AmyBoz
01-24-2006, 06:16 PM
Okay, onto the kitchen. This part of the NYNH challenge has 5 parts, and I will allow approximately 2-3 days for each part of the challenge. A kitchen is a place where clutter can hide and hide and hide, and never be found, if you aren't really diligent and hard-working in uncovering it.
So, for Part One, here's what I'd like you to do: (don't start this unless you know you have quite a bit of time free)
Empty all of your cabinets. Yes, that's right. Empty ALL of your cabinets, except for those containing food. We'll do those when we do the pantry. I don't care what's in them; pots, pans, dishes, tupperware, cleaning products, etc. They need to be emptied completely.
Then, I want you to go through everything. Make the same three piles we've been making all along: Keep, Sell/Donate, Toss. Touch EVERYTHING once, and when it is in your hands, make a wise decision about it. Do you have pieces of tupperware without lids, or lids without bottoms? Broken dishes? Unused cups, or mugs? Pots and pans that never get used or that are broken?
Seriousy think about these items before putting them in the Keep pile. How many mugs does a family need? One per person, perhaps. How many plastic cups from fast food restaurants do you really need in your house? Have a pot or a pan that you don't use because the handle is loose? Either fix the handle RIGHT NOW or toss the pot or pan. If you haven't used it in awhile, then you certainly aren't going to start now.
Look at your silverware. Do you use it all? Do you have plastic knives, forks, and spoons in there that you never really use, but have saved for "just in case?" Well, forget it. Toss them.
Grandma's dishes that you don't use, but can't bear to part with? Either give them to a family member or box them up and put them in storage if you REALLY can't bear to part with them. If those options don't appeal to you, then start using them today or take them to a consignment shop and sell them. Grandma would likely want someone to get some use out them!
If you have emptied out a drawer with cleaning products inside, look at them. Do you use them? If not, toss. Seriously, just toss it. I know it feels like you are wasting money, but if you aren't using it, then get rid of it! You are wasting precious time and energy everytime you have to move an unused product out of the way to get to a used one.
So, you get the idea.
Once you have touched every item and made a WISE decision, clean out the insides of your cabinet with either a cleaning product or a wet cloth.
Now, think about where everything is. Does the organization of your cabinets make sense? Are your pots and pans stored near your stove and oven? Cups near the fridge? If it would make more sense to move things around to where they are really used, then when we start refilling the cabinets, move the items to the sensible cabinets. Your family will complain at first, but eventually, they'll get used to the new placement, and will probably enjoy the kitchen better because it will be easier to manuever in.
Now, it's time to refill. Refill those cabinets in a neat, orderly, sensible way. Then, take the toss stuff outside to the trash IMMEDIATELY. Anything you are sending to a family member (Grandma's dishes?) box up right now and take to the post office, dropping everything else off at the consignment shop or Salvation Army. If you can't get out right now, put these items in your car so that next time you go out, they are ready to go.
It's a big job, so I'm going to give you 3 days. As I said, I don't want anyone starting this and having to stop mid-way, so I think 3 days should give us all time to get moving on this one.
And, please...post pictures! Either toss pictures or before/after pictures. They really do help to inspire others! Post any tips you come up with along the way as well! We'd all appreciate your insight!
So, for Part One, here's what I'd like you to do: (don't start this unless you know you have quite a bit of time free)
Empty all of your cabinets. Yes, that's right. Empty ALL of your cabinets, except for those containing food. We'll do those when we do the pantry. I don't care what's in them; pots, pans, dishes, tupperware, cleaning products, etc. They need to be emptied completely.
Then, I want you to go through everything. Make the same three piles we've been making all along: Keep, Sell/Donate, Toss. Touch EVERYTHING once, and when it is in your hands, make a wise decision about it. Do you have pieces of tupperware without lids, or lids without bottoms? Broken dishes? Unused cups, or mugs? Pots and pans that never get used or that are broken?
Seriousy think about these items before putting them in the Keep pile. How many mugs does a family need? One per person, perhaps. How many plastic cups from fast food restaurants do you really need in your house? Have a pot or a pan that you don't use because the handle is loose? Either fix the handle RIGHT NOW or toss the pot or pan. If you haven't used it in awhile, then you certainly aren't going to start now.
Look at your silverware. Do you use it all? Do you have plastic knives, forks, and spoons in there that you never really use, but have saved for "just in case?" Well, forget it. Toss them.
Grandma's dishes that you don't use, but can't bear to part with? Either give them to a family member or box them up and put them in storage if you REALLY can't bear to part with them. If those options don't appeal to you, then start using them today or take them to a consignment shop and sell them. Grandma would likely want someone to get some use out them!
If you have emptied out a drawer with cleaning products inside, look at them. Do you use them? If not, toss. Seriously, just toss it. I know it feels like you are wasting money, but if you aren't using it, then get rid of it! You are wasting precious time and energy everytime you have to move an unused product out of the way to get to a used one.
So, you get the idea.
Once you have touched every item and made a WISE decision, clean out the insides of your cabinet with either a cleaning product or a wet cloth.
Now, think about where everything is. Does the organization of your cabinets make sense? Are your pots and pans stored near your stove and oven? Cups near the fridge? If it would make more sense to move things around to where they are really used, then when we start refilling the cabinets, move the items to the sensible cabinets. Your family will complain at first, but eventually, they'll get used to the new placement, and will probably enjoy the kitchen better because it will be easier to manuever in.
Now, it's time to refill. Refill those cabinets in a neat, orderly, sensible way. Then, take the toss stuff outside to the trash IMMEDIATELY. Anything you are sending to a family member (Grandma's dishes?) box up right now and take to the post office, dropping everything else off at the consignment shop or Salvation Army. If you can't get out right now, put these items in your car so that next time you go out, they are ready to go.
It's a big job, so I'm going to give you 3 days. As I said, I don't want anyone starting this and having to stop mid-way, so I think 3 days should give us all time to get moving on this one.
And, please...post pictures! Either toss pictures or before/after pictures. They really do help to inspire others! Post any tips you come up with along the way as well! We'd all appreciate your insight!