Project of the Day #11: Clean and Organize the Refrigerator
We’re stepping it up today! Cleaning out your refrigerator might take you a little more time, but it’s probably about time you do it after two weeks of constant use. This is another one of those projects that is very visually satisfying every time you open your fridge. Here are the steps we recommend:
Step 1: Take Everything Out
You know the drill by now: take everything out of the fridge. Check for items that are expired or spoiled and toss those.
Step 2: Clean the Refrigerator
Wipe down the entire inside of the refrigerator with a microfiber cloth or paper towels and an all purpose cleaner. If there are pieces like drawers that can be removed, do that and clean them with warm water and dish soap in the sink.
Step 3: Label
Before you put everything back, make sure you label items that need it. Label leftovers in containers with the name of the item and the date it was made. This will help you know what to use up first when reaching for your next meal. Here are some items we recommend for easy labeling in the refrigerator:
These write on glass or acrylic containers and wipe or wash off beautifully:
The Original Wine Glass Markers – (Set of 5 Wine Markers)
For plastic or Tupperware-type containers, we recommend these:
L LIKED Blank White 1 x 2 Inch Disolvable Labels
We also like to use a Sharpie or marker to write on the outside of a condiment, box of broth, or jar of sauce.
Step 4: Put Items Back and Organize
Put all of your items back. As always, sort like with like.We like to use a few bins in the refrigerator for keeping things sorted by category. Here are a few items we like:
Sorbus Fridge Bins Stackable Containers
Produce Saver Refrigerator Organizer Bins
mDesign Plastic Free-Standing Water Bottle and Wine Organizer
For jars and bottles that are too numerous to fit into the compartments in the door of the refrigerator, we like to use a lazy susan to ensure that those items don’t get lost. Here is a nice one that is easy to keep clean:
OXO Good Grips Lazy Susan Turntable, 16-Inch, White
And now you’re done! You’ll be so happy you did this – every time you open your fridge, you’ll marvel at the great work you’ve done! As always, please snap a pic and tag us on social media or send to us!
Project of the Day #10: Send a Few Notes
I know, you’re thinking “This isn’t an organizing task!” But hear me out!
At least some of the people reading this have sending a few thank you notes on their to do list. Just sit down for 10 minutes and get them done.
If you don’t have any thank you notes to send, just write a few hand written notes to people. It will make you feel good and accomplished. And the recipient will be thrilled to receive it! It feels good to get offline and connect with people in a way that humans have been connecting for a very long time.
Nicole’s children have been writing hand written notes and cards to their friends and have really enjoyed it. Consider getting your kids involved!
I like to use a favorite pen and some nice stationery for my notes. I also like to get cool stamps at the post office whenever I visit to affix to my envelopes.
If you’re unsure of how to start a thank you note, here is a great guide or formula from the Spruce that will work very well.
We feel especially good about this because by mailing your notes or cards, you’ll be helping the men and women of the U.S. Postal Service who are out there every day making at least that part of the world function.
So thank you to Neatnik’s readers and followers. Have a great weekend and we’ll be back on Monday with some new projects!
Video: Makeup Declutter Tutorial
Project of the Day #9: Declutter Your Makeup
If your make-up collection is anything like mine, it includes the following types of items. Makeup you:
- Like and use all the time
- Thought you’d like at the store, but don’t
- Wore when you were younger
- Bought for a special night out that you don’t wear when special night out comes around
- Got for free
- Bought online that is not good
That about sums up my make up collection! I’m a bit of a reformed junkie – my collection is pretty under control, but I have purchased A LOT of make-up in my day. So I speak from experience when I provide to you the following steps to declutter your make-up:
Step 1: Take Everything Out
You know the drill by now! Take everything out of where you store it. Every last 1997 Revlon lipstick!
Step 2: Sort and Discard
Start by sorting everything by category – lipsticks, eyeliners, powders, etc.
Then go through each item. If an item meets the following criteria, then discard it:
- You don’t wear it and would not wear it.
- It is old.
Believe it or not, make-up has expiration dates. It’s painful to hear since many of us have spent loads of money on this stuff. Each piece should have a little symbol on it with a number in the middle. This indicates the number of months it is good for. It looks like this:
But if you can’t find that, here are some basic make-up expiration guidelines:
- Eyeliner: 6 months to 1 year
- Lipstick: 2 years
- Mascara: 3-6 months
- Blush, eye shadow, and other powder cosmetics: 1-2 years
- Foundation: 6 months to 2 years
It’s like ripping a band-aid; just do it and get it over with!
Step 3: Clean
Wipe down the drawers or cabinets where you store your make-up and all of the containers. If your containers are really gross, take them to the kitchen and wash them with hot water and a bit of dishwashing liquid.
Step 4: Organize
Put your culled down collection back in a way that makes sense for you. Sort like with like – lipsticks together, foundation together, etc. If you’d like to get some new make-up organizers, here are a few that we like:
STORi Premium Quality Clear Plastic Makeup Palette and Brush Holder
hblife Clear Makeup Brush Holder Organizer
STORi Clear Plastic Makeup & Vanity Drawer Organizers | 10 Piece Set
Bonus Step: Wash Your Brushes
Don’t think about the last time you did this – you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life right now. Just get a bar of soap or some old shampoo and wash and rinse them all. You’ll feel so accomplished!
And now you’re done! Good for you. Try putting on a little bit of make-up everyday to make yourself feel a little more human. And maybe try out those lipsticks that you kept but weren’t sure about? Take a picture of your organized set-up and send it to us!