A Simple Life
A Pristine Kitchen
Life has a few certainties. One of them is that we all must eat; whether that means cooking a meal at home or picking up takeout is up to you. However, if you do spend a lot of time in your kitchen, it helps to keep it as organized as possible.
Start by removing everything in your refrigerator and freezer, including the shelves and drawers, if you can. Wipe down the insides with a disinfectant, and let dry. Disinfect the shelves, allow to dry, and replace. Go through the food items you removed to see if anything is expired.
Having a system for where you keep condiments, meats, fruits and vegetables, and beverages will prevent you from having to dig around every time you need something.
Step 1: Refrigerator
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Condiments: Most refrigerators have storage built into the door for things like condiment bottles and beverages; use these spaces to your advantage. Keep condiments you use most often (e.g., ketchup, mustard, and sauces) together on the most easily accessible shelf. -
Beverages: Cans and bottles can also be kept on door shelves. Try to keep similar types of drinks, such as soda cans or bottles, water bottles, and beer or wine, together.
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Meats/cheeses: Meats and cheeses will be freshest if kept in a drawer. You can purchase small baskets to keep in the drawer to separate specific items like lunch meats, gourmet cheeses, and shredded cheeses.
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Fruits/vegetables: Place fruits and veggies in individual baskets for easy access. If there are any items reserved for children’s snacks, keep them together in a basket on the bottom shelf so the kids can grab and go.
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Frozen items: Devote specific areas of your freezer to items like meats, TV dinners, and desserts. Utilize dividers or metal baskets (plastic can be damaged by freezing temperatures) to keep things separate.
Kitchen cabinets are treasure troves of knickknacks, from pots and pans to spices to small appliances like waffle irons and air fryers. But it’s important that these items don’t commingle.
Step 2: Cabinets
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Dedicate the cabinets closest to your stove for things you need for cooking. Larger pots and those you use less frequently should be kept toward the back of the cabinet. Separators can be used to keep smaller pots, pans, and lids organized, and some organizers are tiered to accommodate different-sized pans. -
If you don’t have one already, a spice rack will be your new best friend. There are plenty of affordable options, many of which can be kept inside a cabinet to free up counter space. This option rotates for easier access.
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If you have cabinets with deep pull-out drawers, consider using these for storing appliances and gadgets you don’t need all the time, like food-choppers, waffle irons, fryers, and griddles.
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Cabinets under the kitchen sink should be reserved for cleaning supplies like dish detergent, extra sponges, and disinfectants. Small plastic baskets can be used here as well to keep like items together. And if this space has become a graveyard for plastic bags, consider purchasing a dispenser to keep them organized.
Believe it or not, a Pinterest-worthy pantry is possible. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about how your commonly used pantry staples are stored—but you should.
Step 3: Pantry
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Start by taking foods like cereals, grains like oats and rice, and pastas, out of their boxes, and place them into glass jars. This will keep everything visible and create a clean look. -
Organize cans by category (vegetables, fruits, and beans are great to start), and place them into baskets.
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Heavier items such water bottles and larger cans should be kept on the floor or on the shelf closest to the ground.
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If you keep pet food in your pantry, it’s a good idea to store it off the floor in a tightly sealed container to avoid attracting rodents or bugs.
Pro tip: Labeling items throughout your kitchen is another great way to maintain organization and create a crisp, clean look. Download and print the labels to get started!
Posted in January 2021 on Oct 28, 2020