February | Cabin Fever Kitchen Clean Out
February is when many of us start to feel cabin fever set in. Unlike the January Messy Minimalist Monthly Challenge where we decluttered our bathroom, linen, and clothes closets – this month we’re decluttering our kitchen in an effort to minimize cupboard and pantry clutter.
We’re using more of a KonMari Method approach this time around, which seems to help! Good luck and happy decluttering! Watch the video first, or scroll down to read about each part of this month’s challenge.
PART 1
MESSY MINIMALIST FEBRUARY CHALLENGE
EMPTY YOUR CUPBOARDS (ALL OF THEM!)
The first part of this decluttering challenge is to clear off your counter or dining room table to use as a work space, because you’re going to empty your cupboards one by one until everything is out! If you think you’re going to run out of counter space, then try emptying cupboards by category as best as you can (again, think KonMari Method).
Once everything is laid out, it’s time time to separate the bowls, serving platters, bakeware, small appliances, etc. This will give you an idea of how many of each type of item you have.
PART 2
MESSY MINIMALIST FEBRUARY CHALLENGE
HAVE A HEART-TO-HEART WITH YOURSELF
How many wooden spoons do you really need? For me, the answer is 4. (the max number I might need for serving dinner). How many large skillets? How many medium sized pots? Have an honest conversation with yourself about the number (if any) of these items are even being used. At this point, you should have an idea of what you actually USE.
TIP!
To determine how many of a particular item you need, take cookie sheets for example, perhaps you think about how many can fit in your oven at once. Too often we get hung up on having ‘extras’, but in reality we only need what we can reasonably use at one time. Plus it incentivizes us to do the dishes every day!
PART 3
MESSY MINIMALIST FEBRUARY CHALLENGE
LET THE SORTING BEGIN!
By now, your kitchen counters are probably filled with piles of stuff. Begin placing what you WANT, USE, LOVE, NEED back into your cupboards, and everything else into a donate bin.
Don’t get caught up trying to make the cupboards look pretty. You can go and buy pretty new organizers later. Right now we’re focused on one thing – keeping only what you need and parting with the rest!
PART 4
MESSY MINIMALIST FEBRUARY CHALLENGE
CHECK EXPIRATION DATES (PANTRY)
If you have food items in your kitchen cupboards then now is the time to dig through those as well! I’m trying to take ‘inventory’ a couple times a year to avoid items expiring or getting lost in there!
Pull everything out, just like you did with the rest of the kitchen items, and sort by category. Anything that’s obviously ‘bad/expired’ can go in the trash. Everything else back in the cupboard. If you find items that are still GOOD, but you don’t think you’ll ever eat them, then start another pile for Food Pantry Donations!