Throw away or donate to charity
- Broken utensils
- Can openers – keep one that works well
- Broken Tupperware lids
- Tupperware with missing lids (or organise your pantry with them)
- Broken pencils and pens that don’t write (life is too short)
- Empty jars – unless you will be filling with preserves for Christmas gifts
- Utensil double ups – just keep the ones you use
- Advertising fridge magnets
- Chipped crockery
- Near-empty sauces – check the fridge and pantry
- Old herbs & spices – check use-by dates as flavours go stale after a year or two
- Torn tea towels
- Twist ties, rubber bands and bread tags – only keep a small supply
- Old newsletters and shopping lists on the fridge
- Serving bowls you never use (you know the ones)
- Coasters – you only need one set
- Cook books you never refer to
- Cookware you have upgraded from
- Unrecognisable items buckled at the back of your drawers
A lot of items are seldom used and can move out of the immediate kitchen preparation zone. Store smaller items in a labelled container in the attic or out-of-the-way shelves of your pantry. Clean larger items before storing elsewhere in the laundry, garage or under the stairs.
Store these elsewhere:
- Punch bowl - how many times a year do you use it? (But whilst you’re at it, clean to save time on Christmas Eve)
- Fancy cookie cutters
- Cake decorating tools and embellishments
- Gravy boat
- Pie weights (essential but occasional use)
- Slow cooker
- Tea assortment (leave your favourite handy)
- Fancy baking forms
- Bunnykins or outgrown kids’ dinnerware (we mean it – store in a memory box or donate!)
- Large platters
- Deep fryer (empty oil and clean thoroughly)
- Pens and pencils – keep just a couple handy
- Papers, newsletters, mail and junk mail
- Now sit back and enjoy a cup of tea whilst you admire your clutter-free kitchen!
For more decluttering ideas click here.
This article first appeared on Home Beautiful
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