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We Choose Us

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By: kristi
4 July 2024 at 15:42
"We can totally win this election, pass game-changing legislation, and build a Progressive Decade. We can still do that." The Movement Voter Project team spells out their strategy for a 2024 win and a New Progressive Era, featuring Black organizing, the Sun Belt, the Working Families Party, emotional intelligence, and Vision 2035. What if we could sustain a long-term Democratic trifecta at the federal level, win 28 state trifectas, and appoint a majority on the Supreme Court?

This LONG but passionate, well-informed, thoughtful roadmap envisions a diverse progressive America and presents a plan for getting there. The Sun Belt is the Future – and it's also the present "Never mind that both Georgia and North Carolina will have incredibly important Senate races in the next two cycles. Both states (along with Arizona and Nevada) have the potential to become consistently blue by 2030 if we continue to heavily invest in them (think of the 10-20 year arc of transformation for states like Virginia and Colorado). Divesting from the Sun Belt and from communities of color right now is lunacy, morally repugnant, and political malpractice. " Why Working Families Party Is SO Important "For those unfamiliar, WFP is a coalition of labor, community, and activist organizations at the state and national level who have joined together in a shared strategy to use elections to build multi-racial working class governing power. ... WFP is doing its presidential endorsement vote in July. ... The deliberate way they are going about their process – centering the need to block the authoritarian right, while also building long-term progressive power – is a principled act of leadership. It is the right thing to do. ... " And over the course of this summer, many voices on the left and within the ceasefire movement, will begin to speak up and say: We desperately want freedom, justice, and peace in Israel, Palestine, and Gaza. AND, we absolutely have to defeat Trump, which means we have to organize people to vote in record numbers for the Biden-Harris team, even with broken hearts. " Abandon Biden? Uncommitted? There's a Difference! "Uncommitted is a strategic effort to build the power of Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian communities and aligned anti-war voters to increase their influence within the only major political party where they have a meaningful chance of making an impact." The Block And Build Strategy: We Choose Us "Voting for Biden is not actually about Biden. As Black Voters Matter says: "It's About Us." " We Can Win and Have Nice Things "We can totally win this election, pass game-changing legislation, and build a Progressive Decade. We can still do that. I agree with most of what Democratic optimist Simon Rosenberg says: We do have a better candidate. We do have a better record to run on. We do have more potential voters. We have won the last three major election cycles (2018, 2020, 2022) and most of the odd-year ones as well. The Republican Party is in many ways a dumpster fire." tl;dr? Scroll down halfway to "ACT III: The Good Part" and check out the quick infographic Roadmap to a New Progressive Era, then down to "Over the longer term" for the Vision 2035 map. "It isn't about the candidates at the top of the ticket. It's about the movement that all of us are building together and the progress we are making. Our country is far from perfect. But we have a real chance to keep making it better. " Happy 4th of July to all.

The Best Items for Displaying and Preserving Your Sentimental Stuff

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
3 July 2024 at 16:00

In so many decluttering tutorials, we go over how to figure out what you can and should part with—and what earns the right to stay. Saying goodbye to sentimental items is really hard, and even if you're hellbent on decluttering and organizing, there may be a few things you opt to keep.

While I'm a major proponent of untethering yourself from nostalgic items in favor of pushing forward into a brighter, tidier future, I totally get it; there are some things you just need to hold onto. If they're that special, they should be displayed in a way that keeps them safe and out of the way. Here are some ideas for displaying those meaningful things you just can't get rid of.

Try a high shelf

I'm not a particularly emotional person, so I don't have too many mushy, sentimental, or nostalgic things lying around. The ones I do have, however, are far out of reach to prevent any accidental damage. If you have photos, tchotchkes, or, in my case, a pet's ashes and a rare bobblehead, consider a corner shelf they can rest on.

I am five feet tall, so I stood on a step stool to affix my corner shelf about six feet up, so I'll never, ever bump it or disturb it in any way, but I also took the precaution of putting it in a corner that is inaccessible and removed from daily activities. It's simple, like this:

In my opinion, anything delicate or important should be separated from other decorations, not on a larger shelf or mingling with other things. Show your sentimental pieces the respect they deserve by setting them apart.

Safe storage and display for sentimental items

If you have some photos you can't part with, I do recommend digitizing them as the safest way to keep them forever. Still, displaying physical ones in your home can be a meaningful way to connect with fond memories, so obviously, you need picture frames. Instead of the delicate glass kind, opt for a sturdier acrylic frame with UV protection. This will prevent shards of glass from damaging the photo if it falls, and the UV protection will help prevent the image from fading or yellowing.

For anything paper, like a child's old artwork, a certificate, or something similar, you want something that's easy to use, so you don't damage the paper while you're putting it in. A secure frame that opens on hinges and doesn't rely on you to thread the paper through an unforgiving slit is the move.

I recommend a shadow box only if you plan to store it somewhere it won't get touched, as they can be pretty delicate. Still, they're good for mementos from travels, medals, and smaller trinkets, plus they look really sharp. If you have space, though, the better alternative is a protective hutch. Yes, it's big, so there's a risk of bumping it, but it's so big that you'll hopefully be aware of it and move around it carefully. For collections, expensive items, or anything delicate, this is the way to go.

In the event you still want to display some of your meaningful or delicate possessions among your regular decor, at least consider sealing them off from everything else. Display domes come in glass or plastic, so whether you want something that looks classy or can withstand a bumping, you have options. There are even lighted versions, like this one, to keep the item safe and illuminated:

General rules for sentimental items

Always store your things in a place that is dry and has no extreme temperature fluctuations or direct sunlight, even if they're on display inside of some kind of vessel. Slip a silica gel packet inside the enclosure to absorb excess moisture, just to be safe. Laminate special papers, too; it won't be that visible inside whatever frame you choose for them, but they'll be a lot safer that way.

When I'm cleaning and it's time to dust and wash the shelf holding my special items, I remove them and put them in a box with a t-shirt or two, so they're on something soft and out of the way. It might seem like overkill, but I would be heartbroken if I accidentally damaged them.

My Favorite Tools for Managing Cords and Cables

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
3 July 2024 at 13:00

Cable management is an important part of living in a technological world. They should be grouped, labeled, and organized so they don't get all tangled up—but that doesn't mean your organizers have to look industrial or boring. Here are some options for any room or situation.

The best cord managers for bigger tech

Until recently, the area behind my television was kind of a no-man's-land. Cords from the television, gaming console, streaming plug-in, and the nearby lamps, Peloton, and fan all joined together in a chaotic mess. I stuck them all into one long power strip and hoped for the best, but eventually, I realized I had to do something a little more organized. First, I got a nicer-looking power strip, one that matched my decor, had USB and lightning ports, and was round, so the cords did less overlapping. I removed the wall adapter from anything that could be plugged straight into the ports and it made a huge difference right away.

I really, really love this thing. I love it so much, in fact, I got two more. One went in my kitchen and the other went to another outlet in my living room, powering my light-up storage mirror and the hair tools I keep on my organizational wall. It has holes in the back so you can even hang it on some screws, stopping it from moving around.

