You may have discovered that there is rarely enough space for all your stuff in your home.

The good news is that there are many ways to organize your home and get all that clutter under control. You just have to get a little creative with creating storage space.

Here are a few tips and tricks to finding a place for all of your things so that you can have enough space to breathe and not feel the cramped pressure of clutter.

Reduce Your Clutter

• Closets were meant for ‘now’ items like linens, clothes, shoes and jackets. If you only use it once a year, it needs another home.
• Under the bed and under the stairs are great places to stash stuff. Get the right sized containers so that nothing gets crammed anywhere.
• Attics are actually pretty lousy storage space because you’re having to climb up a rickety ladder with arm loads of stuff to put it up there. It’s not climate controlled and if there are critters living anywhere in your house, the attic is the most likely spot. It’s a great place for Santa to hide presents, but other than that most attics are full of hassles for storing things.
• In the kitchen you can de-clutter your cabinets by hanging your pots and pans, mounting a knife rack on the wall and hanging a fruit holder from the ceiling as well.
• Renting a small storage unit is the best for seasonal items like holiday decorations and outdoor summer equipment or pool toys. Just rotate items in and out based on their use and enjoy the freed up space in your home.

There is no reason to live under the burden of clutter.

You and your family will feel better if you have everything under control and out of the way.

Tim Eyre works in the self storage industry, regularly traveling to see locations like East Boston self storage facility. In many locations, like self storage unit in York, Tim helps his customers store seasonal sports gear when it is not being used for outdoor activities or equipment for home improvement projects that are waiting to happen.

There seems to be no limit to what you can do with old socks. My good friend Karen came up with a way to use them with the Swiffer.

As a pet owner, I love the Swiffer for keeping the hard floors clean. If you aren’t aware, you can also use it as a wet mop.

A greener option to the wet pads is using socks.

Take 2 worn out white socks and turn them inside-out. Run them under hot water with a few drops of dish soap and wring it out.

Stretch one over each end of a standard Swiffer sweeper. Make sure the rougher side is the part you will be using on the floor.

This cleans the floor better than the wet pads do because of the texture, and they are completely FREE.

Best of all, you can launder and reuse them!

I tried it out and it worked great. You can even replace the socks with dry ones to run back over the floor to dry it.

See more uses for your old socks.

Trying to hunt down a document you need in a sea of unorganized piles of paper is a frustrating experience.

Whether it is the power bill that is due today, five years of mortgage statements for a refinance, or just the warranty for your lawn mower that broke, disorganization can lead to more than stress.

It’s costing you real money and time because you may be:

1. Replacing your appliances and electronics that are still under warranty because the booklet/receipt is lost.
2. Losing tax deductions because of lost receipts and paperwork.
3. Racking up late fees due to misplaced bills.
4. Missing opportunities to use the coupons buried in a pile on your desk.
5. And most importantly, wasting your precious time looking for documents.

How much is your time worth?

Would you agree that investing a few hours into organizing all the paper in your home is worth gaining the ability to quickly find any document you need in less than a minute?

If you are drowning in piles of paper and ready to make a change, my book “Crawl Out From Under the Paper” will help you get a filing system that is easy to manage set up in no time. I even give you preprinted file labels that cover almost anything you could need to file.

BONUS chapters include how to organize your bills, organize files on your computer, a family chore chart, and other time-saving tips.

In honor of January, the time to make resolutions to get organized, the ebook is only $5.99 to download for a limited time. PLUS this year $1 for every book purchased will go to Kiva.org. Get the book here and make 2012 the year you get organized.

1. Measuring Messy Ingredients

   One of my favorite kitchen tools, an adjustable measuring cup, makes accurately adding sticky ingredients such as honey, mayo, peanut butter, and sour cream a breeze.

   Simply slide the 2 pieces apart to adjust it to the measurement you want and fill. Hold over the bowl and push to release the contents. A swipe of a spatula to finish and no more scraping to get the contents out.

   The two pieces separate for quick cleaning.

2. Getting tomato paste out of the can

   Getting tomato paste, refried beans, and other thick canned goods out of the container is sticky business.

   Using the same plunging idea as the adjustable measure cup above, Cooking Louisiana has a wonderful solution. Open both ends of the can and push the lid through on one side pushing the entire contents out. More great kitchen tips are available on their site.

