I hate waking up to a dirty kitchen. It makes me feel like I’m already behind before I even want to think of cooking. Today, I have 3 tips that will help you always keep your kitchen clean and ready to go.
They are simple and completely doable. A ready-to-go kitchen will be a game changer if you dread coming home and cooking. So get ready to feel empowered – I know you can do it!
- Always Empty Your Dishwasher in the Morning
This is a game changer for me and makes my life so much easier. Awhile ago I decided to do a few things for myself that I wish someone else would do for me. This is the best present that ever I gave myself.
It never takes as long as you think it will. If you’re like me, you think it will take sooooo much time. But we all know that though emptying the dishwasher is an annoying part of life, it takes less time than taking a shower.
On days that I’m feeling extra resistant, I put the glasses in front of the glass cabinet, the dishes on the counter where I can just put them in the cabinet below. It seems silly, but getting the dishwasher empty is the first goal. Most of the time I go ahead and finish right then, because I’m already there.
But even on the days that I’m too busy to do anything but remove the dishes and place them close to where they go it still keeps dirty dishes from piling up in my workspace. Also, it’s super easy to put them away as I grab ingredients before I start dinner.
No dishwasher? This still applies to you if you air dry your dishes overnight in the sink or on the counter!
2. Always Run the Dishwasher before you go to Bed
You can’t empty the dishwasher in the morning without getting those dishes clean at night. If you live in a small household you may only have a full load every other day, but the point of this is to have open dishwasher space when you need it.
We are a household of 2 humans, 2 dogs and 2 cats so we seem to generate enough dishes for me to do a load just about every day.
There’s nothing more frustrated than waking up to dirty dishes in the sink and the dishwasher. You have to wash one load first just to get to what you need to do next. I don’t know about you, but it’s incredibly frustrating to wake up ready to cook and have to clean before I can get started.
No dishwasher? This still applies to you. Go ahead and wash up every night and you will be your own favorite person. Bonus points if you can get your friends or family to help or switch off nights. I love the “I cooked it and you clean it” method of the kitchen, but it doesn’t always work at my house.
3. Remind Yourself How Wonderful it is to Come Home to a Clean Kitchen
For good or for bad – everything we do starts in our mind. Just like you make a conscious choice to eat healthier and add more delicious vegetables into your life, you need a good reason to start a new habit of keeping your kitchen clean.
It’s always easier for people to transition to eating a vegan or plant-based diets when they have a strong reason to do so. For me, a clean kitchen means eating at home more. That equals eating healthier foods more often which leads to having more energy.
All of that starts with the small tasks of taking care of the simple chore of washing and putting away the dishes every day. Not to bad for a few minutes a day, right?
What’s your favorite tip that helps you keep your kitchen in order?
Jean says
I do the same thing. It makes me feel good to have a clean sink before I go to bed, and it doesn’t take long. Some nights I get the clean dishes put away at night and don’t wait until morning.
Kathy Hester says
Thanks Jean! It’s amazing how much difference the little things can make!
Marcia says
My favorite way to keep things organized in the kitchen my husband doing the dishes for me! He is so sweet and frequently voluntarily takes on the task on his own. If that doesn’t happen, I find washing dishes while I’m cooking a BIG help because it takes away that overwhelming stack of things to be washed and makes it a “controlled” mess! I, too, appreciate seeing a tidy kitchen first thing in the morning, it always gives me a reason to smile!
Kathy Hester says
I agree that cleaning as you go is the best way. I’m not very good at it though 😉
Kathryn Grace says
I’ve been sick with a virus for two months now and totally worn out. Exhausted, I’ve let my kitchen clearing at night go and I pay for it every single day. So yes, these are excellent tips. One more thing that makes my kitchen a happy place: I bought a floor-cleaning robot that dust mops, then wet mops my hard-surface floors. I set it running while I’m working at my computer. That little machine saves me so much time and aggravation that it is well worth the money spent. If you like, I can share my review.
Kathy Hester says
I have a neato and we love it. Cheryl got a mopping one recently, but we haven’t used it yet. I am so sorry you’re sick and hope you feel better soon!
Brandie says
I run the dishwasher at night, but guilty of not always washing the pots and pans- you’re right, seeing a sink full of dishes makes me not want to cook. But if my sink is full chances are good, I have leftovers 😉
Kathy Hester says
And that’s never a bad thing!