Still, a lot of cords feed into it, so to keep those organized and prevent them from getting tangled, I wanted to get a few cord organizers. I used to only think there was one kind of cable manager, that long strip that you hooked different cords through, but I was thrilled to learn there are way better options. Since all the cords in that area come from different spots around that side of the room, it didn't make sense to try to stick them all through one long organizer; getting individual organizers to attach to the wall or shelving nearest each corded object was the best choice, as it meant I didn't have to rearrange anything.

Of course, those longer strips are useful in some cases, like when you're organizing a computer desk. In that case, most of the cords are coming from about the same spot, since everything you're dealing with is up on the desk. You can use a strip-shaped cable organizer to keep them all apart and untangled behind the desk.

I don't mind my cables visible as long as they're organized, but if you want yours to disappear a little more, try a power strip storage box. These are plain-looking containers that house secret power strips, with entry holes around the edges. You can feed your cables and wires through, plug them in, and stuff any excess into the box as well. One of these on a desk or entertainment center would spruce up the place in a hurry and you can get a plain white one for $19.78 or a classy wood-topped one for $12.90.

The best cable managers for smaller tech

Big cords are one thing, but smaller ones, like chargers, are another. When I go to sleep at night, I plug in all my devices to charge and, again, that used to create a real nightmare scenario. The addition of an outlet extender that turned one outlet into three, plus gave me two USB ports and one lightning port, made a major difference.

This keeps them separated and eliminates the need for having a bunch of clunky wall adapters, since there is an option to plug the USBs and lightning cables straight into the device.

On top of that, I got craftier, replacing my side table lamp with one that has a wireless phone charger and another USB port. Minimizing the amount of single wall adapters I need for every device charger went a long way with cable management and space-saving.

(Yes, you can use Velcro straps to clump your cables and cords together, but that's ugly. It cost a little more to get the lamp and mini power strip, but it made my cables more manageable while maintaining some semblance of cuteness amid the technological overload.)

I would be remiss not to mention my other favorite charging cord organizer—the Smartish cord holder. It's basically a magnetic mound that sits on your desk, side table, or wherever and catches your charging cables so you always know where they are. I find this so useful in my workspaces, where I'm usually charging at least one or two devices next to me.

The Best Ways to Get Rid of Indoor Bugs

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By: Amanda Blum
3 July 2024 at 09:30

House pests crop up during any season, but spring and summer are when I am particularly bothered. Constantly going in and out of the house and leaving windows open leads to house flies and mosquitos, and the part of the country I live in is under ceaseless attack by sugar ants that infiltrate your home absolutely everywhere. The produce and fruit that is in abundance and tends to sit on your counter can often lead to fruit flies. Keeping all of these pests in check without a lot of chemicals has become a summer obsession. I’ve tested a whole bunch of products recently and although I was skeptical, it turns out many of them legitimately work. 

For houseflies, get a sticky trap

Man, do flies bother me—there is something about them that screams “dirty home." For many years, I thought swatting them was the best, if the most labor-intensive, solution. Hanging fly traps always seemed like a disgusting solution for a slightly less disgusting problem. Last summer, though, I found these clear fly traps that you affix to your window. They’re invisible (until covered in bugs) but easy to remove and hide behind a window shade. I even added one to my bathroom mirror when i had a stubborn fly who refused to abandon the lighting fixture. I change them out every few days, and they eliminate the fly problem.

For other flying insects, UV light traps do the trick

Zevo sent me a bunch of products to try earlier this year, and these UV light traps have become the workhorses of my household maintenance plan. It’s not rocket science, it’s a plug in UV light with a purple hue that is surrounded by a replaceable sticky trap. The upside is that the bugs it catches are well hidden from sight, and the trap subdues how purple the light looks, so it’s really just an innocuous light you don’t notice much. All the while, it is great for flying insects. Every few years they skip spraying for mosquitoes here, and last year was particularly bad. The Zevo traps really helped to manage the problem inside, accomplishing most of the work overnight. 

Immediate relief from ants

If I had to guess, 80% of the Terro sold in the U.S. comes to the PNW. The ants are everywhere. Terro is a clear gel you can apply directly to spots the ants are going to encounter (along a floor, underneath a cabinet, etc) or you can fill ant traps with it. It’s a sticky gel, and you don’t want kids or pets eating it, so it's a good idea to use traps. It's a good way to get some long-term relief, if you stay consistent—but it takes time. The ants swarm the Terro, and then bring it back to their queen, and then the poison kicks in and they all die. But if you want immediate relief, Zevo’s Flying Insect Spray is shockingly effective. It’s pet and kid safe, and smells like mint. Though it’s technically labeled for flies, roaches and ants, I never tried it on anything but ants, and a light spray will kill the ants on contact and buy you a day or two without return. In particular, I use it around my dog’s food station and my sink. 

Upgrade your DIY fruit fly traps

Everyone knows you can just wrap a dish of vinegar with plastic wrap, poke some small holes with a skewer and wait for the fruit flies to fly in and drown in the vinegar. The system is imperfect, because you can see the dead fruit flies and if you make the holes too big, they can just fly back out. Last year I tried these commercial fruit fly traps, which are just a manufactured version of the DIY home trap. They look like little red plastic apples. They’re in two parts, so you can dump and refill the vinegar every few days, and they’re small and unintrusive. The holes are exactly the right size, and the plastic hides the death pool within. Toss them in the dishwasher when the problem is gone.  

The Best Items to Help Organize Your Disaster of a Desk

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
2 July 2024 at 18:00

We all want to pretend like the kitchen is the heart of the home, but for a lot of us, it's our desk. It's also supposed to be a haven of productivity, and it probably is, but it could always be better. Try a few of these updates to improve the organization of your desk—whether at home or the office—while also making it an all-around more pleasant place to work.

Raise your computer

Look at the way you're interacting with your laptop. Are you kind of hunched up over it while it takes up a bunch of space? No good. Getting a laptop stand has a bunch of benefits, like making you sit a little straighter, helping you relax your arms, preventing your computer from overheated, and protecting it from accidental spills. Plus, it frees up space on the desk that you can use for other things, like the organizational tools below.

You really only need something simple, so try something like this:

Your desk also needs (a lot of) storage

Next, it's time to overhaul your storage situation. There's been a lot of research into how clutter impacts your wellbeing and productivity (and vice versa), but it doesn't take a scientist to know that when your space is disorganized, you're just not going to be as productive as you could be. It's distracting and draining to see a mess all day and it makes it harder to access the tools you need to get your work done.

Organizing that desk can help you be more productive, so use a decluttering method to get rid of anything you don't need. Then, follow the rules of the Organizational Triangle, specifically the ones that dictate that everything you own must have a designated storage space and must be stored with similar objects.

