Healthy Recipe Ideas: 4 Steps to a Clean, Organized Kitchen That Stays That Way

Friday, September 4, 2015

4 Steps to a Clean, Organized Kitchen That Stays That Way

In preparation for fall fast approaching, we're sprucing up and cleaning out—by taking some of our own best advice.

Today: Get your kitchen clutter under control.

The kitchen is your laboratory. There are appliances, chemicals, and reactions waiting to happen. If all goes well, your hypotheses, tested by experimentation, will turn out to be correct: cream-colored orbs puffing into steaming, golden dinner rolls; vegetables becoming more saturated in color after a dip in boiling water; tomatoes that are tartest, smoothest, and juiciest right off the vine in summer. Like it or not, that's science.

And while your ways in the kitchen might not feel scientific—a handful of cornmeal here, a toss of cheese rinds into something bubbling—the way you clean, organize, and care for this space probably should be. It's not just about preventing germs and mold (though your wallet and dinner menu will both thank you if you do that), it's also about running a tight, orderly ship so that you can find things, cleaned and accessible, right when you need them. Here's how to keep your kitchen in tip-top condition: get rid of excess stuff, learn how to store everything, clean your tools the right way, and learn how to make it last.

1. Get rid of everything you don't need:

This guide to cleaning out and sprucing up your pantry is a good place to start.

Got clutter? Banish it from the kitchen, once and for all.

2. Revamp your storage strategies. Fresh foods, pots and pans, and spices should all be stored so they're right on hand—and guaranteed to last longer.

Consider the foods you keep out on the counter (tomatos, bread, cake, pies, etc.). There are a few things you can do to keep them fresher for longer.

Evaluate the contents of your fridge (yes, even things all the way in the back) and freezer—are your perishables perishing? Here's how to store seemingly everything in there so it lasts for much longer.

We also recommend finding a place for your cookbooks (that's not in a stack taking up precious counter space): on open shelves where you can see them, or stowed in a cupboard if you've got too many or believe there is no such thing.

Same goes for your spices; have you considered keeping them out in the open?

Color-code your kitchen tools so that sweet foods stay sweet and salty foods stay... You get the idea.

If you're thinking of remodeling, steal some tips from our kitchen design, like adjustable shelves in the cabinets, hidden storage, and open shelves for pretty, oft-used items.

3. Clean more effectively. We bet a few things have a layer of grime on them despite your best cleaning efforts. Here's how to clean some of the tougher tools:

How to Get Smells and Stains out of Tupperware: salt, sunlight, vinegar

How to Clean an Enameled Cast Iron Pot: soak it.

How to Clean a Spice or Coffee Grinder: use rice!

The Best Way(s) to Clean Silver: your tips, put to the test.

How to Care for Wooden Surfaces: with all the components of a vinaigrette.

4. Make it sustainable. Cleaning out and cleaning up is not enough—you need to know how to care for your tools in a way that will keep them in top condition for as long as possible.