Closet help: SHOES
Products shown: A shoe rack that fits sideways into a closet takes up less than a coat's width of space and can hold 30+ pairs of shoes.
Clearing the clutter: Donate unworn shoes and boots of 1 year or older. Save 2 or 3 favorites.
If your old shoes don't seem to have any life left in them, think again. Shoes with holes in them, material damage and weak support can be put to good use. The company Nike has a "ReUse-a-Shoe" program that takes old athletic shoes and recycles them for material to use at playgrounds and athletic sites such as basketball courts and tracks. You can drop your shoes off at a local Nike store, or ship them to company headquarters in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Running Free is another store that accepts old shoes to donate. Based in Canada, they have donated shoes to the homeless, shelters, as well as those in need in countries such as Uganda and Kenya. Other stores offer the same kind of program. Whether they actually recycle the shoes or donate them, they still manage to put your old shoes to good use.
You can also try organizations that specifically want donated shoes to pass on to those who need them. Sole Responsibility is a nonprofit organization based in Ottawa, Canada, that donates old and gently-worn shoes to needy people overseas.
Closet Help: CLOTHING
Products shown:
- A second hanging rack that doubles your short items hung in the closet
- Vacuum-sealed bags and storage boxes for out of season storage
- Shelf extenders help to add more storage and keep clothing organized.
Clearing the clutter: Allot clothing to the available closet and drawer space you have; anything else should be passed on.
The Salvation Army accepts clothing in all 10 provinces.
Some nonprofit organizations accept clothes for specific genders, ages and functions. For example, nearly-new suits dropped off at Dress for Success Vancouver help disadvantaged women who need a suit for a job interview. The Cinderella Project in Vancouver accepts formal attire to help grade 12 "Cinderellas" and "Cinderfellas" living with health, disability or other challenges to participate in their graduation festivities.
Paper Help: BILLS, PAPERWORK AND MAGAZINES
Products shown:
- Accordion style file box helps keep small receipts in place and travels well
- Wall Pockets rack keeps books, magazines or bills on display
- File drawer boxes hold more than papers
- Cloth carry bag holds envelopes and receipts and can be hung in a closet
Clearing the clutter: The secret when dealing with magazines, books, bills or paperwork is to only deal with them once. Leave a bill unopened until you are ready to deal with it and pay it. Once paid, toss or store away for tax purposes. As you handle each new piece of paper that comes to you, be ruthless in your decisions. Take no prisoners. If you really don't need it, toss it. And be brave. Don't put something into your reference materials just because someone might ask you something about it someday. Don't build a fortress of paper to protect yourself.