A major component of doing all that is having the right kind of storage boxes and solutions at hand. For a desk, you need small containers that will hold various office supplies. Try something like these:

  • A wire mesh organizer with slots for pens and pencils, a small shelf for standing objects, smaller holders for tape and other littler items, and a sliding drawer for tools like binder clips. ($11.99)

  • A larger wire mesh organizer with slots for paper goods and books, a larger shelf for flat items, a sectioned drawer for small objects, and a side holder for taller utensils. ($23.26)

  • An under-desk drawer system, also made of wire mesh, with two layers and divided drawers to store and separate tools of all sizes while still saving desktop space. ($33.99)

  • 16 stackable acrylic drawers to organize smaller items while still keeping them in view. ($34.94)

Improve your lighting situation

There's also been significant research conducted on how lighting affects productivity, but once again, you don't need to read about it in a peer-reviewed journal to know you do better work when you can see what you're doing. I know I feel lazy when I work in darker environments, which is why I am such a big proponent of having little lamps all over.

Since our goal here is to organize your space and make it more productive, try this lamp, which has storage compartments in its base that are perfect for holding sticky notes, pens, and other small objects. It also has an outlet and a USB port so you can charge your devices.

Your desk's tech needs organization, too

Your desk is covered in tech. There's your computer, maybe a separate keyboard and mouse, your tablet, your phone, and then everything else you have plugged in, like clocks, lamps, or smart home devices. It all needs some help to prevent the formation of a rat's nest of cords.

I swear by the Smartish magnetic cord holder. It looks kind of like a rock, but it's actually a big magnet. You can just toss your charging cords over it and they'll stay in place. Plus, it comes in muted, varied colors, so it is pleasing to the eye.

For the bigger cords that dangle off the desk, I recommend individual, adhesive-backed holders. The individual ones are better than the long, multi-slot ones because you can arrange them in a way that makes sense based on your personal desk setup. They can stick to the top or side of the desk, snap open easily so a cord can get threaded through, and prevent it from sliding all over or getting jumbled up with other cords.

Other desk organization tips

To truly embrace the system of making sure everything has a designated place and storing similar items together, you'll need to use all of those little compartments and drawers. But you also need to know what's in them. It doesn't hurt to pick up a little label maker ($15.99) to keep everything identified.

Finally, it might seem obvious, but my messy desk changed for the better when I finally got a little garbage can for underneath it instead of relying on myself to carry all my trash to my main garbage every few hours. Sometimes, you're just working for too long and you don't feel like doing that. A mini can will get the trash off your desk right away, keeping it clean so you can focus on work. I like this set of two metal mesh ones for $16.49.

How to Clean Your Portable Fan

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
2 July 2024 at 11:30

I am in my seventh summer without air conditioning, so I consider myself an expert on household fans. To be clear, I'm doing this by choice: I don't like frigid air conditioning enough to actually need it. My little fans are sufficient for me and I am happy. That is, as long as they're clean. Dusty, dirty fans are gross and less effective. To use a fan to its full potential, you have to clean that bad boy and as the hottest months bear down on us, you need to do it right away.

How to clean a box or table fan

First, unplug your fan. Now, look it over. Is the front plate removable and can you see screws? Use a screwdriver to detach the front and back plates. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suck the dust off them, then wash them off using soapy water. Any kind of dish soap will work. If there is a lot of grating or an assortment of tiny holes that would be annoying to try to stick a sponge into, fall back on the handy old trick of simply tossing them into your bathtub with some soapy water. Bonus points if you want to do your oven racks at the same time.

If you can get the blades detached, toss them into the suds, too. If you can't find your owner's manual or aren't sure how to remove them (or if you even can), just use a soapy sponge. My rule of thumb is I only detach things I am absolutely positive I'll be able to reattach. This is supposed to make your life better, not stress you out or send you scrambling to buy a new fan.

Use the soapy water to scrub around the interior of the fan's housing, as well as the exterior and cord, but never touching any electrical components. Air dry all the parts you detached by laying them on a towel and use another dry towel to thoroughly dry the machine itself. Don't reattach anything until it's all totally dry.

In the event you can't (or don't want to) disassemble the beast, still use a vacuum hose to suck the dirt out of any grates, especially on the back, where it gets clogged up. The kind of hose attachment with a brush is great for this. Give it a rubdown with the soapy sponge and dry it thoroughly with a towel, then let it air dry about a day before plugging it back in.

How to clean a tower fan

A tower fan is not as easy to take apart and it's more likely you won't even be able to, so we're not going to discuss that. Instead, here's what you can do: After unplugging it, use that vacuum attachment with the brush to suck out any dirt you see in the back.

You can also try blowing it out. First, you could use some compressed air, the kind you use to clean your computer keyboard. If you don't have a can available, you could also try using a blow dryer, like you might when cleaning a radiator. In my experience, tower fans get super dusty back there, so you might want to lay down an old sheet or some grocery bags to catch the clumps that fly out.

Next, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the vents. You'll want this to be dry; if you use a wet one, the water can get in there and you won't be able to properly dry it out. Sorry to say, but a tower fan just won't get as squeaky clean as the box fan you can disassemble.

Then again, if your owner's manual says it's fine (and you're sure you're not voiding a warranty) or you do see any obvious screws, feel free to try taking the casing apart. After unscrewing, you should be able to pry the outside casing apart, giving you access to the outer panels themselves so you can toss them in the tub or at least really get after them with the compressed air from behind. Wipe down the inside of the machine with a cloth.

Again, don't reassemble until everything has fully air dried. To be on the safe side, leave the parts you detached on a towel for a full day, lest you damage the machine. In the event you do damage it or decide you would rather spend a little money instead of doing all this, here's my list of the best fans you get right now.

Oh, and if you found yourself here because you wanted some tips on how to clean your ceiling fan, that’s a whole different story. It’s this story, actually. You’ll need your vacuum and soapy sponge ready, just like with a smaller fan, but you’ll also need a duster. Good luck!

Four Creative Ways to Store Your Books

✇Lifehacker
By: Lindsey Ellefson
2 July 2024 at 10:00

Having books is an objectively good thing. They teach you things, they help you relax, and, frankly, they let you look a little smarter in front of guests. But if they're messy, that last one falls apart. Your books should be well-organized, not only because you want to flex when company comes over, but because you should keep the things that allow you to learn and relax accessible to you.

Organizing books on your bookshelf

First, let's talk about what to do if you already have a bookshelf but it's looking a little jumbled. The first thing you should do is take all the books off and sort through them using a decluttering method of your choice, getting rid of anything you don't need by donating it to a local shop or library. The problem with books is that they're among the easiest kinds of items to generate excuses about when you start weeding through them. Don't allow yourself to say, "But what if I need to reference this chapter about the Russian revolution of 1905 one day?" Unless you're a Russian history scholar, you probably won't. Be serious. You likely won't crack this book ever again and if you do need a little info, it's available online. Having too many books you'll never read again isn't a badge of honor; it's a cluttered mess that makes the books you do want to read harder to access.

Once you've pared down your collection, it's time to put the tomes back on the shelf. Categorize all the books you took off however you want. You can make piles based on size, color, or genre, but you should keep all of them together once you put them back in their place. Use the Organizational Triangle system of thinking for this: Every item must have a place and be stored with similar items. For what it's worth, my books are organized by subject, then alphabetically by the author's last name within those chunks, but I'm a former Barnes and Noble employee, so those habits die hard.

Another thing B&N taught me about sticking books on shelves is that they have to look nice, so consider separating your sections with something, whether it's a picture frame or a decorative storage box. If you have space, you should pull your favorite books out and turn them to be front-facing. This breaks up the monotony on the shelf and makes the whole display more visually appealing.

The coolest shelves and book storage tools

I'm lucky that my apartment has a built-in book shelf above a window and I have a smaller shelf on hand to store the books I regularly read and want access to, but there are a lot of really cool shelving options out there if you need a place to start.

First, I've seen some cool hacks online suggesting you should use straps to hold your books individually on the wall, creating a kind of gallery wall of them. That's a little too labor-intensive for me, but this shelf with straps built in is not. You secure your books into the straps on the underside of the floating shelf, then place whatever else you want on top, making it an ideal storage tool.

If you don't have wall space, I like this tree-shaped shelf. Its footprint is so much smaller than a standard bookshelf, making it easy to fit into smaller spaces, but it also creates an eye-catching look. There are separate sections within it, so you can organize your books by category.

A front-facing bookshelf is good for anything with an interesting cover or unusual size that might disrupt the flow of a more traditional row of books. This shelf has both standard and front-facing shelving, to make sure everything you have fits somewhere.

Finally, for true accessibility, why not consider a rotating bookcase? This is pretty enough to act as a decoration all its own, plus it allows you to access any book quickly just by spinning it around, so you don't have to think too hard about putting the books you use most in a shelving spot that's easier to get to; they're all easy to get to.

Mutual aid: Resources and examples

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By: Bella Donna
2 July 2024 at 06:56
Scholar Jessica Gordon Nembhard says in her book, Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice, that mutual aid societies were a cornerstone of African-American communities. A notable one is the Free African Society, formed in Philadelphia a decade after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. By 1830, more than a hundred mutual aid societies existed in Philadelphia alone. So drawing from existing knowledge instead of reinventing the wheel, this article is a guide to starting or increasing the capacity of, a mutual aid network. Start small and start anywhere with a core team. It's OK to not have a grand plan to save the world when starting a mutual aid network. In fact, it's better if you don't—mutual aid is a complex, emergent process where each member's abilities and ideas are respected. It also operates on a local scale. Not knowing all the answers—and being able to admit that—is a good start. From Aaron Fernando writing in Shareable.

Around the world, people are faced with crisis after crisis, from the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change-induced fires, floods, and storms to the ongoing horrors of mass incarceration, brutal immigration enforcement, endemic gender violence, and severe wealth inequality. As governments fail to respond to—or actively engineer—each crisis, ordinary people are finding bold and innovative ways to share resources and support vulnerable members of their communities. This survival work, when done alongside social movement demands for transformative change, is called mutual aid. From Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) by Dean Spade. Hajooj Kuka, External communications officer for the Khartoum State Emergency Response Room, writes about their experiences in The New Humanitarian. One year into a devastating war that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly nine million, there is one thing flourishing in Sudan: mutual aid. ... millions of Sudanese have remained in war-torn areas outside the reach of international aid agencies, finding ways to support each other using local resources and diaspora aid. Others like myself have found a way of helping from afar. Together, we have formed mutual aid groups known as Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) that have provided food, health, and other critical services, all while building partnerships, raising funding, and getting recognition as frontline humanitarian aid workers. From the free Mutual Aid 101 Toolkit: Mutual Aid is not... Quid pro quo transactions Only for disasters or crises Charity or a way to "save" people A reason for a social safety net not to exist. Neighbourhood Pods How-To from Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville in Massachusetts (Facebook link). Finally, Solidarity in the Rural South, an excerpt from an interview with a minister who grew up in, left, and then returned to Alabama written by Mitchell Atencio and published in Sojourners. People always ask, "How did you convince your town to do this?" A lot of it is dependent on the relational aspect of building relationships with people who are in leadership. But it's also just asking — especially in rural areas. The town has a lot of property, but not a lot of money to do anything with it so it's just sitting there vacant. [We build] those relationships in my town with our town leaders and council people, and work with them to revitalize and breathe life into things and invite them to participate in new ways. We're setting up a free "vending machine" for Narcan, which is the first one of those, maybe in Alabama, but definitely in this part of Alabama. Our county commission has all this money from opioid settlements and they're refusing to use it for anything good. So, we're saying, "Okay, we're not going to wait around on you. We're going to figure out a way to do it." And that vending machine is, again, in partnership with our local town. The county won't do anything, but the town says "Sure, we love this idea. You can put the vending machine on town property." Our communities are being burned alive by opioids, so anything we can do to help keep people alive, we want to do it.

Make an 'Organizational Wall' for Your Accessories

✇Lifehacker
By: Lindsey Ellefson
1 July 2024 at 14:00

I am constantly on some kind of organizational overhaul, whether it involves investing in storage furniture or redoing my makeup shelf. My current passion is creating what I'm calling an "organizational wall," an idea that came to me after I started seeing the surprisingly wide variety of adhesive hooks and holders on the market. Here's what I'm doing and how you can use this trick, too.

What is a storage wall?

It all started when I was shopping online and was recommended some adhesive sunglasses holders. They looked like the displays you see at a store, each specially designed to hold one pair of glasses and one pair only.

I'm a big proponent of storing accessories or anything I wear in a visible place, so I always know what I have and can better visualize how it will look with my outfit, but when it came to sunglasses, I was not following my own rules. Each of my shades were in their original case, then stacked in my windowsill, which meant I almost always ended up wearing my black ones, since I didn't want to go through the hassle of digging through and opening all the cases.

As I was thinking on a solution, I looked around and realized there was plenty of open space next to the mirror I use to get ready, so sticking the sunglasses up there would be an efficient, useful, and safe way to store them. Here are the kinds of individual sunglasses holders that sparked this whole thing:

I got 10 of them from Shein, but you can also get sets of three for $12.99 on Amazon. After I hung up all my sunglasses and sold their cases on Poshmark, it got me thinking about where else I could use specialty adhesive holders to stick up on the wall.

I live in a small apartment where storage space is hard to come by, but I adhere to the Organizational Triangle rules that every item must have a designated spot and be stored with similar items. There are only so many tiny baskets you can stack up before even that starts to get cluttered, so storage-as-decoration has become my go-to. (I've started hanging all my bags on hooks and chains around the place, for instance.)

An organizational wall doesn't have to be for clothing; it can go anywhere. For instance, in a pantry or storage room, you can make use of empty wall space with adhesive hooks designed to hold spray bottles. A wall in the foyer is a great place to install heavy-duty hooks that hold keys, umbrellas, jackets, and scarves. (These hold 44 pounds each and come in a set of 10 for $9.49.) In my kitchen, I use adhesive holders for all of my rags, towels, and oven mitts. (I have these from Shein, $1.10 each.)

My storage wall

In addition to the sunglasses holders, here's what I've ordered to turn the wall around the mirrors where I get ready into an all-in-one storage space that allows me to see my accessories and tools.

I got this hot tool holder to hold my Dyson AirWrap, which is currently stored in its original box, sitting on the floor under the mirror—not ideal. This sleek, adhesive-backed rack holds it upright and keeps it accessible while drying and curling hair.

To hold all the Dyson attachments, I got an adhesive box to go right above that:

To hold the hair sprays, gels, creams, and other gunk I plop into my hair, I got these bottle holsters. I really like them because you can either keep them together in a row or cut between them, creating five smaller adhesive-backed shelves you can arrange however you want.

Next, I got some adhesive hat holders. These are just upright, L-shaped rods on an adhesive back, meant to slip through the hole of a baseball cap. This struck me as a great idea before I even realized they'd be perfect for storing belts, too, using the new belt-folding method I picked up two weeks ago. When I started folding my belts like that, I recommended getting a paper towel rack to store them, but this is even better for me. Naturally, I got the four pack.

Finally, I got a bunch of small hooks (four for $9.98), which I am using to hang ribbons on which I can clip my various barrettes, bows, and hair accessories. Again, at least for me, if something is out of sight, it's out of mind, so I routinely run into an issue where I realize I had the perfect accessory to wear with an outfit, but totally forget because I simply didn't see it.

You Should Try This Popular Cart to Clean Up More Efficiently

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
28 June 2024 at 16:00

How you store your cleaning supplies is important, not just for safety considerations, but also just in terms of keeping your home tidy. Not having a protocol in place when it comes to how you store your cleaning supplies will only lead to clutter—and that will defeat the purpose of cleaning.

But you also have to consider how easy it is to use the things you have stashed away. If it's too difficult to actually access and use your tools, you aren't as likely to do it. A cleaning cart that's been popular on TikTok... TK

The cleaning cart

When you're storing and organizing your things, one of the most important rules to keep in mind is that similar items should be categorized together. This usually means tossing all your Pine Sol, Windex, Clorox, and Mr. Clean under your sink, but that doesn't mean it's easy to get them all back out, let alone take them with you to other rooms that need cleaning. Try storing everything on a rolling cart instead, like this:

This slim, wheeled cart that's been popular on TikTok can fit into small spaces easily—but it's also mobile, which means you can take all your supplies with you around the house. My only additional recommendation would be to make sure you get a cart with a sturdy handle in case you have a lot of stairs in your home. The one in the video has two small handles on the sides, but one with a larger handle and slightly deeper shelves is perfect for tilting on an angle and dragging up the steps. Consider this one:

I also like that one because the wheels are lockable, so whether it's in storage or next to you while you clean, it won't roll all over the place.

Making the most of a cleaning cart

The cart is great on its own, but it can be improved with a few little tweaks, depending on the tools you use for cleaning most frequently.

  • A sponge holder ($9.99) affixed to the side of a shelf will keep your sponges from getting the cart and cleaning products wet, and it help your sponges dry after use.

  • These multipurpose hooks (six for $10.75) can hold brushes, spray bottles, rags, and other implements off the side of the cart for easy access and drying.

  • Some drawer organizers (25 pieces for $18.45) can also help you keep smaller pieces grouped together within the cart so nothing shifts around or gets lost.

As for what to put in the cart in terms of actual cleaning supplies, the short answer is "everything" and the longer answer is "it depends what you usually clean." In general, your cart should contain all of your cleaning essentials so, again, everything is located in one place. You could dedicate the top rack to kitchen cleaning supplies, the middle to the bathroom, and the bottom to everything else in general. If you have a ton of different cleaning supplies or a lot of rooms, you might even consider getting two carts and organizing them based on your different spaces.

If you need some cleaning products to stock up your cart once it arrives, you can't go wrong with these, which are my favorites:

The Best Items for Safely Storing and Organizing Your Cleaning Products

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
27 June 2024 at 16:00

You use your cleaning supplies to keep your home safe from germs, bugs, and mess, but that doesn't mean they're safe themselves. Whether you have kids or pets you don't want getting into harsh chemicals, or you just want to know the right ways to store your products without them going bad, it's important to have a strategy for organizing and storing everything you use to keep your home clean.

How to store cleaning chemicals

The labels on any chemicals you use should tell you the best conditions for their storage, but if the label gets damaged or if you are a fan of decanting your goods into prettier or more stackable vessels, you may not be able to check those. In general, chemicals should be stored in a cool, dry place, far from anything that gets too hot, like pipes or vents. As long as you keep everything in its own bottle or container, you don't run the risk of them mixing together, so you're good to store them all in one place, which you should be doing because it's a key part of maintaining an organized home.

If your concern is kids and their possible access to the products, you should store chemicals in places they can't easily reach. If your kitchen is big enough, dedicate one of your upper cabinets to cleaning products and pick up a set of child safety locks for the knobs. Use low baskets to keep them organized by type and prevent any leaks from getting onto the wood shelving. Better yet, if you have space in your storage room, get a free-standing, lockable storage shelf, like this:

I'm not a big fan of putting everything under the sink because of the temperature variations that can come with all the pipes, but if that's your best option, make sure you're using a shelving unit that pulls out, so you're not having to crawl deep into the recesses of the cabinet to get to any infrequently used product. Try something like this:

Store your most used products toward the front and your least used ones toward the back. No matter which kind of storage tool you choose, remember to keep everything cool and dry.

Storing your other cleaning supplies

Everything should be stored together, as mentioned above, but if you have kids or pets, remember to keep abrasive or dangerous items like hard brushes or steel wool somewhere high or locked up. Other than that, these tools will help you organize and store everything:

  • These wall hooks (six for $14.99) are specially designed to hold spray bottle nozzles, so they're great for empty bottles you fill with diluted cleaner or even frequently used products, like Windex.

  • This cleaning caddy ($14.99) has space for bottles, paper towels, and brushes, plus a handle so you can pull it out, fill it with what you need, and stay organized while you tackle the mess in any room, no matter how far it is from where you keep the products.

  • This hanging rack ($16.97) for brooms and mops helps keep those bigger tools out of reach of kids and stops them from getting dirty on the floor. It also has some standard hooks for rags, brushes, and more, so everything you need is in one place.

These Robot Vacuums Are up to 50% Off Right Now

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By: Daniel Oropeza
24 June 2024 at 16:00

Like probably many people reading this, my first robot vacuum was a Roomba. It was great for its time, but if you've been paying attention, other companies have been improving their technology while iRobot seems to be stagnant. Shark, Yeedi, and Roborock are some of the better robot vacuum brands out there, and they're currently very well priced. If you're looking to improve your current robot vacuum, consider one of these.

The Shark AI is 50% off

The Shark AI has some good features for its $299.99 sale price (originally $599), like smart mapping and a self-emptying base that can hold 60 days worth of debris. It is bagless, so there's no need to spend on bags every time you empty the debris, and it avoids obstacles with LiDAR technology. The main concern is that Shark doesn’t disclose the device's suction power, which could be a tactic to hide underwhelming specs.

