January to-do list: De-clutter the kitchen

January to-do list: De-clutter the kitchen:

It's a new year and what better time to make a resolution to get your home in order? If this sounds overwhelming, take it month-by-month and tackle a little at a time. By the end of the year, everything will be in tip top shape!

Start in the kitchen in January:

With the holidays over, it's time to get back to normal. Time to get back to healthy eating habits and grocery shopping. As well, it's time to get the kitchen back in order and clean out the clutter that accumulated over the year and during the end of year feasting. January is the perfect month to tackle getting that kitchen clutter and making it look brand new!

Kitchen de-cluttering "to-do's"

1. Clean out the pantry:

Pull everything off the shelves. Look at expiration dates and toss any items pass their dates. For items without dates, The Demesne website outlines the shelf life of most foods kept in the pantry.

In general, most pantry items are questionable after one year. Some baking products can be stored longer, but should be tossed if older than 2 years. The exception to this rule is sugar, which is good forever, vanilla, which can be stored for up to 5 years, and gelatin, which has a shelf life of approximately 3 years. Be sure to include spices, gravy and seasoning mixes, and oils in this cull.

Even canned foods have a shelf life. Review Demesne's chart and toss if there is any doubt about an item's age. Create a section in the pantry where items that will expire soon are gathered together and create a meal plan to use them or donate to a food bank.

Suggestion: Store items based on purchase date, moving older stock to the front. Each month, plan meals around stock that is at the front and closing in on the expiration dates. Mark month of purchase on can, box or bag with sharpie whenever possible.

2. Clean out the inside and outside of the refrigerator.

A refrigerator can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria and a junk magnet. The Mrs. Clean website states, "Although the recommended temperature of a refrigerator is 40, bacteria and mold still grow and may cause ill effects if eaten. Contamination often spreads in the refrigerator and ruins other food."

Remove everything from the shelves, doors and trays.

Many items are spoiled after a few weeks (milk, cheese, etc.) and should be removed on a regular basis. During January's cleanup, address those items that sit on the doors and shelves for extended periods of time.

Toss most items that have been purchased or opened in the past six months. Eggs last a maximum of 2 months, mayonnaise is only good for 3-4 months. Deli meats are good for 4-6 weeks.)

Wash down all surfaces (1/4 cup baking soda to 1 quart of warm water) and replace food, maximizing space.

Store away the kids artwork and family pics and minimize magnets. They'll grow back.

Remove odd stuff from the top of the fridge and clean thoroughly!

Suggestion: Some deli-foods can be frozen, but not all. Reference the chart to determine which foods can be frozen and which ones don't freeze well. Don't refrigerate foods that have been unrefrigerated for an extended period of time, such as during dinner or a party. Be safe and toss instead.

3. Clean out the freezer.

Empty entirely

Toss items with freezer burn or that have been in the freezer longer than six months.

Wipe down freezer surfaces.

Put frozen food back into freezer, grouping by food type, moving older foods to the front, and then cooking anything close to expiring.

Suggestion: Store fresh meats right after purchase in sealed zipped bags with the purchase and expiration date marked clearly on the bag. Once cooked, meats can be stored frozen an additional 2-3 months.

Review and replace worn out kitchen items.

At least once a year, take stock of the kitchen supplies for items that are worn out, outdated and tacky. Start a storage spot for collectables or heirlooms and get rid ot the rest.

1. Linens: Replace worn out, torn or outdated kitchen towels and dishcloths, and sponges

Suggestion: Watch sales or purchase new linens at the after-Christmas sales. Old tea-towels make great dust rags!

2. Drawers:

Empty each drawer

If the flatware set has missing pieces, replace missing pieces or purchase a new set. Go through the utensil drawer and toss what is never used. Buy updated utensils and toss the old worn out stuff. Better utensils are developed every year!

Get that junk drawer under control. Redistribute all that oddball stuff that found its way there. Let the junk collection start anew! Wipe out each drawer and organize with dividers.

Suggestion: Buy a bamboo flatware organizer (World Market) which expand to fit the drawer perfectly.

3. Bowls, Glasses, Pots and Pans:

Many kitchen items are given as holiday gifts. If you received a new cutlery set, toaster, new pots and pans, or bowl set, and if the old pans or bowls don't coordinate with the newer pieces considering donating to Goodwill. Anything that is worn, chipped or outdated (and that isn't a collectible) should be tossed.

If items from a set have been lost or broken, replenish the set so that it is complete. If that isn't possible, get a new set. Donate the leftover and mismatched items.

Clean off the counter tops

Once all the de-cluttering has been done INSIDE the pantry, refrigerator, cabinets and drawers, take a hard look at the counter clutter. Find a place to put the toaster and other small appliances behind cabinet doors or in the appliance garage Create a tidy spot under the sink to keep the dish detergent and other kitchen cleaners and then put them away. Get rid of decor that looks outdated and past their prime. If any counter items look dusty or greasy, clean them or eliminate them entirely.

Lastly, the oven!

Once all the de-cluttering and organizing has been completed, look at the oven. Do the knobs need replacing? What about drip pans? Is it greasy and grimy? Have crumbs accumulated between the oven and the counter top? Clean thoroughly, replace worn out or damaged parts and then latch the oven and start the self-cleaning cycle!

Now the kitchen has been de-cluttered, refreshed and updated. You're ready for the rest of the year!