Things to Clean Out in the Kitchen

Things to Clean Out in the Kitchen!  The kitchen is the soul of the home.  It’s the place where joyful moments happen from inspired cooking creations – to impromptu family gatherings.  So let’s clear our minds with these simple ideas!

Things to Clean Out in the Kitchen

As we put away our holiday decorations, it’s also a good time to clean out things in the kitchen.

I don’t know if it’s the same for you, but many things tend to pile up around the house and January is a good month to purge and organize.

Not only will a big purge make us feel more organized, but also it’s a great way for us to clear our minds.

Whether it’s the weekend or a few hours in the morning, it’s best to find some time to clean out things we have been putting off due to our busy schedules and holiday festivities.

The kitchen is always a good place to start…

It’s a good idea to clean out the spice rack, vitamin cabinet, pantry, and even the medicine chest, purging items that have expired.

Even the refrigerator and freezer should get an overhaul too (even though I do that often).

 

 

Some Helpful Tips for Things To Clean Out in the Kitchen!

Since the kitchen is the place where the family spends most of its time.  I like to start with the easiest cabinet, the spice rack.

1.  The Spice Rack…

Expired Spices… spices lose their flavor and potency over time, so if they expire, they’re not worth hanging onto them.

Funny, if you carefully look at the labels on your spices, you will not find an expiration date on most bottles.

So how do you know when to throw them out?

Easy!  Open each bottle and take a close-up sniff.  If the spice doesn’t have the scent of the actual spice itself, or if it has a dull or unrelated scent to it – possibly like paint?

Then it’s time to throw them out.

Next, as you purge, make a list of your favorite spices you use often and replenish them next time you go grocery shopping.

2.   Next, tackle The Vitamin Cabinet…

If you’re like me, you probably buy vitamins for the whole family.  Check each bottle for those that have expired.

Throw vitamins into the trash and (if you recycle) place the empty bottles into the recycling bin.

Then again, write down the vitamins you will need to replenish next time you’re out shopping.

 

3.  My third favorite place, is the Refrigerator, and Freezer!

a.) Starting with the fridge.  Check every jar and bottle of condiment you keep inside the door panel.

Examine each one, looking at the expiration date and checking for signs of discoloration or even mold.

b.)  Do the same for the freezer.  Examine each one, looking at the expiration dates and checking for freezer burns.  Then purge!

• Containers of food that are too old and contain ice cycles or crystallized inside them…

•  Expired packages and condiments…

•  Frozen foods are so old you don’t remember what it is…

•  Ice trays or ice bucket that needs to be emptied and ready for new ice…

•  Frozen herbs that have crystallized in zip-lock bags…

•  Half-filled ice cream containers…

• Frozen meats, past 6 months from expiration have to be thrown out…

4.  Don’t forget, The Medicine Chest or Drawer…   It too needs to get a visit!

So many times, we forget about cold medicines and even prescription drugs from last year that have probably expired.

As a reminder, I was told NEVER to throw medicines down the sink or toilet. 

We should throw all drugs into the trash, or place them into an empty coffee can, add some soil from outside, add a little water to create a muddy paste, and then throw the entire thing into the trash.

It’s a good idea to remove the labels on prescription bottles before discarding them.

5.  The Pantry…  This is an easy one!

• Throw out boxes of old cereals, stale crackers, and opened packages of leftover tortilla chips.
• You may even find some hidden leftover Halloween candy as I did.
• Go through every item, and reorganize your food pantry. 
• You can buy a few kitchen organizers to help organize your pantry, I found them on amazon.
• Look at your “cans” and “jars” in the pantry. Check each one for rust, and expiration dates. Toss those out.
• You’ll be surprised how much you’ll throw out and how much room you made for new items.

6.  Finally, Kitchen Drawers and Cabinets:

These seem to fill up every year to the point, you can’t find anything….. it’s a good idea to go through those cluttered drawers and cabinets and throw out items such as:

• Plastic containers with missing lids
• Chipped coffee mugs and dinnerware
• Take-out menus
• Pitted plastic containers
• Take-out condiments packets
• Owners manuals – everything is accessible online now
• Papers you’ll never look at
• Extra utensils you’ll never use

 

Things you can buy to Help Organize Your Kitchen…

• Spice or Vitamin Rack for cabinet
• 2-Tier Turntable for cabinet
• Pantry Food Containers  for storage
• Desk Drawer Organizer for home office
• Clear Plastic Organizer Bins for the fridge or freezer

 

 

Things to Clean Out in the Kitchen! 

Refreshing your home, cleaning, and purging clutter create a healthy start and will clear the mind. 

It’s a good idea to do it during a quiet month and should be done each year.

Cleaning, purging, and organizing will not only calm your mind, but also give you a good feeling and help eliminate brain fog, and even maybe some stress. 

And the kitchen is a good place to start!

Then you can take your time and tackle the other rooms in the house.

A clean home is a healthy home! 🙂

Now, back to cooking… here are a few tips on HOW TO CLEAN Vegetables:

• How to Clean Artichokes
• How to Clean Swiss Chard
• Blanching and Steaming Vegetables
• How to Clean and Prepare Lobster Tails
• How to Clean Broccoli Properly

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Have a great day!  🙂

… and thanks again for stopping by! 

xo anna and liz