Our homes are basically chaotic hubs of activity, movement, and … lost stuff. We’re pros at labeling back-to-school essentials like notebooks and lunch boxes. But what about everything else? If you’ve ever spent 15 frantic minutes searching for a missing phone charger or had your favorite food container disappear after a family potluck, this is for you!
I’ve discovered that a bit of labeling for organizing everything can save a ton of stress. It’s my secret to keeping the peace and our belongings in our own home. So, here are 4 types of things you should be labeling, but probably aren’t (yet!).
1. Medicine & Toiletries
When you’re sending your child off for a sleepover or packing for a family vacation, keeping personal items separate is a must. This is especially true for things like prescription medications, vitamins, or even specific toiletries for sensitive skin. You want to be 100% sure the right person is using the right product, and there won’t be any mix-ups even among your kids.
My Go-To Solution: Knowing how to label personal items like these gives me so much confidence. I place a waterproof name sticker label from Inchbug on everything, from vitamins bottles to travel-sized shampoo and sunscreen. InchBug labels are durable and won’t peel off, even during a bubble bath.
2. Lunch Boxes or Food Containers
Have you ever sent your favorite glass dish to a potluck, only for it to vanish into the abyss, never to be seen again? Or had your child come home from school with a different kid's container? Food containers are notorious for getting mixed up. Labeling the bottom of the container and its lid means your kid’s food container has a much better chance of making the round trip home.
My Go-To Solution: A dishwasher-safe kid name sticker is essential here. I label all our food containers, and it has made a huge difference. The Inchbug’s Allergy Alerts Labels For Kids hold up beautifully in the dishwasher without peeling or fading, and can be a good reminder of your kid’s allergy or dietary restriction!
You may also get InchBug’s Allergy Rectangle Kids Bag Tags for an additional layer of safety and for your peace of mind.
3. Chargers & Electronics
Any modern family may have heard the universal cry of “ Who took my charger?!” Every white cord and black power brick looks exactly the same, and they seem to have legs of their own. A simple label puts an end to the charger confusion once and for all.
My Go-To Solution: I use the Mini Rectangle Name Labels from Inchbug. These little sticker name labels are the perfect size to wrap around a cord or stick onto a power brick. Now, everyone knows which charger is theirs, and my phone can finally stay charged. It’s one of the easiest ways to use labels for organizing tech.
4. Shoes & Outerwear
We all label our kids’ jackets for school, but what about for other occasions? Think about the pile of shoes by the door at a birthday party, the stack of hoodies at sports practice, or the identical boots at a family gathering in the winter. These are prime spots for mix-ups.
My Go-To Solution: I’ve made it a habit to label every piece of outerwear and every pair of shoes. Inchbug’s ShoePal Solid Labels and TagPal Kids Clothing Labels are fantastic name tags for shoes and clothes because they’re incredibly easy to use. You just peel and stick these clothes labels for kids to the care tag, with no ironing needed!
Labeling Isn’t Just About Organizing
Using labels for organizing might seem like it’s about keeping a tidy house, but I’ve found that the real benefits go so much deeper. It’s a simple habit that has a surprisingly big and positive impact on our family’s daily life.
1. It Saves Money
Think about the cost of all those “little” things. A good quality-jacket for the rainy season, those sneakers for P.E. class, the insulated tumbler that keeps their water cold all day. Individually, they’re an investment, and having to replace them throughout the year really adds up!
I started thinking of labels as a tiny insurance policy. Spending a little on a set of durable kids’ clothing labels to protect a more expensive purchase just makes good financial sense.
2. It Saves Time (and Sanity)
How many times has your morning been derailed by the frantic chorus of, “Mom, I can’t find my…!”? For me, it was a daily occurrence. That frantic search for a specific folder or the matching shoe isn’t just about losing then minutes; it’s about the stress and frustration that completely hijacks the start of your day.
Labeling creates a clear system. It reduces the mental load of having to remember where everyone’s stuff is, and that gift of a calmer morning is priceless.
3. It Teaches Responsibility
We all want to raise kids who are independent and take good care of their belongings, and I found labeling to be a fantastic, tangible way to achieve this. I could really feel that my kids get a real sense of ownership when they see their names on a cool name sticker label that they helped pick and stick.
It’s a visual reminder that says something like, “This is mine, and it’s my job to look after it.” It helps them understand that they need to put their stuff back in their backpack after class or bring them home from a playdate. It’s a simple concept that teaches a huge life lesson.
4. It Gives Us Peace of Mind
There’s a special kind of worry that comes with dropping our kids off at summer camp, a field trip, or even just a chaotic birthday party. We know that kids are just kids who may sometimes forget things, but we still can’t help but hope they would come home with everything we sent them with.
I found that taking the time to label their belongings had given me incredible peace of mind. With labeling everything and not just the essentials, I know I’ve done my part to help my kids (and their teachers!) keep everything organized. It’s one less thing to worry about, and as moms we can always use one less thing on our minds.
If All Else Fails, Label Everything!
Does labeling a phone charger and other common household items seem like an overkill? I used to think so, too. But as with everything else, I’ve learned that being proactive is so much better than being reactive.
So, don’t wait for your kids to lose some of their belongings before taking action. Trust me when I say that taking a few minutes to apply some sticker name labels can save you from a huge headache later.
If you’re looking for the best labels for organizing every little part of your life, I can’t recommend the ones I use enough. I got all my durable, waterproof labels from InchBug, and I’d love for you to use them, too! Their sticker name labels have seriously been a lifesaver for our family. Go check them out and see for yourself!
