Friday, January 13, 2012

things that work....

There have been many neat tips and tricks around blogdom over the years...many which I have borrowed and used.  Today I'm sharing a few things that work really well around my place...and maybe there is something here that would work for you as well.


Last year a friend gave me one of these little scrubbies....and now I have many.  I found they work great for scrubbing pots and pans...cleaning counters and ceramic cook tops...glass and tile...and anything else around the kitchen.  Fresh potatoes and carrots just need a quick scrub with this little pad...and then they are ready to cook.  I throw them in the dishwasher...or the washer.  Oh...and I keep one in the shower...for cleaning the tiles.  Apparently they are called 'the world's greatest scrubbies'...and are available locally at Winks Gift Shop.


Where do you keep your ironing board?  We have a closet in the laundry room...and the ironing board is attached to the door.  Open the door...flip out the board...and go at it.  We also had an electrical outlet put inside the closet...so the iron is always plugged in and handy.  It works well for me!


I have a jewelry drawer in our walk-in closet...but chains get tangled in a drawer.  I bought a pack of the teeny self-stick hooks and attached a row inside the closet.  Easy to reach...and always tangle-free.  It works for me.


Our powder room has a free-standing pedestal sink...and no cupboard of any kind.  So where does one store extra toilet tissue?  I found this canister...which was definitely not intended for a restroom...but does the job perfectly.  It matches the decor...and holds three jumbo rolls...which are kept out of sight and within reach. 

And in the en suite...


...here's another feature that works well for me.  We had an electrical outlet put in the wall behind the en suite cabinets....for a good reason.  My blow dryer is stored in the top drawer...and it stays plugged in.  It always goes back in the drawer when the job is done.  I don't know who gave me that idea...but it was a good one.  It's probably not that easy to implement unless you are in the building or renovating process...but I thought I'd pass along the idea.

Have a great weekend...

21 comments:

  1. Great ideas here today, Judy.
    I especially like the ironing board set up. Mine is in the coat closet next to the laundry room. I always feel like I have to wrestle the coats to get it out. That would probably explain the stack of Christmas linens still waiting to be pressed ;).

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  2. I use those scrubbies all the time - there's one at the sink right now!
    Lots of great ideas there, but I really like the one for the blow dryer. We're going to replace our vanity, and that would be a good chance to move the outlet or put another one at the end of the drawer. Thank you!

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  3. Great ideas! I especially like the idea for hanging up your chains/necklaces.....

    Really wish I had thought to put the outlet in for the blow dryer....that was the best tip!!

    Hugs!

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  4. All wonderful ideas - have to keep them in mind for our next house....And really do need to get out to Winks - soon!

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  5. What great ideas - thanks for sharing them. I wonder where you can get those scrubbies in my neck of the woods? I'll have to research that...

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  6. Great ideas, thank you Judy. I have never seen those scrubbies in the UK but will keep my eye out. My ironing board is left up in my utility room so when I need to I just pop in there to iron!

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  7. Clever to think of putting an outlet inside a drawer!

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  8. I have my ironing board in the furnace closet....and it folds down with a plug beneath it.
    I love your storing spaces and was a titch envious of that makeup drawer. I have to go through my make up again and toss stuff...since it all has to fit in my medicine cabinet.
    It's all about sorting around here.
    Love this post.

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  9. Wow - some excellent tips. I wish we had a Winks here where I am - I'll have to search for those scrubbies. As Lovella said I too am envious of your makeup drawer. My ironing board is just propped against the wall in my tiny laundry room - I usually haul it out to the living room in front of the T.V. to do my ironing - I find ironing very therapeudic.

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  10. So many great ideas here. I love the ironing board idea.

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  11. All great ideas and many that I would love to have like the outlets in closets and drawers. My ironing boards are always set up...one in the basement and one in the sewing room. I like yours on the back of the closet door.

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  12. Love that plug behind the drawer in the bathroom idea! I bought one of those scrubbies from the Winks booth in October...I should have bought more than one. They are great. I'll remember to throw it in the dishwasher...that's a great tip.
    I've got to go down to the basement to iron...maybe that's why I don't iron much LOL!

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  13. Great ideas Judy - I've "pinned a couple of them for when we redo the laundry and ensuite. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. I'm liking all your handy dandy ideas Judy. I have those scrubbies too and they work great! Oh and the blow dryer drawer, I wish I had that one!

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  15. Very helpful ideas..thank for sharing them!

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  16. We always love new ideas...but it's another thing to act on them and get them done. I still love my jewelry drawers, the one like you had originally.
    Perfect spot for your ironing board...we have only sliding doors...so I avoid it if I can.
    This post motivates me to tidy up again. Seems like I'm tidying at everybody else's but my own place.

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  17. Fabulous ideas....I can see that you have a spot for everything. Those plugins....cleaver!
    Those scrubbies...Winks 'gifted' me one some time ago and I went back and purchased a good handful...some for me...some for gifts.

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  18. Handy DANDY ideas!! I love the one with the blow dryer staying plugged in!

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  19. Your are organized! Love you tidy make-up drawer and your necklace hanger invention is so creative too!
    So if you can put a plug in the drawer, maybe you have one in that closet for the ironing board?.. like a plug to watch something more interesting?

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  20. That does it! I am headed out to the Wink's store this morning. I want one of those scrubbies. Do you mind if I drop in for a cup of coffee?:) Organization makes me happy and you sure did a good job of sharing your tips. It has inspired me this early Saturday morning. My ironing board is set up like yours and I really like it. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Nice tips, Judy! I love the idea of being able to have the hair dryer plugged in all the time. I wish I thought of that when we remodeled our bathroom a few years ago.

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson