Top tips for a kitchen cleanup
Whether you’re gearing up for a move or just looking for a little more space in your crowded cupboards, downsizing is both an effective and rewarding activity. Plus, the whole family can hop in and lend a helping hand.
The concept of a downsize is no new thing, but with the likes of Netflix’s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo taking the world by storm, it’s become bigger than ever with people eagerly taking to cutting down on household clutter.
From keeping only their most treasured items to only keeping those that are absolutely necessary, households around the world have benefitted from putting in a little elbow grease. However, as many can attest, one of the best spots to tackle is none other than the kitchen.
Downsizing and minimising the items you have in your home isn't a new concept, but it's become more popular as of late. This simple act of pairing your current items down and keeping only the essentials is proving to be worthwhile, and one room that can definitely benefit from this kind of attention is the kitchen. This is one of the most trafficked and used areas in the home and if you're not careful, kitchens can become a hoarding ground for things we don't always need or use.
The kitchen, with cupboards, drawers, and pantries galore, is a breeding ground for items that will have anyone exclaiming “I forgot I had that”. From removing unnecessary appliances, dining ware, four sets of mismatched cutlery, and old food, here are some top tips and tricks to keep on top of the task, and master the art of the kitchen downsize.
- Set achievable goals
The first critical mistake any budding (or avid) downsizer can make is to set a goal that isn’t realistic - whether that be in scope or in time frame. When setting your goal, make sure to factor in things such as the size of your kitchen, how long it’s been since your last cleanup, how many helpers you may be able to rope in, and when you’d like to be finished.
Start from the end: decide the date you want to be able to check this item off your to-do list, and work back from there, figuring out how long you’ll realistically have to spend on it each week or month, and allow yourself some wiggle room should you have to skip a day.
Give yourself checkpoints along the way in the form of smaller milestones. Is cleaning out your pantry your top priority? Do you consider finally emptying that overflowing second utensils drawer an achievement in itself? Would removing the old jam jars from the back of the fridge give you the boost you need to tackle the next shelf? If so, these little accomplishments could make all the difference.
- Remove duplicates
It is common advice that when starting out, you should remove everything from the area you plan to work on. While this isn’t always possible, especially if you’re short on room, it can make the world of difference to see exactly how much space you have to work with, and to be able to group together any similar items that may have been lying around - utensils with other utensils, pots with other pots, and so on.
Once this is done, the next step is to remove any duplicate items from your collection. While it can help to have a few of each thing - surely there’s no such thing as too many wooden spoons - this can be a great opportunity to get rid of the unnecessary items chewing up space in your kitchen. This, of course, will vary from household to household - those who cook larger meals for bigger households may require more than those of a single person household, for example.
It’s important, of course, to hold on to the one from the set that you’ll get the most use out of. Often, these are the ones in best conditions, or that are the best quality. It can help too to remove the largest one from your collection, especially if saving space is why you started this project. For those who’d prefer to hold on to your favourite one instead, that’s okay. Downsizing is meant to help, not upset.
- Cut back
We all have that kitchen gadget sitting in the back of a cupboard from Christmasses past - probably still in the box, waiting to see the light of day. From gimmicky single-use items (keep the ones you use, stop hanging on to the rest) to bulky specialty appliances, we’ve all been there, and we could all gain some room back if we cut the ties.
The key, when deciding which devices to keep, is to focus on the ones you actually use. Pasta makers, smoothie blenders, ice cream machines, bread ovens, and vegetable slicing contraptions are all well and good to have - if you’re making the most of them. But if their primary purpose in your kitchen is to collect dust, it might be time to let them go. If you’re unsure, it’s suggested you ask yourself if you will use the appliance in the next few months. If your answer is no, it’s probably a sign.
And the best part? Gifting it is always an option, especially if it’s still snug in its box.
- Storage solutions
Organised pantries are all the rage, from orderly labelled tubs to chaotically unique household solutions, everyone wants to know exactly what’s in there and where to find it. Clear containers are a hero item, and as with most things reusable, you can feel like you’re doing your bit for the environment, as an added bonus. Plus, you’ll feel good opening those doors to see the order in your shelves.
When it comes to cupboards, a top tip is to look into a shelf raiser or two. Being able to see everything in your collection as soon as you peer inside can put you at a great advantage when it comes to keeping on top of your cleanup in the long term. This goes for all areas of the kitchen - from the fridge to the pantry, spice rack, cupboards, and saucepan spot - and is crucial in avoiding going through the entire process faster than you can tell people “I sorted my house and I feel so much better now”.
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