Small Appliances - Honesty is the Best Policy

How many do you have?

Drag out all your small appliances from the top pantry shelf, in the back of the cabinets, the garage, and don't forget the Dust Buster in the coat closet. Take a good look at all these gadgets and get honest with yourself about how many Panini you have made lately. Do you use the popcorn maker or do you put a bag in the microwave? Are you supplying your entire neighborhood with fresh loaves of sour dough made by your bread machine? I doubt it.

You may make an exception for the waffle iron which is used traditionally each Christmas morning, but get real with yourself about all these apparatuses, especially if they are being stored on your kitchen counter. We all go through a stage of bread making or juicing or even the nonsensical indoor grilling, however wouldn't you rather grill outside? Let someone else have their love affair with juicing, the someone that buys your juicer at your yard sale.

After you have decided which small appliances to keep, wipe the greasy film or dust off each and store them together in an accessible location, such as the top shelf of the pantry. If you store small appliances in a place where you never see them, you will never use them, so you might as well get rid of them. However, resist the urge to keep them on your counter. Except for the coffee maker or maybe the toaster, small appliances that don't get used everyday should be stored.

Leaving small appliances plugged in at all times is also a bad idea. They continue to use most of the electricity which it takes to operate them even when switched off if they remain plugged in.

Some charities, such as Goodwill, take small appliances. If your small appliance is not working properly, do not give it to charity. Unfortunately, finding a source to repair a small appliance is becoming near impossible and repairing a toaster, if you could find a place to take it, would most likely cost more than the toaster. Check with your city or county refuse collection department to find out the best way to dispose of broken appliances or electronics.

Replace, Don't Accumulate!

What's in your sock/underwear drawers?

Reclaim space in your sock and panty drawer!

Get in the habit of replacing instead of accumulating.

When you get new t-shirts, socks, underwear, pajamas, or any other piece of clothing, move the old ones out. Challenge yourself to go deeper. If you buy a pack of 6 socks, throw away 7 old pairs. It will be cathartic. 

Remember not to give anything to charity that you wouldn't give to a friend or family member. Please, throw away your socks with holes and any other unmentionables. Nobody really wants second hand intimate appareal.

Spring Cleaning is for Workspaces Too!

What does your desk look like?

Start at the top, whether office, cube or nook. Remove any paper or decor that is no longer timely or necessary. Check for spider webs and dust bunnies and brush those away. Remove items and paper from shelves, desk, or cabinet one surface at a time so as not to overwhelm the space or your employer. Go through paper and recycle as you clean off each surface. 

Wipe each surface and item before returning things to their proper place. Disinfecting wipes are great for this purpose and a handy thing to keep in a desk drawer just in case of a future coffee spill or lunch mishap and to regularly disinfect your phone and computer keyboard. 

Look through drawers and and discard things that do not belong, such as ketchup packs or dried up ink pens. When you have freshened to your satisfaction, don't forget to empty the trash and use a disinfecting wipe to clean the garbage can before putting in a new liner.

Home offices are all sizes!

Too Many Masterpieces - Sorting Children's Art Work

File Drawer for Art Work 

Reclaim space on your refrigerator and bulletin boards. Children love to draw and never want to throw their masterpieces away. Consider purchasing a file drawer that accommodates one drawer for each of your children. As art work comes home from school or is completed at home, place it in the child's drawer. 

When the drawer is full, empty the contents on your kitchen table and set aside 15 minutes for your child to choose their favorites. Place the favorites back in the drawer and recycle the rest. I have 2 children so the bottom drawer is filled scrap paper, notebook paper and activity/drawing books.

Where Should I Put Graded School Papers?

Graded work in a shoe box

Want to reclaim space in your child's backpack or on your kitchen counter?


Finish checking over graded school work and give it to your child to file in a shoe box under your child's bed. When the 6/9 week grading period ends, recycle the contents of the box. There is no need to keep graded paperwork after the grading period is complete. This box of graded work can be a lifesaver if your child is missing a grade at the end of the grading period! And, this creates a good habit that can continue throughout years of schooling.


Added bonus! Children can personalize and decorate the shoe box.

Olivia's decorated box