A mother-of-two who is known for her streamlined and organised home has shared the six ‘life-changing’ tricks every homeowner needs to know.
Olivia White, 31, from Melbourne, runs a busy household with two young children and a full-time business, but said that by doing these six things, she always has a bit of time for herself during every day.
Olivia’s tips include taking a photograph of the fridge before you do the grocery shopping and using a car boot organiser to ensure you’re never caught without something when out and about.
She also said by having a top sheet on her bed, it means she needs to wash the doona cover less frequently as her body doesn’t touch it.
A mother-of-two who is known for her streamlined and organised home has shared the six ‘life-changing’ tricks every homeowner needs to know (Olivia White pictured)
Olivia’s first ‘life-changing hack’ is one of her favourites: whenever she is cleaning at home, she uses a washing basket (pictured) to move around bits and pieces
1. Use a washing basket when cleaning
Olivia’s first ‘life-changing hack’ is one of her favourites: whenever she is cleaning at home, she uses a washing basket to move around bits and pieces with her.
‘I take a washing basket from room to room and pop anything that is out of place or needs to be put away somewhere else inside it,’ Olivia wrote on her website.
She then distributes the items as she visits each room, and by the end, if there are still items left inside the basket, she either makes a decision to put the items somewhere or throw away or sell them.
By doing this, Olivia said it makes de-cluttering easier at home.
The mum-of-two also swears by taking a photograph of the inside of her fridge before she goes shopping so she can easily see what she does and doesn’t have (pictured)
2. Take a photo of the inside of your fridge before shopping
If you can remember to take a photo of the inside of your fridge before you go out and do the grocery shopping, Olivia said it will make a ‘world of difference’ to your life.
‘Even with the best meal planning and lists, I find I’m always scratching my brain about whether I have something or not,’ Olivia said.
She is often caught not knowing whether she has eggs or milk, so she can just take a quick scan of her photo to see what she has when she’s in the supermarket.
If you don’t want your car to be strewn with random items, Olivia (pictured with one of her kids) said a car boot organiser should be your new best friend; and then fill it with rain jackets
3. Get a car boot organiser
If you don’t want your car to be strewn with random items, Olivia said a car boot organiser should be your new best friend.
You can find these at shops like Super Cheap Auto and online at Groupon, and then use them to store everything you might need in the car inside.
Olivia said she keeps reusable shopping bags, a change of clothes and wipes for the kids, lightweight rain jackets, a bag with colouring pencils and books, small blue tarp, a picnic blanket and a little pouch with Panadol and anti-histamines.
This way, if she’s ever caught in the rain with her family or they’re sick or need entertainment, she has it.
Even during times of lockdown, Olivia explained that having some sort of routine is critical for daily success – make sure you have one (pictured)
4. Get a morning routine
Even during times of lockdown, Olivia explained that having some sort of routine is critical for daily success.
‘I find if I am organised the night before and start my day right, it sets us all up for a much better day if I start my day off well,’ she said.
Some of the things that the mum-of-two said she does is she makes food and lunches for the children the night before they go to school, puts a load of washing on to be hung out first thing and gets on top of her emails.
Then, in the morning, she hangs the washing out, sets a list of what she needs to get done that day and gets the children helping out with chores.
5. Buy birthday cards in bulk
It might sound simple, but having a stash of around 12 cards at a time when a birthday comes up means you always have a card ready and don’t have to dash to the shops.
Olivia said she buys several at a time, so she always has a dozen in a box in her home.
She also has a box with some small gifts inside for friends, so she doesn’t get stuck last minute or forget.
The 31-year-old said using a top sheet (pictured) means she only has to wash her top sheet and fitted sheet once a week, while doing the duvet cover every fortnight
6. Use a top sheet
Finally, the 31-year-old said a top sheet is a lifesaver for many reasons.
While not everyone uses a sheet between their fitted sheet and doona cover, Olivia said you might not realise how much time a top sheet can save you in the laundry.
‘Not only does it look all pretty and fancy, but it also saves you from having to wash your doona covers as much,’ she said.
Olivia said she washes her top sheet and fitted sheet around once each week, but because her body doesn’t touch the duvet cover, she only needs to do it every fortnight.
This means her entire laundry routine ends up taking her less time.