GET ORGANIZED! PART TWO

BY: Esti Ostovitsky

Last month, we got started on your closets. Now, we’re moving on to other areas in the house that you can organize during these cold winter weeks. Remember, an hour or even just half an hour here and there can allow you to accomplish a lot, slowly but surely. The end result will make a real difference in your life! 

THE FREEZER 

If you’re lucky enough to have an extra freezer, now is a good time to clean it and make room for the pre-Yom Tov onslaught over the next few weeks. Even if you don’t have an extra freezer, it’s still a good idea to get things organized, although the final cleaning will have to wait until right before Pesach.

Separate by category and keep like with like together.

The key to an organized freezer is to create zones. Keep the items separate, on the same shelf or in a bin, so it’s easier to find what you need and easier to keep inventory. 

Make sure to use the old food before you use the newer items. Don’t forget to date and label everything! 

Try to keep your food in square containers if you can, to save space. If you do use round containers, store them inside the freezer door. 

Try to keep foods you use most often at eye level.

Freeze foods flat, in bags. Once they are frozen, line them up vertically in an organizer so you can grab what you need, rather than pulling them out from a stack.

Remove foods such as pizza, waffles, and ice pops from boxes when possible and place them in bags instead. Cut out the instructions and tape them to the bags.

Never leave air in bags or containers, which can cause freezer burn. 

Consider keeping a list on the outside of freezer so you can keep track of the contents. A dry erase board is a great idea for this. 

If your freezer is the bottom-drawer type, you’ll need to stack your items. Stack like with like, in bins if possible, such as chicken with chicken. 

You can install an under-shelf basket in a standing freezer to add storage space. You can find them on Amazon. 

THE BOOKSHELF

Bookshelves can get pretty messy. Whether you store your books on free-standing shelves or in a unit, these tips will help you keep things neat, orderly, and easy to maintain. 

Group your books by color for aesthetic purposes. You can group them alphabetically or according to subject or age if you prefer functionality over aesthetics. Try separating hardcover from softcover books as well. 

Color-coded stickers will make it easy to return books to their proper places. 

Use bins or magazine files to hold books in place and keep them from falling.  

Toddlers and children will find it easier to access books if they are stored in bins on a low shelf. Cleanup will be easier too.

Book ledges are great for storing kids’ books if you don’t have shelves. 

THE MUD ROOM

Do your kids throw their knapsacks on the floor and leave their shoes in a messy heap? Don’t worry. Here are some measures you can take to keep this space neat and easy to maintain. 

Install hooks at kids’ eye-level so they’ll be more inclined to hang up their coats. 

Maximize your vertical space. More hooks on the inside of the coat closet door will be handy for pocketbooks and davening jackets. 

Place shoe racks or shelves on the floor to corral shoes and boots. 

Use bins to keep scarves, hats, gloves, and other winter gear nice and tidy. 

Keep an umbrella holder on the floor for tall umbrellas. 

Arrange your coats in order of length, shortest to longest.

If you have space for cubbies, designate one for each family member with hooks and bins for their belongings. 

THE PLAYROOM

Toys, toys, and more toys – what to do with them all? The playroom can easily be the messiest part of the house, especially if you have small kids. As with every other room in your home, organization is key. 

Declutter! Get rid of your old and broken toys. Games with missing pieces have got to go as well. 

Too many toys? Rotate!  Box half of them and put them away. Six months later, switch with what’s in the closet now. Now the kids will have new toys!

Use clear bins so kids can see what’s inside and will be able to clean up more easily. Label the bins so they know what goes where. For kids who can’t read yet, label with pictures. 

Try to arrange closets by category: crafts, dolls, baby toys, etc.  

Create a home to display building sets and art projects.  

Games are best kept in their original boxes as long as they are intact. 

Store games on shelves vertically so they can be pulled out without causing an avalanche. 

You can store puzzles in zip-top bags or in pencil cases. Tape the picture from the box to the outside of the bag. 

Legos can be challenging to store. Each child has a different way of playing. Some kids prefer to store each set separately, and others prefer to store according to color. Choose whichever way is easiest for cleanup. 

Keep heavier toys on lower shelves, and lighter toys along with toys for older children on higher shelves. 

When toys are stores in bins, kids will find it easier to keep the space neat and tidy.

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