Todays word is "Tactical Nuclear Warhead"
Home Maintenance: Cleaning, Organizing, Purging and Regular Upkeep
- Thread starter Weedygarden
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I continue to do a little something every day. I have filled about 4 of the bins today, but have found other things. This morning the label maker wouldn't turn on. It needed new batteries so I had to get some. It's good. The extra batteries will go into my battery storage container.
One thing I buy here and there are spices, especially when they are on sale. If things like garlic powder are on sale, I buy some. Today I worked on a few different kitchen things, but one that I have been working on is the organization of things like extra foil, wax paper, parchment paper, zip bags, etc. I've been keeping that in a couple baskets, standing the boxes on end.
What did I find in the two baskets where I had been keeping these extras? A few small spice jars, unopened, new. My travel sized toiletries keep doing the same thing. I found another zip bag of them a couple days ago. On the to do list is to do a good inventory of the spices I have, large and small containers, and the extras. I started that list when I was putting up my spice racks last year.
Since I am using these IRIS bins with snap on lids, the size is uniform and I can stack these bins about 6 high. But there are things like large foil, 3 gallon zip bags, some parchment paper, that just doesn't fit. Not the end of the world, but there will be something that I will need to find a specialized bin for.
I told a friend that I could work on this project for a full year and maybe not be done. When I am done with the main part of the house, minus the basement, garage and sheds, I am going to hire someone to help do some cleaning. I am doing some as I go, but things like the windows could all use a good cleaning. My neighbors have professional window washers come clean their windows a couple times a year. These guys have good ladders for the second story windows and they have specialized tools. Better than me breaking my neck.
And starting seedlings needs to happen soon!
One thing I buy here and there are spices, especially when they are on sale. If things like garlic powder are on sale, I buy some. Today I worked on a few different kitchen things, but one that I have been working on is the organization of things like extra foil, wax paper, parchment paper, zip bags, etc. I've been keeping that in a couple baskets, standing the boxes on end.
What did I find in the two baskets where I had been keeping these extras? A few small spice jars, unopened, new. My travel sized toiletries keep doing the same thing. I found another zip bag of them a couple days ago. On the to do list is to do a good inventory of the spices I have, large and small containers, and the extras. I started that list when I was putting up my spice racks last year.
Since I am using these IRIS bins with snap on lids, the size is uniform and I can stack these bins about 6 high. But there are things like large foil, 3 gallon zip bags, some parchment paper, that just doesn't fit. Not the end of the world, but there will be something that I will need to find a specialized bin for.
I told a friend that I could work on this project for a full year and maybe not be done. When I am done with the main part of the house, minus the basement, garage and sheds, I am going to hire someone to help do some cleaning. I am doing some as I go, but things like the windows could all use a good cleaning. My neighbors have professional window washers come clean their windows a couple times a year. These guys have good ladders for the second story windows and they have specialized tools. Better than me breaking my neck.
And starting seedlings needs to happen soon!
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The Princess is working on getting her spice collection into glass jars.
The counter kitchen table is her work space for the project.
The medium and large jars are still in the boxes.
She is exited about the project.
Ben
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I buy herbs/spices in bulk so they go in mason jars. The extras go in coffee cans (labeled) on the shelf above the jars. I like that we each have our own way and they all work.
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I have a large shelf for alphabetized big jars of spices. Then another 3 shelf unit of just baking stuff in jars, not the flour or sugar...but different kinds of chocolate chips, baking chips, flavorings, sprinkles, powder, soda...that all gets a bit messy because little granddaughter does like to bake. Easier to put choc chips in half gallon mason jars...semi sweet, milk, white, dark, even rainbow. My disaster shelfing at the moment is one and a half large shelves of paper products...plates, cups, utensils, specialty napkins, bowls...it's grown, overflowing, spilling over into a medical shelf. Not good. I realize I'm not keeping it organized well because the lighting in that area of that basement is not very good, so I put it off. I think I should correct the lighting and get with it.
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There are some great lighting options on Amazon. The new LED lights are lite and easy to install. I love good lighting!
Ben
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It is easy for it to get out of hand. That is what I am trying to get control of now. Space is always a problem, and then being able to keep it organized in one place.
I know it sounds like nothing is organized in my house, but it is. I have two closets that I have worked on. One is actually empty now and has been for at least a year. I need to clean in there before I put stuff back in.
I had an assistant who told me that her house looked neat and tidy, no clutter, but don't open her cabinets or closets. I am kind of the opposite. I want the stuff in my cabinets, closets, etc. organized before I can clean. If I need to put something away, I want to know where to put it and where to find it again.
