How to Organize Things That Are Leaving Your House

Got Clutter? Take the Quiz & Get Your Plan!
- www.alejandra.t...
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I've always wanted to setup a system in my home for all of the "stuff" that doesn't permanently belong in my home. This includes stuff I donate (clothes I don't wear, stuff I don't use), stuff I'm selling on Craigslist or eBay, things I borrowed from family or friends, and then of course ALL of my returns/exchanges.
I capitalized the "all" because I feel like I'm always buying and returning! However, I'm not a big shopper. The one thing that I do buy are organizing products (of course). I LOVE trying out new organizing products to see if they work, see if they solve a problem, or simple stuff that makes life 10x easier. Unfortunately, a lot of organizing products don't deliver on their promise and thus end up in my return pile.
Getting to the point of the video- I setup a system for all of the stuff that leaves my home. I now feel more "organized" getting into my car before leaving the house.
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[@kdw4jc]

Love your site, vids & this genius garage station! I’m inspired & excited … here’s why! One of my favorite tools (a rolling laundry sorter with adjustable clothes hanging rod) is an efficient, organization workhorse that we used daily in a variety of ways in the laundry/mudroom. After we sold our house & downsized, it was banished to the garage as inactive, stagnant storage since there wasn't a good place for it inside. I miss it. Now ...your video has put a big, silly grin on my face ...

[@n.a.9507]

Alejandra you inspire me and so many people around me to be more organised. I love that you use colours to brighten your compartments, it makes cleaning and organising really fun instead of a chore. Thank you for sharing your talent and tips to the world :)

[@skyefire8834]

Alejandra is my favorite organizer, seen all her videos! I have organized most of my cluttered house thanks to her. She always uses her hands, long before she was wearing the ring, why waste your time complaining about that? I like it, most of the organizing videos I see if the person's face is not in it, they make sure their hands are, who cares lol

[@mayata2915]

As always... Thanks!!

[@Athenalovexoxo]

I totally love all ur videos it's helped me a lot so far :) I need help with ideas on toddlers rooms how to organize and to help them learn to clean up and stuff :)

[@Jentheodora]

You are a genius !!!

[@Monica8753]

Great video Alejandra....as always....thanks for sharing.....just wondering - where do you keep your shoes? I have that space in the garage allotted for shoes....

[@LiketoOrganize]

What are some great organizing tools if your renting a house and you don't want to make holes to install things and you don't want to spend a lot of money?

[@chayuky1]

Thanks

[@SteffanieLuv]

I'm surprised she hasn't talked about IKEA. That's my favorite place in the world :)

[@Simplydor]

When U Donate Always ASK for a Receipt Last Yr I didn't get a Full Deductible for my Donations.... So I kept some (1/2) to use for this Yr donations. I guess for my income I reached the Max for donations ??? With my Church Tithe & donations

[@Simplydor]

Awe, I want a Laundry Cart :(

[@iTzDiZoNeAzN]

She's not "hand modeling her engagement ring" She's left handed so of course she uses her left hand more often to explain just like any fucking right handed person uses their right hand more often.

[@ivygirl4761]

Daniel Roeun lmao she is bah haha

[@ceaxrool87]

Lol I didn't realize that at first, but after I saw your comment, I thought she was 😂

[@katherinneribeiro]

Why we dont have a container store in Belgium?So not fair!x

[@DoItOnaDime]

this is awesome! i love how you use such bright colors...it makes organizing so happy, which it should be!

[@trishah2145]

So I'm that mom the major unorganized one. To the people saying its a waste of time and spend more times with family ect. Well I can tell you I'm so unorganized that it effects our day to day and i miss out on time doing other stuff because of trying to find things or trying to catch up on cleaning.. Which is near impossible most days. Yes, it's a little ocd but my goodness so helpful, I'm just worried at this point I'm a lost cause. I'm trying but I'm almost just accepting either you are that organized person or you aren't. Not giving up though :)

[@sellyourhomenowbook]

Trisha H its not too late, I hope you get started.

