It’s hard to believe it’s the month of May already! If the year is whizzing by for you as quickly as it for us, it’s important to stay organised and take back control of time. As well as some great home organising hacks for the month of May, summer is around the corner, so we look at what you can do now to help you prepare for the summer months ahead and enjoy them to their fullest. From getting your bbq ready for action to sorting out your bathroom cabinet, we’re right here with you…!
What to do this month
1. Diary Check
It’s great to be spontaneous, but if you don’t keep regular checks of your diary you risk either double booking, overbooking, or missing out entirely! This month, in preparation for summer socialising, take time to look over the next few months of your calendar and see where there are gaps or clusters. Make a note of term times, birthdays and bank holidays and start contacting friends and family now to book in some fun time before their diaries get full.
Similarly, check for clashes or especially busy weekends to avoid back-to-back engagements. Summers are busy at the best of times, but this summer has the potential to be busier than ever as we make up for lost time, so try and spread out your diary dates to make sure you don’t finish the season burnt out!
2. Watch out for clothes moths
Warmer winters and central heating mean clothes moths can be a year-round problem nowadays, but May is usually when these pesky houseguests move in and create havoc on your favourite items of clothing. You should have already had a wardrobe sort-out last month (see our blog How to get organised this month - April), and May is the time to prepare, prevent and protect. Firstly, wash garments thoroughly - moths have a taste for perspiration and food stains. Next, clean your wardrobe and drawers, vacuuming the corners to ensure no eggs are hiding. Finally, add a natural moth repellent, such as cedarwood rings or camphor wood inside your drawers and wardrobe to put them off their scent.
Top tip: Make your own natural repellent by placing dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender or bay leaves into a small cloth bag and place them in your wardrobe and drawers.
3. Reorganise your bathroom cabinet
May is one of those months where it can be chilly one day and hot and sunny the next. Be prepared for any unexpected hot days by sorting through your bathroom cabinet to check what sunscreen you have leftover from last summer. Most sunscreens have a sell-by date of two to three years, so now is the time to dust them down and recycle any that have expired.
We like to reorganise entirely and move all usable sunscreens, along with our other summer beauty essentials, such as lip balm, after-sun moisturiser and SPF face creams, into one handy wash bag. A large toiletry bag with compartments is ideal for storing all the products in one easy-to-see place, or better still, use a hanging wash bag and hang behind your bathroom, bedroom or dressing room door to ensure you never forget where anything is. Our Emma 3 in 1 Hanging Beauty Bag is perfect this is, whilst our 'Edie' Vanity Case offers plenty of space for large bottles.
3. Summer cover
Summer can be a long stretch with numerous socials and hopefully some travel planned on top of our everyday demands. Now is the time to make sure all your summer cover is in place, planning and researching any childcare or pet care and don't forget the plants!
4. BBQ at the ready!
Alfresco dining will soon become a thing of pleasure once more! You probably haven’t lifted the cover off your BBQ since last summer, so be ready for BBQ season by cleaning your grills ready for action. House Beautiful have some excellent hacks to help remove any of last years remnants off the grills, from soaking in coffee to warming them and rubbing half an onion to remove any stuck-on food. See its blog of 12 clever cleaning hacks for a sparkling bbq for more tips.
5. Book an exhibition
London's museums and galleries are in full swing again and it has never been such a good time to visit. There is plenty to choose from with Alice Neel at The Barbican and Luxury and Power at The British Museum or enjoy an interactive experience with David Hockney's Bigger & Closer at the Lightroom.
What are you doing this month to stay ahead of the game? If you have any hidden organising gems we’d love to know about them. Share them with us in the comment box below or @victoriagreenofficial.
