Organizing Household Appliance Manuals

Do you have a junk draw stuffed with instruction booklets and manuals for your household appliances?  I used to store them in a cupboard and every time I removed one - 10 came spilling out.

Recently we bought a new entertainment cabinet and has more storage than our old so I decided to use it for all those manuals.

I took a basket, a box of  gallon size ziplock bags and marker to organize them better. I labeled the bags with rooms in our house.  I took all the kitchen appliances manual and placed them into the coordinating bag.  Some manuals such as the one for our TV - had lots of little parts and booklets - so those I did in a single ziplock. They are all now in the basket. I have kitchen appliances first in the basket, because I tend to get into those manuals more often - such as when it is time to clean the oven or coffee maker.

Do you have a way you organize those manuals? I would love to hear how others organize them.

Pans and Place-mats

I like place-mats for the table, but you know how it is...you get some new ones and those old ones sit in the drawer or on a shelf. I now use some of  the old ones to place between pans so they don't get scratched by stacking each inside the other. 

Organize Plastic Lids

You know back in the day when you had actual ice cube trays to twist and turn out into the bin to create a stock pile of ice. I have automatic ice maker now so I use that bin to store all my plastic lids.  I place the bin on the shelves next to the stacked glass and plastic containers making it easy to find the lid for the coordinating container. I don't keep any lid that doesn't have a container matching it in the bin. I might use it for craft projects to use as a paint palette several times and then throw it out. But I try to recycle them somewhat at least.

Extra Plastic Bag Storage Tip

I have a long tube like storage that hangs in the pantry for plastic bags. It is one that you shove the bags in one end and pull them out on the other end.  But sometime that fills up. We re-use  plastic bags for emptying cat litter as well as many other uses so I like having as many around and just like the thought of reusing them.

I have 4 empty tissue boxes that I now keep around and stuff with any extras.  I really like having them around because they are easy to tote.  Places I use them:

• When deep cleaning, I bring a box into the room I am cleaning and start making bags for donate, toss, stuff that needs moved to another room and just general stuff I need to organize better. Those things put in the appropriate bag and then I sit down and organize it better after the room is clean or at an appropriate time such as before I am heading to Goodwill.  But just having a box of these to pull from instead of having several loose bags around the room until I use them makes things just easier and neater.
• When we travel, I love putting a box in the car to use for trash sacks or for overflow if a suitcase or travel bag  is getting over packed/stuffed - then I have extra sacks to use to hold things. 
• When cleaning outside or cleaning the car, I bring them for trash.

Tuesday Tips: Dishwasher Tips

I am a little OCD when it comes to loading the dishwasher - okay maybe more than a little. I like it all to be put in a certain way as it maximizes space and creates easier routine for unloading. 

One of my little tips for loading the dishwasher is sorting the dirty silverware as I load it into the silverware rack in the dishwasher before running it. It makes unloading it so much easier. So all the forks go in one compartment, all the spoons in another, and so on and so forth.  

Bonus Dishwasher Tips

*  Vinegar - Run your dishwasher empty, but dump a cup of the distilled white vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher.  Set to a normal cycle and let it run.  It helps clean old smells and particles out of the dishwasher as well as disinfect it.  I do this every 4 to 6 weeks.

*  Hot Water - Turn your faucet on and let it run until it is hot water is flowing. If you turn on your hot water faucet and it takes a moment to get hot, then it is same for your dishwasher. By running faucet and get the hot water flowing, then the pipes are filling with hot water. 

* Dishwasher Soap -  About 2 years ago I tried a homemade dishwasher soap, but it didn't really work well.  So I ended up going back to store-bought detergent.  One thing I did change when going back to store-bought detergent was cutting back on the amount of detergent I use.  I fill the compartment about half way to less than half and now my dishes have less spotty build up and still clean. 

