So you have reorganized your kitchen, but how do you maintain it? How do you keep it from getting to that everything's in the kitchen and I can't cook stage? Is there any hope to a happy healthy kitchen space?
Sure is. Its called continuing the kitchen clean-up. A daily routine that can be completed in the short space of the commericals of your favorite T.V. program. Simple easy steps to maintaining a clean spotless kitchen.
Complete these simple steps everyday to insure kitchen cleanliness.
During Morning Breakfast - while cooking the morning breakfast - sweep the kitchen floor. Doing this every morning prevents the nasty build-up of crunching crumbs under your tired feet. Also empty the dishwasher from the night before - put away the clean dishes so it is free for the daytime dishes.
After Morning Breakfast - clean any dishes or rinse and put them in the dishwasher. Doing this after every meal keeps your counters and sinks from getting run over with grimy dishes and keeps the task of dishwashing to a minimal chore. Also wipe down the table and cooking area you just used. Making a habit of this keeps counter maintainence easy as pie.
During Lunch - Clean pots and pans as you finish with them. This makes the task of pot duty seem easy as can be.
After Lunch - Clean any dishes and wipe down the table. Continuing the clean-up.
During Supper - Clean pots and pans as you finish with them (continuing the clean-up). Wipe down counter spaces for any debris and dust. Pick up miscellaneous items that have strayed and do not belong in the kitchen - return them to their proper place.
After Supper - Load and start dishwasher or finish washing dishes. Swiffer or sweep kitchen floors if necessary (I only do this every three days or so). Clean cooking areas.
Here is a short list without all the explanation:
Morning 1. Sweep
2. Empty dishwasher - store clean dishes
3. Clean dishes
4. Wipe down the table and cooking area
Midday 1. Clean pots and pans
2. Clean dishes
3. Wipe down the table and cooking area
Evening 1. Clean pots and pans
2. Wipe down counter spaces
3. Pick up misplaced items
4. Load and start dishwasher
5. Swiffer (2-3 times a week)
6. Clean cooking areas.
None of these task take a lot of time - really only a few minutes each and area split up into times you are naturally in the kitchen anyway. The job of kitchen clean-up becomes easy when you keep the task small and manageable.
