By Maid Sailors Cleaning Tips • Organization 0 Comments

How to Do Deep Cleaning of Your Closets

Most of the time, our closets are usually full. The overcrowding comes with a lot of chaos. For example, it becomes challenging to find the cloth you need. Other times, you may even fail to get something to wear. Shocking, right? After all, how can you not have anything to wear if you have an overflowing closet? But it happens. If you find yourself in this scenario, you don’t need to worry. There is a solution in the form of deep cleaning your closets. Here’s how you can go about it. 

1. Set the Mood

Let’s be real; most of us don’t look forward to cleaning our closets. That’s why we try to put it off as long as we can. To make the cleaning process fun, you need to set the mood. For example, you can turn on the music and dance along to it or listen to an uplifting podcast. The goal is to be in a happy mood. 

2. Remove Everything From the Closet

If someone were to tell you to remove a few items from your wardrobe, you’d get confused about which ones to withdraw from the pile. Deep cleaning your closet requires you to get rid of some stuff to make it look more organized. Also, you want to first clean the closet before putting your items back. The first step towards achieving this is removing everything from the wardrobe. 

3.  Start Cleaning 

Closet

A dusting cloth and some water are the basic things you need to clean your closet. Use the damp cloth to wipe away dust, dirt, and other undesirable stuff from the shelves, drawers, and cabinets. Don’t forget about the doors too. There may be some moisture left afterward, which may damage your clothes. Therefore, ensure you get another piece of dry cloth and go through the areas mentioned. 

Since we are doing deep cleaning, you can opt for a mild household cleaner instead of water to dust the closet. If you are dealing with glass surfaces, then a glass cleaner will come in handy to ensure there are no fingerprints or smudges left on it. Kindly note that you should only use mild cleaning agents for your closets to avoid damaging the surfaces.  

Floor

It is time to clean the floor. Sometimes, our closets become humid, which causes them to give out a musty smell. Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer, and that’s why you need it when carrying out deep cleaning. You can sprinkle it on the carpet and leave it for 15 minutes as you do other things. After that, get out your vacuum cleaner and clean the carpet. You will notice a fresh smell after that. When vacuuming, go through all the corners of the closet to ensure the whole space is clean.  

Ceiling and Walls

You can’t leave out the walls and ceilings to have your broom ready and start dusting and getting rid of cobwebs. A duster with a long handle will also do a great job. While dusting, remember the light fixtures too. 

4. Sort Out Your Items 

Now that you have a clean closet, you don’t want to stuff back every single thing you took out. It is time to go through each item and decide if you wish to keep it, throw it away, donate it to charity, or someone you know who needs it more than you. You may have some clothes or shoes that cost you a fortune and you don’t want to give away. If this is the case, you can put them aside and sell them online. Once you have the items you have decided to donate, also set them aside and get on with the process as soon as you can to avoid cluttering your space. The items to be discarded should go into the trash bag immediately and out of your closet.  

5. Put Everything Back

The items you’ve decided to keep cannot stay on your bed. Therefore, start reorganizing them. Having various storage options will help everything to fit in nicely without being crowded. 

After sorting out the clothes you’ll be putting back into the closet, you can go a step further and ensure they smell great. You can mix essential oils with water and then spray the liquid on your clothes. You can also give your shoes a pleasant smell by spritzing the cotton balls with perfume before you put them in the shoe section.  

Final Thoughts

Your closet needs cleaning; you can’t avoid that. However, it doesn’t have to make you cringe. You can follow the above tips to make the process fun and ensure your closet space is clean, organized, and free of clutter. It is essential to do this regularly because it will avoid the issue of having an overflowing and cluttered closet. 

By Guest Contributor Cleaning Tips • Organization • Tips and Tricks 1 Comment

KonMari: The Easiest Cleaning Method on the Market

Learn how to sort through the clutter using this famous organizational method

Do you have cleaning on the brain? Spring cleaning in particular? What if I told you that you could clean and declutter your home once and never do it again? In her latest book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo claims it’s possible.

