When you think of the word “junk” you typically think of items that are of little or no value, but most people have a “junk drawer” in a convenient, easy to access location to capture all those things that, despite the name, are far from junk.

The contents of the typical junk drawer are some of the most useful and often used items we own: screw drivers, rubber bands, tape measures, box cutters, batteries, twist ties, small change, matches, extra sets of house keys, savings coupons, corkscrews, toothpicks, post-it notes, buttons, thumbtacks, markers, pencils, pens, screws, nails, string, timers, flashlights, scissors and all sorts of other things you want to have handy.

If your junk drawer is full of clutter or filled to a level where absolutely nothing can be found in it, it’s time to turn it into organized storage that earns its keep by making your life easier.

Here are a few simple steps to help you take your drawer from “junk” to “gem”…

Step 1. Gather unused or extra containers from around your house – ice cube trays, little cups and small boxes are all perfect for the job. It’s also a great way to use and enjoy any small souvenir bowls, baskets or other containers you’ve brought home from trips you’ve taken. Or, if you prefer, go shopping for containers that will fit the width, length and height of your drawer. Be sure to take a tape measure or small ruler with you to the store so you can check. Explore the bath, kitchen and other sections of the store for various containers. Get creative with containers by thinking out of the box (pun intended!) and you might surprise yourself by all the possibilities that are out there.

Step 2. If you don’t already have some, buy non-slip drawer liner – rolls or pads of thin textured rubber. Dust/wash out your junk drawer and line it before inserting your containers. This will keep them from sliding around when you open and close the drawer.

Step 3. Take everything out of the drawer and put it on top of your counter. You may want to lay some newspaper or other protection down first to help prevent damage to your countertop. Undoubtedly, you will discover items that got lost in the tumble, items you don’t even remember having, items that belong elsewhere and items that should be tossed. Returning items that belong elsewhere to their rightful homes will reduce the clutter and disorganization of the junk drawer. Once that’s done the items that truly belong in the drawer become clear and the organizing can begin.

Step. 4. Put like items together – thumbtacks in one pile, buttons in another, rubber bands in a third and so on until you’re done. Assign each category of item to an appropriately sized container and return it to your junk drawer. If you find an item that you can’t identify, put it to the side. Ask your family to help figure out what it is and then decide if you really need it or not. If you don’t need it, toss it.

Organizing your junk drawer is a great way to keep it from actually looking like its name and will make the items it contains easier to find when you need them. Much better to only dig through one container to find what you need instead of digging through the whole drawer!

Spring cleaning your garage doesn’t have to be painful. Like the rest of your house, it’s a matter of planning and keeping in mind these helpful tips courtesy of Closets by Design.

1. Reclaim the garage floor – The trick is to use the space on the garage walls to your advantage. Toys such as golf clubs, tennis rackets and skates can be stored along the walls, while bikes can be hung on hooks from the ceiling. Rakes, shovels and other yard supplies can also be easily organized on an interior wall. Using this space wisely will not only help you to increase your storage space but make items easily accessible.

2. Cut the clutter – It’s amazing how many “things” you acquire over the years, and finding a place for each one is not always possible, or necessary. It’s important to discard items you no longer want or need. Sort through all of your tools and home maintenance supplies, and separate items into those you can sell, donate, throw away or recycle. If you haven’t used it in a year, you can probably get rid of it.

3. Sort and label – It’s not enough to simply get organized. The real test is to stay organized. Labeling boxes and containers eliminates the frustration of rummaging through all of your belongings to find one specific item. Put similar items into categories (i.e. tools, holiday decorations, etc.) so you will be able to maintain an efficient organizational system.

4. Safety first – Since you’re already sorting items, be sure to keep potentially hazardous chemicals together and locked. It’s best to use a lockable tool chest or cabinet for extra caution. Also, make sure that any power tools with an on/off switch are stored securely out of children’s reach.

