This week on the IDLE podcast, I’m talking about batteries.
So, let’s walk through the IDLE process and investigate how to create your mindset for how you deal with batteries.
Step 1: Identify
First, we need to identify what item of clutter we want to change our mindset for. This week, we are talking about batteries.
Step 2: Decide
Next, we need to actually decide on what we are going to do in our home the next time we see batteries.
The first decision you need to make is whether you are going to use rechargeable batteries, non-rechargeable batteries, or both.
I have tried a few times to use rechargeable batteries, but it never works for our family. So, I got rid of everything that went with rechargeable batteries.
Step 3: Locate or Let Go
It doesn’t matter where you locate the batteries, but make sure that they stay in just one location.
In the many homes that I have organized, it seems that the laundry room is a great place to keep batteries. It is out-of-the-way enough, but not so far out of the way that you tend to store batteries in multiple locations.
When locating where you are going to keep your battery collection, make sure that you have enough space for a fairly large collection of batteries.
And, speaking of a collection of batteries, which batteries do you use most often, and how many?
We have teenage children whose electronic controllers use a lot of AA and AAA batteries. We have not used the C and D batteries that we have for years. But we will reorder AA and AAA batteries 3 to 4 times per year.
When I place a battery order, I frequently order 20 to 40 of each size battery. Once you know how many batteries you use on a regular basis, you can start to shop around and find the best time and place to restock your battery collection.
Listen to the podcast to hear my smoke detector battery story.
I also keep a few packages of batteries in our bedroom. Hubby and I like to watch TV together at night. It is super easy to do that and not worry about the content of the show by using our TV listener headsets. These are essentially the same headsets that are used in minivans. 🙂
So, we often need new batteries and don’t want to stop our show and go ALL THE WAY downstairs to get batteries. 🙂
AND I keep one package of each of the AA and AAA batteries in the glove box in my car. You have no idea how many times I have been grateful for those!!
Step 4: Evaluate
The last step in the IDLE process is probably the most important. On a regular basis, you will need to reevaluate and make sure that your mindset has not changed about your clutter in order to maintain an organized home.
As I said, we no longer use size C and D batteries in our home. However, they are used in flashlights and a few other items that don’t need batteries replaced as often. So I’m not going to get rid of the C and D batteries that we have, I am just going to stop buying them for the time being.
I have also noticed that we need more of the odd-size batteries now. One of the children’s alarm clocks uses those batteries that are the size of a nickel. So, reevaluating your battery needs about every 2 to 3 years is a good habit to get into.
Oh, and don’t forget to change your smoke alarm batteries at daylight savings time!
So, what did you decide? Where are you going to keep your batteries?
