Fall Cleanup and Clean Out – The Kitchen Project
Fall, like Spring time seems like a perfect time to clean out your space and get organized for the new academic year. Whether you’re in school or not, I always feel nostalgic this time of year and feel like it’s the start of a new chapter.
There are a few projects I’ve begun to tackle. I plan to capture some before and after photos to show you as proof that I practice what I preach! I’ll share with you what’s worked for me in hopes that it can help you as well! Today, we’re focusing on the kitchen!
My kitchen is the size of a bathroom. Seriously. That’s what it was when the building I live in was built 100+ years ago when it was a hotel then and for several decades after that. To say I have little space for almost everything would be an understatement. This may not be your situation, but what I’ve found is pretty amazing – I need far less than I thought I did.
Undersink Area
The first step I did when organizing under my sink (or any closet or cabinet for that matter) is to:
Remove everything from that space. Everything.
Toss things that you no longer need or use.
Clean the inside of the cabinet with a damp cloth with mild dish soap.
Categorize items (i.e. dishwashing supplies, household cleaners, etc.).
Consolidate items when possible.
Place items that are low, close to the cabinet door for easy access.
Bring in only what you need to have in that particular cabinet.
If you’re still left with items you have no room for, it might be wise to put them in a clear stackable container and label the contents so you won’t repurchase unnecessary items that you currently have. How many times have I done that due to poor or non-existent storing of essential products?
Pantry
This is a tough one. How much food do we really need in our cabinets? Apparently more than we need!
Here’s my checklist for clearing out a pantry to leave some space for those must-have items (in case you think they are must-have items). Similar to above, but slightly different:
Remove everything from that space. Everything.
Toss things that you no longer need or use or are expired.
Clean the inside of the cabinet shelves with a damp cloth with mild dish soap.
Categorize items (i.e. snacks, cereals, spices, canned goods, etc.) now and when you return them to the cabinet.
Consolidate items when possible and store them in these types of containers.
Toss empty containers of food after consolidating them.
Place items that are low, close to the cabinet door for easy access.
Bring in only what you need to have in that particular cabinet although if you follow the above instructions, you probably will have room.
Refrigerator
Remove everything from the refrigerator. Sometimes I go shelf by shelf, starting at the top.
Toss things that you no longer need or use or are expired.
Clean the inside of the refrigerator shelf with a damp cloth and mild dish soap.
Categorize items (i.e. drinks, produce, dairy/cheese, water bottles, etc.) now and when you return them to the refrigerator.
Consolidate items when possible and store them in these types of containers.
Toss empty containers of food after consolidating them.
Place duplicate items that are low in stock, close to the refrigerator door for easy access.
If you drink bottles of water, this is a great tool to have.
Bring in only what you need to have in the refrigerator although if you follow the above instructions, you probably will have room.
Drawers (where plastic containers, utensils, dishtowels, potholders, etc., and other household items are stored).
Remove everything from each drawer and/or cabinet.
Toss things that you no longer need or use or are in disrepair.
Clean the inside of the drawer/cabinet with a damp cloth and mild dish soap.
Categorize items (i.e. dish clothes, utensils, measuring cups, funnels, colanders, zip lock bags, etc.) so you can return them to specific drawers/cabinets. This is a great organizer for all sizes of ziploc bags.
Donate duplicate items to Goodwill, thrift stores, etc. Or toss or recycle if incomplete or damaged.
Put only the items that you need to have in each drawer/cabinet.
Starting off in the kitchen can be overwhelming, but gaining the momentum of having organized a space that we all use daily, is a great way to begin the organizing process. Next month, we’ll tackle clothing closets – just in time for New England weather to turn. Good luck and show me your before and after photos! Tag me in them on Instagram and Facebook @nancymichaelsinteriors. I love to see makeovers, as I know you do.
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