For a satisfying fall refresh |
 | | NYT Wirecutter |
If this first week or so of September has felt somewhat scrambled adjusting to school, office life, and post-summer blues, taking a moment to do a bit of cleaning or organizing might help. Setting up a few systems to keep everything tidy and in its place means (hopefully) spending less time tangled up in the small stuff — searching for permission slips, keys, and the like. Below, a few easy-enough tasks to restore order during this hectic season: - Organize your important documents: If your files, mail, and bills dance between a pile on the kitchen table and an unmarked box in the garage, it’s time to develop a proper filing system. This overhaul might seem overwhelming, but the process starts very simple, we promise: with some sticky-note-labeled stacks.
- Make your old computer feel new again: If you’ve had your computer for more than a few years, it might be starting to show its age — taking a while to boot up or sluggishly running its apps. You might not need to buy a brand-new one just yet, though. Our tech expert’s advice, which includes decluttering your files and refreshing the operating system, may help it run like new. No big purchase needed, after all.
- Slap a label on all your kids’ school stuff: As editorial director Lauren Sullivan puts it: “The parent who labels their kids’ lunch boxes and water bottles is the parent who can change the world — or, at least, their world.” After sticking, washing, and wearing down many options, we found the best printed labels for kids’ stuff … so you’ll (hopefully) increase your chances of their things coming back home with them.
- Clean up your car: Carpool season approacheth. Is your ride ready? A high-quality handheld vacuum gives you the cleaning power and flexibility to eradicate crumbs, fur, and dried-up dirt — and the last sandy remnants of beach season, too.
- Do a seasonal fridge clean-out: Our method for tackling this chore requires no unplugging. Divide your fridge into small sections, and in five-minute intervals, remove food items, wipe out any crusty messes, and disinfect the surface. Be sure to include 30-minute breaks after your timer is up, which keeps your fridge nice and cold and lets you spread the cleaning out over several days. Nice.
- Zhuzh up your entryway: Giving everything in your entryway a proper home makes it easy to grab and go the essentials during busy fall mornings. Need more shoe storage? A wall hook for hanging your keys? A pretty catchall dish for your earbuds? The right storage solutions can encourage organization — and add a pop of personality to the space.
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Plus: Our new favorite label makers |
 | | Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter |
After our latest round of testing, we’ve got a new favorite label maker. The labels it spits out are consistently sharp, high quality, and durable enough to survive multiple runs through the dishwasher. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a great label maker→
What’s new from our cleaning experts |
Today’s great cleaning deal: These space-saving compression bags we love |
|  | These compression bags don’t require a pump to seal, and are cheap and easy to use. Simply stuff them, and squeeze the air out. Et voilà: Your clothes are now one-third of their original size. Excellent for packing or off-season closet storage. We found a 12-pack on sale right now for $13.
Get the deal→ | |
READ THE REVIEW The most affordable packing tool is also the best→
One last thing: A 3-part plan to using your phone better — including how to (finally) declutter your camera roll |
 | | Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter |
Join us for a three-part newsletter series all about getting the most out of your phone. We’ll share actionable tips to maximize what is likely your most-used gadget — including our expert advice to extend your phone’s life (and get off the upgrade hamster wheel), secure your data, stop doomscrolling, and unlock hidden features and apps to spark joy. Sign up here→ Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. |
