Kitchen and Bath Month

There’s a “month” for practically everything – October is “Kitchen and Bath Month.” To celebrate, listed below are some organization and time-saving tips for these two rooms.

Kitchen Organization

  1. You will create more room in your pantry if you transfer all the dry ingredients to clear, square, plastic containers. You can label the containers by using a permanent marker on masking tape, or by creating labels on the computer. For any items that you’ll need cooking directions, cut the directions off the original container and insert it into the plastic container. Stack the containers, with the labels facing forward.
  2. Many people have loose recipes clipped from magazines and newspapers and handwritten on pieces of paper. Type “tried and true” recipes on Rolodex cards and place in a Rolodex file. The card file will stay open while you cook – so the file will always stay clean and you won’t lose your place. You can also record the name of a recipe and the cookbook name and page to lead you to a favorite recipe in a cookbook.
  3. When cooking, double recipes – one to serve and one to freeze. This saves time and money, especially if you buy larger cuts of meat or buy in bulk.
  4. Label food containers with contents and date before placing in the refrigerator and freezer. This will alleviate guessing what something is or how long it’s been stored.
  5. Use plastic risers in pantries for canned goods. You’ll be able to see the cans in the rear because they’ll be higher than the ones in the front.
  6. Kitchen countertops, drawers and cabinets can get cluttered. Purge appliances and utensils periodically, getting rid of those items that you don’t use regularly.
  7. Keep countertops clear so you have workspace when cooking. Designate a spot (not on the counter) for mail and other paper that comes into the home.
  8. User drawer dividers to keep cooking utensils under control.
  9. Use nesting food storage containers instead of yogurt, sour cream, and Cool Whip containers.
  10. Hanging storage can be created by using overhead bins, cup hooks, and baskets.

Bath

  1. Every organization job starts with sorting. Throw away: anything that smells “funny”, anything you are positive you won’t use, free samples, any colors/products that don’t work or you don’t like and anything that you know is older than 2 years old.
  2. Using masking tape and a Sharpie pen, label products with the date you opened them. After a year, replace the product.
  3. Use drawer organizers to coral cosmetics and hair products.
  4. If you have duplicates of items, store the newest behind the opened product so you’ll see it and not buy duplicates.
  5. Use a “swing out” storage shelf that is attached to drains under the sink.
  6. If you have more towels than space to hang them, purchase an over-the-door rack for behind the bathroom door.
  7. Install a straight magnet inside a medicine cabinet to hold tweezers, cuticle scissors, or other small metal items.
  8. For children: assign each child a color. Purchase toothbrushes, towels, brushes, and combs in separate colors for each child. Give each child a drawer or plastic storage bin for their personal items.
  9. After taking a shower, squeegee the shower walls and doors which will reduce the soap scum build-up and water spots.
  10. Keep disinfecting wipes under the sink for quick clean ups.

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