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Sep 16 2012

20 Days to Organise & Clean your home Challenge – Day 11

Category: Organising

It’s not too late to start!!  Subscribe to the challenge here.  Share your photos on instagram or twitter using #TOH20daychallenge.  Follow along with the discussion on facebook.

<< View the previous task

Please share your progress of the challenge below

Washing Machine - One day many years ago I washed one of my doona inserts and it came out of my washing machine filthy, black marks all over it.  It was then that I realised that washing machine needed to be regularly cleaned.  Cleaning your washing machine will remove the build up from fabric softener and soap and prevent marks and scum appearing on your linens and clothes.  

Find details:

Linen Cupboard – It so easy to accumulate extra bedsheets or towels, from sales, gifts or just because we have to have it.  I’m rather partial to a beautiful quilt and soft towels.  But I need to limit myself as my linen cupboard is only so big and if I was to buy more I wouldn’t have the space.  So my rule is, one in one out but also be realistic when I make the purchase (see more below in new habit).

What I keep in my linen  cupboard: 

  • Top shelf – seasonal linens I don’t regulary use ie blankets, winter sheets
  • 3rd shelf – bath towels – I have one extra towel for each family member plus 4 spare towels
  • 2nd shelf – beach towels, tableclothes
  • Bottom Shelf – Cleaning bucket, cat food, a bag of kitty litter and rags

Linen Cupboard - My linen cupboard was rather neglected for awhile there.  Usually I take 2 minutes to tidy the linen cupboard as I place linens back in, the kids usually prefer the towel at the bottom of the pile which is how it gets messy easy.

Today’s challenge is to tidy it up and organise in a manner that you can easily find something the next time you are looking for it.

Find video tutorial here on how I fold:

before, quite a mess

after

I keep a few extra laundry products here  and extra mop clothes
I use the stackable storage bins from Howards Storage World to store the cat’s litter tray liners, clippers, brush and medication.  In the containers underneath I store my ironing water container, refills for the duster and tissue packets.  I used to use different containers here, however I needed to utilise this space better and using stackable containers make it easer to access everything and fit more into the linen closet if needed.

I keep all extra toilet paper, tissues, paper towel on a shelf in the garage.  It’s my stock pile shelf where I also keep extra laundry detergent, cereals, bathrooms soap etc. I usually purchase two or three of an item we use when I see it on special. 

One in one out  -  Keep buying impulses under control using the one in one out policy.  However consider the one that has to go out, is it still usable?  If yes then you don’t need to get rid of it and you don’t need to buy a new one.  If it wasn’t useable, eg worn or has holes then it can be replaced. 

Tidy under your laundry sink

Day 11 checklist (place in tasks divider)

  

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  • Natalie

    Fold bedsheets and pop inside their matching pillowcase and store. Easy!

    • http://www.facebook.com/amelie.drouin.3 Amelie Drouin

      YES! absolutely. I saw this on Better Homes and Garden and doing this ever since. Changed my linen cupboard forever…

  • http://www.facebook.com/shabbyrose1 Sharon Moon

    Easy day for me, can’t do the lined cupboard as son and partner are soon to move out and into their new home and they have filled my cupboard with their stuff. No room for my things. Once they are gone i will get it all back and then fix it up.

  • Sam

    Oh no I have been dreading this as I have two very overly stuffed linen cupboards lol

  • http://www.facebook.com/amy.reinhardt Amy Reinhardt

    Yay! I actually cleaned my washing machine prior to the challenge so that’s one less for me… thank goodness as I’ve only just finished off last weeks tasks today!

  • http://www.facebook.com/belinda.bonamy Belinda Bonamy

    Woo Hoo – I recently cleaned my washing machine, I dont keep anything but buckets under my laundry sink and my linen cupboards had an overhaul about 6 months ago and have kept it organized since then. It will give me time to catch up on all of the other challenges I haven’t finish :)

  • Ruth

    I like that one. My washing machine has a cleaning cycle every 100 washes, so it was done not so long ago. I can do some catching up on some of the tasks I didn’t get finished.

    • Tammy

      Mine too. In fact it was due the other day when it was laundry cleaning day, so I did it then. One linen cupboard (kids and tablecloths) got a go the other day when I went to put all the folded linen away and it was a mess, the other (main bed, all blankets) was done recently when I regretfully gave up my blanket box. There was no longer room for it when we rearranged the room, and with a big flat surface, it was collecting too much clutter.
      Have to say, I do the Martha Stewart fold, have been doing it for over 15 years (since having to do our laundry at the laundromat and the lovely woman was in hysterics watching hubby and I trying to fold sheets and showed us how!). Recently have started bundling sheets sets though, instead of storing fitteds, flats and pillowslips separately.
      A day for catching up.

  • http://www.facebook.com/cathy.amarantidis Cathy Amarantidis

    yay! cleaned under the laundry sink during the laundry challenge in the 1st week, cleaned my washing machine that day too and my linen cupboard isnt that bad so should’t take too long! Will give me time to do the food shopping!

