Archives for A Year Ago
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Storing specialty hangers?
How do you keep the non-standard hangers organized when they aren’t in use? - Unitasker Wednesday: The snowman kit
Snowman kits include everything except the snow! - Flipside wallet
I wanted to add the Flipside Wallet to the list of wallet alternatives due to the ease of use and cool design. - ROO: Return on Organization
A recent article in USA Today explores organization and how it can help keep expenses low in these tough economic times. - Workspace of the Week: Crafts contained
This week’s workspace of the week is Ali’s craft office. - Ask Unclutterer: Corner kitchen cabinets
The answer we discovered are storage systems that use the descriptive phrase “blind corner” in their names. - Valentine’s day gift ideas
Valentine’s day is here again and some of us are probably scrambling to find that perfect gift for their loved one. - Coming in 2009: An Unclutterer book
In late November, I signed a contract with Simon Spotlight Entertainment, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, to write an Unclutterer book.
2008
- Letting a corner of clutter slide
Small pockets of clutter can serve as little humbling reminders that I am human and am far from perfect. - The wireless Wii nunchuk
Nyko, a third party supplier for gaming accessories, has Wii owners covered with the a wireless nunchuk. - Barbecue accessory essentials
It is the middle of winter, so what better time to dream about heading outside in the warm summertime air for a good old fashioned barbecue? - More reasons to purge disposable plastic bags and try reusable bags
With more stores and municipalities requiring patrons to use their own bags, we’ve compiled a more extensive list of reusable bag options — all of which collapse. - Getting the most out of your storage closets
How to organize and effectively maintain a storage closet in your home.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Seeing spring
Before most people realize that spring is on the horizon, now is a great time to get ahead of the curve and start making appointments for all of your spring cleaning activities. - Compulsive clutter in New York City
While readers of Unclutterer may be familiar with hoarding, it is a psychological ailment that still isn’t understood by much of the general public. It is encouraging to see these journalism students work to increase public awareness about the disorder’s damaging effects. - Baby safety clutter
After browsing through an unsolicited baby product magazine that I received in the mail, I am now aware of the products that over protective parents just can’t live without. - Tracking your favorite wines
If you’re a wine enthusiast, check out the list of online and software programs that might suit your needs, download one of the iPhone applications, or consider starting a wine notebook.
2008
- Book review: Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?
Peter Walsh’s latest book provides tips for treating your body with honor and respect.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- E-mail Resolution: Enabling multiple device communication and spam filtering improvements
2009 is the year that I get e-mail under control, and I start by fixing two major problems. - Unitasker Wednesday: Japanese face slimmer
I’m not exactly sure how the face slimming actually works (crushes your bones? causes you to sweat so much you become dehydrated?), but don’t let things like “doubt” stop you from ordering this attractive item. - Folding kitchen island
The folding island saves on space in the kitchen and it also serves you well while you need extra counter space. - GarageBand rocks more with less
The new iLife ‘09 suite updates GarageBand with several exciting new features that will help beginner, and even advanced, guitarists keep their hobby clutter-free.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Preserving digitized photographs
What to do after you have your print photographs digitized. - Positives from downsizing our home
We have saved about fifty percent on home energy costs. - Wireless kitchen
Powermat wants to put an end to power cords in the kitchen. - An efficiency becomes efficient
Architect Gary Chang’s Hong Kong apartment is the gold standard in space-saving solutions. - Advertise
2008
- Stop hoarding magazines
Many magazines are now putting their entire publishing history on CDs or DVDs.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Kick the procrastination habit
The Scientific American says that to get past the procrastination habit, plan time-specific actions into your schedule. - Unitasker Wednesday: The flying alarm clock
At the appointed alarm time, the attached propeller launches and flies away from the base station. An audible alarm can only be silenced by the user retrieving the propeller and returning it to its base. - Uncluttered home office design
On top of the sleek and modern design the K Workstation would definitely cut down on my desk’s footprint by about 50%. - Let go of anger and cut people slack
Continually focusing on others’ imperfections can easily clutter up our lives and get in the way of a remarkable life. - Workspace of the Week: Office makeover
This week’s workspace is Tabitha’s refreshed space. - Ask Unclutterer: How can I change someone into an unclutterer?
Tips for how to live with someone who is a clutterbug. - Donating clothing to Vietnam Veterans of America
The VVA is a great cause, they make clothing donation easy, and it unclutters your closets and dressers.
