Melva Sastrillo
Jun 12, 2025
Start with the Basics
Start with the Basics
Create an Organized System
To create an organized system, you'll need to store your items in clear containers. If you want to keep things neat and tidy, group them together by type or function. For example:
Store dry ingredients such as flour and sugar in one container (or multiple containers). You can also add small measuring cups or spoons for convenience if needed!
Store baking pans together so they're easy to find when it's time to bake something new. If possible, store these items on top of each other so that they take up less space in the cabinet below them!
Keep pots and pans together in one place--this makes it easy for anyone who cooks at home regularly (like me!)
Keep It Clean
Keep It Clean
Take Care of Your Appliances
In addition to the countertops, you should also clean your appliances. It's easy to forget about them, but they can get pretty gross if you don't keep them in good shape. Here are some quick tips:
Clean out your oven and stovetop regularly. This is especially important if you have an electric stovetop or cook with high heat often (like when making pizza). The heat from these surfaces can cause grease to build up quickly, which leads to unhealthy cooking conditions for food and even fire hazards! Make sure that when cleaning your oven, you use a sponge that won't scratch its surface--a sturdy brush might work too!
Wipe down the microwave after each use so it doesn't get too dirty over time. You can also wipe down other surfaces within reach of this appliance as well (such as cabinets above or below).
Deep clean out dishwashers once every few months by running an empty cycle with white vinegar added; this will remove soap scum buildup inside while also disinfecting any bacteria left behind after washing dishes.*
Get Rid of Clutter
Get Rid of Clutter
Clean As You Go
Clean as you go. The best way to keep your kitchen clean is to clean up messes as soon as they happen. If you leave a spill on the countertop, it will dry and become harder to remove later on.
Put things away after use. This is one of those habits that can be difficult for people who are used to having lots of clutter around them, but if you're trying to make your kitchen more organized and less cluttered (which is what we're all aiming for!), then this is an important step! Make sure that everything has its place so that when it comes time for cleanup at the end of the day or week (or whenever), it's easy enough just by putting everything back where it belongs instead of spending extra time sorting through piles of stuff looking for something specific like "where did I put my spatula again?"
Utilize Natural Cleaners
If you're the type of person who prefers natural cleaners, then you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of ways you can use them in your kitchen.One of the most popular combinations is baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is great at absorbing odors while vinegar helps remove stains from surfaces like countertops and sinks. To make this cleaner: Mix 1 cup each baking soda with water until it forms a paste; add 1 tablespoon white vinegar; scrub away any stains on your sink or countertop with this mixture!Another option is lemon juice mixed with olive oil--a combination that works well for cleaning stainless steel appliances (including ovens), as well as removing rust spots from metal pots and pans. To make this cleaner: Squeeze fresh lemons into a bowl until they make about 2 cups worth of juice; add enough olive oil so that it looks like salad dressing; apply liberally over any surface needing cleaning
Wash Your Dishes Properly
Use hot water and soap. The best way to clean dishes is by using hot water, dish soap, and a sponge or brush.
Rinse dishes with hot water after washing them with soap. This will help remove any leftover food particles from your dishes before you sanitize them.
Sanitize dishes with a sanitizing solution if they are going into the dishwasher or being reused immediately (rather than just drying on paper towels). You can use bleach for this purpose--just make sure it doesn't come in contact with anything other than your hands!
Make Sure Everything Is Dry
Make Sure Everything Is Dry
Air dry dishes on a drying rack or towel-dried if you don't have one available (just make sure the towel doesn't fall into any cracks or crevices).
Dry countertops with paper towels or cloth rags--and always wipe down appliances after use!
Take Time to Maintain
Take time to maintain it clean and, as they say, clean as you go.