Can we have a show us your larder thread?!Loving the pics.
I'm a bit like Sonya, there are jobs I have to do every day; others once a week. Also once a week or month I get sons to do stuff for me. Occasionally some shores are weather dependent, and if there's a few weeks of rain, they build up. I also have a 'this summer/winter/year' list. Things I would like to get done, as opposed to having to be done. Like organising the jars of herbs, mine might be painting the pantry shelves, or the current one, framing photos and putting them up the stairs walls.
I'm a bit like Sonya, there are jobs I have to do every day; others once a week. Also once a week or month I get sons to do stuff for me. Occasionally some shores are weather dependent, and if there's a few weeks of rain, they build up. I also have a 'this summer/winter/year' list. Things I would like to get done, as opposed to having to be done. Like organising the jars of herbs, mine might be painting the pantry shelves, or the current one, framing photos and putting them up the stairs walls.
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The business of showing your larder is not necessarily a good idea, even if we think we are anonymous on here. There is the thought and belief that when there is a food shortage, our pantries will be confiscated by the authorities. They have the authority to do so in the USA.
I would never show what I have, nor give an accounting of how much of this or that I have. It is known as OPSEC, operational security. The image is what the world should think we have.
I am the same as far as in closets and cupboards need to be clean and organized and my mess is out where I can deal with it.
Also, I thought of you this morning. I have a box of stuff in the car to go to thrift (can't drop it off until tomorrow), and I brought my cardboard boxes and a broken bowl to go in the dumpster - thank you for the inspiration
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I told my husband when he chose to have giant homes over 4000 ft.² that it was ok IF I had a cleaning lady every two weeks. We grew up lower middle class in an upper flat and there was no problem cleaning because it wasn’t a big space. Our house, not loaded with knickknacks, still is big.
Anyhow we take all the valuables (clocks, files) off the shelves so she doesn’t have to feel badly if she dropped something. She’s very grateful for it. We also clear the decks in the kitchen as she should not have to lift my Instant pot, various knife holding containers, electric canners, toasters and such.
Love her. She started us when we had the new house building clean out and she has continued ever since. Her children know me and she knows our (now adult) kids. We celebrate birthdays. Best dang cleaning woman I’ve ever had.
One week/month she does the whole house & two weeks later she does the lower level, the basement and stairs, and my husband’s office in the upper level.
She tells us we keep it pretty clean but for our dogs that have always shed. But she has a dog and he sheds so she understands.
We pay her about $40/hour but that’s because she works like a whirlwind.
Never regretted it. She has the key to our house and will come and water plants if need be and when I have my seedlings planted (300 tomato plants last year under lights), she came and watered them.
Anyhow we take all the valuables (clocks, files) off the shelves so she doesn’t have to feel badly if she dropped something. She’s very grateful for it. We also clear the decks in the kitchen as she should not have to lift my Instant pot, various knife holding containers, electric canners, toasters and such.
Love her. She started us when we had the new house building clean out and she has continued ever since. Her children know me and she knows our (now adult) kids. We celebrate birthdays. Best dang cleaning woman I’ve ever had.
One week/month she does the whole house & two weeks later she does the lower level, the basement and stairs, and my husband’s office in the upper level.
She tells us we keep it pretty clean but for our dogs that have always shed. But she has a dog and he sheds so she understands.
We pay her about $40/hour but that’s because she works like a whirlwind.
Never regretted it. She has the key to our house and will come and water plants if need be and when I have my seedlings planted (300 tomato plants last year under lights), she came and watered them.
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I love that you are using old jars and the solid lids like my grandmothers had. I have bought some spices in the large restaurant sized jars.
Years ago I belonged to a food coop. Some things, like spices, were sold in large quantities, such as bay leaves and cinnamon sticks. 40+ years ago I bought those two things and still have some. I know that spices are supposed to lose their spiciness over time, but if something calls for bay leaves, I put in an extra or two.
My wife has magnanimously allowed me to use a closet in the basement to store our deep larder. It is about the size of a normal bedroom closet, and is filled with games that haven't been touched in thirty years. I, of course, wanted to throw all the games away, but I would have a better chance of seeing God than that happening. She agreed to allow me to relocate the games and put food and supplies in the closet.
This is very much a long term project. Some progress has been made, and I feel I have a better handle on our inventory. Finding a new place for the games is the challenge, not that anybody will know where I moved them. As the project progresses I will keep you posted.
