Daily Preparedness

Whether you cook everyday or infrequently, the kitchen is one of the most important areas of your home to organize. Being able to locate what you need quickly is essential to efficient food production. Keeping the kitchen clean is essential to food safety. The two definitely go hand-in-hand, as an organized kitchen is one that is easier to keep clean.

With any large project, it is wise to pace yourself. Unless your kitchen is small and nearly empty, this will be a project that will take several days. Do not attempt to do every cupboard in a day. To do so is likely to result in a catastrophic mess that will accomplish little. Instead, break the kitchen into components and work on each one individually. Following that sage advice, this will be a three part series on kitchen organization. As always, share you tips and tricks!

As you work at organizing your kitchen, keep notes as to what you think you might need in the way of organizational aids. Don’t begin your project with a trip to the ‘organizing store’. Instead, begin at home and analyze as you go.

Here we go:

1. Counter tops. Begin by clearing them off as much as humanly possible. Counter tops are your primary work surface and, like most flat surfaces in a home, likely to become magnets to every stray object around. Attack the clutter with a few of these ideas:

• Cover and store appliances that you do not use on a daily basis. Store them in high cabinets, the garage, basement or attic. Consider designating one storage area for appliances so that you do not have to remember the location of each individual item.
• Get rid of what you don’t use. If it works, donate it. If it doesn’t work, toss it.
• Consider investing in under the cabinet devices to reduce the clutter. Toaster ovens, knife racks, paper towel holders, can openers and food processors are just a few of the items that can be installed under cabinets.
• Corral the paper. If the kitchen is the repository for school papers, bills, mails and memos, devise an alternative location OR create a home for the paper. A small kitchen office can be carved out of a little used counter area. Or simple provide an attractive basket for the paper to be housed in. Deal with it as soon as possible and get rid of it! Consider switching to paperless bank statements and bills. Get yourself off of junk mailing lists.
• Containers. Collect like objects, such as wooden spoons or whisks, in decorative containers. Re-purpose vases, pitchers, baskets or crockery. Store within easy reach, utilizing the space under the upper cabinets.
• If you have the floor space and need additional counter space, invest in a kitchen island, small cabinet or desk for the kitchen.
• Liquid soap is much cleaner than bar soap. Keep a dispenser near your sink to promote frequent hand washing.
• Be vigilant in cleaning counter tops! Use a disinfectant cleaner, clean dish cloth and clean frequently. Always be certain to clean thoroughly after having raw meats & eggs on your counter tops. Better yet, always use a non-wood cutting board for meats!

2. Junk Drawer. We all have one and we all fight with them. Every kitchen needs a place to stash       rubber bands, paper clips, twist ties, a pencil–all of that riff raff that we need access to. Keeping it manageable is an art form. No time like the present to attack it!

• Throw away everything you don’t really need!
• Clean out the drawer and line with an inexpensive plastic place mat. Plastic place mats can be cut to fit the drawer, can be removed for easy cleaning and are less expensive than sticky shelf lining paper that can leave a residue.
• Sort the junk drawer items by purpose. If you have another place to store a particular item, get it out of the junk drawer.
• Ask yourself if you really need all of these items in the kitchen!
• Utensil trays. Inexpensive to absurdly expensive, these little gems can help control the small stuff.
• Small zip-lock bags can corral items you don’t need on a daily basis. You can purchase really small zip-lock type bags in many craft stores.
• Office organizational items such as small boxes, trays and cubes can be fitted into the drawer to maximize divided storage. Check out the stationery department at discount stores for useful items.
• Utilize small plastic food containers, baby shoe boxes, check boxes, or plastic cups as organizational assistants.
• When you have a few extra minutes, maintain the junk drawer. Stuck on hold? Open the junk drawer and throw something away!

3. Utensil drawers. Now, go after the utensil drawers! You may need to attack several drawers at one time to maximize storage and organizational nirvana.

• Again, empty drawer, clean and line as above.
• Get rid of utensils and other gadgets you don’t use. If you think you might use it in the future, or use it a few times a year, store elsewhere. A suitably sized lidded plastic container may be perfect for storing that melon baller, meatball scoop or lemon zester. Label the box and store near your extra appliances.
• Sort items by size or function. You will need to determine what makes the most sense for you. You might divide items by broad categories such as stove top, preparation, carving, etc.
• Sort small items with utensil drawer trays or other sorting device.
• Remember that knives are dulled mostly by rubbing against other knives or utensils. Store them together appropriately and away from small fingers!
• Store items you use at the stove near the stove.
• Check any childproofing devices you may have installed. Replace if worn.
• Too many utensils? Store some as described in the counter top section. Utilize racks, containers and even the inside of cabinet doors. Julia Child hung many of her utensils, molds & pans on the walls of her kitchen. If you choose that route, remember to clean them before each use!
• Over-sized utensils, such as BBQ tools, should be stored in their own drawer or in a separate location.
• Store items children can safely use in a drawer or cabinet they can easily reach.
• Utensil trays are a must for table utensils! Many are available that can be cut to size.  Keep this drawer handy to the dishwasher and table. Regularly check it to be certain that it remains clean.

4. Linens. Every kitchen needs a place to store dish towels, dish cloths, aprons, etc. Be certain that used linens are not returned to the clean linen drawer until they are thoroughly laundered!

• Keep these where everyone can reach them.
• You may need to experiment with methods of folding to see what works best in the space you have.
• Sort and toss what is worn or no longer needed.
• If you have a spare shelf, store your linens as you would sheets and towels.
• Utilize shelf dividers if you have trouble keeping your folded linens tidy.

There you have it, the first step. An organized and sanitary kitchen is within your grasp!