Helpful items..

These really work....

We purchased these bags back in the winter and tucked them away in a closet somewhere and forgot about them. For several years, I watched the info commercials telling you how awesome the bags were about helping you reduce clutter in your closets. I finally broke down and purchased two packs of them at a local retail store last winter. We recently put them to use as we were cleaning out the guest bedroom closets and preparing for our next home study visit.

I must admit all of the things in all of the guest bedroom closets are mine. I am girly and I love clothing. Period. No excuses.

However, the closets are neat and organized. I decided to take back over the closet that little Miss Sunshine had when she lived with us after we packed up everything and I already had the other guest bedroom closet. I put my dress slacks, dress shirts/blouses and casual dresses in there to make easier on me. Each closet that I occupy has its own purpose!

I must admit I have a touch of OCD as my husband has always said for years as well as a few other close friends.

Yes, we do have a generous Master bedroom closet. I just like having my items spread out by season or type of clothing, for example, all of my pant suits and suits in one closet and summer/spring clothing in one closet. It makes it easier for me versus cluttering our master bedroom closet with everything.

Now, I did not do this when I lived in NYC. I had several closets in my brownstone, however, space was limited, although I had a very large place.

I had a main closet for summer and a closet for winter and I utilized another closet for all of my coats and jackets. I also utilized a few storage bins in my hallway closet for items that I was not using. I was very careful with my space and everything was organized. It was very different living there as I was used to having a lot of space prior to moving to NYC. After leaving there and returning to what was normal to me, some of my old habits returned. It is true when they say, the more space you have, the more that you use or waste.

We actually did major closet cleaning in early June. We spent an entire weekend cleaning out the closets and reorganizing them. Sometimes, you have to take that time because things can really get out of hand. Yes, we do donate as well. We have about 5 bags that need to be taken to the Goodwill or Salvation Army now with gently used or items never used.

Anyway, I had tons of sweaters, turtlenecks, and twin sets in one of the other guest bedroom walk in closets stacked up on the top shelves. Although they were folded neatly, it was not an appealing look in my eyes because it was so many sweaters. I should have taken a picture last weekend, but I wasn't thinking and it would have been a little shameful on my end to show all of those sweaters stacked up.

Well, we pulled out these bags and put them to the test. My husband neatly refolded the sweaters and put them in the Extra Large Space Bags and vacuumed the air out of the bag. It really worked! I was a little doubtful at first because I had a close friend that said hers did not work. Ours worked and we sealed away at least 100 sweaters. The shelf looks so much neater and it is literally empty now.

It would really benefit me to put my seasonal items in the storage bags as well, however, it would take time to hang them up when the season returns and I do not feel like doing that now. Maybe later, I prefer utilizing the closet space that we have instead of packing everything up and having to look for something off season when I need it and pull it out of the bag. I may break down and pack away a few things just to free up some dresser drawer space in my other guest rooms that I utilize. It just makes my life a little easier to be able to walk in and get what I want without hunting for something or going down to the basement looking for items stored away.

This particular room is designated to also be turned into a another nursery as well and I will gladly move my items that are hanging up when that time draws near. It will be an easy move because I can just take everything and move them to our bedroom closet since it is all organized. Now, I will not feel as bad when the SW opens up the guest closets. She will not see so much overflow on the shelves. My husband put the space bags under the bed and they fit under there nice and neat.

While we are on the subject of closets and organization. I also love these little scent packs. I have them hidden in different rooms and closets in my home to always have a fresh scent without tons of spraying. I keep them in the linen closets, bedroom closets and bedrooms to have a nice clean smell on a regular due to the other bedrooms being closed and not utilized a lot. I grew up with my mother using these as well and I love opening closets and smelling a nice crisp laundry smell or white linen.

I always purchase these and I get my money's worth!

They are usually on sell for 5 for a particular amount and I rack up on them in different scents. It does make a difference. I am a person that loves walking into my home and smelling a nice fruity or clean smell without overkill. I will use particular plug ins within our home, however, these packs are great and are not noticeable if you know how to place them.

One of the cashiers in the store told me that to get the most effective scent in large room is to place 3 of them (of the same scent) in different locations in the room. Sure enough it worked. I placed 3 and it is more effective. I like walking by a room and smelling a scent, but not quite knowing where it is coming from and these are very affordable. They last much longer than those stick up deodorizers or other types for closets. The cashier also told me that she puts a pack in the bother of her kitchen garbage can liner so that it always has a fresh scent under the bag. I thought that was a pretty clever idea. I never thought of putting one in our garbage can until she mentioned it.

One of my favorite scents is the Laundry Scent. It is so nice and fresh. I love all of the ones that I have, however, the Laundry one is a favorite for sure. Of course I put the Laundry in my laundry room. I also like that scent in our master closet. I love the smell of April Fresh detergent and softener. Please do not ask me why! It is just a nice clean scent that I like to smell.

If you are into having a clean smelling closet or room without overpowering with sprays, try these and you will love them. It is truly a secret of mine. I have a pet and everyone that comes over to our home always says you would never know we have a dog because it always smells so clean and they are looking for what we use or ask what do we spray.

Meaning that they have been to others and it is a distinct smell of animals living in the home. I am very particular about that and we make sure that our home has a nice clean and refreshing fragrance when you enter, versus the smell of different foods that have set in to your fabrics. I think many people do not realize that their home captures so many smells and needs to be aired out often and deodorized to some degree more often than they think.

Anyway, these are my two little helpful items that I wanted to share. I really should have taken pictures of the chaos in that particular closet before we put the sweaters into the bags. They are definitely worth investing in. I am going to get two more boxes to store a few more things away to free up some more drawer space. I purchase storage magazines often and when I purchased my most recent storage/organization magazine it gave a really neat yearly break down and suggestion of when to clean out and organize each closet/room in your home. I will have to share that one later in another post. It also gives all of the neat sites and stores to get those cutesy items to help organize your every item.

I am sure that I am not the only one out there that had a not so perfect closet and with overflow. However, the great thing is that I recognized it and took the steps to make better use of my space and not be wasteful.