This is very much a long term project. Some progress has been made, and I feel I have a better handle on our inventory. Finding a new place for the games is the challenge, not that anybody will know where I moved them. As the project progresses I will keep you posted.
Perhaps it would be permissible to send various loved ones a game (yes, even used as you can share a story that correlates with it's wear) with a note of care to stay entertained during the winter months. Your desire to part with them might be concealed as an act of kindness - win/win
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Snack shelf cleaned out. You guys are great motivators. Some things were on it too long and are going to the chickens. I know now that I do not have to buy any Snyders butter pretzel snaps for a while, we are well stocked. Ditto with tortilla chips and waffle ice cream cones. Cookie shelf cleaned off, too. Next will be the cereal shelving. Two of the shelves I've done recently, 3 more to go.
And the milkhouse. Washed out finally. Not as clean as I'd like it, but not too bad, either. It's drying now, so the extra animal cages can go back in it tomorrow.
And the milkhouse. Washed out finally. Not as clean as I'd like it, but not too bad, either. It's drying now, so the extra animal cages can go back in it tomorrow.
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I've been working in the kitchen for a few days. Several more days to go in there.
All the food wrapping stuff is still front and center today. I used to keep all of this kind of stuff that I have open and in use in a big bottom drawer in one cabinet, if it fit. Large foil, freezer paper, etc. did not fit. I have not straightened this drawer out since I don't know when. It is empty now and scrubbed clean. All the extras of this such as foils, wax and parchment paper, garbage bags, etc. will have their own bins because they are so much easier to manage this way. The active rolls of foil and plastic wrap have new bamboo dispensers. The zip bags have been in a special dispenser I got on Etsy a couple years ago. Extra zip bags have their own bins. There are more stored elsewhere and I need to figure whether I want to consolidate. I need to store them together so I know what I have. I think all of the extras will be in the shed in labeled bins.
I am going to use the big drawer for big mixing bowls, etc. They have been a pain for storing for quite a while.
Trash can is full. Next big drawer has kitchen towels, pot holders, etc. The towels are going to get bins--one for hand towels, one for dish towels. Most of the pot holders are going in the trash. They are stained and old and gross. I'll get some new ones.
These bins hold 12 quarts and stack nicely. They are definitely cheaper at Costco than on Amazon.
All the food wrapping stuff is still front and center today. I used to keep all of this kind of stuff that I have open and in use in a big bottom drawer in one cabinet, if it fit. Large foil, freezer paper, etc. did not fit. I have not straightened this drawer out since I don't know when. It is empty now and scrubbed clean. All the extras of this such as foils, wax and parchment paper, garbage bags, etc. will have their own bins because they are so much easier to manage this way. The active rolls of foil and plastic wrap have new bamboo dispensers. The zip bags have been in a special dispenser I got on Etsy a couple years ago. Extra zip bags have their own bins. There are more stored elsewhere and I need to figure whether I want to consolidate. I need to store them together so I know what I have. I think all of the extras will be in the shed in labeled bins.
I am going to use the big drawer for big mixing bowls, etc. They have been a pain for storing for quite a while.
Trash can is full. Next big drawer has kitchen towels, pot holders, etc. The towels are going to get bins--one for hand towels, one for dish towels. Most of the pot holders are going in the trash. They are stained and old and gross. I'll get some new ones.
These bins hold 12 quarts and stack nicely. They are definitely cheaper at Costco than on Amazon.
I understand- I presumed your storage was separate to your larder.
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If no one is actively looking for and playing those games, could you eliminate 1 or 2 at a time covertly? I do that with my Dad. He is loathe to throw away anything in the fridge or pantry closet that is "past it's prime." When he goes upstate, I clean things out. Sometimes I do it when he's just not around--like when he and his friend go to a railroad show.
I have certainly thought about it. I have had things that she didn't like mysteriously disappear.
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This made me smile b/c I have the same thing going on. They are all under the stairway and haven't been touched in years. I should just donate them to the local Thrift Store. Although, that particular closet is not on my immediate to-do list b/c it is pretty organized. With the advent of video games, board games are pretty much just a blip in history which is kinda sad.
I finally got the kids room completely done. I ordered some comic book boxes to transfer comics to those instead of the bank boxes that they were in. I am using the empty bank boxes to put the childrens books from the book shelf in and will store them in the barn. Now, I have MY own bookshelf and found some gems while I was moving my pile of books in there from another room. Yeah!
I have been on a reading kick lately and am spending at least a couple of hours per night reading the Left Behind series. Only 2 more books to go on that and then I'm on to something else, so I'm glad I found the gems I had forgotten about.I cleaned out a couple of files of older bills (in the upstairs file cabinet) and will add those old invoices to the big file I have in the barn so I have room in my current year file.