Native to Japan, Marie Kondo says that “tidiness is a way of everyday living in Japan. ” By applying principles she learned in feng shui to her daily life and ditching her previous organizational beliefs Kondo was able to create one epic cleaning method: The KonMari Method .

Marie is an advocate for keeping things that bring you joy and discarding everything else. Which is easier said than done right? She never said it would be easy, but she did say it would be worth it.

What is KonMari?

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this cleaning tactic, The KonMari method is a Japanese adopted method for decluttering and organizing. It’s a revolutionary category-by-category system which leads to long-lasting results. The results are so effective in fact that Kondo has a three-month waiting list! 

How does it work?

  1. Visualize a Clutter-Free Space
Before you start throwing away everything in your home the first step in this process is to take time to visualize yourself in a clutter-free space. Think deeply about what a clutter-free life means to you. Everyone works in different ways, so what works for you may not work for someone else. 

Ask yourself the following:

What does clutter-free mean to me?
What do I want to accomplish in this space?

How can I be creative and minimal at the same time?

  1. Sort through possessions

Now take the time to sort through your possessions letting go of anything unnecessary. These ‘unnecessary’ possessions don’t have to be materialistic either. They could be anything. Anything that doesn’t serve a purpose to you or anything that doesn’t bring you joy can be discarded or donated.

  1. Make room for the things that matter

After you’ve sorted through your possessions you can begin to make room for the things that matter. By discarding things that don’t matter we’re making room for the things that do matter. Learning to distinguish the difference between what matters and what doesn’t is one of the most important steps in the process. After all, you can’t take these things with you when you go.

  1. Only keep things that spark joy
When taking the time to sort through your belongings it’s important that you identify if the item in question sparks any joy for you. How does this possession make you feel? Do you feel differently about it now after you’ve had it for some time? And how do you feel about the idea of discarding it?

According to Kondo, “If you can say without a doubt, ‘I really like this!’ no matter what anyone else says, and if you like yourself for having it, then ignore what other people think. If you can’t say that, let it go.”

Overview

This decluttering and organizational method holds a special sort of power. It allows you to collect and reminisce about your life’s experiences while encouraging you to stand in the present and reminding you of what really matters. This system is more than an organizational method, it’s a life lesson.

 

Have you tried the konMari Method? How did it work for you? What are your thoughts on it? 
By Guest Contributor Do It Yourself • Organization 0 Comments

5 Awesome IKEA Storage Hacks for Small Spaces

Are you living in a small space and unsure what to do with it? Have you been looking for new and innovative ideas on how to store your things? Look no further. Today we’re sharing five IKEA hacks to help you store your things easily and creatively.

Here are five IKEA hacks for small spaces:

1. The Rolling Storage Box Hack

Ikea’s rolling under the bed storage box is an innovative way to store photos, magazines, or other important documents. And depending on what type of space you have, you technically don’t have to put this under your bed. You can roll this storage bin under anything and it’s out of sight out of mind.

2. The Storage Bed Hack

Storage beds are totally in these days. This hack helps you free up some space where you would normally put your dresser. The BRIMNES Storage bed comes fully equipped with drawers and beautiful brass handles.

3. The Shelf Closet Hack

As someone who’s currently building a tiny home, I love this idea. It’s simple, easy, and anyone can do it. Just put up a wall-mounted shelf and then one of Ikea’s fintorp metal railings and boom you’re done! 

4. The Nightstand Storage Hack

The Kallax series box shelving unit at Ikea is a goldmine for tiny spaces. It features four different units for an array of storage needs. And you can use it as a bedside table or an end table, whichever you prefer.

5. The Spice Rack Hack

Ah, the good ole spice rack hack. This hack can be used throughout your home. Whether you want to use it in your kitchen for extra storage or in your bedroom to store your jewelry, the sky’s the limit.

