OH! Cleverly Containing Clutter: An Invitation Awaits You!

Summer’s here! Do you know where Stephen Leatherman, Ph.D. is? More importantly, do you know who he is? He is the lucky dog who creates an annual list of America’s 10 Best Beaches. What a job, huh? He probably travels all over the United States looking for out-of-the-way beaches and then “hides out” there for a few days of boating, sunning, drinking ice-cold beverages and watching glorious sunrises while contorting into pretzel-like yoga positions. All this while we sit home reading about these fabulous destinations on uncomfortable plastic patio furniture.

Since the “best beaches” job is already filled, I’m hopeful that we, as Clever Parents, could have a bit of good old-fashioned summertime fun and create our very own list too. After all, summer has officially arrived!

Summer is here…Do you know where your clutter is? Please join me in creating the very first interactive list of home-based clutter hiding spaces. To be more specific, places we hide *things*.

Are you interested?
Here is how it works: Go around your home and look for places you typically hide clutter. Then, post a comment at the end of this article (below). If you don’t have clutter, tell us how your BFF, in-law or clever neighbor hides his/her clutter.

Let’s Get this Party Started
You, the reader are encouraged to add your two cents by posting a comment one, right after the other, like joining a conga line at a wedding reception (admit it, you have done this at least once).

I’ll start with my top client-inspired hiding spots:

1. Ovens! Believe it or not, this is a real hide-n-seek-clutter-be-gone hot spot! I’m surprised by how many people do this. Here is how it works: When an unexpected someone rings the doorbell, BAM! Throw the counter-top clutter (bills, homework, rotten fruit, chip clips, dog leash and cordless phone) into the oven and close the door; clean countertops.

2. Dishwashers. Same technique as in number 1 applies except the goods get loaded in the dishwasher. Magazines, arts and crafts, sunscreen, i-pods, mobile phones and chargers, vacuum cleaner attachments, spare keys, inflatable pool toys, etc.

3. Cars. Since a lot of us don’t actually wear driving gloves I think it’s safe to assume that many of us use the glove box and arm rest to stash the trash on the dash. Ketchup packages, parking tickets, pacifiers, maps, hand sanitizer, expired coupons, “Learn a Foreign Language in 3 weeks” CD, soy-energy bars, it’s all here.

4. Luggage. When storage space is at a premium, especially in older homes with smaller closets, all sorts of odds and ends get stashed in the luggage: love letters from old flames, hotel bottles of shampoo, your aunt Violet’s sash from the yesteryear beauty contest she won, and mom’s pickle forks. For help decluttering containers like this, its’ fun to pretend you are filming your own little reality show and explain why you are hanging onto these items. Try it!

5. Spare room. Doesn’t everyone keep those pesky “I’ll put that away later” type-items in their spare rooms? I’ve seen beach umbrellas, old dentures, hamster cages, and QVC purchases not-so-neatly stowed in guest rooms. Hey, having houseguests isn’t for everyone but the Embassy Suites is! I love the ad for a credit card that asks, “What’s in your wallet?” I want to know, “What is in your guest room?”

6. Pockets. Yup, a lot more people put things (things = money, jewelry, leftover narcotics from last year’s oral surgery and “emergency/shoes are on sale” money) into the pockets of off-season clothes than we will ever imagine. Beware of plunging your hand into someone else’s bathrobe pockets; yuck is one of the words that come to mind.

7. Toilets! This is my all-time-favorite-true-confession-hiding spot. While organizing, I’ve had: not one, not two, but three different clients tell me that they hide things in the tanks of toilets—not their own tanks but those of friends and family. Evidentially, there are a couple of things (think: airplane minis) which fit nicely into the tank of a toilet and remain in perfect condition even when immersed in water for long periods of time. Free Organizing Hint: check the tanks of your toilets after guests leave, especially if you notice a certain houseguest lolly-gagging in the bathroom AND you forbid alcohol in your home. Cheers!

Ok, now you see how this post works. Please tell us where your friends and families hide their clutter. What about you? Do you have a spot that we need to know about? If so, please post it and share it with other Clever Parents.