that can do all of your email organizing for you. They will handle all of your digital needs to your specifications and get you started with staying organized in the future. They are great if you are less computer savvy, just do not have time to sit down and deal with the email clutter or if you are overwhelmed by the prospect. If you have just begun using Outlook and imported all of your emails from over the years it can easily become overwhelming.

A digital data storage organizer can take care of more than just Outlook. They can also help you with a cluttered desktop and help clear space on your hard drive. They will set up automation tasks within all of your programs, sort your folders and get rid of duplicate files. They will get the job done quickly and easily, so that you can get back to your business as soon as possible and never have to dig through your inbox for hours again.

Robert Mizrahi
Chaos Commandos
NYCOrganizers.com

How to Organize Your Makeup

Makeup storage can become a hassle even for the most organized makeup connoisseur. A solid makeup collection includes a variety of products and colors for all outfits and all occasions. We all know that sales are enticing and you often find yourself sometimes buying makeup you don't necessarily need. From your brushes to your eye shadow, lip liner and foundation, you can downsize the clutter and be able to find what you need when you need it. It can even be fun.

Sort Your Products

The first step to organizing anything, including makeup, is to sort. A fine way to sort makeup is by product. In other words, you want to have you mascara with your mascara. You do not want to have your foundation mingling with your lipstick and eye liner. Start by creating groups. For example, consider having your foundation and blush close to one another, and group all of your eye and lip makeup. Think about your makeup in categories and sub-categories.

Out with the Old

While some makeup lasts a while, you probably go through other types of makeup at what seems like a blinding rate. Liquid makeups can dry up and eye shadows become cracked and brittle over time. Unless you keep on top of your make up you will probably find you have some things that have seen better days. Getting rid of old makeup you do not use also cuts down on clutter and makes room for new products too. Downsize your collection, and you'll begin to see how easy it is to start getting organized.

Places for Products

After sorting and getting rid of old makeup you'll need a way to keep your groups of products together. A toothbrush holder or simple pencil case are good ways to store all of your brushes, for example. Put your eye shadow palettes together and your loose eye shadow in a container. Put your lipsticks and lip glosses together in a container as well. You can get a small plastic bin with drawers or separate individual bins. Get creative - whichever suits your style.

Getting Creative

When finding places for each of your products, feel free to use your creativity.  For example, if you are feeling particularly crafty you can glue small magnets to the backs of your eye shadows and blushes. Take an old cookie sheet and wrap it in your favorite decorative fabric then hang it on the wall by your vanity or make-up table. Stick your products there so you'll always be able to find them.

If you do not want to invest in a bin or buy trays from the store, you can easily take old boxes and make your own bins. Decorate them with paper or fabric and use a larger box to store your smaller boxes that contain each of your products. If you have a lot of boxes you can construct your own little chest of drawers for your makeup.

Call in the Professionals

What do you do when you find that you just have too much makeup? You may have makeup strewn about your entire bathroom and in every nook and cranny. The prospect of organizing can become completely overwhelming. You might have a collection of makeup that you cannot bring yourself to throw away even though you know you need to. When all else fails, you can contact a professional home organizer. A professional can help you throughout the process and get the job done for you.

Organization companies are a great option if you simply do not have the time or if you find yourself absolutely unable to get started. A versatile company will offer a wide variety of services, which will include a professional bathroom organizing service. They will take care of your makeup and anything else you may find creating disarray in your bathroom. Learn from them and they can help you stay organized in the future so you do not find yourself drowning in makeup again.

Robert Mizrahi
Chaos Commandos
NYCOrganizers.com

Tips To Organize Your Pet Supplies

Dog trained to wipe his feet

Having a pet is similar to having another child for most pet owners who adore their little critters. Staying organized when you begin purchasing toys and supplies for your pets can be tricky, especially if you are living in a multi-pet household. Getting organized with your pet supplies and keeping them clean is possible with a bit of preparation and an understanding of all of the supplies you need to manage in the home.

Take Inventory and Rid Clutter

Before you can begin to organize your pet supplies, it is important to take inventory and to rid any toys or supplies that are old, outdated or even unused by your pets.

Break Your Inventory Into Categories

Dividing the inventory of the pet supplies and toys you have is a way to keep track of where you want to store each item once you are ready to begin the organization process. Grooming supplies, bowls and food, toys, medical supplies and medications, waste disposal products and even leashes and collars can all be organized separately for easier and quicker access altogether.

Get Creative With a Treat Station

Create a fun and decorative treat station to place on top of a counter or your refrigerator. Make your own treat station with kitchen containers or glass jars, adding a bit of decor to your pet's treats while keeping them all in one central location in the home.

