How did week one go? I found it very easy this year. I did end up with a small bag of things to donate.
I was very excited that I was able to completely clean off the top of my fridge. Those who know me IRL know what a big deal that is :0
And it’s still clean!
I also tackled my junk cabinet and now it is a fully functional storage place for candles, extra salt and pepper shakers, and chips. Weird combination, I know, however that may change by month’s end.
Are you ready for week two????
Week’s two challenge is……
CLEANING!
Now, don’t be so surprised, you knew it was coming.
This week let’s focus on cleaning our countertops and all the things that live on them. I have several small appliances on my countertop and they collect dirt, oil residue, and cinnamon dust at an alarming rate. So, here’s the plan:
Clean all countertop appliances thoroughly, toasters, toaster ovens, microwaves, grinders, mixers, blenders…you get the idea :) We are also going to thoroughly clean the countertop itself, including (if you have one) the backsplash. I’ve mentioned before that I have tile countertops. This will be a good time to clear them off, and deep clean the grout. I am toying with the idea of sealing the grout again this year…I think it’s time….
Make sure that as you clean you remove EVERYTHING from the countertop so that you can clean even the areas that are typically covered with appliances or knife blocks.
While we’re at it, let make sure the stove top and hood are clean as well. This will mean different things for different people :) I have a flat top stove, so cleaning for me will be minimal. Because there are a variety of stove top designs, consult your users manual or do an internet search if you need guidance on how to clean your stove top.
We are also going to tackle the refrigerator this week. Last week you should have de-cluttered your fridge, removing anything that is out of date, old, or unused. Now, it’s time to clean every nook and cranny. Some people recommend emptying the entire fridge. However, I find that working one shelf or drawer at a time works best for me. Please make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your fridge. You may also want to clean the coils of your refrigerator at this time as well. Here’s a great article to help you with that process.
While you are emptying, cleaning, and then restocking your freezer, can I encourage you to make a list of the contents of your freezer? It will help you immensely. I know, it takes a few minutes to do, and then a few moments to keep up with it as you add/remove things. However, I think that you will find a list extremely helpful!
Are you ready for week two? Are you excited to see your kitchen becoming more user friendly??? I hope so!
Happy cleaning!