Organizational Links

I find that often my lists have lists.  Now recently I find myself checking out a variety of "lists" apps for my iphone. So now my apps have apps.  I have, however, found a few worth sharing that others may enjoy learning about as well.  Some I have kept, others have gone by the way side over the past year.  In no particular order of importance....

List Wrangler:  I find that this one has great templates for setting up the re-occuring lists that you use daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.  The ability to customize, set dates, reminders and all that sort is very helpful.  I only wish that this app integrated with my icloud calendar.  It does not.

Todoodles:  This app was okay.However, I found it lacking in some ways that the already free "reminders" app on my phone does not already accomplish the same thing.  I was not overly impressed with many of this apps features, and kept wishing it would do more.

Remember the Milk:  I like that this has a website as well where you can update and integrate items.  I also liked that these lists could be customized somewhat.  Yet I wasn't in love with this app either.

Checklist:  This was a complete waste of 99 cents in my opinion and did absolutely nothing but allow you to create a singular list, which plenty of other free apps already do and do better.

A Personal Assistant:  This app is interesting in that it allows you to manage a variety of online accounts all from one place.  It is convenient and quick.

Ewallet:  I have heard great things about Ewallet but haven't actually used it.  I haven't heard anything bad about it however and those that I know who have tried it or continue to use it really enjoy it.

Grocery IQ:  This app is fun and useful.  It has barcode scan ability.  List sharing ability. (a huge perk!!) and I can integrate my coupons.  This is a winning app for my family.  Oh and it's free!


There are so many more great apps out there that I know people use, please list any that you love in the comments section so that those of us with Type A personalities and a need for even further list making, organizing, etc.  can check it out.

Storage Tips for After the Holidays

Re-post from December 2009 with a few added items...

* Store display items together - Such as...do you have a holiday village you put out? Pack them all together so that you aren't going through 5 different boxes just to get that village scene out and up next year. All garland, ornaments and lights for the tree should be stored together. All the decorations that go to a specific room or area packed together such as all the guest bathroom decorations are packed together.

* Save boxes or create ideal storage - I am one of those people that can't stand to save boxes normally. But for holiday items it can come in handy. Do you have a nativity scene with small pieces? Having a box that they fit in perfectly with the other pieces help keep them safe as well as together. Some ornaments are similar - just fit really well into their original box. Boxes might break down over the years so it is impossible to save them any longer, so create your own storage such as gluing plastic cups on to cardboard so that each ornament fits in one and isn't crushing or scraping against others. Or using or making sock divider as many ornaments fit nice in those too. Use egg cartons for small ornaments.

* Label everything - There is a piece of garland I hang in our dining room that just fits. I put that in one of those big big ziplocks and labeled it. Label plastic tubs that have tree decorations or the decorations for the kitchen and so on.

* Holiday Lights - Use a piece of cardboard, a paper towel or gift wrap tubing (cut down) or the original box to wind the lights around. I wind the lights around the whole box and then tuck the ends into the inside of the box. 

* Tool Kit - I have floral wire that I only use for my holiday wreath, thin ribbon that I use to attach Christmas tree ornaments, ornament hooks, spare lights and fuses - all in a little plastic pencil box that gets labeled and also stored with holiday items.

* Storage and Planning for next year - Right now everything fits perfectly into the tubs I have - there can't be one more thing bought. So I need to start thinking of how I will need to store things differently next year as I am sure I will have more holiday decorations. Are there things I can get rid of now? Donate? Repurpose for another holiday? Maybe I want to use the new wreath I bought so the old one can be maybe recycled/recreated for another holiday.

* Time to Save on purchases for next year - After-holiday sales are a great way to save on greeting cards, wrapping paper, decorations, ornaments, lights and storage solutions. Check what you might need a few days before Christmas and make a list of things want to purchase.