  • Cakebaker

    This will be one task I’ve been looking forward to doing. I have a very tiny linen cupboard. It only has minimal room so I only use it for sheets and towels. I have recently started using Martha Stewart’s idea of folding and storing sheet sets..It has made a lot of extra space and looks very organized.

  • http://www.facebook.com/cathy.amarantidis Cathy Amarantidis

    just realised I fold my fitted sheets like Martha Stewart already! And for another towel folding suggestion google Anthea Turner (Perfect Housewife UK) – i love how she folds hers (i do them this way too now) – no edges any way you look at them!

    • Cakebaker

      Thanks for the tip I’ll check out the link….

  • Alli

    I have been dreading this one. We have a walk in linen and so it not only has linen but all out board games, camping gear, old stereo system as well as wine and suitcases! Basically it is our junk room! But… I am determined!

  • Kathryn

    I’m loving this challenge, but feel it will be a 40 day challenge. Last week ended up quite busy and didn’t get to do some of the things… but needs to be done! I will be making a separate list to each day and get back to them after the challenge, or squeeze them in somewhere over next 2 weeks. Loving the emails Katrina… thank you so much :)

    • Angela Grimsdale

      I totally agree. I haven’t tackled the spare room or the oven. I have to admit I am procrastinating on the oven as it is one of my least favourite things to clean though the nappysan is a great idea.

  • http://www.facebook.com/amy.foureur Amy Foureur

    I’m a bit of a towel hoarder. the only problem with having heaps of towels is that instead of using the same one for a couple days, my family seem to use a new one every day and leave them on the floor so they get smelly and then I have to wash them! I used to buy new quilt covers all the time coz there is so many pretty ones out there but now I finally have one that I love to death so I never change it.
    I cleaned out my linen cupboard b4 the challenge started so I’m ahead this week yay!

  • Treens

    i had the same Issue with my kids picking and choosing towels – i chucked everything we have and now my oldest has Purple towels, the middle has Pink Towels and the little ferret has blue towels, now there is no digging – and no sharing towels (or dreaded headlice)

  • Ruth

    OH MY GOD!!! I just thought I would look at how dirty my washing machine was on the inside. I always wipe down the outside on a regular basis. The softener dispenser was disgusting! Just scrubbed it out and the machine is busy doing its cycle on hot with vinegar. Now I’m wondering if my washing will be cleaner even though I’ve never noticed a problem before! Just loving this challenge, now I’ll have more time tomorrow to do the linen cupboard. Thanks!!

  • Guest

    TRICK to keep bed sheets together ladies, fit the folded sheets INSIDE one of the pillow case. Haha! no more losing those cases and sheets dont get messed up. (I saw this on “Better Homes and Gardens” years ago!)

  • http://www.facebook.com/sharon.young.5836 Sharon Young

    Yay, I don’t need to do anything for this day. I love to keep my linen cupboard tidy and uncluttered, I just got a new washing machine so it won’t need a clean and I did under the laundry sink last week when I couldn’t find something. Now I can go through some more of my recipes to look at what I want to keep / get rid of.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ktlenon Katie Lenon

    I just did my washing machine! The seal was full of mould! Horrible!!

  • Kylie W

    Yay! Easy day for me, but at least it was something I could have easily achieved. I’ve been finding it difficult this past week, esp with spending 2 days in bed sick. Now I’m playing catchup, but at least my washing machine is already clean as it’s a weekly task after washing hubby’s work clothes. Under the sink was cleaned out a month ago and it’s never used. Linen cupboard needs a bit of a tidy up, but it is organised at least.
    I didn’t get the oven done, but I think I’ll tackle that after all our guests have gone home.

  • http://www.facebook.com/alicia.rijslugton Alicia Rijs- Lugton

    Good idea with the matching sheets sets. I’m going to try this today. Also I fold my towels the same as you, it really frustrates me when other people try to “help” me & fold my towels all wrong. I might not be the tidiest person but I am actually fussy about how my things should be when they are tidied away. ;-) I guess I feel that if your going to do something do it properly or don’t do it at all. That’s why I’m loving this challenge, because even though its taking a month it will all get done “properly”!! :-)

  • Jessica

    Can someone please tell me if the vinegar goes in the drum or in the washing powder bit of a front loader?

  • http://www.facebook.com/sandymumfour Sandy Robinson

    I am so loving your challenge. I am a mum of 4 girls and I found the house was beating me. Nothing would stay tidy, everything kept getting lost and even after spending a whole day cleaning the house still looked crap. I am using this challenge to clean and organize each room to be painted and redecorated. My girls have noticed the difference and are trying too. So THANK YOU for getting my family excited and helping me keep on top of the house not the other way round. Bring on the next challenge:)

  • http://www.facebook.com/heidi.schirmer Heidi Schirmer

    im in love with the challange so perfect timing i hav a bub on the way 11wks to go and this is helping me get the house in order
    also im printing and leminating the check lists so i can use it over again to do checks and keep on top of everything
    thanks so much :) :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/katrina.christophers Katrina Christophers

    i have started to put my sheets in with there matching pillowcases, to help save space in the cupboard, so i can add a box, for my “present box”, the things you see on sale and grab for people for christmas and birthdays, (or for the ones you forget about)..

