Clean and reorganize your kitchen with me this spring

Is your kitchen begging for that annual deep clean? You’re not alone! Lets make this process simple and less daunting! I will walk you through the center of the house ‘the kitchen’ which has always given me anxiety even to get started!Its always so overwhelming to see the kitchen cabinets and pantry with expired items, refrigerator which requires a deep clean, the spice drawer which is in a state of mess, under and behind the stove cleaning.. whoo, just to name a few!

Smaller kitchens are even more stressful, as the pantry requirements are the same but everything has to fit in according to the space constraints. Let me take you to a systematic approach that will leave your kitchen sparkling and transformed into a well organized work space.

prioritizing where to start

The first debacle which crosses the mind is where to start! I always make up my mind first which task am i going to take today. Let me break that up for you. Kitchen main areas can be divided into :

• Pantry
• Cabinets and Drawers
• Refrigerator & Applicances
• Stovetop and countertops
• Sink & Dishwasher

good cleaning supplies

Once you have it figured where you are going to get started, pick up the necessary cleaning supplies needed for it. I am not an advocate for a long list of cleaning supplies. Just a good old duster, microfiber cloths, dishwashing soap, baking soda multi surface cleaner and trash bags will be fine.

• Duster : A long gap duster is great for cleaning under the fridge and stove top. this is the one i use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGL8QGQ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1WZZDFTO9AE4R&th=1
• Microfiber cloth : You certainly need some good quality microfiber cloth for cleaning the counters, appliances, stovetop, almost everything! Mr Siga micorfiber cloth are good quality and last longer. The roll option of microfiber cloth is also very convenient. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRCDDL1?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k2_1_5&amp=&crid=94Q162WM6MJL&sprefix=micro&th=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRCDDL1?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k2_1_5&amp=&crid=94Q162WM6MJL&sprefix=micro&th=1
• Dishwashing soap : Dawn, Ajax
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Multi surface cleaner: Any multi surface cleaner just fine. I like to use ‘Method All-Purpose Cleaner Spray” its plant-based and biodegradable. Its perfect for most counters and tiles. https://www.amazon.com/Method-All-Purpose-Plant-Based-Biodegradable-Grapefruit/dp/B09DQ9VYQM/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=F6QOWOZJXDG3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CYRGszg1J9AjiK8vRpDwj0XMG_qzfK7HTbPMKNXVW86sRi5dw9S_aM_e6nvJAvhnr3-0Rs4if7Eb4RelDjbY-Res5_VALXGvhlh6lLJjCAQjJqV1LaVuGZCMdOdszWxaMZvayM0qyc8dBnzFA-rJtIdbZsIZqtHg7irR4K0wp9R8JAP-uiXn-oEBc3AN71t6d1rkoyoFQU3IJbNBfzsDO39UNuPo-MIFoIGsCaYho-ClYQSISADScfuyf_FfEVZFnzywPobtMIs8BCVU0iDKeWbM6LrPpOR7wlUvyqhwaD8.SnwgkD-TsadanWkr1KoBO6op2e5Z084McubneRu7h64&dib_tag=se&keywords=meyers%2Bmultisurface%2Bcleaner&qid=1742581108&sprefix=meyers%2Bmultisurface%2Bcleaner%2B%2Caps%2C294&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
• Trash bags

time management and the 4-box method of decluttering

The best advice I would like to give is if do not have a lot of time in your hands don’t overwhelm yourself with cleaning the entire kitchen in a day. Try to break it down into smaller chunks of work. Keep an hour or two on the weekend for appliances on one week, cabinets and drawers on the next, refrigerator on the next and so on.. With so many other responsibilities of taking kids to games, preparing dinner/lunches, birthday parties and other commitments its challenging to keep an entire day for kitchen cleaning. A little every week can make things simpler.

Use the 4-box principle of decluttering. Be it your pantry, refrigerator/freezer, cabinets and drawers. This rule helps to keep a check on the inventory. Set aside 4 labeled boxes:
Keep – Items you use regularly use
Donate/sell – items which are not expired, but you don’t need them anymore
Trash – expired items
Storage – items which are unopened and not expired can be stored away for later

deep clean the pantry

I like to start with the pantry first as I find it to be the first to get messy.

• Take inventory of the pantry : pull out everything. Apply the 4-box decluttering method
• Clean the shelves and use new shelf liners. I use these which are a cheap and non-slip option
• Group the items into canned products, pasta & noodles, lentils & grains, snacks, nuts, cereals, baking, etc. I use these containers to keep each group separate from each other, so its easier to find.
• The items which are in frequent use and are open, I transfer them into jars/containers.

cleaning the kitchen drawers

• Pull out everything : take an inventory of the tools you have.
• Donate/sell items which are used no more. Sometimes there are multiple ladles or tools which we we hav’nt used in along time. Its time to give away those.
• Vacuum the drawers before wiping it down, so that the bigger chunks of dirt and crumbs is out of the way
• Wipe down/wash the containers, baskets or organizers
• Line the drawers with shelf liners
• These drawer dividers are easy to install and sturdy for serving spoons, silverware or kitchen gadgets
• Put everything back

deep clean refrigerator

• Take inventory of the fridge and freezer : pull out everything. Apply the 4-box decluttering method. Throw away expired items
• Clean the shelves and trays
• Arrange everything back, you can use bins or fridge organizers, so that you could find things easily
• Try to group items whenever possible
• Wipe down the refrigerator front and sides
• Clean the refrigerator from underneath. This duster is a game changer for cleaning under the fridge or stovetops

stovetop cleaning

Take Help

Don’t hesitate to take help from family. Age appropriate tasks can be assigned to children. They enjoy being included and it builds their confidence.