Kitchen

Apr
14

Under the Sink

Cleaning out the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink is a dreaded chore for many of us. This task just seems different than cleaning and organizing the cabinets in the rest of the kitchen. Let's face it, it's a dirty job.

But since somebody's got to do it (and since you and I probably happen to be that somebody), I thought I'd share two very basic principles I follow to help this small space not become a huge mess:

First, I only store a few necessary things under the sink:

    --Trash can and a bag for recycling
    --Roll of trash bags
    --Plastic grocery bags (Only keep a few of these! I have to keep reminding myself that I'll bring home plenty more again next week.)
    --Dish soap and dishwasher soap
    --Bar Keepers Friend scouring powder
    --Rubber gloves
    --Sponges, plastic scrubbies, scrub brush
    --Baby oil for my stainless refrigerator, stove, and table
    --Watering can for my poor houseplants.


Secondly, I try to keep loose things grouped together as much as possible:

    --Use a caddy attached to the inside of the cabinet door for holding rubber gloves, sponges, and scrubbies.
    --Shove the collection of plastic grocery bags into one bag to keep them from migrating all over the cabinet. I think mine also reproduce if they aren't confined to one small spot.
    --Use baskets or plastic food containers to keep bottles of detergent, sponges, and other supplies corralled.


Simple, right? Well, it's pretty simple when I actually follow these "rules" and keep it neat and tidy. Since I open this cabinet countless times a day, I think it deserves a little TLC.

What are your tips for taming the monster-size mess under the kitchen sink? Please share your ideas in the comments!

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

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Apr
13

Cabinet Clutter

For my Monthly To Do List, the time has come to search my kitchen cabinets and drawers for things I no longer want or need (aka. clutter). I do this job a couple times every year, so I rarely have tons of things to get rid of. Still, it never ceases to amaze me that I can always find at least a few things I've been hanging onto for no good reason (again, aka. clutter).

Besides weeding out the clutter, I also use this time to evaluate the best way to arrange my kitchen and the best places to store the things I use most often. I try to keep things near where I'll be using them. And, just for kicks, I enjoy rearranging the kitchen a little from time to time to keep life exciting. Yea, I'm easily amused.

Here's the basic steps I follow when cleaning out my cabinets:

    1. Open a cabinet or drawer and take the items (or stack of items, such as plates) out one at a time.

    2. Evaluate each item as it's taken off the shelf or out of the drawer. Ask: Do I like this? Do I need or use this? Is it worth the space it's taking up? And here's my all-time favorite question: If everything else in my kitchen was dirty, would I take this out and use it, or would I wash something else to use instead? The answer to this question is often the decision maker for me.

    3. Set aside items to get rid of. Don't get distracted by whether your cast-offs should be donated, sold, or given to a friend. Tell yourself to focus on one thing at a time, and quickly get back to the task of evaluating and sorting.

    4. Wash out the cabinet with a damp cloth or sponge and wipe it dry.

    5. Once the cabinet or drawer is empty and clean, take a second look at the stuff piled on the counter or floor. Decide where would be the best place to store each dish or gadget. Ask questions like: Do I need this bowl when I make bread on the other side of the kitchen? Would I use that serving dish more if it was stored where I could reach it? Can I move this turkey platter to someplace out of the way?

    6. Finally, arrange everything back on the shelves or in the drawer, keeping in mind that some things can be stacked or shoved to the back, while other things should be where they can be easily grabbed with one hand.


What tips do you have to share? Tell us in the comments. The more wisdom, the merrier!

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

Apr
09

Kitchen: Towels and Other Stuff


I don't know about you, but it seems like all of a sudden my kitchen towels look like I've been using them to scrub the garage floor. But maybe you have the opposite problem. Perhaps your towel drawer is so full of good-looking towels and pot holders that it takes three of your children working together to shove it closed. This is a great day to sort through all of our towels, dish cloths, hot pads, and pot holders. Throw out those that would embarrass you if a friend grabbed them out of your drawer, and organize those that are left. If you have lots of them, consider moving some to the hall linen closet until you need a replacement.

If this job is a quick one for you, maybe you could find another drawer that could use a sort-and-organize session. I can think of at least three in my kitchen! Set your timer for fifteen minutes and see what you can accomplish. Then, sit back and relax.....while drinking some tea that you made in your nice, clean kitchen!

Photo credit: sbradberry

Apr
08

Kitchen: Silverware Drawer

I'm going in. I'm gonna do it. That's right, I'm cleaning my silverware drawer for today's Monthly To Do task. Finally!

Crumbs just seem to jump into this drawer. My silverware tray definitely needs emptied and wiped out. Then, I'll sort through and organize the odds-and-ends that get tossed in there around the edges. Really, how many twist-ties does one family possibly need?

This is a job that should only take a few short minutes to complete. See if you can beat your timer....Have fun!

Photo credit: sbradberry

Apr
07

Kitchen: Cabinet Doors and Large Appliances

Do you ever walk into a room and, for the first time, see the dirt and grime that you've been unknowingly living with? That's how it is with front of my cabinet doors. Really, should they be gray around the edges? Gross, right? So, for today's Monthly To Do Task I'm going to wipe down the cabinet doors and give my larger appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher, etc.) a quick spray-clean.

Now, I'm not talking about cleaning the oven (although it needs it!) or scrubbing the inside of the dishwasher (also in need if it!). If you have both the time and energy for those jobs, then go for it! But I'm going to try to be in and out in fifteen minutes. And I'm sure that even my aging cabinets and outdated appliances will look much better when they're clean!

A little hint: do you have stainless steel appliances? Our refrigerator is stainless steel (and some day those "outdated appliances" I mentioned above will be also). Did you know that a touch of baby oil will make those appliances shine like the day you bought them? I simply put a couple drops of oil on a paper towel and wipe, with the grain, across the cleaned surface. Beautiful!

Photo credit: sbradberry

Apr
06

Kitchen: Counters and Small Appliances


For our Monthly To Do Task today, we're going to be washing our countertops and wiping down our small appliances. Since we already tackled our "clutter magnets", this job should only take a few minutes. Simply scoot over your canisters, coffee pot, and cookbooks to wash underneath them. Give that toaster or food processor a quick swipe with your sponge before you move them back, then wash the rest of the counter. It's amazing how much crumbs and dust end up behind everything. How on earth does it get there? Well, however it gets there, this is the day it goes away!

P.S. Do you have any appliances with that awful layer of grease that likes to coat anything that sits still too long in the kitchen? I do! Try some baking soda. For light jobs, simply add a couple shakes to the sink of water you're using. For stickier situations, make a baking soda "paste" by dumping some on your sponge, then adding a few drops of water before you wipe up the trouble spot. Works like magic!

 

Photo credit: sbradberry