Going Green With Home Organization
In honor of Earth Day and the new season, I have been taking time to reflect on how my home can become more eco-friendly.
What does it mean to go green? For me, it’s about reducing unnecessary purchases, avoiding plastic when possible, and paying attention to the ingredients in my products and food.
Abbsolutely Free Advice
+ Donate unwanted items.
Go through toys and closets monthly and donate anything unwanted or unused. Toys have a way of ending up all over the house, so spending time on a regular basis revisiting heavy storage areas like closets, mudrooms and play areas makes a huge difference.
+ Organized kitchens make prep, cooking and clean-up easy.
Start small and do one cabinet and drawer at a time so it doesn't become overwhelming. Measure utensil drawers to find the right organizer solution. I like bamboo and acrylic organizers, and love lazy susans for essentials like oil and vinegar by the cooktop.
+ Set achievable goals.
Start small and carve out time to focus on certain areas. Set a timer. For example, spend 30 minutes each day for one week cleaning out your pantry until it's functional.
+ Labeling is key!
Labels create accountability in a space. There's no reason things can't be put back where they belong when the item has a home and a label.
+ Sort by category.
Use bins, baskets and containers. Measure drawers and shelves before buying organizing products. Things have to flow and it it's a hassle to reach for something change the location. Make sure the placement of items makes sense to you.
+ Pay special attention to the pantry, it's the hub of every household.
Pantries are visited by family members daily – desparately needing order and functionality. I love baskets in a pantry! Be sure to decide what system is best for you. If you're happy unboxing and decanting after a trip to the grocery store that's great, and if not, simple sorting works just as well.