LITTLE things that help keep you organised?

[starrychime]

There's a lot of threads about cleaning routines, 15 min sessions etc which I love to read but never get round to following (one day, one day I will!)
Wondered if anyone has some little hints and tips that make things just a little bit easier about the house?
I use paper plates for morning toast, lunchtime sandwiches etc as I HATE washing up (no washer) - and it keeps it down a little bit.
Also keeping a small Ikea drawer sorter in the bathroom with DD's bobbles and clasps so they're to hand in the morning helps a bit.
Anyone else have any little tips?

yes i did like the idea of that but one of my main issues with putting clothes away is that the dcs are usually sleeping at night by the time i have myself organised to get the washing out of the dryer and put away so the thought of all the clothes storage being in teh same room as the dryer sounds very appealing (i am almost 100% sure that 10 years ago i asked a friend to punch me if she ever heard me fantasising about easier ways to do laundry, never mind it taking precedent over a private walk-in dressing room )

dcs are 2 and 6 and i dont think they'd give a fiddlers where their clothes are stored, it would just mean more play space in their room

In case it helps anyone I cannot get a superking duvet cover inside a pillow case.

Ah, I wouldn't worry about putting stuff away at night - just put a pile outside their door after they've gone to bed!

We have a teeny room in our house that's the result of a crappy loft conversion - DP won the coin toss to turn it into an office. I covet a dressing room (no room for wardrobes in our bedroom either!)

agenda - I can

(surely you can get a duvet cover inside a pillowcase though?)

crap.

Sorry

i have been putting their washing in a laundry basket to be put away when i get the chance, but i never seem to get round to it an we end up digging through clean folded laundry for pants or something. i'm one of those strange beings that has to do something while i'm in the zone or it wont get done.

i can also fit a superking duvet cover, flat or fitted sheet and 3 pillow cases inside another pillow case, with room to spare and my pillowcases are normal size. are your duvet covers really thick agenda?

Nah, don't put it somewhere else waiting to be put away - just put it away as soon as it's off the rack. You're making work for yourself :)

If I'm not in the zone I make DP do it!

I will not let this defeat me...

Done it! My covers are quite thick (posh John Lewis ones from wedding list), but I refolded them and then they went in. Am saving up for a third sheet so I can put one in each duvet set now sad

I wrap a pillowcase around each set - much easier, and they stay flatter.

not sad agenda i like to have equal amounts of sheets to duvet covers. (maybe we are both sad? )

yep that's what i want to be doing jareth so i think i'll go for all clothes in the spare room IF i get the house

I reply to invitations immediately and write them on the family calendar.

We've got cork noticeboards in the study - go through and chuck/file or shred things weekly.

Keep a box file for paperwork - don't put into dividers, just throw the bills, statements into the box. Get a new box file for each year.

The dc have their own laundry baskets and I wash each person's clothes separately, tumble them and put them away. Get out what you want to wear and iron it each day - takes 10 minutes tops.

Keep a bathroom spray, rubber gloves and cheap kitchen roll in each bathroom cupboard - I usually give the loo and sink a wipeover after I've been to the loo.

Delegate - dc have chores they're responsible for - putting own stuff away, loading and unloading the dishwasher, putting their clean clothes away, laying the table.

Deal with post as it arrives - get a shredder, a box file, a noticeboard and a bin and it's easy to do straightaway.

Do housework when you see it needs doing, don't leave it to do in one session - a quick polish of the banister when you're going upstairs, clean the mirror after your shower etc.

A mini hoover is a God send - clears up crumbs, does the skirtings and stairs without lugging the big one round.

I have decluttered all day

Some toys (from downstairs) to the charity shop. Large bag of clothes too.

Coats and shoes sorted. DS now has separate bag for each activity, already packed with clean kit.

To do list of paperwork to do tonight.

Floors cleaned.

Am knackered

Booyoo - belatedly responding to your laundry-drying question - no, I don't dry 3-4 loads in one day, except in the summer when it goes on the line. In the winter it stays on the rack until it is dry - it only needs to come off when I have my next wash-day (twice a week).

BUT I am lucky enough to have a utility room and a massive airer, so it doesn't get in the way.

Wow oompaloompa watch you go!! Feels good doesn't it!

thanks cointreau. i was trying to guess how that would work. we are limited for drying space so i couldn' even get 3 loads hung on racks/banisters etc

Those who keep their bathroom supplies in each bathroom, which I already do, do any of you have a secure container for the loobrush/bleach/spray? There are no bathroom cupboards where I rent and tucking them behind the loo is a risky strategy with a toddler.

Agenda try a bag of cleaning stuff on hook behind the bathroom door...

Our loo brush is our (14m) DS's favourite toy . I'm forever shouting "Shut the bathroom door!" "Don't let DS in to the bathroom!" "DS, get out of the bathroom!"

Loo brush problems solved...

A loo brush in the wrong adult hands can be just as problematic...I have had a guest who has put the thing back in it's holder dirty. Yuk.

Loo brushes make me shiver. Ugh. Unless they're cleaned and disinfected after every use, what's the point? Disposable cloths and gloves are the way to go - not very eco-friendly but better than sitting next to someone else's droppings. Bleurgh!

iwantanoompaloompa me too! I'm on a mission now - nothing is safe!
DD2 asked me why everything was so tidy this morning - bless her she has never known anything but chaos .

I have further big plans... which will be executed one at a time. And I am making a plan for dh too - all those little jobs that he has promised to get done will be displayed on a list on the fridge - I will be pestering him to do just one job every weekend (his choice)

does anybody here keep a nail scrubbing brush by their basins? i do and i try to make sure the dcs use them every time they wash their hands but how do you make sure your nail brushes are clean? do you store them in something or do you bin them ever week or something? are they machine washable? i'm thinking of keeping mine in a little soap dish of tea tree oil in water or something. would that work?

nail brushes are germ buses,basically all the germs multiply at room temp and warm humid environment inmost bathroom. brushes are manky,just sitting there ready to redistribute germs

the only way nail brush works is disposable single use,like ones in theatre

soap,hot running water is enouhg

imo bin the nailbrush

We have nailbrushes - I garden and have mucky nails from work and DS digs in the mud. I never really thought about them being a haven for germs. Ours are always washed in hot running water with soap and every now and then I bung them in the dishwasher to sterilise them. Or buy a new one.