* Create a holiday planning book - write down recipes, menus, treats made, decorating things that worked and didn't work, guest and gift lists, what you would like to do next year, measurements that are important - such as you might need a new table cloth next year so write down the size you need while looking for after-holiday sales or any other useful information. Did a certain brand of cranberries work better in your cranberry salad this year? Did you run short on cider? What was a hit on the menu? Did the table centerpiece looks better this year then it ever has? Make a notes and include pictures or anything else that might be helpful. Such as I used Yukon gold potatoes one year so included the tag from the potatoes so I knew which brand I used so I could repeat that for each year after for Christmas dinner.

Purging before the New Year

The New Year means a clean slate to me; a chance to create memories for the upcoming year; a fresh start and room to breathe and be. It is a chance to let go of all the baggage and 'stuff' we've been carrying around that we no longer need.

And of course, the New Year comes directly after a month of receiving new gifts and pulling out once-a-year items for limited use. Now, I don't want to start cleaning the slate on New Year's Day. I want it already clean, organized and ready to go when we let go of the old year and welcome in the new one.

Which means... the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is when I make the time for cleaning, organization, repairing, donating and purging. Impossible, during the holidays? I say no, if you break it down into smaller tasks and do a "clean as you go" sort of approach.

Some tips:

• Make a list of goals to accomplish. Be clear. Be realistic. Estimate the supplies needed and the amount of time it should take. Schedule them as you can. Also, make sure to schedule relaxation time to counter all this uberproductivity.
• I use Remember The Milk to schedule in bursts of cleaning/purging amidst all the holiday stuff, even if it is 7 consecutive days of 60 minute cleaning sessions out in the garage. RTM also has handy apps to track your tasks and to-do lists on the go. I'd rather do small projects for 45-60 minutes each day for a few weeks than to set aside a week of hard core cleaning at the end.
• Got a spare evening while you are watching holiday movies? Pull out your makeup bags and sort through it. Purge anything outdated or expired. Then set up an automatic calendar reminder to do it again in 6 months.
• Pinterest is a good resource for cute, DIY organization ideas.
• Now is a good time to donate anything from toys to coats to food to used furniture. If you aren't using it, haven't used it in the last two years and you know it is still good and serviceable, consider calling a local charity to donate. Save your receipt if you need it for filing taxes.
• If you have clothing or items set aside for repair.... now is the time to either get them repaired or call it quits. *Especially* if they've been out of commission longer than 6 months.
• Check when your local trash service picks up bulk items, and schedule accordingly.
• If I bring gifts for others into the home, I mark them off my gift list, store the receipts, wrap as soon as possible and get them to their owners if they are being mailed out and gifted. There is no need for them to sit in the house any longer than necessary. 
• In the same spirit- make room for new gifts and put them away in their designated space. If you need to make room on a bookshelf for new books, find a few you will not read again and take them to a half price bookstore or donate them (or give to a friend who you think will enjoy them). If you receive new clothes, check to see if there's any existing clothes in your closet you no longer wear or have outgrown to make the room for the new items.
• Purge through holiday ornaments/trinkets/knick knacks as you pull them out to decorate. Check them over for any damage to be repaired or assessed for purging. Get rid of any items you don't like/don't want/don't use... even if you are holding onto it for sentimental reasons, ask yourself how important it is to you in the long run, given the current condition it is in. Only you can make that call, but it's common for people to hang on to "stuff" they'll never use out of sheer habit alone.
• Label your storage boxes for holiday gear. Take the time to wrap up the ornaments and knickknacks when you are done, and wind the lights with care. I tend to stock up on new wrapping paper, gift boxes/labels/ribbons, decor, cards and ornaments on Dec. 26th when they are on clearance, and will list everything out on the label when packing up seasonal items. I also tuck new scotch tape and extra scissors in with all of the wrapping gear so I don't have to scrounge around looking for it next year. 
• I try to have the decorations down and in their place by New Year's Eve- the first weekend of January if absolutely necessary. Once I'm done with the holiday, I'm ready to move on.
• When you receive greeting cards, verify the address to make sure you have the most recent location in your records. Track who you receive cards from, and who you are mailing ones to.
• If you need to, farm out the heavier cleaning or tasks. If you only splurge once a year on a cleaning service, this may be your time to do so without guilt. The holidays can be the most stressful times of year, particularly with guests and additional entertaining and it may be worth it to remove extra stress. Look for local groupons for discounts, or ask friends for recommendations for cleaning services. Decide if you want to handle the basic cleaning, and ask them to do the heavier once-or-twice a year chores, or if you want them to come in and handle everything for you.
• I try to air out the house as best as possible when I'm doing that end of year cleaning.. that will depend on your climate but if it's possible to do so, I find it helps.

