Book Review: Clutter Rehab

A friend of mine was reading this book . . . and so I had to too!  LOL!  I absolutely LOVE anything that has to do with organizing, purging excess stuff, etc. and so clutter rehab?  Yes please. I know that sounds a little strange but that's me.  You would actually probably never know from looking at my house though.  Sigh . . . it's a work in progress.  

Anyway, this book is kind of fun.  It's so easy to read because each page lists one of the 101 tips with a brief description of the idea.  So it's not overwhelming - a nice quick read.  A lot of the ideas  were things I have done even in the last year or so but some were new.  A lot of it was motivating and I felt inspired to keep on working on it.  Here is a list of a few of my favourites:  

#8 – Have a daily walkabout

I love this one because if it’s done on a regular basis, it shouldn't be a big deal. The idea is that you and the kids just walk around the house for just ten minutes every day putting away things that are out of place.   I usually just go around the house and pick up toys and other things lying around and place them at each child’s spot at the table.  And then the idea is that they have to put them away.  But a walkabout is probably a better idea. 

#18 – Have a donation station

I always have a box going in our storage room to throw stuff in when I want to get rid of it.  Great idea. 

#23 – Use hooks for kids’ coats instead of hangers

Just started doing this last year.  I was so frustrated by coats not being hung up or falling off the hangers because let’s face it, it’s hard to hang stuff on hangers.  Hooks are much easier and each of the kids are responsible for their own coat.    

#26 – Start every week with a menu plan

We've done this in the past but we weren't very faithful at it.  We started again in the middle of January and we’re rockin’ it! I love not having to think about what’s for supper.  It used to be that at 3:00 or 4:00 pm, I’d be trying to figure out a plan for dinner and it was stressful.  We do a two week menu plan with a huge grocery shop at the beginning.  It gets tight at the end of the two weeks but we've been sticking to it and it’s great.   Helps with the budget too. 

#45 – Schedule regular toy “clean-outs”

I've done this once or twice with the kids but should do it more often.  The kids have to be in the right frame of mind though.  Sometimes I just get in a “I want to get rid of ALL the toys” kind of mood and that’s not helpful either. 

#46 – Toss your junk mail right away

Yep – I do this.  I often show the kids how much of our mail goes directly into the recycling bin.  It’s ridiculous how much paper junk comes through the door.  I feel like it’s less now that we’re homeschooling and the kids aren't bringing so much paper home from school but it’s the mail that’s crazy. 

#53 – Cut the knick knacks out

I've tried . . . still needs some work. 

#63 – Keep projects in process under control

Ha!  Hopefully when 2013 is done, I’ll have things a little more under control.  Yikes! 

#68 – Have a handy library basket

Oh boy . . . I try this, I really do.  But it seems like library books end up all over the house.  It’s hard when four kids are taking books out and they want to read them in various areas around the house.  Have to get better at this one. 

#76 – Create a binder and online library for recipes

Yep – I finally did this about a year or so ago.  I have a binder with the plastic page covers from the dollar store.  That way if I take a recipe out to use, I can wipe it off if I happen to spill on it.  This website also helps to keep recipes. 

#86 – Stop sorting your laundry

Okay, this may have been the best thing I read in this book.  I have secretly been doing this for a few years . . . just washing all the clothes together without sorting.  Whites with colours.  It works and saves time and there’s no difference (shhhh . . . don’t tell my mom!)  I was just so happy to read in a published book that it was okay not to sort laundry!  LOL! 

#91 – Cut the clutter in your bedroom and create the sanctuary you deserve

This one is a challenge for me.  Our bedroom ends up being a dumping ground.  I guess it’s because it’s the room where the door is always closed and our guests don’t go into.  I know I should work on that . . . maybe it gets easier as the kids get older?? 

#92 – Invite company over as motivation

Ha!  This made me laugh.  It’s really quite true.  You know you just HAVE to clean if people are coming over.  And the other thing is that if you have less clutter, it’s easier to do a quick tidy if you have last minute company.