It has been raining quite a bit here this week, but we need it here in Southern California. Being at home has given me a chance to catch up on some baking and crafting. I also did a bit of organizing so I thought today I would share a few tips on things that can be done in 5 minutes, to help your home become more organized.
1. Go through the refrigerator and toss out any expired food. Take a few minutes to check salad dressing and drink bottles for expiration dates. Time goes by fast and those dates come sooner than we think. Wipe down shelves and outside panels and handles. If you have ten minutes, do the same with your freezer.
2. Clean out your purse or briefcase. These are usually crucial to our everyday use, but we rarely take the time to clean them out. Add items that you have been trying to remember to put in them or that you think you will need. See if you can make heavier items lighter (move change to a change jar, take keys you don’t need to carry every day off of your key ring, etc..
3, Clean out a shelf in your kitchen pantry. Toss out expired items and wipe down the shelf. If your pantry or kitchen needs more time, just add cleaning a shelf to your schedule for each day this week. Just think, by this time next week, you can have at least 5 of these shelves done and you won’t have disrupted your schedule. Pantry organization will save you time and money.
4. Go through your incoming mail. Throw away junk mail and put magazines and catalogs in your designated reading area. If you have paper bills to pay, put them in your inbox or bills to pay folder. Having that stack of mail out of sight will be much better and look less cluttered. A less cluttered environment is more tranquil.
5. Clean off your home office desk or counter area. If you have papers and information that you need to act on, place then in an inbox to go through when you have more time. Put those pens in a holder and make a to do list. Have a to do list already? Great! Use this time to schedule each item on the list in your calendar.
You can incorporate a small slice of your day for organization and slowly it will become a habit.
What other things can you think of to organize in 5 minutes?
Tamara says
These are all my organizing staples, and if I don’t do them enough, I get very batty about it!
I actually need a whole new purse since mine is falling apart. So that will be nice to be organized with something new.
And the fridge thing needs to happen a whole lot more around here.
Raquel says
I can always use a new purse too Tamara! Yes the refrigerator cleaning can be tough to keep up on.
Amy @ So There. by Amy says
I love this! It is so true that these things take much less time than we think!
Speaking of which…I really need to clean out my pantry! I think I will try the one shelf at a time approach this week!
I’d also add cleaning out the inside of the car – 1 trash bag. 1 tote bag to fill with stuff to bring in the house. And a few cleaning wipes to wipe down surfaces.
Raquel says
Sounds like you are on your way Amy! Way to go..the car touch up is a great addition!
Betsy @ BPhotoArt.com says
Reminds me of how to eat an elephant… one bite at a time. Thanks for sharing these tips. I needed to keep on top of our pantry a bit better 😉 — my husband found expired salad dressing (unopened) in there. Sigh. So much for buying ahead!! Doesn’t do you any good if you don’t remember you have it:)
Emily says
When I’m trying to do major purging in my house, it’s good to be reminded that even a few minutes of work can help the overall goal.
Raquel says
Glad you are getting rid of unncessary things Emily. It is so energizing and freeing!
Christine from SoDomesticallyChallenged says
Great tips! It’s amazing how much you can get accomplished in a short amount of time when you focus!
Raquel says
So true Christine! Thanks for stopping by!