In a few days it will be the fourth of July and many Americans around the nation are currently planning and organizing an Independence Day barbecue picnic.  We often tend to think of barbecuing as something we do for a special occasion, but a dinner barbecue can easily be incorporated into your schedule on an ongoing basis, especially if you have the convenience of cooking on a gas grill and are organized with all the necessary tools and equipment to grill whenever the mood strikes.

There’s something special about food that has been prepared on a grill.  Barbecued food tastes better, cooks faster, and is usually healthier. Cooking meats, like beef and chicken, on a grill can be better for your health because the excess oils are able to easily drain from the meat during the cooking process.

Special grilling tools are required for barbecuing.  For convenience, I recommend purchasing a set of grill tools that are organized in a hard case or bag.  After each use, take the time to return your tools to the bag or case and you will always know where they are when you need them.

Also, purchasing the right quality grill tools will provide you with all that you need for a successful grilling experience.  Check out these grill accessory sets and more outdoor organization and entertaining products at Home Storage Warehouse.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com

Looking for ways to trim your household budget and also help save the planet?  Start drying your clothes on a clothes line or dryer rack instead of using a clothes dryer.  You might be surprised to learn that in many other countries, drying clothes outside on a clothes line is very much the norm.  For example, in England, many households may own a clothes dryer, commonly known as a tumble dryer, but generally only use it on a rainy or very cold day.  

Dryers work by using heat and rapid air movement - usually heated by electricity or gas, and are one of the most expensive and energy intensive household appliances to run.  So this is a good place to start if you’re trying to save money on your household bills.    

Still not convinced?  Here’s a few good reasons why line drying is best:

• You will save money on your household energy bill
• Your clothes will last longer - dryers can be hard on clothing
• Your clothes will dry naturally and without the added chemicals of fabric softener or dryer sheets
• Your clothes will bleach naturally by the sun
• By saving energy, you are helping to save the planet
• You might even get some exercise, if you have a lot of laundry to hang!

If you feel like you don’t have the time to hang dry all of your clothes, then start by hanging a few for each load.  Once you get into a habit, you’ll be able to build it into your schedule and you’ll find that it doesn’t really take up that much more time.  Or, maybe you live in a community that do not allow outdoor clothes lines.  That’s a shame, but you needn’t worry because there are half a dozen indoor dryer racks to choose from, which will allow you to hang your clothes in the laundry room, over the bathtub or over a sink.   Check these out at www.HomeStorageWarehouse.com. Click on each picture for more details. 

INDOOR RACKS:

OUTDOOR RACKS:

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com

Father’s day is coming up soon on Sunday, June 21^st.  So there’s still time to get dad a great Father’s day gift. 

Dads can be hard to buy for.  They tend to live a little simpler than us ladies!  However, there are still plenty of gift ideas that dad will love, but may not think to buy for himself.

If dad tends to be a bit of a clutter-bug, consider the gift of organization.  Men often need help with keeping their clothes and accessories organized. Closet organizing ideas included elegant and faux leather tie racks, chrome tie and belt holders, over the door pocket shoe holders, baseball cap organizers and much more.           

You could even surprise dad with a quick closet makeover!  No custom built-ins here.  You really can completely change the look of a closet in one day or less, by adding the various tie, belt and cap holders already mentioned, plus storage bins for tops and sweaters, a hanging sweater or shoe shelf, cedar hanging blocks and a valet stand.

Transforming a closet in a day is easier than you think!

 Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com and register for an organizing workshop.

Whether the man in your life wears business attire every day or is strictly business casual, busy mornings are always going to be easier when his clothing is prepared and laid out the night before.  So, wouldn’t it great to set him up with a perfect, easy to use system that organizes and stores his outfit, ready to wear and without the worry of wrinkling?  A valet stand is the answer and will likely be a welcome gift for your father, husband, brother or friend. 

So, what is a valet stand?  According to the dictionary, a valet is a man’s male servant who performs personal services, e.g. taking care of clothing.  This would be nice, but not very realistic in today’s society!  So a valet stand is essentially the “do-it-yourself” version of a real valet. 

Basically, a valet stand is a wonderful organizing tool made to hold a suit, jacket and pants or other personal accessories.  There are also valet chairs which have storage inside the seat, or a drawer beneath the seat.  Some valets even have built-in charging stations for your cell phone, iPod or other mobile electronic device.

Valet stands are usually stand-alone items, so it’s important that you have additional space, ideally near the closet or dressing area. However, if space is an issue, try a folding valet which will fold flat when not in use.  

With Father’s day only a few weeks away, this is the perfect time to purchase this wonderful and practical gift for dad, or another man in your life.  Plus, there are plenty of options to choose from, in many different finishes.  You’ll find a selection of both traditional and modern styles and designs to suit all tastes. Check out the following.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com and register for an organizing workshop.

If dad has no particular place to place his keys, change, jewelry or other accessories, he probably spends a lot of time looking for his keys and other items because he can’t remember where he put them. With Father’s day around the corner, this is a great time to find the perfect gift. Consider getting dad a dresser or table top valet. Dresser top valets will hold all of the small bits and pieces that are emptied from pockets at the end of the day.

As most of us know, some dads need all the help they can get when it comes to getting organized! They often mean well and would truly like to be more organized, but simply don’t know how. Instead of nagging, we can provide them with storage that already have built-in systems, especially designed with men in mind.