Good luck!

Friday Favorites

Warm Black Bean Dip - with football season here having an afternoon snack with the game is a must so this recipe looks pretty good for that

Free Wash Cloth Patterns - knitted wash clothes - I know both the crocheted and knitted washcloths I have received as gifts are some of my favorite wash clothes.

Storage Boxes - she just covered ordinary boxes in jute to make cute storage boxes (she has another photo of them here)

10 Recipes using Ground Beef - we always seem to have some ground beef or turkey in the freezer so having some recipes to refer to is always a good idea when in a pinch and needing a meal. These might help you find some go-to dishes and it looks like none of them use a cream of something soup...which although very convenient is a nice change.

How to Paint a Door like a Pro - Our front door is in desperate need of painting. The sun hits it all year around - and heats it up and creates sun spots which eventually lead to cracking in the paint and then flaking. I can't hang a wreath on our front door or anything really because it melts it not matter what it is made out of it something always melts on it - glue or other materials it is made out of so the sun is not my friend for the front door. So really needing that how-to as it is that time to paint the door.

Friday Favorites

Kitchen 101 - Cooking Methods: a chart plus blog entry on all sorts of cooking methods
Chicken Chirizo "No Potato" Hash - looks delicious and a good way to add veggies in and not use carbs
Microfiber Information - a blog post about why to use microfiber and where to use it
18 Things to Get Rid of Now - just as the title says
Freezing Strawberries - tip on why/how to freeze strawberries now when the price is lower

Friday Favorites

10 Organizing Mantras to Help You Cut Clutter and Get More Done -   good list to help motivate and get more done
Folding a Napkin like a Bunny from Martha Stewart - just so cute I couldn't resist adding to Friday Favorites
50 New Uses for Old Things from Real Simple - some really good ideas such as using an old tape cassette for keeping your earphones or ipod wires neat  or using a tooth brush (clean of course) as a vegetable brush
Smart Gardner - I haven't had time to check this website out fully but just the little bit that I have looked at - looks interesting and helpful.   It can help plan your garden from start to finish. You tell it where you live it tells you what to plant and when, designs your garden for you and gives you daily reminders of what to do to your garden.
Raspberry Breakfast Bars - from Smitten Kitchen that look delish
Choosing an Eco-Friendly Pillow - a good article on finding an eco-friendly pillow  from Whole Living

Friday Favorites

Weekly Menus - it not only is weekly menus, but shopping list and recipes to go with the menus
Fast Customer - This is only available for United States and Canada - no more waiting on hold for Customer Service...this app will connect you to customer service reps without waiting on the line. I am not sure if it is available for anything other then iPhone but felt it was too good to not post.
Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Decals on Canisters - step by step instructions on how to make them and apply them and even make the decals dishwasher safe.
Couponing for Beginners - from Frugal Girls - they have a coupon database on their website.

Friday Favorites

Homemade Vapor Rub  - Not a lot of ingredients and easy to make.
Homemade Wrinkle Release Spray  - I haven't ever bought the commercial brand stuff but my sister uses it all the time as she hates to iron so making it homemade would save money.  I can see where having some on hand would be nice for those moments when you realize that shirt you are wanting to wear right now has been buried in the bottom of a drawer.
Hungarian Beef Goulash - a warm stick to your bones kind of recipe
Keep Wrapping Paper Neat - this is one of those tips that I look and go - I wish I would have thought of that years ago
Painting Kitchen Cabinets  - I like the look of these cabinets and would love to do that with the kitchen cabinets

Guest Post: Pack like a Pro and Other OCD Tips

Is packing intimidating to you? Do you avoid it till the last minute because it is just too overwhelming? Do you find yourself repeatedly on vacation with no underwear and eight pairs of socks? Never again! Take my hand – we can get thru this together!