[@summertakacs-michaelsonch8842]

Thank you for taking the time to share your amazing systems! So much inspiration! :)

[@justkidding7523]

Hi Alejandra. How about a Post office station? Packages to send/return or just other things you need to mail.

[@danniosgood1362]

Dear Alejandra, I hope you do not let the negative comments get to you, negative comments come from people with nothing better to do than tear people down. You do very good work and many folks including myself, benefit from it. Thank you for what you do and your contagious cheerful attitude!

[@Knoxlette]

All your videos are great but the last couple have been VERY helpful. I'm loving your ideas! Thanks for taking the time to put these together.

[@smcfadden62]

I love your style!!!! You are by far my favorite professional organizer, and I try to watch every video you post. You inspire me!!!

[@petmomful2260]

No matter how much I have worked on my garage over the years, it is a greasy, messy, tool filled mess from my husband and sons. It is embarassing to me, but they do not care. I told my husband that in the spring we are going to try cleaning it up again. We have cabinets and shelves, but my son had to leave a lot of junk here because he is in an apartment with no storage garage. He is looking for his own house and I will jump for joy when he takes all his tools and his 4-wheeler. I may make a little station like this right by the door, tho. It is a great idea. But I just put returns and donations in my car, and keep the grocery bags in the trunk. We have a dishpan in our foyer closet called, "the errand box." This is where we throw things that people leave here and have to be returned to them, or a book we borrowed, or a toy the kids left here. This has worked for us for years.

[@marylandgirl7358]

My returns are always all over the place. I am so going to use this system to corral all the things that need to get out of the house. Thank you so much.

[@JessieHomemaker]

I absolutely love this idea! I don't have a garage but I think I will try to adapt the idea somehow for my home. I also wanted to thank you for the wallet organizing video. I bought a business card file and I did a video on it if you want to check it out.

[@jbo5915]

I enjoyed your explanations. Logical system. I had a similar one in place, yet not so structured. I'm going to try yours out. I have taken a picture of the system I have set up after yours, with wooden crates. I like your well-groomed appearance. Greetings from Milan, Italy.

[@belindaallen654]

What size is your folding table in this video. I cant wait to do...why didn't think of this. I love it!😊

[@gallos2]

Alejandra, just wanted to let you know that I think you are so inspirational! Thank you so much for helping me figure out how to organize my day-to-day (everything)!!! :D Love that you went to Virginia Tech.. I went to Renssalear so I consider you family.. but besides that, I feel that I learn so much from watching your channel. You're awesome- Thanks for sharing :)

[@jinkies2609]

You should probably create a returns box for returning clothes and library books.

[@sewandembmom12]

My concern with putting something like that in the garage is ending up with bugs in everything. I live in Illinois but I know there are spiders etc., in there.

[@annatran826]

I love your videos! I try and act like you when it comes to organisation, everytime I feel lazy, I think...no Alejandra wouldn't be like that and that usually kicks me into shape! PLEASE PLEASE can you do a car organising video? Many thanks!

[@praise2sing]

I like your videos. I am overwhelmed with 35+ years of living in the same house stuff, 2 kids college apt stuff at my house plus my Mom's remaining stuff from selling her house (she has Alzheimer's). I wish this was around when my kids were little it would have encouraged me to train them better. I have always loved organizing and because it's been lots of years, toys, stuff, school supplies, etc., I have gotten fairly good at it. But now I tend to 'squirrel' and pack stuff away instead of getting rid of it. I do like seeing your fresh approach. I am drowning in 'stuff' and cannot wait to hear an echo in my house on day. I am chipping at the mountain.. Keep up the great videos and wonderful ideas!

[@daliaalkhouri1936]

praise2sing I

[@claudiajohns995]

Can u make more videos like u did with helping your teacher and the kit to prepare for homework

[@WatashiWaKokoroDesu]

Could you do a video (or three) on how to clean / organize a garage including tools, holiday stuff, decorations and pet supplies? Also a generic list of questions to organize would be helpful. (What kinds of items go here? How can I make it accessible? Etc.)

