Today we’re tackling the kitchen cupboards — those spots that store our dishes, mugs and pantry items but also collect crumbs, dust and an assortment of odds and ends. Cupboards can get messy quickly, so instead of trying to do everything at once, focus on the ones that need attention most. If you have time to clean every cabinet, great. If not, it’s okay to prioritize and do what you can.
Let’s Get Started:
1. Choose the cupboards that need the most cleaning or organizing. Before photos are optional but can be satisfying. Put on some music if it helps.
2. Work one cupboard at a time and remove everything from the shelves.
3. Wipe each shelf with a mild cleanser appropriate for the shelf material. Don’t forget corners and the backs of shelves.
4. Discard broken items, and set aside items you no longer use for donation.
5. Return items to the cupboard in an orderly way. Group like items together — mugs with mugs, plates with plates, pantry staples in one area — so you can find what you need quickly.
6. Take the trash out and move your donation box to the car or a designated drop-off spot so it doesn’t linger at home.
7. Take an after photo if you like, give yourself a little happy dance, and enjoy the finished cupboard.
With a small amount of focused effort, your cupboards will be cleaner and more functional. Tackle one or two at a time to avoid overwhelm, and maintain order by periodically purging items you no longer use.
Question: Are you a collector of quirky coffee cups or unusual diner plates? How do you store these items — in the kitchen where you can see them every day, or in another room for occasional display?