6. Now you have to have a simple routine to accomplish this. I have it included in my morning routine. As I leave my bedroom in the morning, I grab one of the baskets that looks almost full and take it to the basement. I turn on the washer, come upstairs and set my timer for 40 minutes, which is how long it takes for my washer to do a load. (Do not leave the washer running while you are going away from home. Just stop the washer and let them soak. Also have a smoke alarm in the area of the washer and dryer.)

7. After the washer has stopped, grab some hangers and head to it. (We need washers with buzzers. Did you know that men must design these appliances or maybe born organized people?) Put the clothes in the dryer. Now when the buzzer goes off, you will already have the hangers. Now, here is the rule! You have to go to the dryer when you hear the first buzzer. No excuses. Hang up the good clothes first and put the rest in the basket and go to the room where they belong. (I have a secret, I do not fold underwear. I just put it in the drawer.) Then I match the socks and fold everything else. I have timed myself, and I can do this in two minutes. I'll wager you can, too.

I don't have to do a load every day, but I check my baskets to see if I do. It is so much easier to do when you just get a routine for it.

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For more help getting rid of your CHAOS; check out: www.FlyLady.net or "Sink Reflections" published by Bantam and "Body Clutter" published by Fireside. Copyright 2007 Marla Cilley. Used by permission in this publication.