Dresser valets come in all designs, shapes and sizes and look great too. More importantly, it will guarantee a less stressful exit in the mornings for the men in your life!

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit Visit www.castawaytheclutter.com to learn more about her services, request a speaking engagement, register for an organizing workshop or sign up for her free organizing tips.

Click here to find many more jewelry boxes, chest and organizers at Home Storage Warehouse.

Are you frustrated with your jewelry always in a tangled mess? Like your clothing, your jewelry should be organized and ready to wear at a moment’s notice. If you love to buy jewelry and have a large collection, then it’s even more important that it’s kept organized and tangle-free. Fortunately, there are a lot of options available in the marketplace for organizing your jewelry. There are jewelry organizers for drawers, jewelry organizers for vanities, plus jewelry boxes for men and women, jewelry armoires, jewelry trees, jewelry trays and jewelry bags. There’s truly no excuse for not having organized jewelry!

There are so many benefits to having your earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, watches, rings and chains organized. This is particularly important if you purchase matching sets like I do. I love buying the earrings to match the necklace. It makes dressing so much easier. But it’s no good if I can’t find the set when I’m ready to wear it!

So what jewelry organizers should you choose? There are dozens to choose from, but today I’m going to talk about acrylic jewelry organizers. Acrylic organizers are extremely sturdy and are perfect to store and organize jewelry because you can quickly see what you have. They are attractive enough to be stored on top of your dresser or vanity and can be easily cleaned with soap and water. There’s an acrylic jewelry organizer for any type of jewelry and some combination organizers. A jewerly organizer is also a great gift idea for Mother’s Day. Some acrylic organizers are classically designed and almost look like crystal. Here’s a few Mother’s Day gift ideas to consider.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com and register for an organizing workshop.

Taking advantage of every inch of space in your garage is a wise move. When organizing your seasonal items and storing sports equipment, don’t forget the overhead space. Yes, you can store items on mounted ceiling racks! Fortunately, most garages have ceiling heights high enough for storage on an overhead shelf or rack.

A garage overhead storage shelf may be the solution to storing all of those heavy boxes or outdoor equipment that you’ve had trouble finding space for inside your garage. It’s convenient, yet out of the way, for items you don’t need to use daily. However, if you select a ceiling mounted lift with an easy pulley system, it will be no trouble to quickly access the items you need. Just back out the car, lower the storage shelf with ease and take what you need. Then, simply raise the storage shelf back into place. A good quality heavy duty overhead shelf will hold lawn movers, large tools, snowboards, outdoor furniture, ladders and more.

There are also ceiling mounted lifts for your bicycles. Bicycle hoists are the perfect storage solution, especially when you have two or more. The bikes are mounted with a pulley system that allows you to easily lower and raise your bike as needed.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com and register for an organizing workshop.

With the spring months upon us, and summer on the way, it’s safe to say that the days of wearing boots of any kind are officially behind us. Still, what to do as we transition from the cold and snow to sandal wearing weather? At home, you could get organized (or even more disorganized) by throwing the winter footwear into a closet or back room, but what about sandals, and summer shoes? What if you have guests in your home, or if your kids invite five of their friends over to hang out? As they all take their shoes or sandals off, you’re stuck with a big pile of summer footwear, and you still have that messy storage closet with all the winter footwear.

There is a better and more efficient way when it comes to shoe organization. One at home solution is stackable shoe racks. With a durable steel and plastic construction, our storage racks are expandable, and they really make sense. Also, we have a shoe rack that is a tower and holds 50 pairs of shoes. These storage racks can be organized by season or by the differing rooms in your home.

Another great idea for avoiding a mountain of shoes, and a big mess, are our over the door shoe racks. With twenty pockets holding ten pairs of shoes, this is an easy solution for a big family looking to stay organized with shoe storage during any season. This is also great for freeing up a ton of space in your house, and you are no longer stuck searching for you or your family members shoes.

Lastly, if you still have a thing for racks, but are looking for something that hangs, then take a look at our hanging shoe holder. With a hanging shoe holder, you can truly be able to tidy up your home’s closet or personal space, and you will have your shoes available to you in a convenient and accommodating area. You can avoid the hassle and headache of scrambling and searching to find two shoes that match as you are getting organized and ready for work in the morning. Also, with summer coming up we have a flip-flop holder that holds 18 pairs, so you can quickly grab what you need at home and have a longer day of relaxation at the beach or pool.

It’s tiring, and frustrating after a long day to come home, and find that everyone has kicked their shoes off by the front door or to find shoes in random places all over the house. Why not simplify your shoe storage and get organized at the same time? You can do that by racking the shoes up, or by hanging them in our shoe holders. This is a guaranteed way to take care of the shoe storage details for all seasons, and for your home and happiness.

Tired of tripping over bikes, baseballs, golf clubs, tennis balls and other sports equipment?  Your garage can quickly become a walking hazard when trying to store all of your sporting goods on the floor.  What’s worse is when family members use the equipment and have no proper place to return it to, so it ends up in a cluttered mess with everything else that doesn’t have a home.  To solve this problem, you could go to your local hardware store to pick up some freestanding shelves, but for narrow garages these may take up valuable floor space leaving no room to get into your car.

Fortunately, most garages have plenty of available wall space where you can install wall racks, peg boards and sports organizers, enabling you to get everything onto the wall and off the floor.  In fact there a sports organizing rack for almost any sport.  Declutter with ease with garage wall organizers.  Check out a few of them here.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations.  Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com and register for an organizing workshop.