5. Increase storage with sturdy cabinets and shelving – Because paint cans, tools and other bulky items will be stored in the garage, it’s important that cabinets and shelving are sturdy enough to support the extra weight. Not all cabinets are built the same and it’s important that you understand the construction behind your cabinet and the weight limitations. A proper storage solution can organize your items and keep them out of site. An important note when purchasing garage cabinets – make sure the doors will open when your car is parked in the garage.

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Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a reputation as the nation’s leader in the closet organizing and storage remodeling industry. The company offers customers comprehensive solutions to all their organizational needs in a short and simple process by designing, building and installing custom home offices, closets, garage cabinets, wall units, laundries, pantries, wardrobe mirror doors and other home organization systems. Closets by Design offers a wide selection of finishes, accessories and hardware. There are currently 33 locations serving major markets across the country. To schedule a FREE in-home consultation, please visit www.closetsbydesign.com or call 800-293-3744.

To honor its worthy mission, I would like to recommend Catalog Choice, a free service that lets you reduce unwanted mail and choose how you hear from brands. Catalog Choice was started by three environmental groups – the Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Federation and the Ecology Center, which runs Berkeley, California’s curbside recycling program – with the goal of reducing the negative impact on our natural resources caused by the mass mailing of catalogs.

Catalog Choice contacts companies on your behalf and lets them know that you want to cut back on the frequency with which to receive catalogs or stop the mailings completely. Please keep in mind that it can take up to 12 weeks for the changes to take effect. To show that Catalog Choice has nothing against free enterprise, you can find links on its website to all the catalog merchants, which allows you to shop online after asking that your name be taken off a company’s mailing list.

So, if you have no need for paper phonebooks, want to opt out of receiving paper catalogs, stop preapproved credit offers at home or unwanted mail at the office, register with Catalog Choice now.

I’ve tried several different software solutions for comment spam, but when human spammers are motivated they’ll find a way through to a site they want to target.

People can still give me feedback via Facebook or Twitter and even if I don’t always respond, please rest assured that I do read and listen.

Thank you for understanding.

Denim – known round the world as a symbol of American fashion – is actually a French import. The word comes from the name of a sturdy fabric called “serge”, originally made in Nîmes, France. Originally called “serge de Nîmes”, the name was soon shortened to denim. The contemporary use of the word “jeans” comes from the French word for Genoa, Italy (Gênes), where the first denim trousers were made.

Denim was introduced to this country by Levi Strauss in the 1850s in the form of work pants designed for the mining industry and we’ve have had a longstanding love affair with denim ever since. Comfort, fashion and durability are all words that come to mind when we think of denim, but INSULATION? Not so much.

Since 2006, Cotton Inc. has taken 270,000 pieces of denim and using a multi-stage process recycled them into UltraTouch™ Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation for 540 Habit for Humanity houses. (FYI – it takes approximately 500 pair of jeans to insulate one average-size American house.) Cotton Inc.’s efforts have kept 200 tons of denim out of landfills and provided an essential building material at the same time. Now that’s how to recycle and reuse!

Denim insulation costs about ten percent more than standard fiberglass insulation, but it’s safer to install (non-itch, no carcinogens, formaldehyde or chemical irritants), better for the environment, more energy-efficient and acoustically it provides 30% better sound absorption than traditional fiberglass insulation. In addition, it’s one of the only insulating products that contains an active mold/mildew inhibitor.

It’s spring, so why not do a little spring cleaning, make some space in your closets and help the environment at the same time. Donate your no longer worn or loved denim jeans, skirts or jackets and join the the COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.® call-to-action to give old denim new life.

One organizing challenge I routinely encounter when working with clients with children is that the parents don’t know how or where to store the mountains of arts and crafts their children produce. Fortunately, I can help solve that problem by recommending Tara Sroka Designs.

Tara will design a unique scrapbook for your child using digital photos you take of their artwork or projects. (I suggest letting your children help to decide which items to include in their book.) It’s a great way to save the memories without holding on to every object and having them end up as just so much clutter. Your children will be thrilled when they see their scrapbook and so will you! Order multiple copies for grandparents and others to have as a special gift.