First off you need a spreadsheet. This is a NEED not a want. Just trust me. Don’t be afraid. You do not have to color code it or do anything fancy, that is for the advanced course. I use Google Docs because it is web based and can be shared with others. That way your owner can review it and add or delete. AND, you can copy it and adjust it for different trips.

Now think. What kind of trip is this? Camping? Conference? Vacation? Work? Will you have electricity (will you need a voltage converter)? Do you have to prepare meals? Will there be special clothing needs (formal, costume, sports)? What will the weather be like? How long is the trip? If this seems overwhelming don’t worry we will take it one day at a time. No, I mean it. Really . . .

Are you as excited as I am? Of course you are! Let’s get started.

On the first page I like to include a section for Transportation, Accommodations and other information like contact numbers of those I am traveling with and their travel and accommodations.

Under Transportation you might include:

• flight confirmation numbers
• flight numbers and times
• rental car confirmation numbers
• numbers for local taxi
• phone number of accommodations if they provide free transfers
• address of your destinations (through the trip)

Under Accommodations you might want to include:

• hotel confirmations numbers
• address and phone of hotel
• address of place near by you may need like; grocery, drug store, liquor store, beauty shop.

OK now you are there safe and sound! What to wear? Start a new page and make a column or list for each day of your trip.

Will the weather be warmer or colder where you are heading? Think about what you will be doing. Tonight you might be going to a formal dinner. Picture yourself getting ready . . .(dream sequence)

You are wearing your little black dress, definitely need the super tummy holding in panties for this or, will someone be seeing those panties later? Better to go with the sexy ones then. Eeks - bra straps - toss that one to the side and get the strapless. Nylons . . . no thigh highs – need a garter belt, grrr a run - good thing you brought an extra pair! Add your heels - think ahead a little - can you choose a pair that will go with another outfit? Now that you look beautiful grab your little evening bag and wrap as you head out the door. And when you get back from your awesome evening, will you visit the hot tub or just slip into jammies? So your day one clothing list might look like this:

AM:

• comfy travel pants
• t-shirt
• comfy bra and panties
• sweater
• socks (remember you have to take your shoes off in security if you are flying)
• comfy shoes
• travel bag (spreadsheet with travel info, tickets, ID/passport, purse, snacks, reading material, travel pillow/blanket, etc.)

PM

• black dress
• strapless bra
• black lace panties
• 2 pair thigh highs
• garter belt
• heels
• evening bag
• wrap or sweater

• swim suit
• cover up
• slippers or flip flops

• PJs
• Robe

Go through this process again for hair and make up. Do you need something special for your hair? Will you do false eyelashes? Chip a nail? Headache or catch a cold on the trip? Once you have this list you can use it for every trip and refine and add things as you learn you need them. No worries if you forget something in the beginning, you have the address of a nearby drug store remember?

Use this same method when packing for someone else. Picture their process getting ready and all the little things that might go wrong. It is so satisfying to have that one thing they did not know they would need.

The process also works for food, camping supplies, any trip you can think of. There are also many packing lists online you can compare with yours. Packing this way is so much fun and every time you have something you need in a pinch, you get to do a tush wiggling happy dance!

BIO: My name is Lacey. I am is a service submissive from the Baltimore Maryland area. I have been in service to the same Master for four years and am constantly striving to find new fun ways to please Him.  I have presented classes on Service Submission, Mental Orgasm, Rope Bottoming and others at Atlanta Bound IV 2011, Duck Stock Lite 2009, 2010 Duck Stock 2010, 2011 and Frolicon 2011. I love to share my passion for service! You are welcome to contact me any time on Fetlife or email. 

