Updated on June 6, 2024
Day 7: Purge and Organize Kitchen. In just 31 days, get your home in tip-top shape. Today’s task is to purge and plan to organize the kitchen.
Welcome to day 7 of the 31 Days of Deep Cleaning Your Home series!
Purge and Organize the Kitchen
Today’s task is to purge and organize your kitchen. For much of this week, we will be working in the kitchen. For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of our home. Since it gets used so much, it can get really dirty!
The title of this post is a bit misleading. We are not actually going to organize our entire kitchen today. For many of us, this would be more than a one-day task. This is more of a planning exercise.
Evaluate Storage
Today, what I want you to do is evaluate your kitchen. How is it functioning for you?
Is it easy to prepare a meal? Can you find what you are looking for when you need it? Can you open your cabinet without something falling on top of you?
Recently, I utilized unused space on the back of the cabinet door to organize measuring cups and spoons.
Later this week, we will be cleaning out our cabinets. If you have taken some time to think about the best placement for items in your kitchen, it will be much easier to move things around then!
Write It Down
Now, take a pen and paper and write down what you would like to be different in your kitchen.
- Would it be better to have the pots closer to the stove?
- Do the glasses need to be closer to the refrigerator?
- Should you move less-used items to the tops of your cabinets and make the more-used items easily accessible at eye level?
- Would you rather have your pantry sorted by meal type?
- Can you utilize the space you have more efficiently?
- Do you need to re-line your drawers and cabinets?
- Are there any organizational tools that would help you in your kitchen?
- To create more space, could you use a drawer divider, a wire rack to stack your plates, or new clear containers for the pantry?
These are just some suggestions to get you thinking. Again, write it all down.
These changes do not need to be made right away, but when you have the time and money to make them, you will know exactly what will help you make your space work for you.
One of my tasks is to organize and sort out my recipes (see them all piled up there?).
How to Organize Kitchen
- Remove items that belong in other areas of the house and put them away.
- Purge unused items. (See more details below.)
- Place like items together.
- Purge items again. Keep only the best and favorites.
- Sort and store items by function—cooking, pantry, baking, serveware, etc. Place the least used items in the back and up high. Keep frequently used items in the front and at eye level.
- Utilize vertical space by hanging things or installing shelves.
- Containerize. Keep like items together in containers. Use baskets, drawer dividers, plastic organizers, etc., to keep everything tidy.
- Label. Add labels so there is no confusion as to where anything belongs.
RELATED: Custom Vinyl Kitchen Labels
Purge Kitchen Unused Items
Lastly, I want you to take a hard look at the items in your kitchen.
Is there an appliance you haven’t used for over a year and probably won’t ever use? Do you have eight spatulas but could really get by with two?
Now is the time to remove those items from your kitchen. You can sell them at a yard sale or donate them.
If you have items on your counters or tabletops that don’t belong in the kitchen, return them to their proper home.
Remember, if you feel overwhelmed or don’t have much time to devote to this task today, focus on one cabinet or drawer. Something is better than nothing!
This post is part of the 31 Days of Deep Cleaning Your Home series. In just 31 days, you can get your home in tip-top shape.
This series includes deep cleaning lists, tips and tricks, ideas, and how-tos.
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Odile says
Love your ideas. For me the kitchen is the most difficult area to keep clean it is in constant use
Lauras Crafty Life says
Thanks for stopping by Odile! We will be working on the kitchen until Friday, so check back every day for more cleaning tips! :)
gale says
I read a great tip once about getting rid of things. If you have the room, that is. Put all of your stuff in a box and put the date on it. I would probably leave out the obvious stuff you use all the time. As you use stuff from the box, put it away in the cabinets or drawers. Whatever is left in the box after a year can be rehomed. If you haven’t used it in a year (not counting stuff used for holidays or certain occasions, I guess) you probably won’t miss it.