Another dilemma I come across in clients’ homes is what to do when they have a lot of sentimental clutter. Sound familiar? If you’re the recipient of too many family heirlooms and are feeling overwhelmed by them, take photos of the ones you don’t want to keep and then let them go. Tara can create a memory book from the pictures and the objects will always be available for viewing and reminiscing without creating clutter or taking up a lot of valuable space.

Tara makes preserving, sharing and enjoying the memories from any occasion easy and affordable. She’ll help you to tell the special story of your wedding, vacation, graduation, child’s first day at school or any other event you want to commemorate. During the creative process, Tara will keep in close contact with you to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. The end result of your collaboration with

Tara Sroka Designs will be a beautiful, professionally printed and bound keepsake book.

Future generations of your family will thank you for preserving your memories and their heritage!

Spring is finally here.  It’s time to switch your closets from winter to spring wardrobes.   Proper handling and maintenance of your off-season garments is critical as it can extend the life of certain pieces by several years. Therefore, the wardrobe storage experts at Garde Robe created this introductory summary to help you.

• Always make sure garments are properly cleaned prior to storing them for an extended period of time.  Even if the garment looks clean, if it has been worn it may have bacteria and or body oils that will damage the fabric if left untreated for several months.  You should always remove your dry cleaner’s clear plastic bags immediately as these bags trap gasses that can cause discoloration and don’t allow the garment to breathe properly.

• Purchase and use the proper storage supplies.  Acid-free tissue, breathable garment bags and canvas boxes are inexpensive and vital to maintaining a garment’s pristine condition.  Boot trees and toe shapers for footwear and appropriate hangers are also highly recommended.

• Proper storage conditions and ventilation is essential.  Garments should not be subjected to dust, sunlight, humidity or drastic changes in temperature, so basements and attics are not recommended in most cases.  Proper spacing between garments must also be taken into account – never crowd garments into a small area in the back of the closet because they need to breathe.  Be extra cautious when storing leather and suede as these fabrics can bleed into one another – use acid-free tissue to separate these garments.  Never store furs at home as they must be stored in special cold storage units.  Always use a reputable furrier and have the fur revitalized as needed.

• Fold all knits with acid-free tissue to avoid creasing the individual fibers and place them in a breathable box with the heaviest ones on the bottom.  Material damaging insects such as moths will be attracted to cashmere and other natural fibers, especially if bacteria are present.  Placing cedar and lavender sachets in the boxes works as a deterrent and is far more pleasant than moth balls.  However, the sachets often contain oils so be cautious to avoid direct contact between the sachets and garments.  Heavily beaded garments should also be folded with tissue and not hung in most cases.

• Hanging garments require proper hangers and breathable garment bags.  Hanger selection should take into account the type of garment and its weight.  Heavy garments such as winter coats should be stored on strong, padded hangers.  In most cases, pants and slacks should be hung from the hem or cuffs to avoid creasing.  Take advantage of a garment’s support straps or loops to avoid stretching.

Named “Best Secret Service” by New York magazine, Garde Robe is the first and only luxury wardrobe storage and valet service.  Ideal for city residents with extensive clothing and footwear collections and/or inadequate closet space, Garde Robe provides climate-controlled luxury storage for off-season or infrequently worn clothing, shoes and accessories, professional photography and online wardrobe catalogs, complimentary same-day pick up and delivery, luggage-packing and shipping services, and more.

www.garderobeonline.com – (212) 255-3163

According to the E.P.A., electronic waste contributes 70% of the toxins found in landfills, while only contributing 1% of the volume of materials in landfills.  Electronic waste contains many toxic materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, phosphors and flame-retardants. Recycling your electronics waste decreases energy and water use, reduces pollution, and keeps hazardous chemicals out of our air and water.

A recently passed law makes it illegal for New York City residents to dispose of electronic items, starting July 1, 2010. For more information see Local Law 13 of 2008.

If you have electronics you no longer use or need, you can dispose of them responsibly by participating in an upcoming electronic waste recycling event. These events are co-sponsored by the Lower East Side Ecology Center and Earth Day NY.

