At the end of every month, I want you to focus on one area of your house and just TOSS stuff to get a fresh start in that area – and I’m starting where I need it the most: the kitchen.
During the clean sweep, (between now and Monday,) you get to count bonus items that you would not normally count in the 2014 Things Challenge (like consumables). Why are we doing this for next five days? Because:
- When you don’t know what’s in your kitchen, it’s easy to re-buy things you don’t really need.
- A cluttered kitchen makes meal prep and clean up impossible.
- I want you to get some NUMBERS in this challenge!!!
It’s easy! Just take a garbage bag, a recycle bag, a “give away” box, a “other rooms” box, and a “put back” box check out this blog post if you’re not familiar with the 3 Boxes, 2 Bags cleaning system,) and start pitching.
For this challenge, even consumables count! So clean out those cupboards, freshen the fridge, and start clean!
And what about that food that is still good, but your family is NEVER going to eat it? Here are some ideas:
- For non-perishables, donate them to your local food bank.
- Put it up on Facebook for all your local friends: “Hey, we have 4 gluten-free cake mixes we are never going to use, first person who can bet them by tomorrow, and posts here, is the winner!”
- Maybe you have a friend who is on hard times who would be grateful for a grocery bag filled with some of your yummy overstocks. Take those Costco packs, break them up, and pass them on.
- In a few weeks, we will be having a challenge to help you reduce your stockpile and save money. Stay tuned!!!
Want to win a copy of THE WHAT’S FOR DINNER SOLUTION? Post a pic of your “after” kitchen declutter (it can be as big as the whole kitchen, or as small as one drawer or shelf) on my Facebook Page. We will randomly pick one winner to receive the book – but everyone who declutters is a winner.
So tell me, (because you want someone holding you accountable!) what area of your kitchen are you going to attack.
Woo hoo! I did this last week. I just gutted my whole pantry and tossed the bags of expired stuff (who knew so much stuff could be crammed back in the corner), combined duplicates, and even threw out the partially used birthday candles saved for “just in case” (who seriously keeps partially burned birthday cake candles??). Now I can easily see what I have and can find it quickly. The space I cleared out even allowed me to free up space in other cluttered cupboards by reorganizing my essentials. And while reorganizing those essentials, the other cupboards got cleaned out too. Goodbye, deep fat fryer! Goodbye, annoying fancy pancake pan that never worked anyway! Feeling lighter all the time! Thanks, Kathy!!
Since I started the 2014 challenge on January 1, I have given away 147 items of clothing and household goods. I had a beautiful suit with the tags still on it that I bought when I was working and I have been retired 7 years! That went into the Salvation Army bag. Loved the idea of blessing someone else with things that we do not use.
pantry!!!
Ha, I just did that Sunday. And I tackle two drawers and one kitchen cabinet in one particular corner of the kitchen which was a complete mess. I was surprise with the things I found, some of them very old. I guess I can tackle another part of the kitchen. I had more than 100 plastic bags, took them to the recycle container at one of the grocery stores in town.
toys… yes, toys. My children have a play kitchen where they cook while we cook. Time to take back some space…
The fridges – one in the garage and one in the kitchen. Too much stuff stuffed in there and we can’t find anything!
I just did this last weekend! We got rid of about 20 things and now I have clean counters. I think I’ll tackle the fridge for a deep clean!
I am moving this weekend so I have only begun the challenge getting ready for the move. I will be cleaning the new house and only bringing in what is needed. SO EXCITED to start fresh and declutter!
I’m going to tackle the corner of my kitchen where my “work” table is.There is so much clutter on and around the table! The cats like to sit in the window there, but can’t get to it very easily unless they go on the table ~ which I don’t want them to do.
I’m going to tackle the “PLASTICS” cupboard! I have so many plastic containers to take lunches in,contain leftovers,etc. Everytime I open that cupboard I cannot find a thing or can find the bowl not the lid,or the container is stained from tomato sauce,etc. Recycle is going to love all that plastic!