eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Organize Kitchen Cupboards

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

The benefits to organizing kitchen cupboards are many. It saves time while cooking to be able to reach for an ingredient, and know right where it is. When older children are hungry, an organized kitchen can help them find and make their own snacks. An orderly kitchen cupboard is also a breeze to restock and to clean.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Rotating spice rack
  • Silverware organizer
  • Shelf liners
  • Large sealed containers
  1. Step 1

    Set up an area next to the kitchen to use as your work space. The dining room table is usually a good spot.

  2. Step 2

    Remove all dishes from the cupboards, and stack on table according to size.
    Take out all the cans, boxed food, spices, such as salt and pepper, and garlic, and other goods from the cupboards.

  3. Step 3

    Sort through the cans, boxed goods and spices and toss anything that is expired, damaged, or will never be used.

  4. Step 4

    Pour baking supplies into separate, sealed containers for storage. These items include bulk flour, sugar and salt. Sealed containers will keep bugs and other pests out of the supplies and keep them fresh.

  5. Step 5

    Wipe down the inside of the cupboards with a damp cloth and mild soap. Dry with another cloth.

  6. Step 6

    Add shelf liners to make cleaning the shelves easier in the future.

  7. Step 7

    Store kitchen cleaning supplies, like dish soap and garbage bags, under the sink. Lock this cupboard if there are small children or pets in the house.

  8. Step 8

    Pick a cupboard close to the dishwasher or sink for storing the plates, bowls, cups and saucers. This will help you stay organized when emptying the dishwasher. Cupboards below the counter are perfect for storing baking sheets, muffin tins, mixing bowls, and pots and pans. Other cupboards below the counter can be used for small kitchen appliances, like bread makers and juicers, which are not displayed on the countertop.

  9. Step 9

    Choose a cupboard to use for spices and baking supplies. Place the rotating spice rack in it and put spices on the shelves of the rack. Put away the containers of baking supplies as well as other supplies used for cooking, such as oils, next to the spice rack. This is also a good place to keep any cooking and baking tools, such as measuring cups and spoons, and spatulas.

  10. Step 10

    Place all canned and boxed goods together, organizing them by rows. Rotate the oldest food to the front to be used first.

  11. Step 11

    Arrange silverware in drawer organizer, and place in a drawer closest to the dishwasher. Larger utensils for cooking and baking can go in a separate drawer closest to the oven range for ease of use.

  12. Step 12

    Continue to maintain the kitchen after organizing the cupboards. Rotate foods forward on a regular basis and clean out items that are expired. Restock the foods that are consumed most often.

Tips & Warnings
  • Store cereals and other kid-friendly foods on lower shelves for easy access. Organizing once a week while putting away groceries makes keeping the kitchen cupboards clean easy and manageable.
  • Do not store perishable items such as potatoes and onions in the cupboards. Refrigerating these items will make them last longer.
Resources
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Home & Garden Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden