Curator: 5 simple resets to start September feeling organized – National

Yes, you can delete it, but what about the parts you can’t see? Take 10 seconds and drop the cleaning tablet into the empty dishwasher or washing machine. Once in, set the cycle and let the machine do its work.

For coffee, use an appropriate descaler for drip and pod machines, or espresso machines. Put it on your calendar for the first Sunday of the month and run accordingly.

A must-have for keeping your espresso machine fresh and clean, this powder cleaner helps tackle buildup, while a descaler keeps everything running smoothly. Can also be used to soak metal filters.

There’s a really cool fix for this and it comes in the form of a digital calendar. It syncs the phone calendars your family already uses to one screen in the kitchen. Nobody copies anything anymore. People are raving about this system and how well it works! Someone makes a dentist appointment from the parking lot, and it’s on the wall before they get home. It also runs a chore chart, which helps everyone in the house get back on track.

First, fill the tech with a simple cable management bag. Think of it like a toiletry bag for your tech gear.

Then prepare lunch with these super cool frozen lunch bags, which have cooling gel built into the lining, so you fold the entire bag into the freezer overnight, and no ice packs are lost.

This one takes some real work but it is well worth it. Pull everything out of the dry goods zone and vacuum underneath with a handheld vacuum and brush.

Then pour whatever is left in the plastic or paper bag into an airtight container like this one, which I’ve had for over a year and love.

And if you’re feeling extra fancy, consider using a label maker to label these containers and wow, you did it! Full disclosure: I have a label maker, and when I use it, I feel better at organizing my work. I can’t explain why; You just have to try and see for yourself. Remember that you’re not doing this to have the perfect Instagram or Pinterest kitchen, you’re doing it so you can see exactly what you have and how much, so you stop buying that fourth bag of rice when you run out of grain. As you decant, restock, and replace items, note what’s expired and what’s missing, then restock your pantry as needed.

Use bags rather than rigid bins. I find it easier to carry and doesn’t collapse when empty. Additionally, it has a handle and backpack straps, which is especially useful when storage is under the stairs.

For large soft items, vacuum compression bags come with a hand pump and shrink piles of beach towels and summer clothes into something that can slide onto a storage shelf.