| Arguably, the kitchen is the heart of the home. | | | | rack to the counter and put an empty dishpan |
| We cook there, eat there (hopefully as a family), | | | | under the sink. You'll see why as we keep going. |
| entertain there, chat at the table, do homework, | | | | 2) Take a look at your countertops. Are they |
| and any number of other family-related things. A | | | | piled high with papers, dishes (dirty), and |
| disorganized kitchen discourages us from doing | | | | appliances (some you haven't used in weeks or |
| the above; we don't want to cook and eating will | | | | months)? Are they stained (underneath the stuff |
| likely then take place in front of the TV. We don't | | | | on them)? Let's clear off one countertop at a |
| want to entertain others or sit and chat because | | | | time. Pick your smallest one and clear everything |
| the clutter distracts us and makes us feel | | | | off. Put it on a table or other surface where you |
| ashamed of not keeping things in better order. So | | | | can go through the things. Put the dirty dishes in |
| let's get to it! | | | | the dishwasher (or dishpan under your sink), go |
| Please understand that this room CANNOT be | | | | through the papers (junk mail = trash can, bills go |
| done in one day or in one chunk of time. I'm willing | | | | to the study, etc.). Put the other miscellaneous |
| to bet it took more than one day for your | | | | things you've found in separate piles to be |
| kitchen to look the way it does-so it will take | | | | schlepped to the appropriate rooms where they |
| more than one day to un-do it. Be patient and | | | | belong. Then look at the naked countertop. Take |
| attack these different tasks in small chunks of | | | | a cleaner of your choice (I love the Lysol |
| time-small steps! You'll find that as each one is | | | | disinfecting wipes, but you could use a spray |
| done that you'll be motivated to do another and | | | | cleaner, a bleach cleaner, or simple window |
| another. And then when it's all done, you'll not | | | | cleaner) and a rag and start wiping from back to |
| want to mess it up, and so be motivated to keep | | | | front. Sweep the crumbs in to the garbage can. |
| it organized! Oh happy day! | | | | Now put only the things which are *necessary* |
| 1) Unload your dishwasher. If your dishwasher is | | | | back on the counter. That means no excess |
| full of clean dishes and not put away, you won't | | | | paperwork, no hair bows, etc. If you need space |
| have a place to put your dirty dishes as you clean | | | | for a coffee maker or other small appliance, you |
| up. If you don't have a dishwasher, take a look at | | | | now have it! |
| your sink. If you've got clean dishes in your dish | | | | 3) Move to the next counter and repeat the |
| rack, put them away now. Then move your dish | | | | same steps as above. |