 

How do you store things in your small space? Have you tried some of these tricks? If so, how did they turn out? Let us know below! 
By Guest Contributor General Information • Organization 0 Comments

Learn How to Create a Wabi-Sabi Home

If you’ve heard of the term “Wabi-Sabi” it’s a term the Japanese use that essentially means finding beauty in imperfection. Wabi means to live with humility and simplicity. And Sabi is the ability to accept the lifecycle of anything and everything. So when referring to the context wabi-sabi home, this a home that promotes humility and simplicity while embracing its authenticity

When it comes to creating a wabi-sabi space using abstract ideas, it’s not always as simple as the name implies. We went ahead and did some research so we could put together some tips to help you create your own wabi-sabi space.

1. Start With The Basics

In order to really create a wabi-sabi environment in your home, you need to get back to the basics. This means getting rid of anything that doesn’t serve a purpose and only keeping your valuables that provide simplicity. In other words, learn to be a minimalist. Minimalist only keep things that provide them with a calm and happy spirit which allows them to maximize the joys of life and everyday living. If you’re serious about creating a wabi-sabi home, you need to get serious about minimalism. 

2. Bring in The Outdoors

Natural elements such as plants are major components of a wabi-sabi home. Plants along with other organic material are known to bring good energy into the home. And don’t worry, if you don’t necessarily have a green thumb you can still bring in the good energy by using succulents. 

3. Declutter

Being a minimalist doesn’t exempt you from clutter. Although the less you have the easier it is to escape the clutter. But it does still happen. Clutter-free spaces inspire feelings of peace and tranquillity which are the third most important element of a wabi-sabi space. This peace and tranquility will invite a sense of calm and order into your home.

4. Discover homemade

Creating this new space is all about celebrating your newfound simplicity and authenticity. What a better way to do that then to discover authentic homemade decor? Maybe this is something you fell in love with on Etsy or in a flea market. Or maybe it’s something you made yourself. If done right (not too much or too little) this type of decor will help bring out homes most important characteristics.

What type of space do you have? 
By Guest Contributor Organization • Tips and Tricks 4 Comments

7 Instagram Feeds that Will Inspire you to Recreate your Space

Do you find yourself on Instagram for hours at a time admiring all of the organized, stylish spaces? Are you wondering how you can make your home Instagram ready? Get ready because today we’re discussing 7 Instagram feeds that will inspire you to recreate your space.

If your anything like us, then you’re loving all of the organized stylish homes on Instagram. These days they’re everywhere! So instead of being envious here at Maid Sailors, we choose to be inspired by these Instagram accounts.

To make it a wee bit easier, we’ve narrowed it down to our top seven Instagram accounts to follow for home organization and stylish decor. From kitchens to offices, these feeds are curated with the best photos to inspire you. Following these Instagram feeds will inspire you and make it feel possible for you to recreate the home you desire.

1. @Westelm

West Elm is a chain retailer that sells a variety of local handpicked furniture, home accessories, and kitchen items. What I love about their Instagram is that you can instantly become inspired by their decor and shop their inventory right on Instagram. Does it get any easier than that? We don’t think so. Follow @westelm and @westelmredbank for new and innovative inspiration today.

2. @Simplyspaced

Looking for new and innovative ways to organize our pantry? Simply Spaced home organization’s got you covered. They’ve got some great tips like mixing glass jars with wicker baskets and using clip-on changeable labels. They love transparency! Follow them for more great home organizing tips today.

3. @Theeverygirl

The Everygirl is the ultimate online resource for women. Aside from their amazing lifestyle advice the everygirl also offers home organizing and office styling tips. If you’re a successful career driven women who’re looking to enhance her home office check out @theeverygirl.

4. @Organizedbyaly

Located on the east coast and featured on the Rachael Ray show, Aly Finklestein shows off the ultimate home organization skills. From kitchens to closets @organizedbyaly has got you covered. I mean seriously, can this closet get any cuter? Go ahead, follow her!

5. @Clutterhealing

I don’t know about you but I just love the name of this Instagram account. Clutter Healing is a professional organizer and intuitive house healing service in West Hollywood, California. They provide you with tips and tricks on how to stay organized and live an amazing life as a minimalist. Follow @clutterhealing for more energy healing inspiration.

