Loudoun Home Consulting, LLC

LeesburgToday Newspaper, Apr 9, 2013, Community Life section:

 "Spruce Up for Springtime"   

Spring cleaning is an annual rite of passage for most households—some view it as a welcome opportunity to clear the cobwebs and shake out winter’s dust, while others see it as a menial necessity. Fortunately, there are certain tips and tricks to make the job easier no matter which way you lean.

Sort It Out

After a long winter cooped up indoors, piles of papers and clutter-filled corners are likely to develop. The first step to a clean home for spring is to dive into those troubling areas and get them sorted out. Unfortunately, says Loudoun Home Consulting owner Janet Hanchuck, that’s also the most difficult part of spring cleaning. ”When you start to organize, whether it’s a big or small job, you still proceed the same way: sort, review, store and label. Sorting is the biggest and hardest thing about getting organized…People get derailed. They get intimidated and feel they don’t know what to do with all the stuff. It can be upsetting and overwhelming.”

Hanchuck recommends finding some large bins or boxes into which items can be sorted. “Be prepared—it will look a lot worse before it looks better,” Hanchuck advises. 

“Don’t start reading entire documents—this can easily get you off track. Your goal is to get through the pile. You are only establishing a general grouping such as: to read, action items, bills to be paid, reference, important papers, investments etc.”

As far as those closets, garages and basements go, Hanchuck says if you haven’t touched an item, let alone thought about it in months, it’s time to let go. She refers to the spaces these items often occupy as “prime real estate” in a home, meaning only the most essential items you use all the time and which need to be easy to locate, should reside there. “Do you use these things? If you never use [an item, figuring that out is] part of the sorting process,” Hanchuck said.

“[For example], your closet—that’s prime real estate. Put things you wear every day in there. The other stuff, if you haven’t worn it, it’s going out or being put away for storage. [Keeping] some sentimental things is okay, but make [the sorting and organizing] happen. It’s the feeling of knowing where everything is and being able to work in an area where everything is clear and clutter-free.”

If you’re in an apartment or smaller home, first begin with the spaces you use most. “You want to keep the momentum going. If you see [the area you’ve sorted and organized] all the time it’s instant gratification, and that helps you keep moving forward,” Hanchuck said.

For whole houses, Hanchuck recommends beginning with the garage or basement, “so you have a place where you can store stuff.” Head to your local hardware store, invest in some sturdy shelving, clear storage bins with lids and labels. Once your items have been sorted, transfer them to a clear bin, label it and put it up for storage.

Sorting is all about staying motivated for the long game—Hanchuck recommends goal-setting to keep up your sense of accomplishment. “Determine a goal date, whether it’s a special event or a long-term goal, and start early,” she said.

”Break the job down into manageable tasks—so, for cleaning the closet, which is a long-term goal [break it down into smaller chunks. For example] Monday: review shoes and purses; Tuesday: try on all pants and shorts; Wednesday: review dresses; Thursday: group blouses and shirts. By Friday the job is done.”

Interview with Janet Hanchuck at the 2011 NAPO Conference, San Diego, CA 

Advocating use of SpaceBags (To View Interview on YouTube, click link below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1cdXB-Ze8o

Loudoun Independent Newspaper, Aug 27, 2008, LoudounI.com, Home Style Section

GET ORGANIZED
By, Janet Hanchuck, Professional Organizer,
Loudoun Home Consulting, LLC

Are you busy and “on the go” all the time?  Do you find yourself searching for car keys or a bill that hasn’t been paid because it’s been misplaced?  Twenty-three percent of adults say they pay bills late (and thus incur fees) because they lose them. “Executives waste six weeks per year searching for lost documents. ” Our hectic lifestyles can make it difficult to stay on top of the overload.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state unequivocally that 80% of our medical expenditures are now stress related.  Here are a few tips to help reduce that stress and organize your life:

Find a home - “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” Create a place to put things -- whether it’s a basket, a bin, a drawer, or closet; this makes clean-up easier for you and your kids. Purge items – “eighty percent of what we keep we never use” or donate to your favorite charity (some professional organizers will take care of removing unwanted items for you).

