Your first thought is that, "My kitchen is clean and organized", but take a good look; is it really?
Do you have everything in a handy place, is everything with 'like' things, are all of your canned goods within the 'use by' date and is there any dust on the shelves or plates that you don't use often?
Our kitchens are the heart of the home and yet, we are in there so much that we overlook some of the things that could make it easier for us and a lot faster too!
Most of us already keep the pots and pans near the stove area and our dishes near the sink; but what about the baking supplies, spices and miscellaneous other things. They could be almost any place in the kitchen in most homes.
This little guide will help you to organize and save time and steps in the kitchen:
Near the Stove
1. Pots, pans and cooking utensils (spoons, can opener, ladle, spatula)
2. Tupperware, Rubbermaid etc.
3. Hot Pads and Mittens
Baking Area
1. Baking Ingredients; chocolate chips, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
2. In the cupboard below this area; baking pans, cookie sheets, roasters.
3. Vegetable/Corn Oil, Crisco and Olive Oil
4. Bowls for mixing
5. Electric Mixer
6. Measuring cups and spoons can be hung on the inside of a cupboard door
7. Parchment Paper and Wax paper can be kept where you keep your foil and zip bags.
Coffee Area
1. Coffee, sugar container, dry creamer, coffee filters
2. Ice Tea Mix, Hot Tea Bags
Near the Sink
1. Dishes with the glasses being the closest to the sink area
2. Under the sink; dish soap, scouring pads, cleaning agents
3. Towel that you are using, keep under sink-on the door
4. Keep all towels and dish cloths in this area
Cupboard Near baking Area
1. Spices that you will use for cooking
2. Steak sauce, molasses, syrup
3. Powdered gravy, Packaged spices
4. Cooling Racks
Other Areas (basic storage)
1. Hot Pots,
2. Electric Frying Pan
3. Other electric appliances not often used.
Pantry or Cupboard space
1. Keep all can goods on the bottom shelf (they are heavy and used often
2. On the second shelf put all boxed items that you use often
3. The top shelf is for boxed items such as cake mix, pancake mix and frosting, etc.
4. Aluminum foil, zip lock storage bags, plastic wrap and wax paper.
This should get you started and on your way to an 'Organized and Clean Kitchen'. It is hard to give an in-depth arrangement for your organizing needs without knowing the size and shape of your kitchen, but this guide is universal for most kitchens.
Keeping in mind that you are trying to Work Smarter-Not Harder always keep heavy things on the bottom and lighter items on the top shelves.
Jan is a Professional Organizer that looks for the 'Easy Way' of organizing your life. Go to her website at http://www.organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com for more hints and tips. Get her free pamphlets '50 Things to Organize in 10 Minutes' and 'Guiltbusters for Working Moms'. |