2008
- Book review: One Year to an Organized Life
If you’re in the market for a comprehensive, concrete, methodical guide to home organization, Regina Leeds’ latest book is an excellent place to start. - Keep your tax documents organized
When it comes to clutter the federal government has all of us beat. The tax code alone is over 60,000 pages and continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Storing board games and puzzles
If board game and puzzle organization has you stumped, here are some suggestions for getting your games in order. - Soundbar includes Blu-ray, Netflix and Pandora
With all of the features that are included in this speaker it is a decent option for those of us who want to keep our cable clutter under control without sacrificing our sound or entertainment options - Safe storage for your digital data
You may want to take a look at the ioSafe Solo. It is a fireproof and waterproof hard drive enclosure that can protect your data and your digital mementos. - Hiring a professional organizer
If you decide to hire a professional organizer, start by looking for someone who is diplomatic, empathetic, willing to listen, non-judgmental, creative, patient, and trustworthy.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Productivity and organizing insights found in Lean systems
Programs that strive to increase productivity in the workplace are usually worthwhile systems that increase morale and creative thinking, instead of stifle it. Additionally, most have proven records of increasing quality and efficiency. - Unitasker Wednesday: The book brush
I don’t know about you, but I have a serious problem with dust covered books in my home. - TripIt organizes your travel itinerary
For those of you who travel quite a bit this looks like a helpful tool to keep your travel information in one place. - Choose from the heart: Clutter free and feeling fine
Danielle LaPorte heads helpful advice for keeping your clutter under control. - Study: Disorder begets disorder
A new study finds that mess creates more mess. - Workspace of the Week: Simple split desk
This week’s workspace is Nicole’s simple and small office. - Ask Unclutterer: Exhausted after work
How do you stay on top of your chores if both members of the household work demanding jobs all day? - Power strips that work well with wall warts
Three alternatives to traditional power strips. These alleviate or reduce the space-hogging wall wart problem.
2008
- Reader suggestion: Cleaning ornaments
Clean ornaments with compressed air. - Storing coffee
Is your coffee equipment taking over your kitchen? - Unitasker Wednesday: Snowball maker
This contraption will supply you with round snowballs that your enemies will envy. - Techniques for taming pet fur tumbleweeds
Institute a few changes in your behavior to keep pet fur bunnies from multiplying out of control.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Book review: Career Renegade
If you’re ready to have a career you love, then Career Renegade is the book for you. - Classic and timeless toys are the way to go
My daughter has received some rather gimmicky toys over her first couple years and we have been pretty good at predicting which toys will be the duds. - Fix My HTML
Having trouble trimming down your HTML code? - Winter storage event at Home Depot
Home Depot is currently holding a sale on all storage products until January 31. - Design Public’s Organization Blog Fest
The website Design Public is hosting an Organization Blog Fest for the month of January.
2008
2007
- Take-out menu filer
Every time you get a take-out menu, put it in a binder for easy access.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Book review: The Power of Less
If you are looking for sound advice on how to improve your productivity, The Power of Less will help you to be more efficient in all your dealings. - Unitasker Wednesday: Paw plunger
Apparently, someone has become tired of wiping their dog’s paws so they decided to introduce the Paw Plunger to the dog owning public. - The multi-tasking unitasker: Bag TV
There is some hope for those of you who didn’t receive that new designer bag and that new LCD television. - Keeping new year’s resolutions from NPR’s Science Friday
Clinical psychologist John Norcross provides information on how to increase the odds of keeping new year’s resolutions. - Workspace of the Week: Wall writing
This week’s workspace of the week is Hillary’s home office. - Ask Unclutterer: Sell or donate?
In the first installment of Ask Unclutterer, we answer the question of what to sell vs. what to donate. - January is Get Organized Month
The National Association of Professional Organizers has once again declared January Get Organized Month.
2008
- Sony and Borders join e-book forces
- Unitasker Wednesday: Spinmallow
Why roast a marshmallow like a caveman using a stick when you can sit back and relax while the Spinmallow does all the work.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Win a time management seminar with Julie Morgenstern
Win one of two free tickets to Time Management for the New Year by Julie Morgenstern. - Desk by Jarl Fernaeus
The stool/desk combo features some very useful compartments that can cut down on wire clutter and it also has some great solutions for storage. - Stay at My Home
The compact sleeping solution includes a mattress, removable drawer, lamp, and carpet, and is stored in and around a side table when not in use. - Happy birthday to us!
Today marks the second anniversary of Unclutterer. - Winner announced for time management seminar with Julie Morgenstern
Winners of our contest to participate in an online seminar with Julie Morgenstern.
2008
A year ago on Unclutterer
2009
- Happy New Year!
We wish you a wonderful 2009! - Unclutterer on BBC Radio
Erin appeared on the show Pods and Blogs with Jamilla Knowles on the Five Live station of BBC Radio. - Workspace of the Week: Tidy twofer
This week’s workspace of the week is Seahill’s two-person office. - My 2009 New Year’s Resolution: E-mail
My resolution for 2009 is to get e-mail under control. - December 2008 wrap up
These are the things that made December 2008 a great month at Unclutterer.
