Part II
NET BAGS
On the market there are many different types of net bags that
are very useful for various purposes. Here are some of the
uses that I've found:
Socks and more socks — lost socks, mismatched socks and
no socks to wear in the morning. Here's the solution: each
family member has two small net bags of his own (with color
coded loops of course sewn on to the top two corners of the
bag). Each bag is preferably hung on two hooks (spaced a bit)
discreetly hidden behind a door or the like. Each child's
dirty socks are deposited in his personal net sock bag. When
laundry time comes, gather all sock bags. After they are
clean and dry, the sock bags are returned to each child (or
put in his personal laundry basket) and he matches his own
and puts them away.
The spare bag is for the time that one bag is in the wash and
not yet returned to it's hooks. Now we have socks, socks and
socks, each to his own.
Very large net bags or even better yet, the ones that are on
metal frames and can be collapsed or sprung open, are
wonderful for transferring laundry from hamper to the washing
machine. Just sort laundry into these bags and bring to the
washing machine.
Bath toys are kept handy in a soft plastic net bag. Hang on a
hook over the bathtub.
Sand toys are very conveniently stored in a plastic net bag
hanging on a hook in the yard or porch so sand doesn't
accumulate. Gather toys into the net bag after a castle
building escapade; just shake a bit over the sand box to
leave sand for others.
Covered Containers
Try using all kinds of them — shoe boxes, disposable
containers (those that you buy or ones that come with food,
such as ice cream or oatmeal). Why not give the following
ideas a try:
You'll always have a button when needed if all spare ones and
found ones are placed in an oatmeal can.
Small toys are fun to put away when their container becomes a
shape sorter. Find appropriate size container and cut holes
with a Japanese knife in the cover to correspond to the
shapes of the toy pieces. You might want to put colorful tape
around the edges of the holes to allow for easier and safer
insertion.
There's a limit to how many times you can fix board game
boxes, and how many times you can clean up the spilled
contents. Dispose of box; put pieces in covered plastic
container (cards and play money should be tied with rubber
bands), label board and container, store boards and
containers separately on shelves.
I can't resist adding that plastic covers that come on
oatmeal cans and tall cans of fruit juice concentrate fit
perfectly on many canned fruits for very short term storage.
(It's unhealthy to store food in opened cans for too
long.)
A small container with a lid permanently attached on one side
is great for a mini sewing box. (Which includes white, blue
and black thread, needles and small sewing scissors.) Keep
handy for your "quick fix" sewing needs.
When putting food into your fridge or freezer, square or
rectangle containers are the best and take up the least
amount of space. Line with bags if possible so you avoid
washing containers and you can remove the bagged food as soon
as it is frozen to free the containers for future use.
Plastic Looseleaf and Sheet Protectors
These come in two sizes and are wonderful for storing printed
sheets or booklets with changing information. When new ones
come in they replace the old ones. Here are some examples.
Use your imagination and you'll think of more.
Weekly / monthly fliers / magazines, class lists, shul /
shiurim schedules, bus and pool schedules are always at hand
when you need them. Just tape plastics inside cabinet door.
Besides taping the sides and bottom, be sure to tape the top
back layer to allow for easy inserting of paper. Use clear
wide tape and don't make it too taut.
You'll always have appliance instructions readily available
if you mount sheet protectors (as mentioned above) near the
appliance (e.g. sewing machine instructions inside sewing
machine).
Here's a wonderful educational tip — Tape plastic
protector onto box of favorite cereal. Insert worthwhile
reading material such as the latest parsha circular.
Children (and adults) will enjoy it and spend their breakfast
time wisely. If you have an elevator in your building, it is
also a good idea to mount a plastic holder on the elevator
wall and insert a daily Halacha or the like.
ALBUMS, LOOSE LEAFS, DISPLAY BOOKS
Albums with pockets, loose leafs or display books, which are
actually loose leafs with permanent plastic sheet holders,
are great for storing documents and information needed for
frequent reference. Why not give these ideas a try:
All types of travel information such as standard packing
lists, small maps, brochures, tefillas haderech etc .
. . can be kept handy in a display book.
Why not collect different arts-and-crafts ideas and insert in
an album. Ideas can be cut from newspapers or copied onto
index cards. If an article is too large, you can fold it
ensuring that the title is revealed.
I find that the best recipe book is an album. Use index cards
or clip out from newspapers or magazines. Easy to add to and
change and washable pages too! this also makes a great gift
idea for a kallah. Use your imagination! Distributed
parsha and story sheets make a wonderful book. Save a
year at a time in a loose leaf or display book.
Medical documents, bills and statements can be easily
referenced in a loose leaf or display book.
CEREAL BOXES
Did you ever realize what efficient drawer and cabinet
organizers are available to us every time we finish a box of
cereal? They can be cut to suit many storage purposes. The
large economy size often comes in handy. It's good to save
them collapsed until needed. Try these varied suggestions:
Often we have weekly magazines worth saving, but our peace of
mind is worth saving too. Instead of having them accumulate
in an unorderly fashion, use . . . cereal boxes. For
temporary storage of current issues, cut box diagonally from
top to middle of opposite side (see diagram B).
Diagram B
For long-term storage leave cereal box whole, fill to
capacity, close and label (eg. Tishrei-Adar 2004).
Are you able to find container covers easily? If not, this
can help you out. Cut box to half its height and tape inside
cabinet door or side of drawer. Store container covers
inside; the same idea can be used for small water bottles.
Cut a cereal box the long way or short way (depending on size
needed) about 2 1/2 inches high. These are very useful for
long, narrow items such as kitchen utensils and stationery
supplies. I find it easier to keep my "junk" drawer (the one
used mostly for stationery supplies) more organized by having
the cereal boxes as tall as the drawer. If this would make
them too deep, use your imagination to store unused level
items on the bottom of the drawer as filler so boxes can be
shallower. This way items won't be thrown on top but must be
inserted into a box (hopefully the proper one).
There are many more items that can be stored in cereal boxes,
we'll name just a few: clutch belts, large bentchers,
all types of plastic bags, coloring books, activity
books, notebooks, assorted papers, and craft papers. Cut off
the top flap for vertical storage or the top can be taped up
and one long narrow side can be cut off for horizontal
storage. It can also be cut diagonally as indicated above.
The box can be mounted inside cabinet door, or just put onto
a shelf or drawer.
Yes, this is a great way to store your YATEDs! So . . . why
not clip THIS article and save for future reference in a
loose-leaf, display?
