In no particular order, here are the individual tasks I am tackling each day this month:
- Make cleaning supplies
- Cycle clean appliances
- Clean out cars
- Clean out microwave
- Wipe down cabinets/appliances
- Wipe down trim/doors
- Clean out one drawer
- Clean out fridge
- Clean out freezer
- Vacuum under furniture
- Vacuum mattresses
- Clean oven
- Clean out one closet
- Wash out garbage can/recycle bin
- Wash windows
- Scrub grout
- Clean out one cabinet
- File paper piles
- Purge bathroom toiletries
- Clean out pantry
Today I am chatting about the extra task: Clean Out One Cabinet
Cabinets get dusty and things get lost in the back and occasionally the cabinet contents become completely forgotten about... I can either spend multiple hours in one day cleaning out all of my cabinets and drawers, or tackle them bits at a time as time permits. Although we all work in different ways, this month I have been doing just that and I have been loving the outcome of accomplishing something each day of the week.
At first glance, our glass cabinet doesn't appear to be that bad.
But it was! What is hard to see in the image above is that the cabinet is a corner cabinet, meaning that there are twice as many glasses lingering in never never land.
There were quite a few other issues with the cabinet; things were put away where they didn't belong {seasonal items are typically stored in our hutch in the dining room and not in this cabinet}, jars were being stacked and I had to come to terms with my mug hoarding addiction.
First step to any good cabinet clean-out, is to start with a blank slate. So that is what I did. Ready to see how many glasses were actually living in this little cabinet?
Oh my bananas! And the ones in the far back were sooooo dusty. Ew. Anyone want to come over for drinks?
For the next step, I sprayed down the inside of the cabinet and shelves and gave everything a good cleaning.
I found so many glasses that I had completely forgotten about, and very obviously didn't need any longer. So I grabbed an empty box and said farewell to a total of 24 tumblers and mugs. And plastic over-sized wine glasses....
What didn't make the cut? Anything that we hadn't used in a very long time, anything that didn't make sense for our current situation and about half of the mugs that I purchased out of impulse due to their cuteness but never found myself actually using.
The final step was to just place everything back where it made the most sense. Everyday drinkware on the bottom shelf and favorite jars and mugs on the next two shelves. I still placed the less frequently used items in the portion of the cabinet that is harder to access, but at least we know they are items that we enjoy on occasion so hopefully they won't be in the next donate batch... No cost organizing for the win!
What cabinet are you going after this month? Anyone else have a ridiculous obsession with cute coffee mugs?
Looking for something? Check out my favorite cleaning products below:
Funny - I have those same two mugs (monogram mug from Anthropologir and copper handle from Starbucks). They are my two favorites, along with a Kate Spade mug that I'm sure you'd love. :)
ReplyDeleteOooh - Don't tempt me Cristina!! :D I love me some Kate Spade!
DeleteI've just done this and under the sink... so good to declutter :)
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of white dishes and end up bleaching all mine monthly just from the tea and coffee stains as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you I have been a cleaning out and organizing fool! I am on spring break this week and I have totally overhauled my kitchen. It looks incredible and I feel so much better!!! Thank you for your tips and inspiration. I should have taken before and after pics but I had no idea things would turn out so well. Now armed with my label maker I am a force to be reckoned with! LOL
ReplyDeleteI bet it feels so freeing and exciting! I love the feeling of a freshly organized kitchen! Kudos to you and your excitement and energy!
DeleteI can relate with the coffee mug addiction! This is a task I need to do!
ReplyDeleteI have so loved this series! It has been a crazy busy work month, so I haven't been able to keep up with it quite as quickly as I had planned. But, I am going to use the posts and space them out over the next few weeks. Thanks for the inspiration:)
ReplyDeleteYou are keeping us busy. I even like seasonal mugs. I just bought plastic stemless wine glasses for the summer season. I am terrible at getting rid of things. Also, following fly lady this week.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteAnother mug/cup hoarder here:) I love the orange and red mug you have in the last picture. Would you mind sharing where you have got it from?
Thanks, Mel
Thanks Mel! I found them a few years back at Starbucks. They have been a favorite since, nothing like a giant cup of oatmeal or coffee!! :)
DeleteThanks Jen! It looks like I have missed them:)
DeleteEnjoy your gorgeous mugs.
Mel
I am OBSESSED with that last picture! Makes me want to go to Anthro and Starbucks :) Those mason jars are AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteSarah
www.sarahsdaybook.wordpress.com
I'm done with this task a couple of weeks ago and I've gotten rid of not just dusts but a broken mug and shot glass as well that were hidden at the back. I wondered how that happened. Maybe during the quake. (",)
ReplyDeleteI've been reading these since u started this cleaning project and it's just now hitting me, that I want to try it in my own home :)
ReplyDeleteJen, I completely agree that the key to keeping things organized long-term is to weed out all mismatched cups and glasses and keep only the ones that are used daily. It is so hard to let go of perfectly nice dishes for some reason:) But once I made myself to get rid of them, and stocked up on all matching cups and glasses, the cupboard remained organized without any additional effort. It's the small things for sure!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen thank you for your inspiration this month. So far I have cleaned my oven, washed under my range hood (I didn't know it was beige underneath). I have cleaned my ceiling fans and washed the front of my kitchen cabinets and even did the kitchen ceiling. Cleaning is addicting. Just one suggestion. I store all of my mugs and glasses upside down. That way the dust never gets inside, if the outside is dusty just a quick wipe with a tea towel is all that is needed. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteWow! You have been busy Elaine! Congrats to you for all you have accomplished!
