Some Tips:

Vamp Sarah in New York shared this great tip for storing your children’s old artwork. She writes: “In order to properly archive some things I ordered portfolios, but also found XL and XXL Ziploc bags at Home Depot. The bags enabled me to divide the boys’ work into individual bags, then, along with mine, into the portfolios.  They are very big, clear blue, durable bags and great for storing children's artwork.”

Tons of leftover wrapping paper scraps? Instead of pitching them, run them through your paper shredder. Then use the colorful shreds to package fragile gifts being sent through the mail throughout the year instead of packing peanuts.

Organize your chores:

Daily:

Dishes (please recall the sink-full-of-dishes story), sweeping the kitchen floor, making the bed, and filing papers/bills.

I remember reading in MSL once to sweep the kitchen floor every night after you’re done with dinner because it will make your weekly mopping that much easier.  My response was, “Weekly mopping?  What?!”  I have since, however, tried to adopt this practice of daily sweeping, and it really does help keep the kitchen looking better from week to week.  If you have an electric broom or a vacuum cleaner that you can use on uncarpeted floors, that works, too.  Plus, I figure the fewer crumbs on the floor, the lower your chances are of attracting unwanted bugs . . .

Weekly:

Changing sheets and towels, mopping the kitchen floor, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming.

J and I attended a fundraiser last year that was raffling off, among other items, a Dyson vacuum (www.dyson.com).  We put all of our tickets in the bucket for that one, and we won it!  Having a nice vacuum makes cleaning easier and more effective.

Cleaning the bathroom:

Start with scrubbing your tub and cleaning the toilet bowl.  Let the bleach sit while you clean the rest of it.  For both the bathroom and dusting in general, start high and work your way down.  That way if dust falls, you don’t have to clean something twice.

Monthly:

Washing your shower curtain liner, polishing daily silver, cleaning out the fridge, “deep” cleaning: dusting ceiling fans and wood blinds, cleaning windows and closet floors.

When I first moved into my apartment, I found most of my home stuff from garage sales.  My mother warned me about the silverware I bought, telling me that having to polish real silver silverware would bother me.  I recklessly ignored her, and now every time I get my gloves on to use the silver polish I think of her and how grateful I am she’s not one to say, “I told you so.”  Having a good polish has helped make this go faster and be more effective.  I recommend Wright’s Silver Cream.

As far as cleaning shower curtain liners, I’ve always stuck mine in the washing machine with some bleach (don’t put it in the dryer!).  My sister recently tried a mold spray and said it worked really well and was easier than washing since you don’t have to worry about re-hanging it when you’re done.

Seasonal:

Air conditioner screens, outside doors, outdoor furniture, vacuum refrigerator coils, wash curtains

Laundry:

How often you do it depends on the size of your family and whether or not you have a washing machine in your home.  Try to keep up with your ironing whenever you’re done with the laundry.

What to donate where:

Clothes:

Most thrift stores are always happy to accept donations of new and gently used clothing.  Click to find a Salvation Army or Goodwill near you.
Old sheets, towels, and blankets:

Vets, animal hospitals, and animal shelters always need old sheets, towels, and blankets for our furry friends.  Click to find an ASPCA near you or to find a local vet.

Electronics:

It feels like electronics become obsolete before you can blink.  There are ways to recycle your old electronic equipment from neighborhood drives to various organizations that accept donations all year round.  To find one near you, click here.

Kitchen goods:

Most thrift stores are also happy to take working kitchen appliances and unneeded kitchen sets—dishes, glasses, silverware, etc.  There are also often local families in need that your church or synagogue may know about.  Some food pantries also accept these donations.

Furniture:

Again, check with your local church or synagogue to see if there is a family in need of assistance.  There are also different local charities that work with these larger donations, such as Hour Children in New York City.  To find something near you, click here.

Canned and dried food:

Most food banks accept donations of canned and dried food.  Second Harvest can help you find a food bank near you.

Your car:

Habitat for Humanity accepts donations large and small, including old cars and boats.  For more information, click here.

Protect your recipes:

Sheet protectors are great for when you print a recipe and have it out while baking or cooking.  They prevent the recipe from getting errant ingredients on the original recipe, thus saving you from having to reprint a recipe every time you want to use it.  You can easily sponge off the plastic when you're done.

A quick note on the sponge:

Sponges breed germs.  Every few days, stick your sponge in the microwave and zap it for one minute to kill off any bacteria.  Just be careful removing it--they get pretty hot!

Boot help:

After you've successfully hosted a cocktail party, don't send all of your empty wine bottles to the recycling bin.  You can use them to help your boots keep their shape.  Clean and dry empty bottles well before placing them in zipped up leather boots to keep them from getting deep creases in the leather.