Taming Your Closet—Keep it Organized All Winter Long!

We’re reaching the end of January, and we know what you’re all thinking: is it spring, yet? With the east coast just digging out from the snowstorm of the century, the answer to this question is, unfortunately, no. If you’re getting tired of putting on three or more layers each time you want to leave the house, we feel your pain.

If you’re tired of trying to shove all of those layers back into your closet, you’re not alone. When we talked about preparing for winter, we emphasized the importance of having a system to keep your winter gear as organized as possible. Now that we’re in the midst of winter, you might have found it easier to just toss coats and boots every which way instead of putting them away.

We found a Huffington Post article that really helps reinforce the idea of closet organization. If you feel your sanity slipping away at the expense of your unorganized closet, don’t fear. Browse these ideas and solutions in Korinne Kubena Belock’s article “6 Creative Tips for Organizing All That Winter Gear, ” where she offers creative solutions for trying to optimize space in your closet this winter!

One suggestion: organize items with bins. Bins can be stacked on top of each other on the ground, or they can sit side by side on shelves. Having certain items in a specific bin will make it easier to find gloves or hats when you’re in a rush to leave the house. It’ll also keep clutter away, which will keep your home clean and stress-free!

Another solution Belock offers is to use an over-the-door shoe hanger. While this might not be exactly right for your winter and fall boots, it can be a great solution for storing ballet flat-styled shoes, slippers, running shoes, high heels, and more. Keeping your shoes off the floor or off your shelves frees up space for you to either walk into your closet, or use shelving for sweaters, coats, and more. Plus, having your shoes put away will keep you from tripping over them because they won’t be lying around the house!

When you’re going through and organizing your bins, or placing shoes in your new shoe hanger, keep an eye out for gently-used clothing, jewelry, shoes, and winter gear that you haven’t worn in months or years. If you get the sense that you’ll never these items again, it might be time to donate them! ClothingDonations.org will be happy to come by your home and pick your donation up for you. What’s even better is that your donation will help fund our veterans programs!

Have winter closet organizing tips of your own? We want to hear from you—share your closet cleaning secrets with us!

Give Thanks and Donations this Holiday Season!

We’re just a week away from Thanksgiving, a holiday known for family gatherings, football games, and lots of food. More than anything, it’s a time to be reflect on our lives and feel grateful for all that we have. For many people, Thanksgiving is also a great time for giving. For some that means giving their time and serving a Thanksgiving meal at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. For others, it means donating.

At ClothingDonations.org, we enjoy bringing your donations to individuals and families everywhere, and we love seeing how grateful they are. Not only are you helping these families, but all of your donations and contributions go toward helping our veterans who have fought to give us the freedom we’re so thankful for.

As you’re preparing your home to host the upcoming holiday, take a minute to go through coat closets and dressers for any jackets, sweaters, pants or shoes that you may no longer wear. As we’re getting closer to December, the weather’s getting colder. Your donations will help people prepare for winter. Same with bookshelves and your DVD rack—if you have books you’ve already read, children’s books your kids have outgrown, or movies you no longer watch, donate these items, too.

Kitchenware also makes for a good donation. As you’re preparing your Thanksgiving meal, take note of the kitchen items you no longer use or need. From cookie sheets and Pyrex pans, to pots and skillets, ClothingDonations.org will be happy to help these items find a new kitchen to call home. Simply put your donations in a bag or box marked with the word “Donation.” Then, visit our website to schedule a donation pick-up time. Place the donation box outside by your mail box, and we’ll come and pick it up for you!

A BIG thank you to those who have donated to us in the past, and a thank you to those who will donate to us in the future. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Summer Vacation Doesn’t Have to Mean Summer Clutter!

We can hear it now—the final bell ringing that announces the end of another school year, the bus pulling up to your driveway, and dropping your kids off for a fun, sunshine-filled summer vacation. Or maybe you’re returning home with a college student who is all finished with their first year.

Either situation means that your house will be full of people all day, which makes it more difficult to maintain a clean and organized home. What’s more, your kids will be bringing home locker storage units, unused school supplies, and dorm room furniture that they may no longer need.

If you just spring cleaned and organized your belongings for garage sales, you don’t want to refill your home with more stuff! What can you do?

Consider having the kids immediately sort through their belongings as soon as they get home. In the excitement for summer vacation, they may drop their things at the door and run off to their first summer adventure. By having your kids sort through their school supplies and determine whether they’ll need the futon for their dorm room next year, you can get ahead of the clutter now.

Once they’ve sorted through their belongings, have them place unused school supplies and dorm room items, such as hangers or old clothes, into a box. Then visit ClothingDonations.org to schedule a donation pickup time. We will gladly take any dorm room furniture that is in good condition, too.

Give us a call today to keep your home spacious and clean!