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 How do you go about having neat and orderly
cupboards? You begin with one and continue cleaning out and sorting
through until you have finished all of them. It will take some time, but
it is one of the important ways a homemaker finally feels in control.
There are certain procedures which make this particular project much nicer to
contemplate, too, so let's go to work!
First, we will tackle your personal closet. It is
the easiest place to make major improvements and will make considerable
difference in your daily life. From there, the same principles can be
applied to each and every cupboard, drawer, and closet in your home.
Collect two boxes, large bags or other convenient
containers to be used in sorting items. Pick a time when you will have an
hour or so free to focus and make decisions. Try to have your children
otherwise occupied while you are working. Try not to be distracted by the
phone, doorbell, or TV during your cleaning-out session.
Tackle your closet in three sections: floor, clothes on hangers, and upper
shelves. Let's start with your hanging clothes. The same routine
will apply to your closet floor and upper shelving. Take
all the items off the hanging rod and place them on your bed (which you may want
to make first so as to have a large, flat surface to work upon). Sort the
items four ways, putting them back in your closet or into your containers as you
go: keeps, maybes, discards, and to be stored
elsewhere. Keeps are those clothes which you
love, wear often, and would not do without. Put them back in your
closet. Discards are those clothes which no longer fit, are out of
style, are the wrong color, or you simply don't like. Put them in the
first container for sharing with charity. Maybes are more of a
problem. These are the questionable clothing which might fit again, for
which you might find another matching piece, or which you sometimes like to
wear. These go back in the rear of your closet, covered with a large
towel, so they are available but are separate from the rest. After six
months, those items still under the towel are ready to be shipped off to
charity. There may also be items which are useful but have been stored in
the wrong place, these go in the last container. Remember
that to have fewer clothes is to be less burdened by life. Generously rid
yourself of any and all clothes that you really, really don't like. You
will never miss them. Your closet will seem much larger. Dressing
will become much easier and you will feel much better about yourself. Two exceptions need to be noted. Seasonal clothing is to be sorted through
the same way when these items are out and convenient. In addition, sort
through maternity clothes when they are retrieved for use. Using
this same method, go through the items on your closet floor and your upper
shelves. Keeps - return to the closet. Maybes - return to the closet
under wraps. Discards - out they go. To be stored elsewhere - put in
a container for later decisions. Strive to have more than enough room in
your closet. It is not likely you will have more closet room anytime
soon. So, eliminate and simplify. It feels great! After you have successfully conquered your closet, start in your younger
children's rooms, then tackle the coat closet. Finally, work your way
through your kitchen cupboards. When there is
time and energy, go through the rest of the closets in your home, your drawers,
and maybe even help your older children or spouse sort through his/her personal
closet. Every closet or cupboard that is cleaned out becomes another, more
functional "tool" in your home. Find more helpful ideas in
the "House
of Order" Handbook, Chapter 3, "Clothes Closets and
Cupboards".
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