Logistics – make it “convenient” to be organized.

When you get home from a long day at work and are going through the mail, have the shredder close by, along with the basket of “bills to be paid” next to you; this will prevent generating more piles for later distribution.

Create a specific spot for kids to put books and papers as soon as they walk in the door including a basket or tray for important papers that Mom or Dad needs to read each night.

Mail – this is the biggest culprit of disorganization.  Balance Magazine states, “the average worker sends and receives over 190 messages each day. ” Go through your mail daily to prevent pile-ups and cancel any unread magazine or newspaper subscriptions.

Sort junk mail and shred any personal information (some professional organizers can arrange for shredding onsite).  Create a basket or tray for bills to be paid, filing and actions/follow-ups. Place your incoming mail basket next to your favorite chair so you can relax or listen to the news while sorting; this makes it less of a chore and easier to maintain on a daily basis.

Products – do a little research to find tools to help you get organized. An excellent website “Organized A to Z” is recommended by the National Association of Professional Organizers. You can find a the sweater organizer for your closet or a cell phone holder perfect for the car or home; visit www.organizedatoz.com/

Consider calling a professional organizer – she can get you started, making it easier for you to maintain. To find an organizer in your area contact the National Association of Professional Organizers at  ww.napo.net then select “Public” tab at the top, “Find An Organizer” in the drop down box, type in your Zip code, scroll down and check the box(es) of Service you need, check the “Disclaimer” box at the bottom, then “Find an Organizer” button.

Harris Interactive, Fast company Magazine, 08/04
Fast company magazine, 2/03, pg. 88
Barbara Hemphill, Agency
Sales Magazine, 4/1/03
Fifi Ball, Sally Brickell,
Balance Magazine, Summer 2003 

Article, Senior EXPO Resource Directory, 2010

Too Much Clutter?
By, Janet Hanchuck, Owner Loudoun Home Consulting, LLC
Professional Organizer & Home Stager

Are you saying to yourself, “I’ve just got to get rid of this clutter” or are you tripping over piles of stuff because you don’t know what to do with it?  It’s time to take action before you, or someone visiting you, gets hurt. 

People don’t realize that clutter is actually a safety hazard.  Falls are the number one cause of injury for adults ages 65 and over.  Check your home for cluttered walkways or rooms with too much furniture and then consider donating items to a friend, family member, or charity.  

The #1 reason that people hire a professional organizer is because they have too much clutter!  Less is better.  Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1.  Get help.  Decluttering is not only overwhelming, it is also physically exhausting.  Consider asking family, friends, or church members to help.  Be specific on hours needed, for example, “can you help from noon to three on Saturday?  People are more willing to help if the requested time is not open-ended. 

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is always available to help.  Often clients don’t know what to do with items or where to put them.  A Professional Organizer will establish a system, a “place for everything” so you’ll know where things belong.  For more information visit www.napo.net enter your zip code, select a 5- or 10-mile radius, and you will find a list of organizers in your area. 

2.  Set realistic goals.  It didn’t happen overnight, so don’t expect it decluttered overnight.  Make a list of what needs to be done, and then prioritize.  Instead of “clean the closet today” break it down into more manageable tasks such as, “go through pants today, blouses tomorrow,” etc. until completed.  Achieving your goals will keep you on track and motivated, as well as starting with a room/area where you’ll see immediate results.  Stay focused.  Don’t stop to look at photos; instead, put them in a box for review another day otherwise, you’ll get side-tracked from accomplishing your goal. 

3.  Purge, donate, or sell.  Perhaps you feel an emotional attachment to an item(s) and have a hard time “letting go.”  One 90-year old client said it beautifully, “I’ve enjoyed these things for over 50 years, now I’m moving on to the next phase of my life, and it’s time to let these things go to someone else.”  Consider taking a picture of the item, or giving it to someone that will be happy to have it and will put it to good use.

4.  Take breaks.  Work a while, then take a break, put your feet up, have a cup of tea and relax.  If you push yourself you will burn out and feel frustrated.  Working with someone also helps get the job done faster and keeps you on track.  Now sit back and enjoy your newly organized home!