I went through the frig freezer and found some things that need to get used immediately. It's amazing how some things sink to the bottom of that freezer. Now I have a menu created for next week. I also went through the big freezer in the garage and chipped away the frost. I found some stuff in there that needs to go into the house freezer as soon as I get stuff used up in there. I even found some bacon that I had forgotten about......darn it.
That freezer is even more difficult to keep organized! Yeah, it keeps a lot of food, but chest freezers are tough to keep on top of since you can only see the stuff on top.You all are so inspiring so thanks for that! We have been getting some sunshine recently too and that has helped tremendously. It's still too cold to do anything outside so I'm so thankful to be getting things done indoors. Today will be more paperwork.
Dropped the box off at the thrift shop this morning - one more thing done
I agree - inspiring crew in here.
I agree - inspiring crew in here.
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I think that sometimes the bigger the space, as in chest freezers, the easier it is for things to get lost. This isn't just freezers though. I too have a freezer to go through. I plan on making inventory lists of contents that I keep on the door along with a pencil.This made me smile b/c I have the same thing going on. They are all under the stairway and haven't been touched in years. I should just donate them to the local Thrift Store. Although, that particular closet is not on my immediate to-do list b/c it is pretty organized. With the advent of video games, board games are pretty much just a blip in history which is kinda sad.
I finally got the kids room completely done. I ordered some comic book boxes to transfer comics to those instead of the bank boxes that they were in. I am using the empty bank boxes to put the childrens books from the book shelf in and will store them in the barn. Now, I have MY own bookshelf and found some gems while I was moving my pile of books in there from another room. Yeah!
I cleaned out a couple of files of older bills (in the upstairs file cabinet) and will add those old invoices to the big file I have in the barn so I have room in my current year file.
I went through the frig freezer and found some things that need to get used immediately. It's amazing how some things sink to the bottom of that freezer. Now I have a menu created for next week. I also went through the big freezer in the garage and chipped away the frost. I found some stuff in there that needs to go into the house freezer as soon as I get stuff used up in there. I even found some bacon that I had forgotten about......darn it.
You all are so inspiring so thanks for that! We have been getting some sunshine recently too and that has helped tremendously. It's still too cold to do anything outside so I'm so thankful to be getting things done indoors. Today will be more paperwork.
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I have around 18 bins so far for the kitchen. Progress, but there is more to go. Trash was emptied and starting to get refilled.
I found more spices! And I found another roll of plastic wrap buried in the back of the towel drawer.
The towels are getting rewashed before they get put in bins. They are in the dryer now. Some towels have probably not been used in a few years and I will feel better to pack up clean stuff. Better to rotate than to keep using the same few after rewashing.
The second large drawer will now be used for bakeware: cake pans, pie plates, bread pans, smaller cookie sheets. I am going to rewash all of that before I put it in there.
Yesterday I did some work on canning lids and some of the canning supplies. I have more canning supplies in 3 or 4 other places and have more work to do with all of them. Time to get them all together: jars, canners, lids, etc.
Everything but the AC and white vinegar could go out into the shed. It will be a couple months at least before I work in the shed.
These are the dish towels that I have mostly now. I found them at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. I had always previously had those thin flour sack towels for drying dishes and for making potato dumplings and potato latkes. These towels are sturdy. Flour sack towels are okay, and I have embroidered them in the past, but the ones that I have found in the last years are just not very sturdy.
I found more spices!
And I found another roll of plastic wrap buried in the back of the towel drawer.The towels are getting rewashed before they get put in bins. They are in the dryer now. Some towels have probably not been used in a few years and I will feel better to pack up clean stuff. Better to rotate than to keep using the same few after rewashing.
The second large drawer will now be used for bakeware: cake pans, pie plates, bread pans, smaller cookie sheets. I am going to rewash all of that before I put it in there.
Yesterday I did some work on canning lids and some of the canning supplies. I have more canning supplies in 3 or 4 other places and have more work to do with all of them. Time to get them all together: jars, canners, lids, etc.
Everything but the AC and white vinegar could go out into the shed. It will be a couple months at least before I work in the shed.
These are the dish towels that I have mostly now. I found them at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. I had always previously had those thin flour sack towels for drying dishes and for making potato dumplings and potato latkes. These towels are sturdy. Flour sack towels are okay, and I have embroidered them in the past, but the ones that I have found in the last years are just not very sturdy.
