Expired and in Search of a Final Destination

Expired Prescription Medication

While everyone's home is different often the items inside are the same. In that regard one question that we get asked a lot is, what to do with expired medication? Medication that has expired or you are no longer taking should generally never be flushed down the sink or toilet. While this method was popular for years and the debate is still out, some feel that it hasn't been great for local sewage treatment systems or waterways. The FDA sill advises opioids to be flushed, but there are other options. The FDA recommends removing the medication from the container and mixing with food garage and sealing in Ziploc bag or similar sealing bag before tossing in the trash. You can rip or cross out your name on the label before recycling the plastic container.  The challenge for those who are trying not to add to landfills is to find a workable alternative. The DEA offers a annual drug take back program and many local police stations and health departments have safe medication disposal boxes.  We encourage people not to put up too many barriers to getting rid of unwanted items in their home. We tend to see collections of medication to be disposed of sit for years in the back of a closet. Focus on the action and move to the car or reward yourself with a treat for dropping of in a proper receptacle. One of the key motivating factors for properly disposing of medications is to keep it away from curious children and so removing it from the house in a timely manner should determine your preferred disposal method. Lastly, these same suggestions apply to pet medication. Anyone who has a dog at home that eats everything in site knows the dangers expired drugs can pose. 

Expired Vitamins and Supplements

For old vitamins the same rules as prescriptions medication apply and you can follow the disposal steps above. Additionally, some people feel that they don't really expire and if not that old may still have some potency left, but from an organizing point of view it is more about clutter removal, so ask yourself why you weren't able to take the vitamins before they expired. There is also a debate about whether you can compost vitamins and minerals or use them on in houseplant soil. Others make facial or bath scrubs out of them. Again, these options feel best explored for those with a schedule featuring a lot of free time. 

Misconceptions

The Comedian

A few nights ago I was scrolling through Netflix and saw that comedian Todd Barry had a new special. The title was Spicy Honey which seemed interesting enough to click. About eight minutes in, my casual paying attention turned hyper-focused. He said he hired a professional organizer. I spend a lot of time explaining my occupation to people, so to hear mention of my industry in a comedy special was exciting. Once I got over the initial shock I waited to see where he was going with this. Without spoiling the joke, the premise had to do with throwing things out. When people think professional organizing they think throwing things out. So much so that a popular comedian knew that everyone would get the reference immediately. 

The Setup

Organizing is not about throwing things out. Tossing leads to regret. Throwing things out is what your parents did to your stuff when you went off to camp or college. Throwing things out is what your spouse does when fed up with messy bedroom. Throwing things out is what you do in a panic on closing day when the buyer's lawyer is staring at you.

The Punchline

Organizing is all about what we are keeping. Where should items live and how can one find them when needed. Linda, Kathleen and I build relationships with our clients based on trust. In fact we can't organizing a space without our clients because their goals are all that matter.  We use our philosophy, experience, patience and humor to decide what should be kept and the best system to store and find it.  Additionally, any system we create has to work for everyone in the family (and be easy to use). Organizing is about time. Setting aside specific time to finish what we start through motivation and having a plan of action. Organizing is about control, not regret. We never want anxiety, so if you feel like it, the next time you overhear someone say, throw it out, tell them the joke's on them. 

The Brave Little Toaster

Linda reflects on organizing sentimental items.

The Brave Little Toaster movie is responsible for you having a job,” said my 27 year old son. First, I think WHAT? Then I read the comments on a facebook post.

Jennifer:

“I had a huge obsession with saving all kinds of junk after watching the movie…

I was a complete pack rat! I was convinced that something like a piece of plastic might have life in it, and might even talk!”

Christina:

“Totally used to be the same, LOL. Don’t throw it out, it has feelings!!”

