The act of exploring for missing items

You are positive you placed the item in the kitchen, pantry, or was it the refrigerator? Before you throw in the white flag of surrender call for help, or purchase it again — Use these organizational tips:

1) What do you actually use? Identify duplicates; determine which single function item you can throw out because it is old, hopelessly dirty, or rusty. Ask yourself if there is a real reason to keep lids with no matching pots or plastic storage containers they fit.

2) Store items where you need them.
3) Keep tools within easy reach. Use a de-clutter drawer space organizer.
4) Consider the countertops. The visual appeal of your kitchen will be improved by:

a) Cleaning up the sink and counter as soon as possible after preparing food. b) Storing containers of flour, sugar, dry good in cabinets or the pantry.
c) Puttin away small appliances when not in use.

5) Set a cleaning routine. Letting small messes sit only leads to bigger messes and a more overwhelming cleaning job later. 6) Use an over-the-sink cutting board in order to temporarily expand your counter space.
7) Maximize your under-sink storage space by adding a pocket organizer on the back side of the door.
Pantry :

1) Start by removing food and wiping down the shelves then adding shelf liners.

2) Look at the food you pulled out and decide
a) What to keep, what is old, expired and what you need to get rid of b) If you find half packages of the same items, consolidate

3) Divide your pantry into zones. Separate your supplies by their food and cooking categories. a) Banking goods,

b) Grains,rice, oatmeal,
c) Portable Lunch items, d) Snacks; Oils and Sauces, e) Canned goods; Etc.

Designate an area for each, with the most often used zones in easy to reach areas.

Example:

4) Use clear containers, with labels, for items such as flour, sugar, rice, oatmeal, beans. The similarity of type will facilitate stacking. Place root vegetables (potatoes, onions, garlic) in separate baskets.

5) Invest in rolling shelf system, pull out drawers, baskets, small shelves, a Lazy Susan for the corners, etc. Hang infrequently pots or pans if you don’t want them displayed in your kitchen.

6) Store heavier electric items such as a crock pot, juicer on the bottom shelf of the pantry or if necessary on the floor. Note, storing items on the floor makes cleaning the pantry floor more difficult.

7) The inside of the pantry door:
a) Paint with chalkboard paint, keeping a chalk marker nearby, list the contents of the pantry and draw a line through those items used that

need to be replaced.
b) Hang a sheet of tin to create a magnetic spice rack.

Refrigerator:

1) Before spelunking in your freg, have the following items at the ready: a) Large trash bag for those expired items

b) An empty dishwasher for those newly emptied plastic food storage containers c) A sink full of hot soapy water to clean the bottom of jars and the shelves
d) Other cleaning supplies
e) Ice chest or cooler to hold times that cannot temporarily sit out

2) Declutter the front and top of your refrigerator.

3) Once inside review the contents and toss old or expired items.

4) Keep small items in one place with baskets or clear containers.

5) Line the shelves with easy to clean mats or use cling/plastic wrap to cover shelves so that when spills happen, just peel it off and toss.

6) Place items back in your refrigerator according to the best zone of the time. Example: Place the milk container inside the ‘freg’ versus in the door for optimum cooling and freshness. See the Fridge Organizational Cheat Sheet for more details (link below).

7) Repurpose mason jars or use other stackable storage containers. ________________________________________________________________________

As you might guess, I could go on, and on, and on, and on, and on and….. you get the idea….
Please let me know which area of your home may need organizational tips so that you never have to go Spelunking again – that is unless you like the frustration – ahhhh, adventure !!

Organizational links:

30 Quick & Easy Ideas: http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/decorating-ideas/kitchen-organization/?page=3
Fridge Organiser Cheat Sheet: http://www.haier.com/my/newspress/event_promotion/201601/t20160104_297091.shtml
The Container Store (Kitchen & Pantry 25% off sale going on now) https://www.containerstore.com/campaign/kitchenSale2018Small Kitchen Organization and more: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/143622675599217989/

Overstock: https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Kitchen-Pantry-Storage/11255/subcat.html?
f e a t u r e d p r o d u ct = 1 5 4 0 8 8 6 6 &fe a t u r e d o p t i o n = 2 5 6 0 5 7 9 0 &ci d = 2 7 0 7 5 1 &fp = F &t r a ck = cs e s h o p z i l l a &u t m_ s o u r ce = s h o p z i l l a &u t m_ me d i u m= cs e &u t m_ ca mp a i g n = 2 7 0 7 5 1 &co u n t r y co d e = U