Create a Grooming Caddy

Make your very own "grooming caddy" to store all of your pet's brushes, shampoo and conditioners and even bows or other accessories you have for your animals. You can make your own DIY basket or purchase a plastic bin to store your pet grooming supplies for quick access any time you are bathing your animals.

Have a Designated Food Location

Store your pet's food in one designated area in the house. Whether you have a closet, laundry room or a storage space available, having a designated pet food location helps to eliminate clutter while making it easy to access for your animals whenever they are hungry.

Keeping Pet Supplies Clean

Keeping your pet supplies and toys clean is possible by using both natural and chemical-based solutions. Whether you prefer toy-cleaning sprays, wipes or if you want to hand-wash your animals' toys, keeping them clean can be done with store-bought solutions or traditional soap and water. Many stuffed animals for pets can also be washed along other household items such as traditional clothing and accessories.

Consider a Professional Organizer

If you want additional help when it comes to organizing your pet supplies and ridding the clutter from various areas of your home, consider looking into a home organizing service. Working alongside a professional who specializes in organizing homes and personal belongings is a way to pick up new tips and tricks while ensuring your pet supplies are properly put away and stored for easy accessibility any time.

Hiring a professional organizer is highly recommended if you have a large home or if you simply do not have the time to organize all of your knickknacks and pet supplies that are lying throughout the house. Before finding the organizer that is right for your task, be sure to consider just how much work needs to be completed and the vision you have for the final outcome.

Keeping your pet supplies organized and clean at all times is one more way to feel less stress at the end of each day. The more organized you are in your home, the easier it is to find peace and relaxation at the end of a long day, even if you have cats and dogs running around wildly.

Robert Mizrahi
Chaos Commandos
NYCOrganizers.com

How to Organize Your Video and Picture Library

With the holidays fast approaching, and families getting together to celebrate, one of the most important things you can do to preserve your memories is to organize your video and picture library. So many of us have our photos and videos scattered all about, usually with little or no back-up. Not only is it harder to find a specific image, it is at a high risk of being lost forever. You can do this task yourself, or hire a professional organizer to help.

Use a Dedicated External Hard Drive

Using an external hard drive to store your video and pictures on it will keep you from taking up space on your computer's hard drive. Buy an external hard drive to use only as your picture and video library. Keep it in a safe place, and you will always have your special memories.

Label Photos

Label all photos as you save them, videos too. Don't keep dropping all your images into one file. Spend some time sorting out the ones you want to keep, and delete the rest. If you have several similar photos, choose the highest quality one to keep. Take the time to label each image and video with dates, the names of the people in them, and where it was taken. If it was from a special event, make note of that as well.

Label Folders

Label photo and video folders in order to stay organized. Make a separate folder for each event you took pictures of. Label it with the date and event name. Random images can be placed in folders labeled with the year and season. For example, pictures in the summer months could all be classified as "summer 2013."

Empty Your SD Card Regularly

We have all been guilty of this. We keep way too many pictures and videos on the SD card in the camera. Empty the SD Card routinely. By clearing photos from your SD card, you are making sure you'll never get stuck without enough room. Having a full card can lead to hastily deleting photos and videos you will later wish you had kept. You could also miss a current photo opportunity. If you can't remove photos after each event, set up a specific day each month to do it.

Keep Copies of All Pictures and Videos

Have at least two copies of your saved photos. Choose two places to keep them from among the following choices.

• Computer or Laptop
• DVDs
• CDs
• Hard Drive
• Thumb Drive
• Internet Storage

A Professional Organizing Service can help you with this. Keep each copy in a different spot, preferably far from each other. That way if a disaster destroys your pictures in one area, you will still have them in the other location. A cloud-based service on the web is ideal for a secure second place, especially in the case of a flood, fire, or other natural disaster.

You can also keep a copy with other important items in a fire proof storage safe or a safe deposit box. Remember to check your pictures each year to assure they are still readable. You will need to make new copies every five years, so as not to lose the data. This also holds true with digital data storage for your home- or work-related documents.
 
A Professional Organizer could be essential if you have several years of photos and video. They can help you get everything arranged and labeled, ready for safe keeping. Whether you have done the work yourself or not, be sure to keep up with all future images. Nothing is more devastating than to lose those special moments caught on video and in pictures.

Sincerely,

Robert Mizrahi
CEO
Chaos Commandos

Tips on How to Organize Your Kitchen Pantry

While a kitchen pantry is a great room and space to have in your home it is important to keep it organized to ensure that it will function as it is supposed to, especially with all of the baking and cooking for guests and family going on at this time of year. 

An organized pantry will allow you to find the things that you need easily and quickly. A pantry can easily be organized by making a place for everything, sorting food by type and brand, adding new products in an organized manner and keeping up with the organization.

The first step to organization is making sure that everything has a place. Plan the way that the pantry will be organized, completely empty it and begin putting things back where you planned to put them. 