The Roborock Q7 Max+ Robot Vacuum and Mop combo is 47% off

If you're looking for a vacuum and mop combo, the Roborock Q7 Max+ for $459.99 (originally $869.99) is a great option. The mopping is not high-tier, though, since it only uses a single brush—if that's important to you, the higher-tier Roborock S8 will. However, it will clean surface-level stains without a problem.

Like the Shark, the Q7 Max+ also has a LiDAR system that it uses to map out your home. You can designate no-mop areasto avoid getting rugs wet, for example. If there are objects in the way, it will remember them and can maneuver around them to avoid accidents. The dock station can hold up to seven weeks of debris with its 2.5-liter bags. The suction power is decent for its current price, at 4,200 pascals. Just keep in mind you will be making purchases on the mop pads as you use them up, as well as the bags on the self-emptying dock.

The Yeedi C12 PRO Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop is $230 off

The Yeedi C12 PRO Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop combo might not have the impressive discounts the other two vacuums have, but it's still arguably a better value for your money. After using the $130 on-page coupon, you can get the Yeedi C12 PRO Plus for $369.99 (originally $599). This vacuum has a self-emptying dust bin that can last up to seven weeks before needing to empty it; the most suction power with 8,000 pascals; a mop pad that scrubs the floor 480 times per minute; smart mapping of your home; the ability to set schedules; boosted suction on carpet; anti-tangle technology on the roller; and up to five-hour battery capacity. You won't be spending money on dust bags or mop pads, since these ones are reusable.

These Are Some of the Best Furniture and Decor Items With Hidden Storage

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
21 June 2024 at 18:30

If you live in a small space or simply have a lot of stuff, storage can be a nightmare. To stay organized and tidy, you absolutely must utilize storage boxes and spaces, but as someone who lives in a little apartment, I’ll be the first to admit it’s difficult to find places to keep bins, let alone keep all my stuff organized within them. That’s why I’m a big proponent of "storage as decoration"—items that double as both storage and furniture. 

Best hidden storage furniture

We’re going to start off with my current favorite thing: A full-length storage mirror. I have this one from Vlsrka ($139.99), which is a lighted mirror that swings open to reveal another lighted mirror, plus earring, necklace, and bracelet hooks, bins for makeup brushes, pockets, shelves, and a ring holder. This one can be hung on the wall, but there are others that are free-standing, like this one from Songmics ($179.98) that hides not only internal storage, but a few external shelves in the back. I love mine because the inner and outer mirror are so handy and my jewelry and makeup are out of the way until I need them. 

By far one of the most convenient and inconspicuous hidden storage solutions is the faithful hollow ottoman. This one from Storagebud ($39.97) can fold flat when not in use, plus has smaller storage bins inside so you can keep everything you toss in there a little more organized. There are also small “foot rest” versions for much cheaper, like the Songmics cube ($23.79). 

The bench by your front door isn’t pulling its weight if you can’t stash stuff inside it. The Hoobro shoe storage bench ($73.14) hinges open at the top to allow you to store things under the seat, plus has exterior shelving that you can face toward the wall, so no one will ever know you have anything in there. 

You know what else isn't pulling its weight as much as it could be? Your lamp. Sure, it provides light, but it could also provide shelving:

Shelves in any form are great for extra storage, but shelves with hidden compartments inside are double great—and stop the top part from getting too cluttered. The Ikoppoi hidden storage wall shelf ($29.98) allows you to display some decorations while hiding other items away within its secret drawer. For example, think about displaying candles on the visible shelf, then hiding matches or a lighter inside.

Store larger items right in your living room with the Cozy Castle coffee table ($149.99), which not only has LED lighting and a high-gloss finish, but two big storage drawers hidden on the sides. It’s great for big blankets, the kids’ toys, or whatever else is cluttering up your space. 

If you feel like doing a little DIY around the house, try the Fox Hollow Furnishings recessed medicine cabinet ($399.99), which looks like a regular picture frame on the outside, but contains four rows of shelving on the inside. You do have to install it inside your wall, so it’s not as convenient as the other options here, but if you have anything sensitive or valuable to store, an innocuous “picture frame” is the perfect thing to put it all behind. Check out this video demo to see how it looks.

Decoration storage swaps

Furniture is one thing, but even the stuff you use to spruce up your space aesthetically or sentimentally can help provide some storage if you do it right.

When you're decorating on a flat space, you should use the rule of threes, meaning you have clusters of three items all over the place. This is why when you're in a home goods store and see those useless wicker balls that are meant to sit on your coffee table, they usually come in packs of three. But like I said, those are useless. Why not toss a few vases or canisters into the mix? You can still intersperse some statuettes or tchotchkes, but each cluster of three decorations should include some kind of vessel that can obscure your loose coins, writing utensils, receipts, or other unsightly items that don't have a designated home. Consider something like this:

Look at your shelves, too. Maybe you have some little decorations on your bookcase, like bookends or something. Why not swap them for some decorative baskets instead? You can get three for $25.99 and no one has to know what's in them.

Moving on, consider your picture frames. You can't really justify getting rid of the photos and memories that adorn your shelves and side tables, but what if you made the frames a little more useful? Pick up some shadow boxes and stick your photos to the front pane, using the back area for storage of things like documents, remotes, or whatever else you need access to in that room.

If you have a green thumb and a small place, you don’t have to choose between plants and storage. Sdstone makes a flower pot with a hidden safe in the bottom ($14.99). It’s meant for valuables, but you can toss whatever small items you want in there. As a bonus, it comes with a fireproof pouch for money and extra-important items. 

Finally, go old-school with a two pack of decorative “book” boxes ($23.95). On the outside, these look like classic old books and will blend in on your bookshelf easily. Inside, you’ll find storage space big enough for small items. 

Other sneaky storage ideas

One hack I’ve developed over years of living in small apartments is to store my winter coats in my luggage. When I travel, I just take them out and lay them on the couch. It doesn’t matter; I’m not home to see the mess anyway. This saves a bunch of space in my closet, which is dominated by the suitcases as it is. 

I also have shelving units all along my walls to make up for a lack of closet space. (I do have closets, but I just really like clothes.) The clothes I put on these can look kind of sloppy, so I use fabric storage cubes to create “drawers” on the shelves. When not in use, they fold up flat, but when they’re popped open, they give the illusion that the shelves are much more organized than they really are. Try a six pack from Amazon Basics ($19.68). 

Finally, I swapped out my hamper for a rolling cart last year. The cart is still bulky and ugly, so I keep it in the closet, but it’s less cumbersome than the hamper I had and it makes laundry day much easier, as I can just wheel the dirty laundry straight out the door and into the laundromat. Unfortunately for me, I have some tacky, fruit-patterned abomination from the dollar store, but fortunately for you, there’s a much prettier version from Songmics on Amazon for $50.83.

The Best Items (and Strategies) for Organizing a Storage Room

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
21 June 2024 at 15:00

A lot of the storage and organizing hacks I write about are geared toward those living in a small space, but before I moved to New York City and began inhabiting miniature apartments, I was living comfortably in the Midwest, where houses are cheap and big—but hard to declutter and organize in their own way.