2008
- Post-holiday cleanup, part 2
Storing ornaments through out the year is a bit of a pain, but it is necessary if you do have a Christmas tree to decorate this time of year.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- Organizing your personal finances
Products and services that might be able to help you keep better track of the money you earn, save, and spend. - The post-holiday tear down
I inevitably spot one every year — a house with Christmas decorations still displayed in mid-March. - Apartment Therapy’s small space round-up
Get inspired by taking a look at some of ideas and products that they highlight in their year end review. - Martha Stewart’s on maximizing your closet space
In the January issue of Martha Stewart Living, there is a feature on maximizing your closet space.
2007
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- Unitasker Wednesday: Electric paper plane launcher
How have you survived office boredom without the useful Electric Paper Plane Launcher? - Workspace of the Week: Well-lit office
This week’s workspace of the week is Moundbaby123’s sky-lit office retreat. - After Christmas shopping
2007
- Slimmed down kitchen faucets
Kitchen faucets have become much more sleek and compact over the years. - Uncluttering your refrigerator’s crisper
- Unitasker Wednesday: Electric garlic roaster
I guess the shape will help you remember what it was for when you find it in the back of one of your cupboards in ten years. - Organize ticket stubs in a dedicated diary
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- Preparing your car for a road trip
Guest author John Walton gives advice for organizing your car before a big road trip. - In with new, out with old
One important area where we make a concerted effort to keep in check is our daughter’s toy collection. - Take stock of your stuff during economic hard times
Charities are feeling the effects of a struggling economy and the trimming down of your home’s inventory can help less fortunate folks. - 2008 new year’s resolution wrap up
In 2008 I took on the resolution of laundry — and I succeeded!
2007
- Workspace of the Week: Built-in home office
- Are Macs more uncluttered than PCs?
- Minimalist-style cooking for the holidays
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- Uncluttering your schedule to keep clear of unnecessary stress
Proper planning — being honest with yourself about how long it will take to complete action items, setting a schedule, and having the diligence to keep to that schedule — will keep you from feeling overwhelmed and in control of the things you can control. - Unitasker Wednesday: Hot chocolate pot
I’m not a hot chocolate connoisseur, but my wife’s homemade concoction passed my taste test. - Multifunctional printers
If you have a home office and space is rather limited for all of your peripherals, you may want to look into multifunctional printers. - 2008 Gift Giving Guide: Guide wrap up
Links to all of the wonderful entries in the 2008 Unclutterer Gift Giving Guide. - Workspace of the Week: Stylish simplicity
This week’s workspace of the week is Sadida’s simplified workspace. - The Onion’s fake gift boxes
In the spirit of Unitasker Wednesday, the always hilarious Onion has some great gag gift boxes for the holidays. - Wrangling newspaper recycling
The Stak-N-Tie newspaper recycling bin keeps papers from piling up around your home.
2007
- Kindle: Is it worth it?
Amazon’s Kindle device seems like the unclutterer’s dream … but is it really? - Last night I played freezer Tetris
In a what turned out to be less than two minutes I rearranged my freezer’s contents into an amazingly tight and compact block. - Bucketless car wash
If you hate washing your car as much as I do, you may want to check out Green Earth Waterless Car Wash from Lucky Earth Products. - Design ideas: Wax candle holders and a step chair
Two ideas for uncluttered design. - Download free audio books from your local library
- Unitasker Wednesday: Martini shaker
Someone with two broken arms couldn’t even operate this unitasker! - Dealing with teenager’s clutter
So do we have any readers that deal with teenagers and their inevitable clutter? Would any parents be willing to brag about their clutter-free teen? - My New Year’s Resolution: Laundry
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- 2008 Gift Giving Guide: Gifts of clutter
It’s the holiday season, and we all need a little smile. Similar to our Unitasker Wednesday posts, we think you might enjoy our favorite gifts of clutter. - Storage beds
Sometimes referred to as a captain bed, the storage bed can alleviate problems that you may have with storage in your closets or dressers - Displaying holiday greeting cards
My wife came across a easy and creative way to display our Christmas cards from Martha Stewart Living. - 2008 Gift Giving Guide: Digital giving
This installment of the Unclutterer Gift Giving Guide explores the virtual world of digital products.
2007
- Workspace of the Week: A car’s glove box
A hipster PDA in a car’s glove box makes for a terrific workspace. - Join our Unclutterer Group on Facebook
If you’re already on Facebook, you should join our group! - Unclutterer’s Matt in the Washington Post Express
Matt is included in an article about experience gift giving! - What to do with holiday cards? Recycle!