Doing this will allow you to have a visual idea of what your pantry will look like and how organized it will be. Having a visual tool before beginning the actual organization will help make the organization go smoother. It may take extra time to make a plan but it will make things much easier when organizing the pantry and keeping it organized.

The key to good organization is good sorting. Sorting your pantry by different food types as well as different container sizes helps you when adding new items, looking for items and can even increase the space you have in your pantry. Some ideas for sorting the pantry include:

• Put items that are the same together. For example, if you have cans of pears put them all in one spot and if you have jars of spaghetti sauce put them in their own place.

• Within the type of food organize by size. Always put larger sizes towards the back and smaller sizes towards the front to make sure that you can see everything clearly.

• Take advantage of a practice that professional organizers and many grocery stores use. Always put new items towards the back and older items towards the front. This will help you remember to use older items first and will help keep things from expiring while they are sitting in the pantry.

One of the biggest problems people experience when keeping their pantry organized is putting new items in. Before you begin organization, plan how you will put your newly purchased items into the pantry. If you are planning on buying canned goods often, make sure that there is plenty of room in the pantry for new items. It is also a good idea to take your time when putting groceries away. While it can be tempting to just put the new things in the pantry in any way it will save you a lot of hassle to continue your good organization when adding new items.

Even with good organization, it can be hard to keep up with it. Oftentimes it may be more beneficial to use the services of a professional kitchen organizer to get started with your organization. After the initial organization upkeep is very simple and can be done easily and quickly. Take a certain time about every month that you go through your pantry, get rid of expired items and dust or clean off cans and jars. If you find items in your pantry that you don't ever use, make sure that you throw them away or donate them for others to use.

Whether you are an already organized person or learning new organization skills, a professional organizing service will be able to help you with all of your organizing needs. Sometimes it is hard to do large tasks without any help and an organization service will give you extra support and teach you new organization techniques.

Robert Mizrahi
Professional Organizer in NYC
Chaos Commandos

How to Organize Bills and Household Finances

Bills and household finances are a part of adult life. They are something that almost every adult in the United States and other countries must deal with. While bills are a necessity in living, the hassle of paying bills and keeping track of bills does not have to be. 

You, and everyone else can benefit greatly from creating an organized system that includes a budget, incoming resources and outgoing expenses. 

As someone who does home office organizing for a living, there are a few steps that should be taken to plan out all of your budgets and finances that are very important, but do not be intimidated because while they are important they are very simple.

Plan Ahead

Most things in life, no matter what, go a lot smoother and easier when they are planned ahead. Deciding what is in your budget is one of the largest parts to planning your household finances. Take time to figure out a total of how much money you have coming in and how much money you have going out with bills, food and other necessities. Figuring out your budget is one of the biggest things you can do to make bills and finances better organized.

Have a System

There are many different options for organizing your actual bills. Some people prefer the original method of keeping a ledger that contains detailed information of all of their expenses and resources from month to month. This can also be modernized by using an already made spreadsheet template or making one to suit all of your needs. There are also other methods that people prefer to use. Most office supply stores sell bill organizer folders that allow you to put all of your bills in one place and keep detailed information on them. No matter what you choose to organize your bills, make sure you have a uniform system.

Keep Up With the System

The biggest mistake that people with good intentions make is not keeping up with their original plans. It may seem like a burden at the time to put a bill into a folder or put information into a ledger, but it will be much easier to handle your bills at the end of the month or the end of the year. Making sure you keep up with the system that you have chosen is as important as the original organization of the incoming resources and outgoing expenses.

Organize Accordingly

It is not uncommon to have a new bill or expense every couple of months. Many families have added hospital bills or an unexpected new car purchase that causes them to have a new car payment bill. When you are faced with another bill, be sure to add it to your bill organization system in a way that makes sense and will allow the bill to be paid on time every time. If you need to eliminate other expenses, such as dinner out a few nights a week, to be able to pay the bill then do it. Paying bills and budgeting for necessities is more important than things that you want and luxuries.

Update Frequently

Things get messy as time goes on, it is a fact of life. Your bills and bill organization system are not immune to becoming disorganized just from everyday or every week use. Make sure that you are able to take time every week or every month to put all of your bills where they belong and update any ledger information. Doing this on a regular basis will help you to stay organized and will keep you from missing a bill payment or having an overdrawn bank account issue. Updating your finance organization system is a very small and simple step that will help you to remain organized.

Whether you are looking for a new way to be able to handle bills and budgets or you are just starting out on your own, you will surely be able to benefit from organizing your bills and household finances. From planning to updating and everything in between, having a successful organization system of your household finances will allow you to pay your bills on time and keep detailed financial records.

Robert Mizrahi, CEO

Chaos Commandos

NYCOrganizers.com