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The second major thing
you do in the kitchen is store food. So your second kitchen organization goal is
to be able to see at a glance what's in your kitchen food cabinets or pantry and
what needs to be replenished. Plus you want to store food so it stays sealed
properly and fresh.
Third, you clean up after cooking and eating
in the kitchen. And this is a tiring task as it is so make it as quick and easy
as possible to do.
Finally, you might eat in the kitchen. But
you won't find too many kitchen organization rules that apply to this task since
this is mostly just about enjoying the end product from cooking.
So here are a just few kitchen organization tips to help you meet the first
three kitchen organization goals:
♦First, permanently remove anything
from the kitchen that doesn't belong there. This might include book bags,
purses, coats, books or any other item you or family members regularly set on
kitchen counters or on the table. Do not ever bring these items back into the
kitchen. Make permanent homes for these type items in your foyer or entryway
halls and closets using cubbies, baskets, containers or over-the-door plastic
pocket organizers.
♦Now start streamlining your
cooking area. Put items you most use when cooking near the work counter and
stove and oven. This will be items that you use every day. If you don't use the
blender every day, why is it in your prime counter work spot? If you do use that
measuring cup most days, why do you have to walk across the room to a far
cabinet to retrieve it?
♦Take a good look at what's in your
prime cooking and work area now. Decide what needs to move into that area and
what needs to move out of the area, while still remaining somewhere in the
kitchen. You also may find a few kitchen items that are one too many, such as 10
frying pans and eight spatulas. Get rid of the excess items by donating them.
♦Accommodate the items regularly
used in the cooking process with...
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pot racks that hang from the wall or ceiling
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freestanding vertical pan racks inside your kitchen cabinets
or on the counter. These racks usually hold three to four pans in separate slots
in the stand.
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space-saving revolving spice racks or wall mount spice racks
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wall mountable hanging baskets or a single horizontal peg
rack for oven mitts and pot holders
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wall mount wrap organizers to hold plastic wrap, baggies and
foil.
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a single strategically placed hook on the side of a cabinet
near the sink for your colander
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a utensil crock holding the most used cooking utensils (or
substitute a water pitcher or fancy flower pot). Hint: If you're worried about
your cooking utensils collecting dust by being in the open then they are not
"most used", if at all.
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a step stool stashed under the work counter or table to
safely reach items above your head
♦For your second
goal of storing food so you can view it a glance and replenish items as
needed...
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Make it a habit to put your can food items away in the
kitchen food closet with labels facing you. Also cluster these dry goods into
similar groups of items such as vegetables in one section and can soup in
another. This will make it easier to see what's in stock at a glance.
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Empty multiple boxes of the same pastas and rice into
translucent plastic storage containers.
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Arrange loose packets of gravies and other mixes inside tiny
plastic baskets that fit inside of your kitchen cabinet.
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Again, put most frequent items within sight and arms-reach.
If you buy products in bulk, store excess in the top back (or in a portable food
pantry elsewhere) until it's time to move it forward for usage.
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Place a magnetic basket on your fridge with a pad and pencil
in it. Use it to jot down items you use the last of in the kitchen. When it's
time to make a trip to the supermarket, you'll know just what you need.
♦Your third goal
in the kitchen is clean-up.
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Keep your kitchen clean-up items such as dishwasher
detergent, scrubber pads, gloves and more under the sink in a single pull out
utility caddy. Use two if necessary.
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Plastic caddies work best since they wipe clean easily. You
can find these in the household cleaning supplies section of any major discount
superstore or dollar store. This storage idea also makes it easier to clean
under your sink if necessary and keeps these items from being spread around
haphazardly.
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Buy separate supplies for your bathroom so you don't find
yourself "stealing" the cleanser or other items back and forth.
Remember, kitchen organization is all about putting
"function" back into this work space and streamlining the organization to suit
your functional tasks. Making using your kitchen convenient, efficient, and even
relaxing.
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