  • Michelle

    Yay! I was just looking in my linen cupboard over the weekend, thinking I hope this comes up soon. I think I have about 30 pillowcases in there…probably 25 too many…

  • Outontheranch

    I am loving the daily tasks but as someone who lives on a farm with tank water so many of the tasks use lots of water! Is there a way to clean the washing machine without wasting a full cycle? I felt guilty using a whole bath of water for the oven!

    • http://www.facebook.com/krmayne Kylie Mayne

      Wipe and scrub it out with vinegar and water. Then just rinse it a little. The residue wont hurt your washing, and will actually help a little if you do towels or something like that in your next load.

  • Kerrie

    The linen cupboard for me is an easy one…
    I keep things in the plastic storage tubs for ease
    * Bed sheets, pillow cases and doona covers* Table linen (some of which was handed down from my grandmother)* First aid (medications are in another box on the top shelf Towels are in specific piles on two shelves (normal bath towels, bath mats, washers, hand towels, guest towels and beach towels).
    The ironing board and iron also have a hanging space on the door with a little basket for the ironing gadgets and starch spray.
    I also keep the spare toilet paper, tissues and toiletry bags in one area of the cupboard given its in the bathroom.

    Washing machine done :)
    Just to do the cupboard under the laundry sink now….

  • Anne

    Now this is the one I have ben dreading – I nearly need to wear a hard hat to do this job. I’m sure it will be very satisfying…

  • Bonnie

    Iam loving the challenge, but also think that it is going to be longer than 20 days as I work three days per week – but hey, it will be done by Christmas. I have found that I can no longer bear a cluttered kitchen counter and have managed to keep on top of that. I did the bathrooms over the weekend. And I am delighted to say that I had done the linen closet a few weeks back and still smill everytime I look in there. I think I still need to get rid of some doonas, but am so pleased with progress and enthusiasm I feel for this challenge. Thanks Katrina!
    PS- yes I am also a fan of the bed sheets in the pillow case storage technique. Had my husband so confounded at first that I still laugh at the memory of the look on his face.

  • http://twitter.com/lil_hawks Liz Hawkins

    So what do we use for the mould in/on the seal??? Bleach or no bleach?

  • Angela

    so i’m part way through the linen cupboard i have oodles of enviro bags does anyone have a great idea on how to store them /keep them tidy? Thanks

    • http://www.facebook.com/krmayne Kylie Mayne

      Are those like the woolworths green bags? I fold them up then store them all in one. I use the freezer ones to hold all the others.

    • Angela Grimsdale

      I pick the biggest, nicest looking one as a storage for the other ones and keep most of them in the boot of my car for shopping trips. I need to cull some of them as they are so easy to accumulate. I cull them by filling them up with stuff to take to op shops.

  • Joe

    I am so far behind, but with holidays soon upon us, and hubby taking a week off, hoping to catch up with the rest. So glad I have joined.

  • Sam

    I got stuck in yesterday as I have two linen cupboards to contend with. It felt so good this morning dropping off about six bags of odds and ends at the local charity shop :o )

  • lee-ann

    i gave all my old linen to the animal rescue because even if they have hole in them they can stll dry animals

  • Fleur

    What a difference! It feels so good to see the house transforming! I am loving the challenge!

  • Kyls

    A great tip that my mum taught me!!
    Is that when you have a set of sheets/pillowcases all folded nicely. Put them in one of the pillow cases to the set is all stored together. Its great! It keeps the sets of sheets together and also makes the cupboard look really tidy!

  • Sara

    I like todays tasks!! I clean my washing machine after each wash already by wiping the wet away, especially on the door seal and leaving the door open. I also do the monthly vinegar wash. I sorted my linen cupboard ( or airing cupboard as we call it) a few weeks back so that’s done too! I also store bed sets inside one of the pillow cases to keep everything together. I can now spend today catching up on the tasks I’m behind with. Hello Oven……………. :(

  • http://www.facebook.com/jodie.moss Jodie Moss

    That was the most disgusting job. i never knew i had to clean my washer. it was so gross!!!! i kinda wish i could live in ignorant bliss lol. thanks for the tip- only got that done today

  • Sylvia

    Hello
    Do you have a tip on how to keep your towels soft? I wash them and use fabric softener but they don’t come out all that soft. Hubbie thinks its because the spin cycle is too high?

  • kirsten

    I couldn’t believe how dirty the inside of the washing machine was!! thanks so much for that challenge! looks so much cleaner.

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