[@kristinrobinson3011]

My favorite organizer! Heads above all the rest on line. I have used many of your ideas. I love this garage idea and do have newly opened storage in a mud room since kids are in college now. Plan to reuse the space for a similar idea! Thank you for all the great video's!

[@TAHEA08]

i love to do garage sales cuz i have a parent that just loves to buy buy buy a bunch of things. but could u do a vid on how to make a organized garage sale??? n everything with it. prices? how to advertise???

[@melissa3086]

Hey! I've been trying to organise my bed room and other rooms but I am having ALOT of trouble with organising my little bits and bobs! Any ideas

[@jbo5915]

Containerize! Put similar things with similar ones in a same container. Then group containers in a logical way, for example: small boxes of white buttons, small boxes of dark buttons, pins, threads, and so on.

[@Portugueserose]

I've subscribed relatively recently and I have been loving your videos and ideas! You've gotten me on a complete organizing mission both at home and at work. I was wondering what system you use to organize your daily chores/todo list and appointments?? Do you use a planner? Also, I would love to know how you keep on top of your emails. Thanks!!!!

[@simplydebra]

I absolutely love this! I wish I had a garage, but I'm going to try find a way to implement something similar.

[@anad6145]

Just came across this video...very good ideas..especially because I'm always looking at how to keep our Garage neat and organized...thank you....I will for sure be using this system....!!

[@Athenalovexoxo]

I was also curious is there apps u use on ur iPhone that help u with organizing things?

[@selladoscontorazon9763]

I think you are the most organized person all over the World, hehe! You are an inspiration to me, thx seriously! A Spanish kiss!

[@DarkMoonDroid]

THIS!!!! 😍😍😍😘 Special disposables like batteries and light bulbs. If it doesn't go in the normal garbage or recycling, it has to go somewhere. Staples, takes back used ink cartridges, Lowe's takes used light bulbs, The Police Department takes expired medications, etc! These need spots too! I have to make a spot for this!

[@YoSIFFtard]

If you ever have a child I want to see how you organize it's room :)

[@dickieangenson2405]

I love this idea! Wish I had the space for this! I use my car for this. All return items, all donation items, they all go in my trunk. I think I should get bins. This should help :) Thanks for your great videos!

[@nicoledelvalle03]

I love this idea. I always have returns, borrowed items, and things I'm trying to sell. Do you know the exact name of the hangers though? I've been on the container store site and I still can not find them. Thank you!

[@theawesomegals3186]

Hi! I am a middle-schooler and at my old middle school, I didn't have to carry books anywhere. Now I do, and I can't carry all of my textbooks without dropping them or being late. Can you please do an organization video on how to carry around all of your textbooks at once in like one binder or something? I can't take my backpack or any bags in different classes unless they are instrument cases or ID holders.

[@FaithCruzito0508]

can you do s video on how to organize shoes that are in boxes that you want to keep in the boxes.

[@Anadontno]

you get tax rate for donating old clothes? Here in my Country WE have Containers all over the city .

[@stefrzchicago]

I just found your site and am addicted! I am taking notes and screenshots (saving into a word document) so I know what to buy (and where) for organization around my house.

[@davidgoodberry4679]

Thank you so much for all your great tips !! You are definitely my inspiration :)

[@caminitosdemomo2058]

I would not do it this way but I like the idea of gathering in the same place all the things that one way another are leaving the house.

[@dodinewell]

I wish you could come organize our house!! Too bad I can't send a photo to show you. We have stuff from our parents passing away, to stuff from combining our marriage... etc. We are so overwhelmed. Ugh!!! We need help!!

[@evelynrose2777]

Ok I am poor and don't have a garage. I am not being negative. However I do not see this as being really realistic. I know a lot of families that are caregivers, and have their kids living back at home. I would love to see her do a video in someone else home that is really a mess. It is easy to show things in your own home and when you have money. Again I am not slamming, she has awesome ideas in a perfect world.

