Getting the kitchen together requires organization and cleaning. It's easier to get things in order BEFORE attempting to clean. Part one deals with the kitchen organizing and 'light' cleaning'. Part two covers the heavy duty kitchen cleaning.
Ready? You're gonna need: Trash bags, goodwill/thrift box, broom & dustpan or vacuum with hose attachment, all purpose cleaner and a rag.
Let's start under the sink. If you're considering makng the switch to green cleaning, this is a good time to empty out all the various cleaning chemicals and dispose of them. If you're not going green-it's ok. No pressure here. Get rid of the stuff that is more than 2 years old, doesn't work, you thought you were gonna use it one day.
Repeat after me: Cabinet space is valuable real estate.
Once the cabinet is cleared-sweep or vacuum, give the shelf a good wipe along with the inside door and put things back.
My preferred order of cabinet arrangement-things I don't use much in the back of the cabinet. Everyday stuff in the front.
Lather rinse and repeat for all cabinets.
Throw out-old spices, food past the date and anything obviously broken.
Goodwill/thrift-kitchen gadgets, cookware, dishes you no longer use, old towels, placemats, tablecloths.
Clean out the junk drawer. Drawers are valuable real estate too...if something's been sitting in there for more than 6 months, chances are you aren't going to use it. Godwill or trash.
Fridge-Condiment check! Everything past the sell by date or within a week of with no plans to use-toss. While you're at it-wipe those shelves.
Tip-to get the sticky stuff off put a damp rag (not the one you're using) in the microwave for 30 seconds and then put it on the sticky. Let sit for a few minutes and wipe away.
Clean out the veggie crispers and remove. If they are real icky-cover the bottom in warm water while-you clean the scriblets out of the bottom of the fridge!
Freezer-same deal. Anything freezer burnt-eeeeew-toss it. Stuff you meant to eat but didn't-you have 2 choices. Suck it up and have it for dinner tonight or toss and chalk it up to lesson learned. If you really aren't sure how old that is or what it is-use the old adage-when in doubt, toss it out.
Pantry-if you're like most people, you've some collection of plastic/paper bags going on in there-put 'em in the goodwill/thrift store box. No really-put them in there-they always need bags!
Food past the date-out! Unopened non-perishables still ok but no one in your house will eat unless by brute force-any local food pantry will gladly take them off your hands.
Re-arrange by like products so you can easily see what you have on hand.
Next-cleaning the kitchen!
