Yes, what does your keychain say about you? Does your key-ring look like you are a school janitor or do you feel like you need a few more on your chain? I have about 6 keys on my keyring but I ran into a problem. Which key goes to which door? I found myself getting frustrated and wondering "Does this key go to our new house or old house? Does it go to my husbands work or to my mom's house?" Ahhh, I drove myself crazy trying each key over and over everytime I needed to get into a house or storage unit. Why was this so hard? It really shouldn't be. There has to be a way to organize these 6 keys so I can see which one goes to which door. I tried the Sharpie method but almost as soon as I wrote a keyword on the key with it, it rubbed off. So, (yes, this seems so simple, why didn't I think of it earlier?) I brought out one of my best friends.... my label maker.

Wow, has this thing made a difference! I now can view my keys and recognize which one goes to which door. So, my tip for you today is to label each key with a keyword (Tip: DO NOT use words as "home" or your address as labels. If someone found your keys, this would be too easy for them to use.) See if it doesn't help and you feel more confident when looking for a key to unlock your door.

So, while this seems so simple and such a short (and meaningless) post, I am now excited to have an organized keyring. It's the little things in life...



{photo credits}

Let's see it! Yep, you heard me right. I'm challenging you to take a before and after picture of the most unorganized cabinet or drawer.

Today, I have a challenge for you. Clean it out and organize it then post an after picture for us to check out. Might be embarrassing but something we all need to learn is accountability and I've found that the more I post things before and after, and ask for accountability, the more willing I am at keeping it organized.

So, its my turn (and ya'll have to promise me you'll do the same and link me to your post) :)

BEFORE




AFTER I went through my cabinet. It took me all of 15 minutes to do. Now, why didn't I do this sooner?

What cleaning products do you love? Which ones have you tried that you just won't use again?

I stick by a handful of brands that I just love and felt the need to share with you :)


(As pictured above)
Woolite Oxy Clean Carpet Clean Spray
Disposer Care Tablets
Clorox Wipes
Lemi-Shine Dishwasher Cleaner

(In the Housekeepers Box)
Bar Keepers Friend
Natures Source All Purpose Cleaner
Lysol All Purpose Cleaner (4 In 1)
Lysol Disinfectant Cleaner (Spray)
Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner
Soft Scrub Bleach Clean For Kitchens
Soft Scrub Bleach Clean For Bathrooms
Windex
Pledge Multi-Surface Spray
Method Wood For Good Spray

Let's talk about whats under the sink. Yes, thats right. Don't go run and hide :) No really, tell me whats under there. I've seen some very organized under the sink cabinets and some very well, not so organized. So, I'm encouraging you today to purge your products and get rid of all except the ones you use on a regular basis. And stick to only your favorites. You CAN do it! :)



Was this post helpful to you? Let me hear from you! Do you have an idea for a future topic? Let me know!

Overwhelmed with cleaning? Wish you had unlimited funds to hire someone to just come clean it top to bottom? There is a simple solution. Daily Chores. Instead of spending a full day once a week or twice a week cleaning your house or not making time to get your cleaning list done, spread it out over the course of the week and make it simpler on you and enjoy a clean house ALWAYS. Yep, I said always :)

A few good tips to make it easier on you.

1. Stick to 4-5 chores a day.

2. Dont do all the big chores in one day. Spread them out.

3. Dont do all the laundry in one day. Spread it out. (Check my post from last week's Home Engineer for laundry tips)

4. Dont do all the chores in one room per day. That will get boring and wont stay clean as long.

5. Make your own chore chart. Make it pretty and pleasing to the eye. Keep it posted or bound somewhere where you will remember to look at it daily if not more than once a day.

Here is what my Daily Chore Chart looks like. Of course, make yours accommodating to you and your cleaning cycles.


So, make your tasks sheet on the computer or by hand and stick to it! You will see a big change so quickly in your home as well as you and your family's attitudes. You CAN do it!

Was this post helpful to you? Let me know! Also, if you have suggestions for The Home Engineer posts, please contact me and I'll see what I can do :)

Am I the only one who just loves laundry and finds it so relaxing? I think of it as this...

How do you organize your child's art work? Need a new system? This has worked so well for us and it's easy to remember where each project is!

Each year has a folder. You know, one of those cheap 2 pocket folders from Target/Walmart. (some years have more than one folder). I label the outside of each folder with the child's name and year on it.

Part of the job description of being The Home Engineer is to keep the household and family running smoothly. How do you do this? What are your tips? Suggestions? What things have you tried that did/didn't work?