6. @Organizedliving

Get home improvement ideas at your fingertips when you follow @organizedliving. They’re leading in closet storage systems and organizing tips. You can also find a local Organized Living office to help you. 

7. @Neatmethod

NEAT Method is a luxury home organization service located in over 36 markets across the globe. Their Instagram is the ultimate resource for learning to create style and efficiency in your home. Follow them @neatmethod for more luxurious organizing tips!

Where do you find your inspiration? Do you find it on social media? If so, which Instagram feeds inspire you? Have the accounts we shared in this post inspired you? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! 

By Guest Contributor Organization • Tips and Tricks 6 Comments

Do it Yourself Home Office Updates

Are you looking for new and innovative ways to give your office the update it deserves? Look no further. From office accessories, organization, and even furniture hacks we’ve got the list for you. We rounded up a list of do it yourself home office updates that anyone can do.

DIY Block Calendar

You know those wooden blocks your kids use to play with? They can be turned into a decorative calendar for your home office. And it can be reused 365 days a year. Just paint the blocks any color of your choosing and pop on some number stickers like a dice. Turn the blocks over each day to change the date.

DIY Faux Fur Chair

If you’re going for a glamorous office look you can easily cover your office chair with faux fur giving it the ultimate makeover. This is a good project for anyone looking to restore an old chair by covering up and wear and tear. And the plush fur will give you an extra level of comfort.

DIY Folders

Since you’re going to need a place to organize documents you might as well make them look appealing! DIY fun folders are easy to make. You can design them any way you’d like and even color code them by clients, projects, dates, documents, and more.

DIY Memo Boards

Check out our post on how to make your own memo board here.

DIY Paper Holder

Looking for a way to keep the paper pile on your desk to a minimum? Make a DIY wooden paper holder to hold important stuff on your desk and throw the other things in the shred pile. This office hack keeps your desk neat and organized. And helps to keep important documents from going into the wrong pile, A.K.A the shred pile.

DIY Pencil Cup

Using empty food canisters you can easily make desk organizers to hold your pens and pencils. You can paint them as is or you can wrap some fabric around them. And just like that, you have your own pencil cup!

DIY Storage Boxes

For this project, you can do one of two things. You can take a plastic storage box and spruce it up with some paint, fabric, and stickers. Or you can make wooden storage boxes (they look sharper) and paint them your favorite color. 
By Guest Contributor General Information • Organization 4 Comments

Are You A Hoarder? Recognize The Signs of Hoarding Today

Chances are you’ve stumbled across this article for a reason. Whether that reason is that you, yourself are a hoarder. Or someone you know may be struggling with a hoarding illness. It’s important to know what hoarding is, why people do it, and what it can do to you before getting help.

What is hoarding?

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term hoarding, it means amass of valued objects that are hidden or stored away. However, this term is not to be used lightly as hoarding can be a serious illness that people suffer from. We as humans have a tendency to fall in love with our valuables. We love our objects, sometimes more than we love our own flesh and blood. It’s not our fault, it’s just in our nature. It’s the world we have evolved into today as a species.

Nonetheless, hoarding can be a huge problem. It can cause an array of mental disorders, health complications, and relationship problems. The disorder occurs in an estimated two to six percent of the population and often leads to problems functioning, and emotional distress. It can even lead to being buried alive. Yes, being buried alive can really happen if someone is truly a hoarder.

Why do people hoard?

According to the American Psychiatric Association people with a hoarding disorder feel the need to “excessively save items that others may view as worthless.” So what exactly does this mean? It means that these people have difficulty letting go of objects that they don’t need, use, or that may even be garbage which leads to the disruption of their daily activities by filling their home with clutter.

 

People who hoard often portray the image of being a collector. But here’s the difference, collectors look for specific items to organize and display them, possibly in hopes that one day they can sell them for more money than they spent on the collection in the first place. Hoarders save random objects and store them haphazardly. After a person has gotten really bad into hoarding they will save items that should be removed from the home such as garbage or even animal feces to which they are often in denial about.