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You're right, so are made not so sturdy anymore. They are my favorite. I found some that were not too bad at Atwoods.
I was on the look out for lost things. Our son does projects when he visits, and then I don't know where things are. Found the Sawsall I need for the downed branches that I'll tackle this afternoon. Finally found the extra T posts and the post pounder. Little granddaughter and I need to do some turkey run repair this weekend.
I was on the look out for lost things. Our son does projects when he visits, and then I don't know where things are. Found the Sawsall I need for the downed branches that I'll tackle this afternoon. Finally found the extra T posts and the post pounder. Little granddaughter and I need to do some turkey run repair this weekend.
Sorted onions and composted the ones that had sprouted. Worked out in the summer kitchen for a while- looking better. Got the last of my beans shelled. (Old Mother Stoddards)
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Someone shared this elsewhere. It is an interesting idea.
"This is the beginning stages of how I want to store my fabric…I bought the bookshelves from IKEA and the bins are part of the plastic drawers from Walmart."
"This is the beginning stages of how I want to store my fabric…I bought the bookshelves from IKEA and the bins are part of the plastic drawers from Walmart."
I have my fabric in bins, but only 3 high and not on shelves- which would be nice. They are heavy! Those are only about a foot deep so wouldn’t be as bad (I have the big ol’ things. But something to consider. I had book shelves for my fabric when we were up the mountain and loved it- but not in bins. Hang a curtain so protected from light and start sewing
. Will see if I can find a pix. Bet your place is looking good!
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I have a couple of those deep plastic drawered cabinets for fabric. One of them has two shallower drawers in the top that I use for thread. The sewing stuff will be a project that will take a few days.I have my fabric in bins, but only 3 high and not on shelves- which would be nice. They are heavy! Those are only about a foot deep so wouldn’t be as bad (I have the big ol’ things. But something to consider. I had book shelves for my fabric when we were up the mountain and loved it- but not in bins. Hang a curtain so protected from light and start sewing
Place is looking better in areas, but as you said in a previous comment, things often look worse before they look better. I still have quite a ways to go. As I empty shelves to go through stuff to purge and reorganize, it adds to the mess. I also have interruptions for my appointments, so I do a little here and a little there.
I am making piles of the stuff that has to go. The thrift store is not particularly close and it is in an area I don't go to very often. I will fill the trunk and then take a load one day. I have two appointments today, one tomorrow, so it won't be for a few days.
It feels good to know that some stuff is neat and tidy, protected, organized, labeled and easy to get to.
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My neighbors have a three story Victorian with high ceilings, higher than mine. (Mine were originally about 10 feet high but most have been lowered with space between the ceiling and the second story floors, done by a previous owner.) They have an enclosed room, a porch, along the side of their house. This porch has an entrance from their dining room and a door that went outside at one time. There is a very large window in this room. I don't know the exact dimensions of the room, but maybe 8 feet wide and 20 feet long.
Their washer and dryer are in there. They put in built in shelving, floor to ceiling that they have full of labeled bins. The top shelves are so high that they have a ladder in there that is like the rolling ladders that we used to see in the old libraries. They push the ladder from side to side to be able to access whatever they want or need. I didn't really examine the hardware that keeps it stable.
Their son's room also has floor to ceiling built in shelving on one wall with a rolling ladder as well. I haven't been in the basement in a couple decades, but my guess is that they have some good built in shelving down there as well. He has an office in the top floor of their carriage house. I haven't been in there, but I'd bet it is neat and tidy and organized.
They have one of those neat and tidy houses where there is little sitting around. They also have cleaning people come and clean the house periodically.
When I first saw their shelving, I didn't really think about the bins and doing that. It was only after I started my organization project that I remembered that this is how they have organized their home.
Their washer and dryer are in there. They put in built in shelving, floor to ceiling that they have full of labeled bins. The top shelves are so high that they have a ladder in there that is like the rolling ladders that we used to see in the old libraries. They push the ladder from side to side to be able to access whatever they want or need. I didn't really examine the hardware that keeps it stable.
Their son's room also has floor to ceiling built in shelving on one wall with a rolling ladder as well. I haven't been in the basement in a couple decades, but my guess is that they have some good built in shelving down there as well. He has an office in the top floor of their carriage house. I haven't been in there, but I'd bet it is neat and tidy and organized.
They have one of those neat and tidy houses where there is little sitting around. They also have cleaning people come and clean the house periodically.
When I first saw their shelving, I didn't really think about the bins and doing that. It was only after I started my organization project that I remembered that this is how they have organized their home.
