Archive for the ‘storage’ Category

Check the expiration dates on your emergency supply of canned goods at least once a year.

Monday, September 5th, 2011

As Hurricane Irene was making its way up the East Coast to NYC last weekend, I received emails from Brooklyn and Queens clients trying to get organized for the oncoming storm who wondered if I knew how long canned goods were safe to ingest. Apparently, both of these clients had an emergency supply they had bought so long ago in anticipation of weather events that might cause power outages that they couldn’t remember how long it had been. Just to be on the safe side – though I assumed they already had – I replied that most canned goods had expiration dates on them so they should check the label, the lid or the bottom of the can. If the cans didn’t have an expiration date, I suggested that they contact the manufacturer of the food for information or look on the company’s website. I also suggested that they check out StillTasty, a shelf life guide where you can find out how long your favorite food or beverage will stay safe and tasty and what’s the best way to store it. Additionally, I recommended that they check the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service website. Because time was of the essence, I emphasized that, if they couldn’t get the information they needed quickly and easily, common sense should prevail and they should toss or set aside to investigate later items they were unsure of and get fresh supplies in the meantime.

When food is involved, the wise thing to do to protect yourself and your loved ones is either use up your emergency supply cans BEFORE they expire or give them away or donate them well in advance of their expiration dates and replace them with new ones. To avoid the potential unwelcome surprise of emergency food cans past their expiration dates, review your stash of supplies at least once a year. Put a reminder on your calendar so you don’t forget or tie your review in with a yearly event or ritual like New Year’s or turning your clocks backward or forward. It’s also a good time to review/update other in-case-of-emergency items like your insurance policies, emergency contact list, evacuation plans and the contents of your Go (emergency) Bag.

Many of us prefer not to think about bad things happening, but major weather events like Hurricane Irene can and do occur. No one is immune. It could happen to you, so be prepared.

Posted in emergencies, reasons to get organized, safety, storage | Comments Off

Hate to file? Where’s your file cabinet located?

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

 

At home or at work, a simple, easy-to-use filing system is the best way to keep track of all the paper you accumulate. Unfortunately, even when people have a good filing system in place, filing is often a dreaded task. In one online poll about which office chore people hated the most, filing was the winner, hands-down!

Since good paper management requires filing your papers on a regular basis, if you hate to file, you need to figure out why and what to do about it. A good place to start your diagnosis is with the LOCATION OF YOUR FILE CABINET. A file cabinet situated in an unpleasant, out-of-the-way or hard-to-reach spot in your home is unlikely to be used as often as it should be. That can lead to papers not being filed in a timely way and you not being able to find items you need when you need them as a result, to say nothing of the clutter that piles of unfiled paper can create.

Place your file cabinet in a convenient locale where you can easily take advantage of its storage capabilities and, who knows, you may actually learn to love filing!

Posted in home offices, mail/bills/paper/filing, offices, productivity, step savers, storage, time management | Comments Off

Spring cleaning & organizing: Best practices for storing your off-season clothing

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Although April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, all they are bringing, at the moment, is soggy feet or you being cooped up inside. Don’t let it get you down, though. Embrace being trapped indoors by the less-than-lovely weather outside and Spring clean, declutter, edit and organize your clothes closets. Look over your winter clothing before you pack it away. Decide which items are keepers for next year and which aren’t. Try on your shorts and swimsuits and dream about the nice weather ahead. Make a list of items you might need to fill in the gaps.

When packing away out-of-season items, keep in mind these storage tips to help preserve items made with quality fabrics, leather or fur.

- Remember that ventilation is important when storing natural fabrics like cotton, wool, silk, linen, suede and leather.

- Do not use plastic bags (including vacuum-seal bags) because they can permanently crush fabrics and furs. In addition, the airtight seals can cause mildew and mold growth.

- If you’re hanging garments, use non-rusting hangers and white, muslin garment covers. Allow sufficient space between items for good air circulation.