Two ideas from readers for what to do with holiday cards after the holidays.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- 2008 Gift Giving Guide: What we want, but can’t yet have
This installment of the Unclutterer Gift Giving Guide explores the not-yet-invented or completely outrageous gifts that would make our readers’ lives more organized. - Unitasker Wednesday: USB guard dog
If you are worried about the safety of the contents of your desk you may want to protect them with Rex. - 2008 Gift Giving Guide: Don’t let Santa go crazy
With the toys being purchased already it is tough to try and keep the influx to a minimum. - Sharing space and dealing with moments of chaos
Guest author Alex Fayle offers up six great tips for things to do and not do when you live with other people. - Workspace of the Week: Multi-functioning clothing and office closet
This office is a great use of space — the closet that houses the office is still used to hold clothing. - Unexpected benefits of uncluttering: An interview with editor Erin Doland
Regular contributor Sue Brenner recently sat down with Unclutterer editor Erin Doland to learn about her path to simple living, and decided to let you in on the conversation that took place.
2007
- Stop spending your weekends cleaning your home
Deep clean a room a night and avoid cleaning your home on the weekends. - Holiday gifts: Out with the old in with the new
If you receive a new pair of jeans, get rid of an old pair. - Get rid of catalog clutter
Catalog Choice is a free service that you use to help curb the amount of catalogs that you receive in the mail. - Organize your life on your wall
A wall-size calendar painted on the wall with chalkboard paint may help to keep your family organized. - Online organization resources for hobbyists?
Let us know of resources for hobbyists, like Ravelry for knitters, that help users be more organized. - Unitasker Wednesday: Drink-O-Matic
This 10-can drink machine can almost hold a full 12-pack of beverages! - Not all small appliances are unitaskers
Small appliances can serve dual functions and eliminate unitaskers from your kitchen - Holiday giving to others beyond your close family and friends
Ideas for how to give gifts to more distant friends and family on a tight budget with uncluttering in mind.
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- 2008 Gift Giving Guide: Experience giving
This year, consider giving a gift of your time. - Keeping holiday decorations uncluttered
Adding seasonal decorations to your home can increase your home’s clutter if you don’t take steps to remove items in preparation of the decorations. - Built NY lunch bag for kids
The Munchler is a lunch bag that can also be carried like a backpack. It also unzips into a placemat for easy use. Made from polypropylene, it will insulate your child’s food. - 2008 Gift Giving Guide: The ultimate gift
The Kindle receives this year’s designation as the most decadent gift you could give to a friend or family member to help organize the home or office.
2007
- Workspace of the Week: Clutter-free cables
- Reader suggestion: Reduce holiday clutter and rent your Christmas tree
A rent-a-tree program in Portland, Oregon, changes the way people decorate for the holidays. - Walking around with a pocket full of clutter
Pocket clutter is very similar to clutter that my be around your home. You hold on to things that you may need “Just in case.”
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- Uncluttered search results with Google SearchWiki
The Google SearchWiki allows you to customize your search results. - Unitasker Wednesday: Beehive pizza oven
- 2008 Unclutterer Gift Giving Guide
Get ready for the holiday season with the 2008 Unclutterer Gift Giving Guide. - Workspace of the Week: A place for everything
GayleRB’s home office and craft area stand out as an organized and effective workspace of the week. - Deadline: The bare bones online calendar application
If you’re in the market for a calendar system that doesn’t come with many bells and whistles, Deadline may be the application for you. - 2008 Gift Giving Guide: Useful gifts under $35
If you’re going to buy something tangible, we suggest getting gifts that work with our motto: A place for everything, and everything in its place.
2007
- Reusable shopping bags
Reusable bags keep clutter at bay and help the environment, too! - Check out Zwaggle
Do you need a stroller? Are you looking to get rid of that changing table? You may want to check out Zwaggle. - Twenty-first century dish racks
- 2007 Unclutterer Gift Giving Guide wrap up
All of the 2007 Gift Giving Guides linked in one article. - Reader suggestion: Weeding out unused holiday decorations
Get rid of unboxed holiday decorations. - Unitasker Wednesday: Electric egg cooker
A year ago on Unclutterer
2008
- November 2008 wrap up
These are the things that made November 2008 a great month at Unclutterer. - Bedroom storage
Excess storage in the bedroom can lead to expanding one’s wardrobe beyond what is needed. - Too many flower vases
Over the years, my wife and I have received a fair amount of mail ordered flowers and with every order there is always a small glass vase included. - Unusual storage spaces
In our home, we use our cookie jar to store garlic, onions, and potatoes.
2007
- Workspace of the Week: Personalized space
This week’s Workspace of the Week is UberTechnica’s clean desk workspace. - Uncluttering with Twitter
Twitter developer Alex Payne shares insights into how to use Twitter to help unclutter your life, and specifically your communications. - November wrap up
The highlights that made November 2007 a terrific month at Unclutterer.