What you can recycle (in working or non-working condition):

• Computers (laptops & desktops, servers, mainframes)
• Monitors
• Printers, scanners, fax-machines, copiers
• Network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.)
• Peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, etc.)
• Components (hard drives, CD-ROMs, circuit boards, power supplies, etc.)
• TVs, VCRs, & DVD Players
• Audio-visual equipment
• Cell phones, pagers, PDAs
• Telecommunication (phones, answering machines, etc.)

PLEASE NOTE: no home appliances (microwaves or refrigerators) or electronics from businesses will be accepted.

LOCATIONS:

Brooklyn:
April 17, 2010 > 10:00am – 4:00pm
Habana Outpost, South Portland Avenue and Fulton Street, Ft. Greene

April 25, 2010 > 10:00am – 4:00pm
PS 29 School Yard, Baltic Street Between Henry and Clinton Streets, Cobble Hill

Manhattan:
March 28, 2010 > 10:00am – 4:00pm
Union Square, 17th Street and Broadway

April 10, 2010 > 10:00am – 4:00pm
Tekserve, 119 W 23rd Street, Chelsea

April 18, 2010 > 10:00am – 4:00pm
Morningside Park, Morningside Avenue between 113th and 114th Streets, Harlem

Queens:
April 11, 2010 > 10:00am – 4:00pm
Travers Park, 78th Street between Northern Blvd & 34th Ave., Jackson Heights

Roosevelt Island:
April 03, 2010 > 10:00am – 4:00pm
Roosevelt Island, Good Shepherd Plaza, 543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island

For more information, please visit the Lower East Side Ecology Center’s website.

As an organizer, I often advocate reducing the amount of “stuff” we own. As a former craftsperson, however, I know the creativity, fun, joy and beauty to be found in handmade objects crafted with love. Since most people don’t want to live like monks, if you value the handmade you might want to know about Etsy.

According to their website, “Etsy is the world’s most vibrant handmade marketplace. Etsy celebrates individual creativity in design and craftsmanship by connecting unique people, stories and items in a playful and meaningful way. Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies…Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers…Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice..The Etsy community spans the globe with buyers and sellers coming from more than 150 countries.”

Started in 2003 by then MAJ Jim Barker, Beanies for Baghdad – a civilian organization based in Evansville, Indiana now in its 7th year – acts as a bridge between U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, the children of Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan and people who want to help make the world a better place.

Barker, of Whitewood, South Dakota, was one of thousands of Soldiers in Baghdad when Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003. During that tour, Barker frequently interacted with the local population and noticed that he never saw any children with toys of their own.

“On one occasion, I threw a beanie baby named ‘Courage’ that my sister sent me into my bag. That day, we were at an elementary school. I saw a little girl about 4-years old named Sarah, and I called her over,” he recalled.

Barker gave “Courage” to Sarah and her reaction to the gift told him that he wanted to do more. From that simple act of kindness grew a nationwide effort back home to send Beanie Babies and other toys, clothing, toiletries and school supplies to American troops in Iraq so they could distribute them in Baghdad and other communities. Two generous individuals volunteered to publish a web site at their own expense and, on May 4, 2003, Beanies for Baghdad was born.

According to the Beanies for Baghdad website, “Children in general like the same things everywhere. Many of these children have nothing so anything is a big deal to them.” They would appreciate donations of the following:

•    Beanie Babies
•    Stuffed animals
•    School supplies
•    Frisbees
•    Balls
•    Sporting equipment in general
•    Small cars (i.e. Hot Wheels or Matchbox)

Items should be gently used and in good or new condition. No religious materials, please. Pack your contributions in a sturdy box, contact the charity at info@beaniesforbaghdad.com and tell them you have a donation to make. They will send you the addresses of two servicemen in need of beanies, etc. Choose an address, make a label and mail your package. Donors are responsible for shipping costs to the military postal service; military postal service is less expensive than overseas shipping costs. Both the shipping costs and value of the items donated are tax deductible.

Rather than having unused and unneeded items sitting in a drawer or closet somewhere just taking up space, please consider sending them to Beanies for Baghdad and helping U.S. troops and the young children of war torn countries who have suffered so much and have so little happiness in their life.