Risa:

“SAME”

Lindsay:

“Yes, I got way out of hand”

For those of you not familiar with the movie, The Brave Little Toaster was released 30 years ago as an animated movie. A favorite among families it centered round five extremely likeable and cute talking household appliances; Toaster, Blanky (the electric blanket), Radio, Lampy (the goose-neck lamp), and Kirby (the vacuum cleaner). They miss Rob their owner and live in an abandoned cabin in the woods. One day they decide to reunite with Rob, so they set off on a dangerous trek through the forest to the city. They work together and make it to Rob’s apartment only to hear from Rob’s newer appliances that they are old and useless. They end up in a dumpster in which one would assume there would be no way out. Not going to spoil the ending, but let’s just say the appliances with their wonderful personalities are heroic and all is well that ends well.

As silly as it sounds the movie was a favorite in the 90’s. It was something the whole family would watch on movie night and by the end of the movie how could you not LOVE the “Brave Little Toaster”? He and his friends had to be alive, right?

OK, so clearly as adults we know that not to be true but how many of us still have a stuffed animal or blankie hidden in the closet from our childhood. That animal/blankie talks and understands us plus knows all our childhood secrets.

This leads us to the discussion of keepsakes and sentimental items. OK, we know they are not alive but still they have a special place in our heart. When on jobs our clients are confused about what to do with keepsakes. Maybe it is a stuffed animal, framed photos of grandparents, sentimental jewelry, artwork made by children, first cellphone, collection of theatre tickets, baseball cards, the list is endless.

First and foremost we want no regret. If an item may have sentimental value we will suggest finding a way to store it safely in your home. If it is too large to store, we may suggest taking a photo before letting it go. The key to storing keepsakes is to put like with like. For example, all sports collections together, toys together, jewelry together etc… Once you determine quantity you purchase appropriate size clear plastic bins to store the items. Clear is key so you can see what is inside, we want no barriers. Label the outside and store on a shelf in a remote location.

But what if you don’t want to keep all the items? If you believe things are of value, maybe take them to be appraised. Sterling silver, stamp collections, antique collectibles may have monetary value. A professional organizer can certainly help find dependable appraisers and suggest ways for you to sell your items.

Sometimes we think keepsakes will be valuable and are surprised when after appraisal they are not worth much. For example, this is common with silver plate and many baseball or comic book collections from the 90’s.  If not of value then it maybe time to donate to a good charity like a local women’s shelter, veteran’s association, or rescue missions.  Maybe these items can be used by someone or simply put a smile on another person’s face.

Getting back to the Brave Little Toaster below is a picture of “Dodo Snoopy, “

He lives in my closet in a clear bin. He is 54 years old and a special keepsake. Clearly he is not alive, although similar to the “Brave Little Toaster” he used to talk to me when I was a little girl. Can’t ever throw him out, he too has feelings, Hmmm…

Brave Little Toaster animated comedy released July 1987. Adapted from the novel “Brave Little Toaster: A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances” by Thomas M Disch.

The Summer/Winter Swap

Yesterday I came downstairs to find the boys playing Lego. I'm actually not sure if they were playing or simply trying to cover every square inch of the first floor in tiny plastic building blocks. After I successfully navigated to the kitchen without stepping on any Lego. I thought about the last time the kids used the Lego. I concluded it had been awhile since they are usually outside enjoying the warm weather. This got me thinking about the Summer/Winter swap.

A basic tenant of organizing is that the things we don't use often should be stored more remotely. During winter not only do we need cold weather clothes but we also may put out holiday decorations. This means it is time for our summer items to take a backseat, no matter how much we wish we were somewhere that required a beach umbrella. In a perfect world we would snap our fingers and our seasonal items would disappear. Assuming we don't know magic the summer items need to be swapped out for winter ones.

Clear bins work well for warm weather clothes, sports, beach or BBQ items. While packing take a few moments to donate or toss any item that is in disrepair or that the kids may have outgrown. Also be careful of packing outdoor items as they may have sand, dirt or even mud that will need to be cleaned before sitting for four months. 

Another added benefit of the summer/winter swap is that it allows us to set up clear and easily recognizable areas for different categories. If you have an attic, basement or garage these areas are perfect for remote storage. By having a home for everything you know what you have leading up to the seasonal swap.