-  When storing garments in boxes or bins, use sheets of acid-free, white tissue to separate items and line the containers.

- Save space by utilizing unused suitcases to store items made of fabrics that can be folded and stacked safely. Place the heaviest items at the bottom of the pile. Stack items loosely.

- Not all clothes should be folded and stacked. Fur must be hung from the shoulders. To avoid crushing fur, do not put it in a plastic bag or pack it in between hung items. For best results, fur should be stored in professional cold storage.

- Use cedar blocks, etc. to control pests. Because they are toxic, avoid using mothballs if children might have access to them.

- The glue in dresser drawers or trunks that are lined with wallpaper or adhesive liner paper can attract pests so avoid storing clothing in them. The same holds true for glued boxes.

- Do not use starch or fabric finish on any garments that are going to be stored.

Start working on your off-season storage project now and, with any luck, you’ll be done in time to go outside and enjoy the Spring flowers that arrive in May!

 

Posted in closets, clothes/shoes, seasonal, storage | Comments Off

Weekend project: Clean out the junk drawer.

Friday, July 9th, 2010

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-corkscrew-2-rimagefree571872-resi2153105

When you think of the word “junk” you typically think of items that are of little or no value, but most people have a “junk drawer” in a convenient, easy to access location to capture all those things that, despite the name, are far from junk.

The contents of the typical junk drawer are some of the most useful and often used items we own: screw drivers, rubber bands, tape measures, box cutters, batteries, twist ties, small change, matches, extra sets of house keys, savings coupons, corkscrews, toothpicks, post-it notes, buttons, thumbtacks, markers, pencils, pens, screws, nails, string, timers, flashlights, scissors and all sorts of other things you want to have handy.

If your junk drawer is full of clutter or filled to a level where absolutely nothing can be found in it, it’s time to turn it into organized storage that earns its keep by making your life easier.

Here are a few simple steps to help you take your drawer from “junk” to “gem”…

Step 1. Gather unused or extra containers from around your house – ice cube trays, little cups and small boxes are all perfect for the job. It’s also a great way to use and enjoy any small souvenir bowls, baskets or other containers you’ve brought home from trips you’ve taken. Or, if you prefer, go shopping for containers that will fit the width, length and height of your drawer. Be sure to take a tape measure or small ruler with you to the store so you can check. Explore the bath, kitchen and other sections of the store for various containers. Get creative with containers by thinking out of the box (pun intended!) and you might surprise yourself by all the possibilities that are out there.

Step 2. If you don’t already have some, buy non-slip drawer liner – rolls or pads of thin textured rubber. Dust/wash out your junk drawer and line it before inserting your containers. This will keep them from sliding around when you open and close the drawer.

Step 3. Take everything out of the drawer and put it on top of your counter. You may want to lay some newspaper or other protection down first to help prevent damage to your countertop. Undoubtedly, you will discover items that got lost in the tumble, items you don’t even remember having, items that belong elsewhere and items that should be tossed. Returning items that belong elsewhere to their rightful homes will reduce the clutter and disorganization of the junk drawer. Once that’s done the items that truly belong in the drawer become clear and the organizing can begin.

Step. 4. Put like items together – thumbtacks in one pile, buttons in another, rubber bands in a third and so on until you’re done. Assign each category of item to an appropriately sized container and return it to your junk drawer. If you find an item that you can’t identify, put it to the side. Ask your family to help figure out what it is and then decide if you really need it or not. If you don’t need it, toss it.

Organizing your junk drawer is a great way to keep it from actually looking like its name and will make the items it contains easier to find when you need them. Much better to only dig through one container to find what you need instead of digging through the whole drawer!

Posted in clutter, disorganization, small spaces, storage | Comments Off

Spring cleaning: It’s not just an inside job anymore. Great tips from a pro on getting your garage organized.

Friday, May 21st, 2010

For most people spring cleaning is an inside job – as in cleaning the inside of your house. But if you have a garage, spring cleaning often means throwing the door open, wondering who was in there while you were sleeping and made such a mess(!) and finding something less daunting to work on! Can you relate?!

Spring cleaning your garage doesn’t have to be painful. Like the rest of your house, it’s a matter of planning and keeping in mind these helpful tips courtesy of Closets by Design.

1. Reclaim the garage floor – The trick is to use the space on the garage walls to your advantage. Toys such as golf clubs, tennis rackets and skates can be stored along the walls, while bikes can be hung on hooks from the ceiling. Rakes, shovels and other yard supplies can also be easily organized on an interior wall. Using this space wisely will not only help you to increase your storage space but make items easily accessible.

2. Cut the clutter – It’s amazing how many “things” you acquire over the years, and finding a place for each one is not always possible, or necessary. It’s important to discard items you no longer want or need. Sort through all of your tools and home maintenance supplies, and separate items into those you can sell, donate, throw away or recycle. If you haven’t used it in a year, you can probably get rid of it.

3. Sort and label – It’s not enough to simply get organized. The real test is to stay organized. Labeling boxes and containers eliminates the frustration of rummaging through all of your belongings to find one specific item. Put similar items into categories (i.e. tools, holiday decorations, etc.) so you will be able to maintain an efficient organizational system.

4. Safety first – Since you’re already sorting items, be sure to keep potentially hazardous chemicals together and locked. It’s best to use a lockable tool chest or cabinet for extra caution. Also, make sure that any power tools with an on/off switch are stored securely out of children’s reach.

5. Increase storage with sturdy cabinets and shelving – Because paint cans, tools and other bulky items will be stored in the garage, it’s important that cabinets and shelving are sturdy enough to support the extra weight. Not all cabinets are built the same and it’s important that you understand the construction behind your cabinet and the weight limitations. A proper storage solution can organize your items and keep them out of site. An important note when purchasing garage cabinets – make sure the doors will open when your car is parked in the garage.

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Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a reputation as the nation’s leader in the closet organizing and storage remodeling industry. The company offers customers comprehensive solutions to all their organizational needs in a short and simple process by designing, building and installing custom home offices, closets, garage cabinets, wall units, laundries, pantries, wardrobe mirror doors and other home organization systems. Closets by Design offers a wide selection of finishes, accessories and hardware. There are currently 33 locations serving major markets across the country. To schedule a FREE in-home consultation, please visit Closets by Design or call 800-293-3744.

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Posted in clutter, disorganization, garages, products/resources, storage | Comments Off

Winter wardrobe storage tips courtesy of Garde Robe, the luxury wardrobe storage & valet service.

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

 

Spring is finally here.  It’s time to switch your closets from winter to spring wardrobes.   Proper handling and maintenance of your off-season garments is critical as it can extend the life of certain pieces by several years. Therefore, the wardrobe storage experts at Garde Robe created this introductory summary to help you.

  • Always make sure garments are properly cleaned prior to storing them for an extended period of time.  Even if the garment looks clean, if it has been worn it may have bacteria and or body oils that will damage the fabric if left untreated for several months.  You should always remove your dry cleaner’s clear plastic bags immediately as these bags trap gasses that can cause discoloration and don’t allow the garment to breathe properly.
  • Purchase and use the proper storage supplies.  Acid-free tissue, breathable garment bags and canvas boxes are inexpensive and vital to maintaining a garment’s pristine condition.  Boot trees and toe shapers for footwear and appropriate hangers are also highly recommended.
  • Proper storage conditions and ventilation is essential.  Garments should not be subjected to dust, sunlight, humidity or drastic changes in temperature, so basements and attics are not recommended in most cases.  Proper spacing between garments must also be taken into account – never crowd garments into a small area in the back of the closet because they need to breathe.  Be extra cautious when storing leather and suede as these fabrics can bleed into one another – use acid-free tissue to separate these garments.  Never store furs at home as they must be stored in special cold storage units.  Always use a reputable furrier and have the fur revitalized as needed.
  • Fold all knits with acid-free tissue to avoid creasing the individual fibers and place them in a breathable box with the heaviest ones on the bottom.  Material damaging insects such as moths will be attracted to cashmere and other natural fibers, especially if bacteria are present.  Placing cedar and lavender sachets in the boxes works as a deterrent and is far more pleasant than moth balls.  However, the sachets often contain oils so be cautious to avoid direct contact between the sachets and garments.  Heavily beaded garments should also be folded with tissue and not hung in most cases.
  • Hanging garments require proper hangers and breathable garment bags.  Hanger selection should take into account the type of garment and its weight.  Heavy garments such as winter coats should be stored on strong, padded hangers.  In most cases, pants and slacks should be hung from the hem or cuffs to avoid creasing.  Take advantage of a garment’s support straps or loops to avoid stretching.