   
   

3. Corn without any silk left

   Getting the silt off the corn with a vegetable brushes doesn’t seem to do the trick for me, and we are left eating pulling off a few strands as we eat.

   My blogging friend, Allen, found a wonderful technique for cooking corn and ended up with ZERO silt left on it. See the video at Simple Life Prattle. Purchasing corn still in the husk is cheaper, so there is no excuse left not to indulge in a few ears.

   
   

4. Peeling tomatoes

   When a recipe calls for peeled tomatoes, I go with the canned version. Now that I know the trick to make this easy, I will opt for fresh tomatoes next time.

   “To peel tomatoes, place 2 cups of boiling water in a container, add the tomatoes and heat on high for 1 min. Plunge into cold water and the skin will peel of easily.” Tip compliments of Waveware.com.

   
   

5. Keep lettuce fresh

   Wilting lettuce isn’t appetizing. HomeEverAfter.com gives a few alternatives to keeping your lettuce fresher longer.

   I wrap mine in paper towels before placing them in the crisper.

Got any Kitchen Tricks to share?

One of the biggest problems that home owners face is not utilizing space properly.

From overfilled rooms to cluttered corners, spaces seem to become smaller every single day. If you fall into this category, chances are that you aren’t making the most of the space in your home.

The following tips will be beneficial in helping you take back your space.

• Get rid of stuff you do not need.

  To make the most of your space, this step is a MUST. You have to go through all the “stuff” you have and get rid of things that you don’t need. If you haven’t used it recently, or do not particularly care for it, get rid of it!

• Get organized.

  Staying organized is the key to making the most of any space in your home. Spend the day getting organized. You will feel immediate relief once you know where everything is. Find a home for everything and make sure it stays put.

• Bring in more storage.

  Making the most or your space involves finding storage solutions. You can actually purchase storage binds, organizers, etc. to add to your space that will give it a neat, classy look. While it may take up some room, the space will feel larger because things are put neatly away.

• Utilize unused spaces.

  Are there any wasted spaces in your home? Many times, bedroom closets, stairwells, and alcoves can be culprits for wasted space. Make sure that you are utilizing each and every inch of your home. Add in shelves for convenience and storage.

• Find a creative way to position furniture.

  Furniture will undoubtedly take up the most space in your home. Finding a creative way to position furniture will leave your space feeling larger and more organized.

• Think outside of the box in terms of furniture.

  When choosing pieces for your space, be sure to get the most out of it. Thinking outside the box is sometimes necessary, especially if your space is really small. Instead of using end tables, use night stands with storage. This is just one example.

• Choosing the right color.

  Color can make a huge difference in your space. For smaller spaces, choose light, soft colors to make the room appear larger. Dark colors tend to make a room feel drab and closed in.

• Adding in mirrors.

  Mirrors do wonders in small spaces. Large mirrors help the room seem more spacious. A mirror is a must have for any space.

• Lighting counts.

  How is the lighting in your home? Changing up lighting can have a dramatic impact and help you get the most out of your space. Lighting that is bulky or too large will draw attention to the ceiling. Be sure to scale the lighting to fit your space.

• Keep toys where they belong.

  If you have little ones running around, it can be difficult keeping the toys where they belong. Toys usually end up in every single room in the home. Teach your kids where the toys belong. The toys should have a designated space.

• Keeping the space clutter free.

  Rooms filled with tons of stuff can seem stuffy and unorganized. Keep the space clutter free for a clean, spacious feel. Limit knick knacks, wall art, etc. to just a few simple pieces if the room is overly small.

• Allow for open space.

  Get out of the mindset that every single corner in your house has to be filled. Leave a few walls open so that the room doesn’t have a crammed look. Open and airy is the way to go.

• Invest in book cases.

  Book cases can do far more than just store a few hundred books. They are the ultimate storage solutions and can be used in any room in the house. In kitchens, they can serve for a lack or cabinet space to organize dishes. In bathrooms they can hold towels, washrags, soap etc. There are limitless uses for book case. However, you must keep them clean and de-cluttered for them to effectively serve their purpose of making the most of your space.

• Make sure the space is comfortable and livable.

