Who doesn't want to cut down on housework? Start by clearing clutter.
According to the National Soap and Detergent Association, getting rid of clutter would eliminate 40 percent of housework in the average home.
Where to start? These suggestions come from organizing experts Julie Morgenstern and Laura Wittmann of OrgJunkie. They're featured on OpenSky, a new shopping site where customers put together their own team of design, food, health and style experts for advice. Here are OrgJunkie's tips along with some helpful new products:
For the closet:
• A jewelry organizer solves the problem of tangled necklaces and mismatched earrings. Added plus: Get dressed faster.
• Use closet organizers with places for everything from shoes to sweaters. Whitmor's Double Rod Closet ($70) doesn't even need a closet; this organizer can stand alone in laundry rooms, basements or anywhere you need to stow stuff.
• Consider a stand-alone coat rack. A contemporary rack with wooden hangers can look good outside the closet, too.
For the kitchen:
• Stop refrigerator clutter by labeling your leftovers. You'll know what's in all those containers without opening lids. Label Once offers a 70-label starter kit ($28) with laminated erasable labels that wipe right off and can be used again and again.
For the kids:
• Clean up toys in a hurry with Lay-n-Go bags ($25-$65). The bag folds out into a 5-foot play area. Pull the drawstring and the toys get whisked into the bag in seconds.
• Use tubs with lids to store and organize toys.
For more ideas and products, log on to OpenSky at https://opensky.com.
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