I'm probably a little OCD about organization...
but it sure keeps my stress levels down.1. Everything has a place - if it doesn't then we don't need it!
2. I use rubbermaid bins under the kids beds - the girls have 1 for Barbies, 1 for polly pockets, 1 for dress up clothes, and 1 for Legos. The boys have them for nerf guns, cars, and kennex.
3. We keep out of season and size clothes in plastic bins stored in the tops of closets. I organize the bins based on size and season.
4. I have lots of linens (there are 9 of us, so 8 beds). Each set of linens get folded and put into the pillowcase of the set, then each set is stacked neatly in the linen closet.
5. We color code a lot as well. Each kid has his/her color for towels, washcloths, cups, etc. Somtimes it's hard to find 7 different colors of things, but we do it as much as we can.
6. All rooms are cleaned before going to bed - no exceptions! Then each morning they all make their beds before they leave their rooms. We started this with our bios when they were very young and from day 1 with our fks.
7. Laundry gets started each night after baths and moved to the dryer before I go to bed. In the morning after breakfast we unload the dishwasher and fold/put away clothes.
8. Everyone helps with the household chores. We clean the kitchen/breakfast room as a family each night after dinner. Then once a week we clean everything - dust, bathrooms, floors, ect.
9. Mail gets taken care of when it enters the house. Bills paid, junk mail thrown out, magazines put in the proper place. I don't keep old magazines more than 2 months. I will cut out any article or ideas I want to keep and file accordingly.
10. I don't overbuy for clothes or toys. I used to, but realize they don't really need or want all that. They do want me to take them to the park, swimming, or play games with them. But see #2, they have a lot.
11. Don't take hand me downs you won't use. Or take them and offer to pass along anything you don't need.
12. I use Tupperware's modular mates in my kitchen. Each one has a specific purpose and they keep my pantry and cabinets very neat and organized. I have collected these for years and still would take more. Not sure when I will have all I want.
13. Cleaning supplies are kept on all levels of the house. I keep what I need on each floor. So each level has windex wipes, clorox wipes, toilet bowl cleaner, shower cleaner, dusters, etc. There is only 1 vacuum, mop and broom. Those I have to carry up and down the stairs. I also spend more to get whatever comes in wipes for ease and convenience. Just a little quicker to accomplish those chores when I don't have to have rags or paper towels to complete the job.
I use lots of baskets and bins everywhere.
We are a busy household - lots of sports, music lessons, church activities, 2 different schools, plus homeschooling. We have found that if/when everyone picks up after themselves it really isn't that difficult to keep things clean, neat, and organized.
Our house has been on the market and no one can believe how clean and neat we keep the house with 7 kids living here.
A couple of other things - when my kids were younger I have one of those mesh bags with suction cups to keep bath toys in. I just kept it attached to the back wall of the tub. Never collected more bath toys then would fit in the bag. Picking up was a game as soon as they were old enough to walk and hold a toy. We use a lot of open baskets/bins so there aren't lids to get in the way.
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