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 drying 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 using a drying rack or 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 CLOTHING 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.