Have you made your New Year’s resolutions for 2011? No matter what your resolution, it takes proper planning to get results. Let’s work together and make those New Year’s resolutions possible. Follow me through the process of getting your home in shape for the New Year. Each week we will work on a different area of your home, decluttering and organizing as we go. Each process will take only moments to do and get immediate results. With persistence you too can develop new organizing habits that keep your home and your family organized for 2011.
Dr. Maxwell Maltz, author of the bestseller Psycho-Cybernetics states that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. In three short weeks you can train yourself to follow through with the structure you have designed to maintain a happy and healthy home life. I am here to help you take it one step at a time.
Organizing in small increments removes much of the overwhelming feelings that clutter seems to hold over us. Start small in an area that will make the most difference in your day to day life. By seeing immediate results you will be driven to keep going with the process of organizing.
One of the most common trouble areas in most people’s homes is their kitchen. Here are a few key resolutions that you can do to make a huge difference immediately.
Kitchen Counters
Your kitchen counter holds this great possibility of horizontal space. Whether your kitchen is big or small, your counters are a magnet for papers and miscellaneous items from throughout your home. It is a large fete to keep counters clean and clear, but with a few great steps you can maintain a uncluttered space.
Step 1 – Start by putting all things not belonging in the kitchen in a container. Remove the container temporarily.
Step 2 – Store all items not used more than twice a week. If you only use your mixer once a month, then find a place to store it until it is needed. During this process you can also address items that you no longer need or use. Donate these things unless they need repair, then discard them.
Step 3 – Set up stations for regularly used items. If you make coffee every morning, then keep the coffee maker near the cabinet that you keep the coffee cups, coffee filters and grounds. Explore organizing products that allow you to store items vertically rather than horizontally.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinets are a high commodity when space is limited and often loaded past capacity so that most items are rendered inaccessible. Follow these quick steps on each and every cabinet in your kitchen, cleaning as you go.
Step 1 – Remove all items from the cabinet. Throw away all expired or damaged items as you go.
Step 2 - Clean out the cabinet with hot soapy water and clean items as you replace them.
Step 3 – Access each item before choosing to put it back. Answer these three questions. Can you remember the last time you used it? Do you like it? Does it have a sentimental value to you? The most important fact to remember is that people have the power over things — not the other way around. If an item doesn’t impact your day to day life by adding practicality or efficiency, then it may be time to part with the item.
Step 4 – Leave adequate space to be able to remove each item without touching another item. Store items vertically rather than horizontally. Adjust shelves to fit items. Put most used items at close reach and rarely used items toward the top.
Appliances
Most appliances are only cleaned once or twice a year, increasing the wear and tear on them. Here are some great quick tips to increase the longevity of your appliances.
Stove/Oven. Clean daily with a hot dish cloth. Simply wipe down after use. This step takes only seconds but will prevent buildup. Utilize the cleaning cycle available on most newer ovens, making use of chemicals unnecessary.
Dishwasher. Wipe down the front of the door and the edges and seals of the door so that the dishwasher can get a tight seal and prevent leakage. Run a dishwasher cleaning agent through your dishwasher once every 30 cycles (approximately once a month.) Or fill a coffee cup with white vinegar and place in the center of the bottom rack. Run empty. This will clear all food and mineral buildup.
Refrigerator/Freezer. Before your next scheduled grocery shopping trip, go through the items in your fridge and freezer and toss all expired items. Be sure to remember items in the doors. Wipe down each shelf with hot soapy water. Wipe up all spills and around the sides and bottom to clean up daily drips. Store leftovers on a designated shelf, beverages on another shelf. This will ensure that leftovers will be eaten rather than wasted and reduce the number of beverage spills.
These are just a few basic organizing techniques that take only moments to complete yet can transform your kitchen into a peaceful and inviting space.
To learn more about organizing your kitchen step by step, register for my organizing workshop Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Falls High School. Contact the Community Education Department to register.
Bergstrom, of Littlefork, is a professional organizer and consultant.