Named “Best Secret Service” by New York magazine, Garde Robe is the first and only luxury wardrobe storage and valet service.  Ideal for city residents with extensive clothing and footwear collections and/or inadequate closet space, Garde Robe provides climate-controlled luxury storage for off-season or infrequently worn clothing, shoes and accessories, professional photography and online wardrobe catalogs, complimentary same-day pick up and delivery, luggage-packing and shipping services, and more.

Garde Robe – (212) 255-3163

Posted in clothes/shoes, products/resources, seasonal, storage | Comments Off

When Autumn leaves start to fall…

Friday, October 9th, 2009

“The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold”

“Since you went away, the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear ol’ winter’s song.
But I miss you most of all my darling,
When autumn leaves start to fall.”

– Autumn Leaves

Did you know that Autumn Leaves was originally a French song until Johnny Mercer wrote some English lyrics for it, the likes of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole recorded it and the rest, as they say, is history? Leave it to the French.

Autumn in New York City does indeed mean that leaves are beginning to turn color, starting to fall and the temperature is fluctuating up and down. On the days when it still gets into the 70′s, I’m in my glory. Then comes a day in the 40′s or 50′s and I get a serious reality check/wake-up call that autumn is here, summer has come to an end and it’s time to get organized for the long, inevitable winter months ahead. Don’t get left out in the cold; prepare for winter now while the mood is right and the days are still relatively long. On Sunday, November 2, daylight-saving time will end and the shorter days that are one of the hallmarks of winter will be upon us.

SAY GOODBYE FOR NOW
Before you pack away yours/your family’s summer wardrobes, look it/them over and identify items that didn’t get worn and are no longer wanted. Add them to – or start – a giveaway/donation pile. If anything is stained, remove the stains now – it’s usually more difficult to get them out later on – and stow them away until next year.

RE-ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH OLD FRIENDS
Get re-acquainted with your favorite winter clothes and cast a critical eye at all the rest. Are they worthy of the drawer/closet space they take up or are you ready to let ‘em go and make room for some new, cold weather favorites? If your coats didn’t get cleaned at the end of last winter, freshen them up now. Before you wash or dry clean them, be sure to make any necessary repairs, like sewing on buttons, fixing zippers, replacing torn linings or pockets. If you’ve got kids, now is the time to make sure that their coats still fit. Pass down anything they’ve outgrown to their younger sibling(s) or bag ‘em up for give away/donation and take advantage of the Columbus Day sales all over town this weekend to get anyone in need new outer wear. Also, make sure that everyone has hats, gloves and scarves and they’re in good condition. If not take advantage of this weekend’s sales to fill in any gaps. Discard anything that is too far past its prime to be of use any longer and freshen up everything by washing or dry cleaning.

Instead of scrambling to get organized when that first cold snap hits or that first morning you wake up and discover the snow cover outside, be prepared and go out and have fun instead!

* A quick word about what is acceptable to donate to thrift or charity shops. Please be kind and do not donate soiled or damaged items. Most charities don’t have the resources to clean or fix them and it will cost them money to dispose of those items.