This illness often begins with a traumatic loss or grieving. As humans, we have no control over other people or death for that matter. So sometimes the only control a person feels he or she has is over the objects and valuables that they obtain. People with this disorder often believe their valuables will be useful to them in sometime in the future regardless of whether these valuables should actually be discarded or not.

What are the consequences of hoarding disorder?

As previously mentioned about this disorder has a variety of consequences. Including but not limited to problems with social and work activities, loss of important relationships, safety concerns, mental disorders, and health complications. And any children in the home can be removed.

How to know when to see a doctor?

Individuals with this disorder have a hard time discarding their possessions. They tend to have a strong perception that they need to keep the items. There is often a feeling of anxiety or depression that comes with letting go of these objects. If feelings like this arise in the home, it’s time to consult with a professional.

As hard as this might be, if you or someone you know may be struggling with a hoarding disorder you should contact your primary care physician or mental health professional as soon as possible. Many communities have professionals and agencies that are here to help. 

By Guest Contributor Organization • Tips and Tricks 0 Comments

Prepping for a Last-Minute Houseguest

Do you rent out a room in your home on places like Airbnb or HomeAway? Or are you under any circumstances likely to acquire a last-minute houseguest? If so you’ve come to the right place. Maid Sailors has come up with some of the best tips and tricks for keeping your home clean and organized all while being the hostess with the mostest. 

The Food

No matter how your guest comes, whether they are family, friends, or customers you’ll need to consider their food preferences. Maybe one of them is a vegetarian, or allergic to fish or dairy products. Be sure to include a variety of menu options and keep your pantry and refrigerator appropriately stocked. You should always have a case of water on hand as well.

Pro Tip: Having some dessert options available is always a nice treat. Whether you buy them at the store or make them in your own kitchen, packaging up a box of cookies and leaving them on the bed is a sure-fire way to make sure your houseguest never forget you. I mean, who doesn’t love cookies? 

The Essentials

Adding a few niceties in your spare bedroom will be as inviting to your guest as a five-star hotel room. Consider setting out some essentials such as towels and an alarm clock. If you want to provide a little extra luxury you can set out bottles of water, foil-wrapped chocolates, and a few cut blooms in a vase.

It’s the little things that truly matter. In order to make sure you’re really prepared for your last-minute houseguest to consider adding a few necessities to your guest bedroom that will be there when you need them. Have a julep cup on the nightstand of your guest bedroom ready to fill with ice for when your guest arrives. So then place a few cups in the room along with a few bottles of water. Keep a couple of notepads and pens in the drawer in case they need it. And lastly, bulk up on the bathroom supplies like toilet paper. You want to make sure your guest bathroom is always stocked that way they’ll never have to ask for more.

Pro Tip: Keep several sets of guest towels together, bound together with twill or ribbon in the linen closet. And when your last-minute visitors arrive, just transfer a stack from linen closet to guest bedroom piled neatly on the bed.

The Entertainment

Although you might not have a television in your room,  you might want to consider having one in your guest room. If you do already have a television in your room then you’re probably a technology lover and your home is probably filled with technology. In this case, think about creating a DIY manual for your guest to use. This will serve as a hand guide to help them understand how to use devices like a firestick or an echo-device.

The Cleanup

Taking into account some of the tips and tricks we shared, the more prepared you are for your guest the easier it will be to clean up after them. Keeping a cleaning basket stored somewhere in the room will help the process run more smoothly too. In this basket, you’ll keep supplies such as rubber gloves, disinfectant spray, bathroom cleaner, microfiber cloths, and dusting spray. Throw any towels and linens into the washer immediately after your guest departs and get to cleaning. Make sure you clean your fish tank (if you have one) so you make a good impression!

If you plan on having houseguest often it’s a good idea to schedule a deep cleaning once a month to ensure you have a clean space for your guest. Otherwise, a routine cleaning with your supplies after each guest should do the trick. 
By Guest Contributor Cleaning Company • Organization 3 Comments

How to Keep Your Small Bedroom Organized

I don’t know about you but it is easier for me to sleep knowing that I have a cleaned and organized room. And it’s easier to wake up and walk around without tripping over unnecessary clutter on the floor. Am I right? Now with a small bedroom, you just need to get a little more creative with space. It’s not that you can’t get it organized, it’s just that you don’t know how. So today we’re going to give you some tips on how you can get that small bedroom organized.