  What is the use of creating a space in your home, if your family or friends cannot be comfortable in it? Make the most of your space by creating a comfortable atmosphere that people will want to enjoy. Use comfortable fabrics. Going overly fancy will not be inviting.

• Maintain the space once you are satisfied.

  Once you get the space the way that you want it, it is important to maintain it. Don’t do all the hard work only to have to do it over again in the near future.

The tips above will help you make the most of any space in your home. How long will you wait to get the space that you truly desire? Get started today!

Marina is on online entrepreneur and co-owner of artificial flowers and plants website located at 1001ArtificialPlants.com

Recently I’ve been trying out new eco-friendly products through a company called Blissmo.

At a 50% to 70% savings, you can try organic & sustainable alternatives to conventional products.

There are two purchase options:

• A monthly subscription where you select one from a few choices of boxes each month. The boxes don’t list the exact contents but are focused around a specific theme such as Fun in the Sun (water bottle, sunscreen, etc.)
• By purchasing the daily special.

I’ve ordered both ways, and was very happy with the products I received.

Learn About Blissmo

Blissmo was founded by social entrepreneurs with backgrounds working for companies such as Kiva, at which I’m a supporter. Read more about why you should buy sustainable and organic products on their site.

Other Eco-Friendly Places

Read about an online marketplace with similar goals at E-Commerce With A Conscience.

Lemons are a natural cleaner

The acid in lemon juice helps cut through grease and removes dirt and rust stains. It’s especially effective when mixed with salt, which makes “an excellent scouring paste,” says Karyn Siegel-Maier, author of The Naturally Clean Home.

The many uses of lemons include:

Air Freshener:

Combine 1/2 quart hot water with equal parts baking soda and lemon juice (about a teaspoon each)

Cleaner for…

• Countertops: Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle countertops; wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Don’t use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel (it may discolor).
• Cutting boards: To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
• Dishes: To increase the grease-cutting power of your dishwashing detergent, add a teaspoon of lemon juice, but don’t use with silver.
• Faucets: Combat lime scale by rubbing lemon juice onto the taps and letting it sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.
• Garbage disposal: Cut a lemon in half, then run both pieces through the disposal. “The lemon cleans it and makes it smell great,” says Linda Mason Hunter, a coauthor of Green Clean (Melcher Media, $17, amazon.com).
• Grout: Spilled morning coffee on your tile countertop or backsplash? Here’s how to tackle grout stains: Add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (an acidic salt that acts as a natural bleaching agent) to make a paste. Apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.
• Hands: When you touch raw fish, the smell can linger on your fingers. Rub your hands with lemon juice, which will neutralize the odor.
• Laundry: To brighten whites, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle for a normal-size load.
• Plastic food-storage containers: To bleach stains from tomato soup and other acidic foods on dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let dry in a sunny place, then wash as usual.

Fooducate is an iPhone app that can help you make some quick product comparisons with just a scan of the UPC bar code. It only works on US products at the moment.

You have instant access to helpful nutritional information:

Grade: Each product is given a grade with A-B representing the better choices.

Calories: Lists the calories per serving

Screenshot from Fooducate.com

• Contains trans-fats
• 2.5 tsp of sugar per serving
• Contains controversial artificial colors

It is able to identify problem items in the ingredient list that you might not be familiar with.

Beyond Nutritional Statistics

The thing I love most about this app is the ability to find better alternatives to this item. If you click the “alternatives” tab, a list of other choices and their grades allow you to do some comparison.

You can either scan a product bar code or manually enter in a food item.

I was shocked at the bad grade for items I thought were healthy snacks. It’s a real eye opener to discover what some manufacturers sneak into their products.

By the way, the app is FREE!! If you have an iPhone, you can find it at the iTunes app store.

The tax deadline is quickly approaching.

How can you make next year’s tax time less stressful?

Create two files in your filing cabinet called “Current Year’s Taxes” and “Last Year’s Taxes”.

Current year’s tax file

This is your catch-all file for anything you will need for filing taxes such as:

• Donation receipts – place copies of your checks, donation thank you letters, or even hand scribbled notes as reminders of the donations you made. Include the receipt if you donated items you purchased.
• End-of the-year forms such as W2s, mortgage interest statements, etc. File them immediately when you receive them so they don’t get lost in a pile of paper.
• Any other information you will need for filing your taxes.