If – like a lot of New Yorkers – you’ve got more “stuff” than you have space to hold it all, here are some companies that might be able to help you solve that problem:

 

WARDROBE STORAGE FACILITY WITH VALET SERVICE -
Based in New York City, Garde Robe is a full-service wardrobe storage facility providing first-class storage, cyber-inventory, secure online closets and an array of services for New Yorkers, travelers and fashion industry professionals. Garde Robe will pick up your off-season or infrequently worn items, arrange for professional cleaning, photograph, catalogue and store the items in their climate-controlled, air-purified loft. Your Cyber Closet is accessible day or night and, with a few mouse clicks, you can arrange to have Garde Robe deliver desired items at your convenience.

 

GENERAL STORAGE FACILITY WITH VALET SERVICE -
The process is simple, quick and entirely managed through their website or you can call in your requests on their toll free line. After you place an order, they will deliver your empty containers, locks and welcome kit which includes an inventory form and other helpful information. You pack your boxes, or have a Box Butler professional assist you pack for a modest fee. The completed inventory can be entered online onto their web based system for easy access or stored in hard copy at your home. Then order a pick up and they will retrieve your locked containers. All or specific containers can be returned in the future at your request. This service was designed with 100% convenience in mind.

Posted in donate/charities/thriftshops, products/resources, storage | Comments Off

Why cardboard boxes are NOT a good, long-term storage solution.

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Cardboard boxes should only be used for very temporary storage, especially if they’re going to be kept in attics, basements, garages or commercial, off-site storage facilities. Aside from the fact that clear plastic boxes make it easier to see and find things – if cardboard gets wet, there’s the potential for mold to grow. In addition to damaging or ruining your possessions, mold can make you and your loved ones SICK. I can also tell you that mice and other little creatures are fond of eating and infesting cardboard boxes. So if the potential for mold or mildew doesn’t motivate you to get rid of your cardboard boxes, perhaps the thought of rodents and bugs will!

I recently worked with a client and her husband to empty out their off-site storage unit. They told me that the storage company had informed them several months before that there had been some minor flooding in the facility and theirs was one of the affected units. My clients didn’t do anything about it at the time and were understandably concerned about what they might find now. Despite the fact that we were all wearing gloves and protective masks, within 15 minutes my client started to feel sick. I surmised that she was probably having a reaction to the black mold we were finding on and in several of the cardboard boxes. She was having trouble breathing so I insisted that she leave the facility immediately and get some fresh air. Her husband went outside with her, where they wisely called her doctor and explained the situation. Her doctor advised her not to go anywhere near anything that had the mold on it. With some fresh air she started to feel better and waited in the van while her husband and I finished sorting through what to keep and what now had to be dumped because of the mold. Unfortunately, we had to toss many items that were simply not salvageable and could have made their young children and who knows who else sick if they had been brought back to their apartment. If those items had been properly stored, the mold infestation and destruction of so many of their possessions could all have been avoided. I sincerely hope that everyone will learn a lesson from this cautionary tale.

So, while cardboard boxes are great for moving or holding things for a short time, they’re not a good long term solution for safely keeping important items. Though I’m not a big advocate of off-site storage (unless it’s a temporary solution), if you need to use it, make sure to store items in plastic containers. If an item is worth having in your home or putting in storage, then treat it with respect and make sure that you protect it as much as possible from any kind of physical damage.

Posted in illness, storage | Comments Off

Shining the spotlight on America’s penchant for excess.

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

This past weekend, The New York Times ran an interesting article on how the downturn in the economy is affecting the self-storage industry. Not surprisingly, it confirms what I and my fellow organizers already know: the vast majority of storage units contain mostly clutter.

Since the start of the recession, occupancies at storage facilities nationwide are down 2-3%. While not a big drop, apparently it has shaken an industry that has always thought of itself as recession-resistant, if not recession-proof.

