Getting around to clearing the clutter and finally getting organized can be hard enough.  Once you’ve cleared the clutter you have to find storage options to fit your needs.  This can get seem quite expensive if you are new to organization and have only ever had a few bins here or there, so the key is to budget for your storage, which may include bins, baskets, trays, cubbies and furniture.  It might also mean making some sacrifices in other areas of your life so that you can declutter and return to a normal life at home. 

Getting your organizational systems in place can be even more complicated if you’re environmentally conscious  and don’t care to use plastic.  If you’re opposed to plastic storage containers and organizers, whether it be due to environmental reasons, aesthetics or you’re simply trying to “go green”, you may find it a challenge to find organization products that are not made of plastic.  An alternative material is wicker.  Contrary to popular belief, wicker is not a plant material, but is made of part of a plant.  Wicker also includes some plastic fibers, but, at least you’re moving in the right direction if you’re trying to go green. 

So, what exactly is wicker?  According to Wikipedia, “Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid material, usually used for baskets or furniture. Wicker is often made of material of plant origin, but plastic fibers are also used.  Materials used can be any part of a plant, such as the cores of cane of rattan stalks, or whole thicknesses of plants, as with willow switches…”

Another advantage for using wicker and other similar materials, like rattan, banana leaf  and seagrass to organize your items is their beauty.  Wicker baskets, bins and furniture can add color and texture to any room and can be used as decorative baskets, as well as functional organization storage.   Wicker organization products can be used in family rooms, linen closets, laundry rooms, bedrooms and much more.  Take a look at a few of the wicker, rattan, banana leaf and seagrass organization products here from Home Storage Warehouse

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For the Bathroom:

Bathroom set

Triple Laundry Sorter

For Bedrooms, Living Rooms and Family Rooms:

Seagrass storage chests

Wicker Magazine Rack

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