Here it is Wednesday and I'm just now posting for this week.
Zone 2: Mission #1 Monday
Your mission for today should you choose to accept it: Scrub down your counter tops, I don't mean to just wipe a rag across them! I mean you get some hot soapy water and you wipe down the counters from front to back and side to side. Yes, you have to move the stuff on the counters to do this. You just move your toaster (or coffee pot or whatever) over to one side and wipe down the counter, then move over a foot or so, move aside what is there and wipe down some more and so on. We are not marathon cleaning the kitchen here, just getting all the crumbs and junk that seems to build up behind and under things.
******************** DONE -- along with windows, French Doors and window sills. ( I still need to clean one cupboard area.)
Zone 2: Mission #2 Tuesday
Well it is day 2 in the Kitchen, are you ready?
Today we are going to de-clutter our leftover, food storage, plastic, Rubbermaid, Tupperware, Glad-Ware, etc. containers! Do you have excess lids? More bowls than lids? Stained and/or Melted? Do we even need to talk about those old margarine, ice cream and sherbet containers?
It is time to let go of this clutter. I am not telling you that you can't keep any containers, I am telling you to get rid of the ones that have no lids, stained and the ones that keep getting shoved in the back because it just isn't a size that works for you.
I don't know what a reasonable number of containers to own is, that is a personal choice that has to be made on how you cook, store and the size of your family. I just know that if you haven't de-cluttered these items in the past 6 months it is time to really go through them and start tossing!
A quick hint that is helpful, take a large zip top plastic bag to store the lids in, this keeps them together and keeps them from spilling all over the inside of your cabinet.
Spend 10 minutes doing this, don't get sidetracked and rip apart your cabinets and drawers. One thing at a time.
*********************** This has been done recently. But, I'll go through them again.
Zone 2: Mission #3 Wednesday
Let's take a close look at the gadgets and small appliances. The toaster, can opener, coffee maker, microwave etc. The small appliances that you use on a regular basis. When was the last time you cleaned out your toaster; opened up the bottom and dumped the crumbs? How dingy or dusty is your coffee maker? Do we even want to talk about the blades on the electric can openers? How about the outside of the microwave?
Wipe them down and make them shine. I am not telling you to drag out every small kitchen appliance you own and to scrub them. Just wipe down the fingerprints, dust, drips, dried food particles on the most used items. Make sure you unplug these items before you clean them!
*********************** Partially Done (descaled coffee maker and kettle, pulled out cooker and wiped along sides). I'll clean the toaster, microwave and wash out the fridge. I'll see if the oven needs doing, too.
Zone 2: Mission #4 Thursday
This involves old toothbrushes and elbow grease! Yes you guessed it! Grab those toothbrushes and some general purpose cleaner and scrub those faucets on your kitchen sink. It is amazing how much gunk can build up around the seals and edges.
********************** DONE
Zone 2: Mission #5 Friday
Let's take a look at the cabinets! Take a few minutes to check them out, I bet you will see that they need a little sprucing up!
Just wipe down the outside surfaces.
**********************Bucket of wood soap ready. I'll try and wash them down tonight. The floor has been mopped twice, too.
. If I were wealthy I'd go around and make those people clean up their acts. BTW I'm a potential hoarder and am working on my issues. My house is far from "sorted". But I'm working on it.