Here are some quotes from the article:

“After a monumental building boom, the United States now has 2.3 billion square feet of self-storage space. (The Self Storage Association notes that, with more than seven square feet for every man, woman and child, it’s now “physically possible that every American could stand — all at the same time — under the total canopy of self-storage roofing.”)”

“A Self Storage Association study showed that, by 2007, the once-quintessential client — the family in the middle of a move, using storage to solve a short-term, logistical problem — had lost its majority. Fifty percent of renters were now simply storing what wouldn’t fit in their homes — even though the size of the average American house had almost doubled in the previous 50 years, to 2,300 square feet.”

“Human laziness has always been a big friend of self-storage operators,” Derek Naylor, president of the consultant group Storage Marketing Solutions, told me. “Because once they’re in, nobody likes to spend all day moving their stuff out of storage. As long as they can afford it, and feel psychologically that they can afford it, they’ll leave that stuff in there forever.”

If you rent self-storage space, I dare you to multiply what your storage space costs by the number of months you’ve been renting it. Okay, now that you’ve picked yourself up off of the floor, do you even remember what you have in storage? Think about what you could have done with that money instead of lining the pockets of the storage industry with it.

I urge you to read the entire article. It’s fascinating and may provide just the inspiration you need to go clean out your storage space! Hire an organizer to help, if you need, too, but get it done!

Posted in clutter, money savers, simplicity + consumerism, storage | Comments Off

Too many towels; too little space.

Monday, August 31st, 2009
If you’ve got too many towels and too little space for all of them, the first step is to get rid of any that have seen better days, haven’t been used in a long time or you just don’t like for whatever reason. If, after that, you’ve still got too many towels and not enough storage space for them in your linen closet, here’s a suggestion for storing them right in your bathroom. It’s a convenient, attractive option if you’re suffering from towel overload…and even if you’re not!
This is from The Container Store and their description of it reads:  “Enameled Steel Cube [white, 14"sq.] blends Italian design with the durability and strength of steel for urban-loft style and functionality. Easy to assemble and configure, the modular cubes can be used alone or in any combination to create a custom solution that conforms to your exact needs.”

I recommend mounting them over the bathroom door, if possible. It’s an often little used and overlooked location that won’t take up floor space or be in anyone’s way. I would suggest putting up 2 or 3 of them side-by-side, depending on how many towels and how much space you have. Unless you have a lot of oversize towels, these cubes are a good storage choice. They’re perforated for ventilation, rust-resistant; will match the sink in your bathroom, if it’s white(!);  have a great look, are easy to clean and your towels will fold and stack nicely in them, without falling over (or you can roll them up and stack them). Of course, measure first to see if the cubes will fit your particular space. I’m pretty handy and would have no trouble putting up these cubes, but for anyone who isn’t handy, doesn’t have the right tools, doesn’t want to be bothered or doesn’t have a super or handyman in the building who will do it for you, contact Handy In The City for help at (917) 841-8032 or email them at handyinthecity@yahoo.com.

If you’re “vertically challenged” – meaning not tall enough to reach your towels in their newly stowed spot – I’d suggest keeping a small step stool in the bathroom for quick and easy access to them. Here are a couple of possibilities from Bed, Bath & Beyond that don’t take up much space:

EZ Foldz 12″ Folding Step Stool

“This convenient step stool is lightweight and so easy to store, too. It folds up to less than 3″ wide so you can stash it anywhere. Step stool holds up to 300 lbs. and measures 18 1/2″ L x 12 3/4″ W folded out.”

E-Z Foldz® Folding Plastic Step Stool
“Use this sturdy and durable plastic step stool for standing up or sitting down anywhere you need it. Lightweight material makes it easy to move from room to room. Collapsible design lets you store it anywhere easily. Holds a maximum weight of 300 pounds. Measures 9″ H x 12″ L x 10 1/2″ D unfolded. Folds conveniently down to a mere 2″.”

Posted in bathrooms, products/resources, storage | Comments Off