Kitchen Organization – Week #2

Feature #14, March 5, 2010

It’s week 2 of the Kitchen Cure, how did you do on your refrigerator last week? I had so much sticky residue on everything it was gross! Enough about me, let’s get to this week’s assignment…

This week Kitchen Cure opens the drawers!

Week 2 assignment:

Declutter and Reorganize tools:

De-clutter and purge: Make three categories: stuff you use regularly, stuff you use occasionally, and stuff you never use. It could be as small as a stray corn cob holder or as large as a KitchenAid mixer you got as a wedding gift and just don’t use. Think about plastic food storage containers that don’t have matching lids. Think about splintered wooden spoons. Get into flatware and plates if you want. There must be things in there you don’t need.

• In the case of stuff you use regularly: set it aside. It will be going back in the cupboards, but not before you wipe down all the surfaces.

• In the case of stuff you use occasionally (for me this is my ice cream maker, a grain grinder, knife sharpening stones, muffin tins), consider using spaces in the back of a cabinet. We often are asked how to maximize deep cupboards – here’s your chance. Also consider boxing up some of these items – like special occasion dinnerware, seasonal things (margarita glasses? BBQ tools?) – labeled neatly and placed in the rear of deep cabinet or in a high place in the kitchen like above the refrigerator.

• In the case of stuff you never use, consider giving it away or selling it. I meet so many people who keep things in their kitchen that were given as gifts. This is your chance to take a leap, be bold, and get rid of those unused wedding gifts or things your bought because you thought you’d use them but you just don’t. List them on on our classifieds, eBay or Craigslist. Believe me, someone wants your yogurt-maker. You don’t need three grill pans. Be brave!

For the rest of the instructions visit:  The Kitchn.com, by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan.