Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

One of the things that keeps me sane is waking up to a clean kitchen.  No, I'm sure I couldn't feed anyone off the floor (I'm not Martha Stewart!), but I hate walking past a sink full of dishes, clutter on the counters or the like.

One of the first places to start if you're trying to clean house or get organized is the kitchen.  After all, getting a load of dishes out of the sink and into the dishwasher (and then the cupboards) can go a long way in making a person feel on top of things.  It looks better too! 

If you've had the urge to really purge and spring clean, schedule an hour (or a day - as long as you need!) to get your kitchen systems set up in advance, then you can incorporate the following ideas, making it all simple, quick maintenance with the occasional deep clean.  No more staring at piles, clutter, and other "leftovers" in the kitchen - or worrying about other people seeing them!

Before you begin the simple routine, you have to get organized.  This can be less time-consuming and more efficient if you follow a bit of a routine.  Take some time to do the following:

1. Clear all flat surfaces and the sink.  Remove the drip pans from your stovetop and prepare to wash them.  Wash any dishes that need to be done by hand (or at least get them soaking if they've been sitting a while) or throw them in the dishwasher.  Keep in mind that really nasty drip pans are better off replaced for $20 at the local hardware store - a little lesson learned from my property management days.  Grab towels, aprons and the like and toss 'em in the washing machine.
2. Deep clean appliances.  Start the self-cleaning function on your oven if you have one.  While that's running, empty the fridge and freezer and clean the whole thing.  Get rid of leftovers and freezer-burned items and make a list of anything you need to replace.  Put a bowl of warm water in the microwave and run it for 10 minutes or so (add a few drops of vanilla extract for an aromatherapy experience); it'll soften any guck and goo that can then be wiped out with a damp sponge.
3. Declutter the cabinets.  Pull out any extra dishes and glassware that never get used and prepare to garage sale or throw them on eBay.  One rule if you garage sale: unsold items may not go back in your newly clean cabinets!  They must be donated or passed on to a friend who wants them.  (Ask first - there's nothing like forcing clutter on someone else who will then have to find a place for it!)  Go through your canned goods, cereal boxes, etc. and get rid of anything that looks like it's growing penicillin, or that will never be used.  Food banks can make good use of canned goods that you stocked up on but the family turned out to hate.  Again, make a list of anything you need to replace at the grocery store for your next trip.  (Best part?  Now that you know what's in the freezer and cupboards, your Menu Plan Monday efforts will be way easier - and you can use up items that are close to expiring!)
4. Clean from the cabinets down.  You don't want to mop the floor only to knock grime from the top of European-style cabinets onto it, right?  Dust the top of the fridge and any exposed cabinet tops, clean behind the fridge, then clean the countertops/range, and wipe down the front of the cabinetry.  Now sweep/vacuum and mop as needed. 
5. Now you're ready to hit any windows and other glass or metallic surfaces that need to be spritzed and shined.  Hang those curtains back up fresh from the dryer (unless you really want to iron them) and put the clean towels back on their hooks or bar.  Replace any cookbooks, small appliances (after cleaning out, like the microwave), and the like on the counter.  You're ready to start maintaining with the list that comes next! 

(Image used by permission with thanks to Ace-Clipart.com)