How much time do you spend going for your utensils ?

Before

After

 

After

 

We only removed one knife and a rusting utensils making it safer when you plunge your hand in to quickly retrieve things.

There was too much for one drawer so the second drawer was decluttered and we had an empty drawer to use.

Tip: The first drawer only houses the things which are used every day, nothing else.

The second drawer now houses the things which are used occaasionally

We grouped together in old take away containers like with like such as cork screws, bottle stoppers and bottle openers together.

All done in under 5 minutes.

Re-use that Green Bag

As a Professional Organiser I come across alot of reusable green bags, stuffed at the back

of a cupboard, not doing much.

Once I came accross 35 in one kitchen...all of which we reused.

I hear people say they forget to take their cloth bag to the market so they buy another or take a plastic bag.

How about these little tricks.

Using a cloth or reusable baghang oneover the head rest of theseat in my car.

It can house all youressentials, extra tissues, business cards and shopping bags.

As it is on displayyou see it every time you get into the car.

Also for those times you take your push bikehave another bag in your basket.

Make homes for them whether it is next to your keys, under the bench, in the car or garage.

Keep them visual and in your face until it becomes second nature when picking up your wallet you automatically grab a cloth bag.

Once you have used them put them back in their home for the next use.

If you are using a cloth/calico bag they can be washed and used many times over.

In 2006 Australians used 3.9 billion plastic bags.

Source:ABS

Reincarnation & Restyle your STUFF

We all love a makeover either ourselves or our homes. I am constantly looking at ways to reduce my carbon footprint and I love adding to my RRRR'S.

We all know Reduce, Reuse and Recycle but in the world of Eco Organiser I have discovered Reincarnation.

According to the Oxford dictionary. Reincarnation: rebirth of a soul in a new body.

My sofa recently underwent reincarnation.

Working with a very simple pattern I was able to recover my lounge, and finish it all off with bright new cushions at the cost of $80.

Not only has it saved $1000's by not buying a new sofa, one less tree was cut down to produce the timber frame, no foams/wadding were produced for padding, and there was minimal transport involved.

Once you have made the decision to become organised you will rediscover things you have not seen in years or things you have spent TIME looking for. Before you discard them think about how you can restyle them or bring them back to life.

Working Harder?

Time to think Smarter

So you have a really busy week coming up.

I know our working days can start earlyand finish late but with a littleplanning it can make all the difference.

Here are a couple of tips to help you handle the rush.

1. Always have your clothes prepared the night before.
   Do you have time to stand in front of the mirror and decide what to wear?
2. Have your bag/briefcase packed the night before with car keys close at hand.
3. Before leaving the house take one of your preparedmeals out of the freezer to defrost or set the slow cooker.
4. One of my favorites: Dont sweatthe little things. If your bed is not made with army precision are the walls going to fall in?
5. Learn how to delegate.
6. Public Transport users- Use this time to either create your shopping list & meal plan, catch up on reading or sleep
7. Public Transportusers- Buy a weekly ticket, this will savequeuing for your ticket
8. Make sure your car has plenty of fuel.
9. Ask for help
10. Reward yourself

Detox Your Home

My local shire now hosts permanent Detox Your Home facilities at each transfer station. At these facilities you can dispose for free, gas cylinders, paint, motor oil, fluorescent tubes, and all types of batteries (car batteries, ordinary household batteries and mobile phone batteries). You should never pour them down the sink or put them out with your kerbside collection as they can cause long term damage to the environment. 

All collected material is recycled or treated based on the chemicals or materials they contain.

To reduce waste chemicals at home and the need to use such facilities, look for less hazardous alternatives, buy only the quantities you need and reuse leftover chemicals.

More information about reducing chemical use in the home can be found by using the Victorian State Government website on Sustainability link at the bottom of this page.

Check out your local council for great ways to DETOX your home

A Moving ExperienceI recently received a call

Julie: " I need your help, I have just got a job in Far North QLD"

Tanya: "Congratulations, that's great"

Julie: "Yes........but I have to be up there by the end of the month".

Tanya: "Ok, let's get SORTED

Tips:Sort and Declutter, Sort and Declutter

Ask yourself

Do I want to use my precious time to pack up things that I do not use anymore?

Do I want to pay to move things I do not use anymore?

What is the cost to our plant to move all this un used stuff from one place to another?

• Shop around for good second hand cartons, and ask if they will buy them back?
• Fruit shops have an abundance of polystyrene boxes, they are great for moving plants, garden and shed tools.
• Ask your green grocer they will generally give them away
• Rather than buy wrapping products why not use your linen/towels to wrap your precious items.
• Save up the newspapers or ask the neighbours or your local café to keep some copies.
• Arm yourself with marking pens, tape and note pad.
• Mark your cartons well, so you can easily find things when you get to your destination.

Moving On

• Ask friends for referrals to a reputable moving company.
• Pack in manageable sized boxes, there is no point saving money on moving yourself if you are paying out to fix your back
• Make sure you have enough food and beverages for yourself and helpers.
• Make it fun by playing your favorite music
• Have a meal organised for your first night

Happy unpacking

The 3 R's

Reduce

Reuse/Refill

Recycle

Whenever I am out shopping I always check out the packaging. I ask myself, can it be recycled, how could I use it when it's empty?

I recently asked my beautician if she would refill the cosmetic bottles with her fabulous natural blend. Great she said yes! www.mayaspa.com.au

This is another product I can add to my refilling list

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Dish-washing detergents all refilled at my local health food store.

The savings will not only show in your pocket but our planet will benefit from less bottles being produced and no cost to our environment to recycle.

The Makeover

I believe Organising and De Cluttering doesn’t mean throwing STUFF out. I get a real kick out of finding another purpose for something, giving it a 2nd chance. I love restoring, repairing or recovering to bring tired, or out of date furniture back into vogue.

I recently had a faded lounge recovered for a client at the cost $1500 to buy a similar new lounge would cost $5000 - a saving of $3500.

The saving was not only in monetary terms, but also its carbon footprint. No tree was cut down for the frame, no foam was produced for the cushions. Plus by using a local person we kept the money in our community.

With a little bit of effort each year I reinvent my outdoor setting, this year it going to be flashy red. It was brought 5 years ago for $100.00 1 table, 2 chairs and 1 bench seat - and still going strong.