Friday Favorites

Thrift Store Shopping - this articles gives some tips for shopping at thrift stores
100 Reasons to Get Rid of Stuff - this a gold mine of information and resources for donating, recycle and how-to throw out things you don't want or need anymore
Speed Cleaning 101 - a quick guide to speed cleaning
Dark Chocolate Oatmeal - Chocolate for breakfast - yes!
Bleach Pen T-Shirts - using bleach pens to create designs in t-shirts.

Friday Favorites

Fixing Scratches on white plates - there are other things in this post but what I really was focused on was how she fixed the scratches in her white plates - we have those on our plates so I want to try this as nothing I have tried so far has worked
Free Labels - really great labels all different sizes and shapes
Should I keep that Paper? -  gives you a graph and then some tips on what to do with the papers
14 Ways to Spruce up Your Bedroom - some very simple things to change up your bedroom
Beef Wellingtons with Gorgonzola and Madeira Wine Sauce - looks like a really good recipe

Storage for Lights

1

 I know there are lots of fancy products you can buy to storage and wrap your light cords to keep them from not being a big ball of tangled mess, but I just use the box they came in.  It works fine and didn't cost extra.

2

Take one end and tuck it into the box and close it.

3

Wrap the cord all around and down the box.

4

Tuck the other end into the box and close it. 

 

Store extra bulbs and fuses inside the boxes.  

Online Grocery Store Ads

Just wanted to take a moment to point out this feature that I have found most grocery stores have along with their online weekly circular.

In the online ad, you can often just click on the item you want and add it to a list and often circle it too so you know you have added it.

On the list you can add notes such as I possibly wanted get turkey from the Deli Meat so added that.

This is what it looks like if you are wanting to print it out.  It has the notes, quantity, and sale price. It is broken up into section to make it easy when shopping. 

Now if I am only getting a couple items out of the ad - I won't print a list but I do find it helpful to go through all the ads and compare prices, circling the things I normally get or feel are a good deal so I can compare things more easily. 

Friday Favorites

Table Runner Window Treatment - I have looked for a window treatment for 2 windows but haven't found them or even affordable fabric I like to make anything.  But this I can see might work.  Kohl's has really good clearance section and I have seen table runners there that I like and that would work.


Buyer's Guide to 50 Ways to get a Greener Home - It has products and links to those products to buy but I think the tips and ideas for products to keep in mind when buying are good. 


Boxes, Bins, Baskets and More Storage - This is a post on where to get the storage containers she has but what I love is the photos of how she organizes because it is amazing and inspiring. 


Freezer Meals on the Cheap - She spends $95 and has 46 meals in the freezer.  All sorts of good ideas. But what amazes me more is the prices she gets on meat. She has a package of organic ground beef for $1.  That same brand here on clearance is $2.89 to $3.89  - again on clearance. Just regular ground beef here you can't get for anything less then $2.20.  So I am just amazed at all the meat deals she gets and I want to move to where she lives!  Also I didn't know you could freeze baked potatoes - does anyone do this?


Recipes for Powdered Cream of "Something" Soup Mix and Chicken Bacon Casserole - really posting for the cream of something soup mix.  I think that they mean bullion granules instead of bullion cubes. Not sure the cubes would work in a mix unless you ground them up. 

Friday Favorites

How to Cover a Lampshade with Fabric - This is a really good step by step with photos for covering a lampshade with fabric. If you were wanting to change up a room this would be one way to do without buying a new lampshade to match.

Kitchen and Pantry Organization Tips - some clever tips for organization

Homemade Soy Candles - directions for making eco-friendly candles

Food in Jars - a website dedicated to canning

Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Crunch and Bourbon Maple Whipped Cream - with the cool weather almost upon us here in Colorado, I am starting to crave these kind of autumn treats