Top Ten 15 Minute Organizing Options

Organizing doesn’t have to be incredibly time consuming. Little organizing successes can bring great rewards and not take much time at all!  Here are my top 10 super-fast organizing tasks, each of which can be done in 15 minutes or less.

1. Create a calendar:

• Find a calendar that fits your needs:  wall calendar, day planner, customized spreadsheet, phone app, etc. Whatever works for YOU!  It doesn’t matter what your friend/mother/sister/boyfriend uses.  Find the one that fits your lifestyle.
• Fill in obligations for the month.
• Create an area to document tasks to get done during the month.
• Categorize tasks by A/B/C priority.
• Check/update calendar on a daily basis.

2.  Clean out a drawer (pick a drawer, any drawer):

• Take everything out.
• Sort items by purpose (do they even belong there?).
• Throw away anything that isn’t functional; donate items that are functional that you don’t use.
• Thoroughly clean the drawer.
• Containerize like items together much as possible.

3. Clean one shelf in the refrigerator/pantry/medicine cabinet:

• Take everything out.
• Check expiration dates; throw out anything past expiration date. Going forward, write the date on products as you open them.
• Categorize items by function: condiments, snacks, salad dressings, etc.
• Thoroughly clean the shelf.
• Containerize like items together much as possible.

4. Create a mail station:

• Mail station should be wherever you are comfortable opening the mail.
• Put a recycle bin and shredder as close to the mail station as possible.
• Create an area to put items that need further work: bills to pay; invitations to respond to; filing, etc.
• Ongoing: Place any important dates on your calendar.
• Ongoing: Unsubscribe from unwanted catalogs or direct mail items.

5. Purse:

• Take everything out.
• Vacuum out the inside; wipe the outside down with appropriate cleaning agent (vinyl can tolerate antiseptic wipes).
• Reorganize by function: sunglasses/reading glasses in one section; small cosmetic bag in another; wallet in another. If the purse doesn’t have sections, consider investing in a purse organizer.
• Make a list of everything in the purse.
• Scan front/back of important cards in case purse is lost/stolen.

 6. Car interior:

• Remove all the garbage.
• Wipe down surfaces with a Swiffer® or soft rag and mild detergent.
• Clean windows and vacuum seats.
• Create a place for a small garbage can/bag.
• Containerize like items: one container for reusable shopping bags; others for emergency kits (see below)

7. Create emergency kits:

• Check for dealer supplied items already stored in the vehicle.
• Find appropriately sized containers.
• Gather the following supplies for the everyday situations kit: paper towels, granola bars, water, blanket, coat, gloves, flashlight/batteries, etc.
• Gather the following supplies for emergency situations: first aid kit, flat tire repair kit, flares, jumper cables, etc.
• Create a list of items in each kit and check semi-annually.

8. Meal Planning:

• Check refrigerator to see what needs to be used within the near future.
• Create a meal plan for the week.
• Plan at least one day for leftovers.
• Post meal plan for the entire family to see.
• Create a master shopping list (Linda’s suggestion: Amazon Subscribe and Save).

9. Clean out the linen closet:

• Take everything out.
• Sort by function: sheets, towels, etc.
• Detail sort by sheet/towel size.
• Donate any items not.
• Designate shelf by function if possible; label if possible.

10. Create a regular household “to do” list:

• Make a list of tasks you perform on a regular basis.
• Consult with others in the home that perform regular maintenance and include their items on the list also.
• Separate them by frequency: weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, etc.
• Create a spreadsheet or other document capturing regular tasks.
• Review list weekly.

See, organizing doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming.  You will be amazed at how much better you will feel, not to mention motivated to do more, after just a few minutes of organizing