My parents' house had a room called the storage room, which I never realized I would one day consider a nostalgic luxury. That room held seasonal decorations, old furniture, mementos, and a big freezer full of extra food in case we got snowed in. (That's part of the reason it's so cheap to live out there, by the way.) My parents kept this thing in tip-top organizational shape, making it a super-useful space, but if it had fallen into disorder it would have become a major burden instead.

Whether you have a dedicated storage room, an attic, a space in the garage, or a storage unit, you need to keep it organized so when you do have occasion to use the things within it, you actually know where they are.

Shelves and bins

First, you need shelves. You need a lot of shelves and, ideally, they should be big. When you're organizing, it's important to remember that everything you own needs to have a designated spot for storage, so shelves on their own aren't ideal, since they can get cluttered themselves. However, they are perfect for holding containers, which is what you'll need after you get the shelves situated. My storage room had shelves built into the walls all the way around the perimeter, but more importantly, they were all uniformly and evenly spaced. Fill a wall with sturdy shelving and try to make sure all the units are the same so it's relatively seamless.

As mentioned, you're going to need storage boxes. I recommend using sturdy, plastic bins instead of cardboard, since basements, attics, garages, and unfinished rooms can get a little damp. Again, these should be uniform so all the boxes can stack nicely on the shelves and on top of each other. You can get a six pack of 54-quart clear bins for $89.99, but avoid getting the kind with wheels if you're going to put them on the shelf. That's just asking for a catastrophe.

On the other hand, wheels are handy for things like Christmas decorations, so you can easily take the entire bin out into your home when you're decorating for the season. A solid option in situations like that is this set of three stacking bins where the bottom one has wheels.

How to actually organize the storage room

My recommendations for what kinds of shelves and bins you need will only take you so far. You also need to declutter and organize the space. If you need some motivation, consider the concept of Swedish death cleaning: Imagine what a burden this room is going to be for your descendants when you die. It's macabre, but it works.

As for the best cleaning and decluttering technique to follow in a room overflowing with old stuff, I recommend pro organizer Andrew Mellen's Organizational Triangle, which follows three basic principles: Every item needs a home, keep like with like, and use a something-in, something-out approach. Start by removing everything from the space. You can do this when you're ready to start using your new shelving and bins. Sort through all the stuff, categorizing it into piles based on similarities, but also being judicious about throwing away anything you don't need to hold onto anymore. For example, Thanksgiving decorations go in one pile, barbecue tools go in another, bike accessories in another, etc. If you have any duplicates, get rid of all but one right away. Then, put every distinct pile into its own bin. Again, everything needs a home—a bin—and everything should be stored with similar items, so you know exactly where to look for whatever you need when you need it.

Finally, you're going to need a labeling system. Even if you're using clear bins, it can be hard to figure out what's in there. Grab a big label maker, like the Brother QL-600 ($79.99), which supports labels up to 2.4 inches in size, and use it to clearly define what's in each box.

For an extra decluttering boost, any time you open one of the bins, go through it using the decluttering method of your choice, gradually paring down the amount of stuff you actually keep in there so you can stay on top of your organization even more.

How to Get Rid of Sentimental Items While Still Feeling Your Feelings

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
20 June 2024 at 18:30

When it comes to decluttering and getting rid of meaningful items, there are two schools of thought: You can acknowledge you're not using them and that they have no purpose, then chuck them; or you can get pretty emotional and make excuses for holding onto them. I'm a big proponent of getting rid of stuff, but I get that it can be hard. Here are a few ways to let go of meaningful stuff while giving yourself space to get in your feelings.

Cull your sentimental items respectfully

I like this advice from Be More With Less, since these three ideas give you room to cherish, respect, and say goodbye to the mementos you want to part with.

First, build up to the big stuff. I've been on a major decluttering mission for a few months now and I didn't start on day one by tossing out my stack of old birthday cards. It's easier to throw out receipts, garbage, broken items, and junk—so do that. You can follow a technique like the calendar method, giving yourself a certain amount of items to throw out every day, working up to throwing away anything with emotional value. In this case, think of your brain as a muscle; it needs to be trained to get rid of things. You have to work up to this, not dive in right away.

Next—and I really like this one—express how the items make you feel. Take pictures of them. Write about them. Invite a friend over to help you and tell that friend the story of the item, why you held onto it, and what it's meant to you. Holding space for the item (and maybe even making new memories in the process) is a good way to honor it, even if you know it needs to go. When I'm getting rid of old photographs, I snap quick pics of ones that mean a lot to me but I know I'll never really go digging through a physical album to see again. Let the item live on through a story or photo, so you can let go of the real thing.

Finally, for anything you're really having a hard time letting go of, use it one final time. If it's cookware from your grandmother or a nice necklace your ex gave you, use it. But do it intentionally. Enjoy the item, be mindful while you use it, and recognize this will be the last time you do so, so you'd better make it count. Give it a little sendoff and be grateful for all you got out of it.

Of course, if any of these items are in good condition, you can donate them, too. There can be a sense of joy that comes with knowing that even if you can't use or store something, it can live on with someone else who might really love it.

Why taking time to throw sentimental items works

There are a lot of techniques out there that suggest you make snap decisions about throwing things away when you're decluttering and I tend to agree with them. The longer you deliberate over something and the more meaning you drag out to attach to it, the less likely you are to get rid of it—and since you can't live in the past and that doesn't help you in the present, you're not doing yourself any favors.

Still, that can be hard. It's not fun to let go of old macaroni drawings, not because you want to display them, but because it means accepting your children have grown up, you know? Giving each thing a sendoff and an intentional goodbye could be the answer you're looking for when "just get rid of it" doesn't cut it.

The Best Items for Storing Jewelry

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By: Lindsey Ellefson
20 June 2024 at 18:00

Organizing your accessories, like shoes, bags, and belts, is an important part of keeping your home manageable and your appearance on point, but the way you keep your jewelry stored might be most important of all. Whether you need access to a certain piece you only wear on special occasions or you have a ton of interchangeable pieces you mix and match daily, you need it all to be somewhere accessible and safe. Here are my favorite storage solutions for all kinds of jewelry.

The best jewelry storage solutions

First: A storage mirror. I've recommended these things at least twice before and I'll keep recommending them because they're just that good. A few months ago, I got this lighted mirror that opens up to reveal shelving, pockets, hooks, and more—and I really am obsessed with it. There are designated spaces for stud earrings, dangling earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings, plus other shelves and pockets that I use for hair products and accessories. I also use one of the clear pockets for body piercing jewelry, since I haven't found a jewelry box or storage container that has a convenient solution for those.

I love this and am thrilled with the purchase, even though I found it a little spendy. The lights can be made cooler, warmer, dimmer, and brighter, so it's the perfect multi-function tool for getting ready. Before I got this, I had a hanging rack for my earrings. I still use it for overflow from the storage mirror. What I like about this one is that, unlike some earring holders, I don't have to remove the backs of my earrings and reattach them behind the rack to make them stay; there are large holes with grooves that allow me to set the earring in with its back on. The one I got six years ago isn't available anymore, but it's like this:

When looking for storage solutions, keep those little annoyances in mind. I know myself and if I got one that required me to fiddle around attaching the earring and its back, I wouldn't use it often. I'd just set my earrings down on a table and probably lose them. Convenience is important with storage. For other options, try these:

  • This storage tool ($19.98) hangs in your closet, keeping it out of sight, but still has space for earrings and dangling jewelry, like bracelets and necklaces, so they don't get tangled.