DeleteHmmm, I was told a few years ago that storing glasses upside down can trap moisture and chip rims so I flipped them ever since. Sounds like it is a split decision, this was a fun read: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/glass-up-or-down-165081
xoxo!
I probably would have as many mugs as you if I let myself buy everything I wanted to! I have OCD and I can't handle having non-matching mugs... So while I miss out on some adorable mugs that I really want, I avoid the clutter!
ReplyDeleteI have SOOO many mugs and glasses too....ok, now I will get serious about purging...but the bad thing, the local Good Will always has Anthro mugs that SOMEONE must not like, because they show up pretty regularly...so I have to get them for a mere 99 cents...don't I ??!?! Rosie
ReplyDeleteOooh! That would be a hard deal to walk away from! And where is your Goodwill! I am rarely that lucky, I may need to move! ;)
DeleteThis post did the opposite of what it was supposed to. I now want to go buy some new mugs. :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Ooops! Sorry! So NO to all the mugs! :D
DeleteWhere did you find the white mason jars? Did you buy them or paint them yourself?
ReplyDeleteI found them on Joss & Main, but it looks like they are also sold at Kirklands: http://bit.ly/1lpBpBl
Deletexo!
I have been loving this series! I'm following along and have completed almost every step with you. Just wondering where your spray bottle with the pink top is from-- thanks! Keep up the good work and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Jocelyn!
DeleteI think I found it at Home Depot or the Dollar Store. Sorry, can't exactly recall, it has been awhile.
xo!
I found the same one at Dollar Tree :)
DeleteTry alternating the glasses and mugs. One up, one down. You will be able to fit more on the shelf.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!
DeleteOkay, I need to get sappy for a moment! I want to thank you sincerely for this series on keeping a clean home. I'm 28 years old and I lost my mother to metastatic breast cancer about a year ago, and while grieving, I gave myself a "pass" on keeping my home (where I live with my sweet dog, Mia) very clean. Reading this series has given me the push needed to get back on track! I bought some new lovely cleaning supplies like the ones you use and even took a couple days off work to do some larger cleaning items, and I have to say I am feeling refreshed as I see my home start to sparkle a bit more. Thank you for what you do - it's important! Something seemingly mundane like house cleaning has brought me back to life!
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear about your loss. I personally understand the challenges that come with that and I am sending you hugs and prayers. Your comment made my entire day, week and month brighter just knowing the impact the blog is having on you personally. I appreciate you checking in, and I am so very happy to hear that you are finding some joy in the cleaning process. Kudos to you! Oodles of xo's!!
DeleteJen, as always lovely post. You would giggle at this but it's not like you to leave out the pretty contact paper before you put all the glasses. :) Tania
ReplyDeleteHaha, I really thought about it! But the kitchen is sort of in limbo right now {making decisions about future updates}, therefore, I have a hard time doing anything above and beyond just to take it out down the line. So I am just sticking to decluttering for now. :)
Deletexo!
I've commented earlier, but I've been thinking... once a week after this month can you share a cleaning post like this series? Not for things that you have already posted about (cleaning grout, vacuuming under the couch, etc.) but something like cleaning a different type of cabinet or purging fill in the blank. I would certainly love that! Thanks for the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteSarah
www.sarahsdaybook.wordpress.com
Hi Sarah!
DeleteThanks for letting me know! I will most likely continue with my challenge personally, so I will see how that will tie into future posts.
So happy to hear you are enjoying the series and challenge! :)
xo!
I just did an organization post on my makeup, I threw away tons and tons but I find I use all my different products more now that I can keep it all straight. Gotta emphasize the quality over quantity thing when organizing and decreasing your things.
ReplyDeletewww.thoughtsofglam.com
Life is so much complicated with less stuff! Have you thought of doing the Buy Nothing New challenge? That would be really interesting and I am sure your readers would love to hear about that.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I have actually done this in the past just for budgeting purposes and always thought it would be a fun challenge to do on the blog! I will add it to the list for this year. :) Not only does it save on bringing in new items, it forces you to get much more creative with what you do have.
Deletexo!
xo!
No....I don't want it to be over!!! :) I look so forward to obsessing over your posts!! I will say you have helped me change all cleaners to natural! :)
ReplyDeleteYou just made my whole month! :) Thank YOU!
DeleteLove cute coffee mugs! My favorite one says, "Just be happy and have fun!"
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the tall textured drinking glasses on the bottom left- where did you get them? Love your blog!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! They were from HomeGoods a few years back. :)
Delete