The Organizing Olympics, Day 13: Linen Closet Cycling

Day 13 Linen Closet Cycling

This event is an individual sport and you will be standing on the podium in no time!   

Cycling involves endurance and quick thinking. Knowing where your competition is at all times is critical.     Your competition in this race is the contents of your closet.

The rules of this event are as follows:

1.       Keep “like” items together

2.       Donate any items that you have not used in the past 2 years
3.       Determine how many of each item you need
4.       Clean the shelves

Set your timer for a 15 minute and begin removing items from the closet.   Begin first by putting all the towels together, all the sheets together, all the table linens together, all the pillows etc…

Pull everything off the shelf and make some quick decisions.  

    

• How old is it? Is it full of holes  - Toss
• Do you like it? If not, recycle
• How many do you need?  2 sets of sheets per bed + perhaps a set of winter flannels
• Is this the best shelf in the pantry for this item?

·         Do you use it?   If not, recycle.    Even if you like an item but never use it, consider donating it to Goodwill and allow someone the pleasure of actually using it.

Now that you have decided how many sheets per person, you are going to use.   Consider which shelf in the closet would be best – easy access is important for frequently used items.  High and low, shelves are usually best for seldom-used items.  Wash off the shelf and start putting items on the shelves.   Store each sheet set inside the pillowcase for the set.   Label the section of shelf “Twin” “Double” or “Queen” depending on your needs so everyone in the family can find what they need and put things away properly

Do the same for towels.   Decide how many per person you need.   How many facecloths, how many hand towels and then choose the shelf.   Label the shelf.   I like to use binder clips on my shelves so I can move the labels around as the needs change.   See image below.

Use your timer to ensure you take a break and to keep yourself focused and moving.

You cross the finish line when the donate bag and been put in the trunk and get your medal when it is dropped of at Salvation Army or Goodwill.

If you need help getting your closets organized, please do not hesitate to contact us and we can design a program or package just for you!