When it comes time to file your taxes, everything you need can be found in this file. No more hunting around for receipts or trying to remember what donations you made throughout the year.

Last Year’s Tax File

Keep the past year’s tax folder for easy reference when filing your taxes.

Tax time can be a little less stressful with some simple organization.

These household supplies can cause injury or death not only if swallowed, but also if improperly handled. You must store these cleaning supplies properly in your home to ensure the health and safety of your family. Though many cleaners sold today are called “green” because they are made from all-natural ingredients, this only lessens the chance of harm and does not completely eliminate it.

No matter which type of household cleaning supplies you keep in your home, you must store and dispose of these products in a safe manner. An added benefit is that proper storage will prolong the useful life of your cleaning supplies.

Here’s a list of the ten most useful tips for storing cleaning supplies in your home.

• #Tip 1. Always place cleaning supplies far out of reach of children by placing the containers in storage cabinets mounted high above the floor. Even though it is handy to do so, do not keep your dish washing liquids and dishwasher detergents in a cabinet under the sink.
• #Tip 2. Install child-safety locks and child-proof latches on all floor-level cabinets in the bathroom and kitchen, even if you’ve stopped storing cleaning supplies there (chemical traces may still linger from when you did store the supplies there). Don’t forget about the cabinets under the island counter top.



• #Tip 3. Store all cleaning supplies in their original containers. If the original container is ripped, broken, or otherwise compromised, throw the container and its contents away according to the dictates of your local trash disposal laws. Never store cleaning supplies in other containers, especially any that were originally made for food or drink – a child may see a soda bottle full of bleach and think it’s a bottle of soda!
• #Tip 4. Read the warnings on the labels of all cleaning supplies to determine which ones might be flammable. Keep flammable cleaning supplies in a cool dry location in your house, and never near a flame, an electrical ignition source, or in sunlight. Keep these flammable cleaning supplies in their marked original containers in a locked storage cabinet.
• #Tip 5. Another potential problem can also be averted by reading the label. Never ever store cleaning supplies made with a base solution (such as ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide) next to cleaning supplies made with an acid solution (such as acetic acid (lemon or citrus cleaners), sulfuric acid, or hydrochloric acid). Acids and bases are substances that are totally incompatible with each other – if an acid solution comes in contact with a base solution, the disastrous result will be toxic fumes and, possibly, an explosion.
• #Tip 6. Use cleaning supplies only in a place that has proper ventilation. If not stored properly, some cleaners may emit fumes that can overwhelm you when you open the container. Be sure that the place where you will be working is properly ventilated. If, while working, you begin to feel light-headed or faint, seal the container and go outside for some fresh air.
  
  
  Make sure the storage space you are using to store your cleaning supplies is also ventilated. If you smell an overwhelming odor when opening such a storage space, move away and open doors and windows to ventilate the area. A container may have burst and might be leaking – check back later with breathing safeguards and dispose of the broken container properly.
• #Tip 7. Never ever leave a bottle or container of cleaning supplies open and unattended while you’re doing your cleaning. Always close and put away the cleaning supply if you are interrupted. You do not want any temptation sitting around that may harm your child out to explore what you had been doing.



• #Tip 8. When cleaning, take only the proper amount that you need from the container, seal the container back up, and store the container away immediately. Use the proper equipment for handling the cleaning supply material, as recommended on the label. Do not ignore any warning that says you should use such protective gear such as gloves or goggles.
• #Tip 9. When you are all done with cleaning, properly dispose of the materials that touched the cleaning chemicals. At this point, rags and paper towels may now be very flammable. Government safety standards (again, on the label) will tell you how to dispose of this waste material in the least dangerous manner.
• #Tip 10. Know what to do if a problem arises with human or animal contact with these cleaning supplies. Based on the information on the warning labels of the cleaning supplies, create and keep nearby a first-aid kit that includes any emergency-wash liquids.
  

  Keep a list of telephone numbers in the kit for:

  

  • National Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
  • Your doctor
  • Your nearest hospital
  • Your local ambulance service

James Adams writes and is a reviewer at SparesNextDay.co.uk, suppliers of the cheapest hoover bags.