  1. Think Smaller

Now that you have a smaller room, you need to start thinking like you have a small room if you want to keep it clean and organized. Consider thinking like a minimalist. Start sorting through your things and eliminate the things you no longer use and the things that no longer serve you purpose. You can donate or sell old clothes and get rid of anything that’s broken.

 

If you have unnecessary bedroom furniture, now’s the time to get rid of that too. That ottoman at the end of your bed may look nice and go with your bed set but do you really need it now that you have a smaller room? Probably not. Once you let this stuff go, don’t fall back into your old habits. Staying mindful of your new minimal lifestyle will help you to stay organized in the future.

  1. Utilize The Space

If you have a bed that sits up high from the ground, use it to your advantage. Underneath your bed, or any bedroom furniture that’s off the ground serves as a great storage space for smaller spaces. But don’t just shove things under there. Place them neatly so they’re easily accessible in the future. And so there’s more room for other things.

  1. Search Pinterest

Looking for ideas on how to design and style your small bedroom? Turn to Pinterest. You can find anything on there. It’s important to know your own style prior to doing this. If you don’t know your own style and what you’re into you can easily get lost in the pages of Pinterest finding millions of things you’ll want to do to your room.  

  1. Look Beyond Your Room

Are there things that you don’t need to place in your bedroom but do? For example, your shoes. A lot of people keep their shoes in their rooms and or closets. But if you have a hallway or living room closet you can always put them in there. Look around your home for other places to store things that would normally go in your bedroom but can be placed in another space. This will give you room for more activities.

  1. Keep The Peaceful Environment 

Having a messy or cluttered room can make you feel out of control at times. Keeping your environment clean and free of clutter will help you keep the peace and calmness in it. It can also help improve your sleep and relaxation. You want your room to feel less like a cage and more like a sanctuary even if it is small. Your home is supposed to be your haven. A place where you can feel safe, relax, and enjoy yourself.

 

Have you recently moved into a smaller space? How is it working out for you? Have our tips helped you? Let us know by commenting below!
By Guest Contributor Organization • Tips and Tricks 4 Comments

Tips for Efficiently Organizing Small Living Rooms

When having a small living room, strategic planning is a must. If you carefully plan your living space you can have both a small and a user-friendly space that’s attractive all at the same time. It’s ok to take your time when organizing your small living room. You’ll need to consider a variety of factors including your daily needs, storage, accommodation, and style.

It’s important to utilize the space that you have without overcrowding it. In other words, when organizing a small living room make sure the furniture you choose is appropriate and accommodation. Here’s an example: When looking for chairs and couches, look for furniture that is raised off of the floor. Then you have a little extra storage space underneath. This makes them appropriate and accommodating for your small living space.

Try not to think too closed-minded when organizing a small living room. You don’t need small furniture simply because space is small. You just need to utilize the space that you have accordingly. We have a few tips to help you do just that.

When organizing small living rooms…

Shelving Is A Must

You don’t have to fill your living room with shelves. But having one or two shelves can help you immensely in a small living room. Shelves can also serve as a great tool for decorating in a small space. This is where you’ll store all your pictures or nick-nacks to ensure they are visually captured while being out of the way.

Utilize Decorative Baskets

Decorative baskets are the best thing to have in a small living room. When you don’t have a lot of space you don’t have room to leave toys sit around if you have kids. This is where that decorative basket comes in handy. You can also use them to store blankets for your guest or even magazines.

Have A Coffee Table Tray

Coffee table trays are great for a number of reasons. But they are especially great for organizing small living rooms. If you have a coffee table, setting a coffee table tray on it helps you to minimize that clutter that can normally be found spread all over the coffee table. And you can find them in a number of colors and styles to fit your unique style.