[@MK-ih6wp]

I do some professional organizing and it amazes me how many of us have a "Shit to Return" pile. Important stuff now that Amazon has a shorter return window. I also see a lot of makeshift shipping stations for mailing stuff. Priority mail boxes & envelopes are free from PO, so it makes sense to keep an assortment of sizes at your house. Dont forget stamps, tape, scissors, and postage scale! I keep my shopping bags in my trunk, same w my ongoing pile of GW donations. I drop stuff off at least twice a week. I have some clients who have a weekly pickup schedule alwats on their calendar- great for large decluterrings or furniture purges.

[@MK-ih6wp]

@yerb You can order priority mail supplies on the post office website for free and they will deliver them to your house! I haven't done it in a while but it used to be really easy. Hope that helps!

[@jessicajames11]

Neat I am always trying to organize things where I always know where everything is

[@ohMamarazziScrapbookingVicky]

So simple, yet so smart!!!!!

[@kelseyjones4309]

I love your videos. I'm the most disorganized person you will ever meet, if you stepped into my apartment at this very moment I'm convinced you would drop dead on the floor. You make organizing look so fun and colorful and when I move in a month I am definitely going to be watching and re-watching these videos to ensure that I'll never be messing up my home again. Also I love how you flash your engagement/ wedding ring from time to time, it's a beautiful ring, I'd flash it too!

[@dodinewell]

I don't think you could possibly be more disorganized than our home. Lol. I don't even know where to start. Wish we could hire her for our house!!

[@intime723]

Hi Alejandra - I like this vid and speaking of garage organization, have you done a video on organizing the car trunk? I have so much ..... stuff for the car I never really use, but am kind of scared to get rid of b/c I may need it. For example, I have the girlscout stuff like brake fluid, coolant, washing car needs, etc..,. Pls advise. I tried clicking on your website link above, but the page wouldn't load.

[@BrandonMcCloskey]

Hi Alejandra, there's a big thing that I would love to see a video on ... cable/wire management/organization. Computer or entertainment center wires. Ugh mine are all over the place and I've tried zip-ties and everything.

[@spygal11]

Question: Is Ed as organized as you are? If not, does it drive you crazy? Personally, I would hate to be with someone that didn't share my values, especially if I put as much work into it as you do. I'm not NEARLY as organized as you, and it would drive me crazy when my boyfriend(s) would leave things lingering.

[@bransonlights]

Let's see how you get through a normal day with a full time job and kids. At the end of the day I barely have the strength to wash my face and fall into bed. Organized for me is just being able to find the thing that each family member is looking for and can't remember where they put it. Mom's are the "go to" person for all that is missing.

[@zeenasameer8791]

Awesome idea Thank you so much

[@ladybugcarrie]

i have a table set up like yours. Instead of putting a post it in a basket (ex. sparkly dress needs to go back to your sister) i have a small dry erase board hung on the wall behind the basket. Question, do you use velcro to attached laminated labels? Always look forward to a Alegandra vid.

[@Kittycoco44]

She deff need to make a engagement/ wedding planning, timeline and tips series!!! And I still want to know white that ring came from! I want that style so bad and I want to know more about the ring itself! Private message me please!

[@dionnejones6869]

Would love to have the space to do something like this in my house, I'm always forgetting things at home.

[@AbbyAdoresBeauty]

Oh my gosh please do a video on how you organize everything in your garage because if you saw how much junk I have in my garage you would die. Literally. We just push things towards the wall sometimes to make room for the car

[@mackenzieallen2267]

I recommend if you want to return library books but don't want to put it in the return thing u can get a little child's book shelf and if you finish a library book you can just put it in there

[@purpleshaz30]

I need your help so bad, I am a compulsive hoarder but when I watch your videos it inspires me to organise more and little by little I am getting there!! Please come to the Uk xoxo

[@MsSmart0707]

Such a GOOD idea. I usually put my items in a trash bag & leave it in my garage for months & then starts the clutter. Another good idea I'm going to start implementing

[@IntlIslamicPeace]

Alejandra said she got the laundry valet cart at The Container Store. I looked online at The Container Store website and it is called "Laundry Center" and costs $119.

[@blrr5blrr]

I love that you live your life in a myriad of rainbow colours !

[@clschaan]

actually part of our job as mothers is to teach our kids to be self sufficient .. not to raise dependent people who can't find their own belongings.

[@eilztoner]

We don't have all the stores you name and use, over in the UK, I have to try and find alternatives, but the ideas are always great. Love your videos!!!

[@sunbunnyprepper5721]

I was wondering if you considered a large bulletin board on the wall behind the boxes that would be great for posting your notes and reminders?

[@kareecanary]

Love your videos and great ideas. May I ask about the white shelving and organization behind you in this video? I would love to see that!

[@Cammy308]

Um... can I pleeeease live with you?!?! jk. jk. I love how organized you are!!!!! Do you help organize other people's homes too?

[@ajanetmarie]

What are your tips for organizing recycling at home?

[@n0th1ng1100]

Adding small white boards over borrowed, sell and return will help the at a glance organization while leaving the house.

[@yreana]

OOOH Can you do a video on the organization products that did not work? that would be so helpful to know what not to buy :)

[@utoobr10]

Really like the laundry valet idea! Well, I like the whole thing, but your alternate use of the valet is really smart!

[@JHCWillis]

What are the orange and pink binders behind you organizing. Do you have any tips on organizing home school materials?

[@kharris1224]

Wow you are amazing!!! When I view your vids it encourages me to be better.

[@StyleMinion]

can you please do a how to stay organized in college video? Or a great tools to stay organized in college video?

[@123Snatch]

This is EXACTLY what I need to do by my garage!! I LOVE the donation bag idea, because I always have things to donate, but have nowhere to put them, and then they end up in misc piles all over! I LOVE your channel, Alejandra! I have been watching your videos on an off for almost a year. I love your ideas, but I realized that all I was doing was watching, and not implementing anything. I finally decided that this year I am finally going to get organized, and STAY organized! Thank you!!

[@kathyms.]

excellent idea! thank you

[@Rahyne11]

can you do a video on the book shelf behind you. It looks so preety. Is it Color Cordinated?

[@EEN63]

Love your new "out-the-door" system, especially the return caddy! I'm really anxious to see a house tour of your new home. It seems like forever since you first announced you were buying a new house. Is a tour in the works? Did you film all of the unpacking/put away process? That would also be very helpful to see. Getting everything in a new home organized is quite an undertaking, so I assume you have great footage of the entire process. Anxious to see it all. Big squeezes to Mojo!!

[@SuperLove90]

my life has seriously improved since i discovered your videos, honestly thank you so much!!!

[@WorkVideo100]

Can you do one on ironing? Thanks!

[@carlashipman1778]

Love you videos. Great job.

[@AskNatY]

Could you make a video on how you organize stuff in your car, (with kids videos)

[@MARYVAETSOPOULOU]

"We are not married.. YET!" xaxa

[@Shaktionline]

love it! my little pupster goes crazy when i watch your videos we hear a dog in the background lol. your such inspiration!

[@kevico2]

Such informative ideas Alejandra! Thank you so much for posting these!

[@RiTaOrA2000]

can you please make a video on how to organise your homework for teens

[@merlinvalenzuela9497]

Damn Daniel back at it again with the clean house

[@leannet1251]

haha

[@pyfrom94]

Loved the video and the ideas but that hand was distracting and driving me nuts...LOL

[@albertamccrary1497]

she is very nervous in front of the camera that is the reason why

[@midcitygym]

I would buy a ticket to tour this womans house. v motivating.

[@fionasworld82]

Brilliant I love the way you organise keep them coming :)

[@a_little_green]

a "products i regret buying" special organization video ? :D