  • I'm not a big proponent of stacking your jewelry in boxes or drawers, since it could get tangled, but if space is a concern for you, this acrylic jewelry box ($26.99) has five drawers and is still compact.

  • For a bit more, you could get a taller jewelry box ($39.99) that has not only vertically stacked drawers, but wings on the side that open to reveal hanging storage. These can keep your necklaces in order without compromising space on your shelves.

  • Finally, if you're traveling, your jewelry should still be as safe as possible, so a hard-sided box like this ($9.99) with space for hanging pieces, rings, and earrings, is perfect.

No matter where you place your storage tools, make sure the jewelry is in a cool and dry place with little exposure to sunlight. Stuff a few silica gel packets alongside anything that is in a pocket to make sure extra moisture is pulled out.

When to Use Hot Water Vs. Cold Water to Remove Fabric Stains

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By: Elizabeth Yuko
19 June 2024 at 08:00

When it comes to getting stains out of clothing, upholstery, and other fabrics, you might assume that water is water, and its temperature really doesn't matter. But similar to cleaning wood floors and furniture, there are right and wrong water temperatures for removing stains.

For example, a recent viral TikTok post demonstrates a method for removing berry stains from clothing using boiling water. While that works in that scenario, attempting to use boiling water to clean up other messes will actually cause the stain to set—making it much harder to remove. So how do you determine the right water temperature for a particular stain?

How to use water for stain removal

Before we get into water temperatures, Karina Toner, operations manager at Washington D.C.-based Spekless Cleaning, has a few tips for choosing the right stain-removing method:

  • Test first: Always test the water temperature and cleaning solution on a small, hidden area of the fabric to ensure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration.

  • Blot, don’t rub: Blotting or dabbing helps lift the stain without grinding it further into the fabric.

  • Follow care labels: Always start by checking the fabric care instructions to avoid damaging the material.

Soaking vs. dabbing

When using hot water, Toner recommends dabbing the stain then using a stain remover on the area. "Soaking can be effective, but should be done based on the fabric's tolerance to heat," she says. For particularly stubborn stains, add a bit of detergent before soaking.

For stains that require cold water, soaking the entire stained area is usually best. "This helps to dilute and lift the stain out of the fabric fibers," Toner says.

Applying water to upholstered furniture

When a stain is on something upholstered, soaking it isn't an option. For stains that respond to cold water, Toner recommends using a spray bottle to mist the stained area lightly, then blotting with a clean cloth. Do your best to avoid over-saturating the fabric. For stains that need hot water, dab the stained area with a soaked cloth. "Follow up with a steam cleaner if available, but be cautious to avoid soaking the upholstery," she says.

When to use hot water to remove stains from fabric

In most cases, opt for washing stained items in warm or hot—not boiling—water. "Use boiling water only on durable fabrics and avoid it on delicate materials like silk or wool," Toner says. "It can be effective for certain stains, like berry stains, but it should be done with caution. The high temperature can help break down the stain, but it can also set certain stains."

Toner also advises using warm or hot water to get rid of the following stains:

  • Dirt and mud: Let the mud dry completely, then brush off as much as possible before washing the fabric in warm water.

  • Oil and grease: Apply dish soap to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes, then wash the fabric in hot water (not boiling, but as hot as the fabric can tolerate).

  • Sweat: Pre-treat the stain with a mixture of baking soda and water, then wash in warm water.

You should also use warm or hot water on the following stains, according to Merry Maid:

  • Dye and marker

  • Egg

  • Grass

  • Tomato-based products

  • Lipstick

  • Lotion

  • Mustard

  • Shoe polish

  • Vomit

When to use cold water to remove stains from fabric

Depending on the stain, cold water may be your best bet, Toner says, including those from:

  • Blood: Hot water can set the protein in the blood, making it harder to remove. Rinse the fabric under cold running water as soon as possible to flush out the stain, then launder as usual.

  • Chocolate: Cold water helps prevent chocolate from melting further into the fabric. Scrape off excess chocolate, then rinse the stained area with cold water before treating it with a stain remover.

  • Wine: Blot the stain with a cloth soaked in cold water to dilute the wine, then treat with a stain remover or a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide.

  • Paint: Cold water works best for water-based paint stains. Rinse the stained area under cold running water to remove as much paint as possible before washing.

You should also use cold water on the following stains, according to Merry Maid:

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Baby food/formula

  • Candle wax

  • Cheese

  • Coffee and tea

  • Gum (ice is even better)

  • Jelly and jam

  • Milk and dairy products

  • Soft drinks

  • Soy sauce

  • Toothpaste

  • Urine

No matter what you've spilled on yourself or your couch, don't give it time to set in. "The quicker you address the stain, the better your chances of removing it completely," Toner says.

The Right Way to Roll up and Store Your Belts

✇Lifehacker
By: Lindsey Ellefson
18 June 2024 at 20:00

Slowly but surely, I'm going to revolutionize your closet. From shoes to bags, there are so many accessories to collect and flaunt, but they really do take up a ton of space, so finding solutions for storing every kind of adornment should be a priority for anyone living a fashion forward lifestyle.

But even if you're not, and you don't have a closet overflowing with purses and footwear, you almost certainly have a small (or not so small) collection of belts. Here's a good way to organize it.

How to roll your belts for storage so they won't come undone

Until I saw the following technique floating around TikTok, I was storing my belts by hanging them over the handle on my closet door. This is wrong. They were always falling off, dragged down by the weight of the buckle on one end—and the weight of said buckle can actually stretch and damage more delicate belts over time. You could get some hooks and hang all your belts up somewhere by the buckle, but that takes up wall space. Instead,you should be rolling your belts to help them maintain their shape.

But it's hard to keep belts rolled up, right? They just keep coming undone, right? Not if you try this method that's been trending on social media:

Using the buckle for stability, you thread the belt backward through it and pull it almost all the way through, creating a small hole. Then, start rolling up the belt from the other side, and stuff the resulting spiral into the hole you made. I tried this method out and found it to be easy to execute and effective at keeping my belts all wound up in an easy-to-stack shape. But why stop there?

Belts hanging and belts folded up
Before (bad) vs. after (good) Credit: Lindsey Ellefson

How to store all your belts

You can tuck your newly-miniaturized belts in a stack on a shelf, in a drawer, or in a box—I recommend a small one that will help keep them organized and secure, like this one:

But I prefer another method I recently encountered, because I think there's value in making it easy to see all your options when you're picking out what to wear. So instead, stack your belts on a paper towel holder, like this one:

The little arm that's supposed to secure the paper towels to the roll will hold the belts in place and keep them rolled up, and stacking them this way will give you a better sense of what you've got, and save you from digging through a box looking for that one specific belt.

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