Organizing Tips for a Clutter-free Kitchen
1. Separate your kitchen into 3 sections: baking, cooking and Serving. You'll have upper cabinet(s), lower cabinet(s) and drawer(s) for each section.
Baking: Upper cabinets: baking spices, sugar, flour, shortening, etc. Lower cabinets: mixing bowls, baking dishes etc. Drawers: measuring cups/spoons, rubber spatulas, wooden spoons etc.
Cooking: Upper cabinets: canned goods, cooking spices, spray oil, etc. Lower cabinets: pot and pans, casserole dishes, etc. Drawers: spatulas, larger utensils, etc.
Serving: Upper cabinets: dinner plates, bowls, cups/saucers etc. Lower cabinets: serving dishes etc. Drawers: silverware
2. Use refrigerator
drawers to store pop cans, boxed juice drinks and sports drinks. They don't turn green and hairy when
forgotten for weeks!
3. Purchase drawer
dividers/organizers in extra drawers.
Label the inner sections: batteries, rubber bands, coins, small nails,
etc. You can use address labels – cut
smaller. Place larger items next to the
organizers: maps, scissors, pens etc.
4. Keep the toaster,
can opener and other small appliances in eye level cupboards. You're more
likely to put them away when its easily accessible.
5. Purchase a wall
calendar with monthly pockets. Keep
appointment cards, birthday cards and reminders in the pockets. Each month, check the contents!
6. Use a shoe box sized
container as your Mail/Bill Reminder box.
Keep stamps, envelopes, pen, address labels and the extra book of checks
in the box.
7. Open mail
immediately! Throw away the
non-essentials. Place the bill in your Bill Reminder Box. Write the due date on your wall calendar.
(Hint: I always write the date for 1
week early – it gives me time to mail it if I don't pay it on-line)
8. Place all your
cleaning supplies in a large plastic organizer with a handle. (window cleaner, floor cleaner, sink/tub
cleaner, sponges, etc) You can store it
under the kitchen sink. I carry it with
me to clean the bathrooms, too!
