Wash Wednesday: Miscellaneous Containers in your Ktichen Cupboard.

I think every kitchen has that cupboard full of miscellaneous storage containers. I am talking about the cupboard that no seems to keep organized and when you open the door every lid and Ziplock/Glad/Tupperware container falls out.

For someone as organized like me, this cupboard is my nemesis in life. I cannot stand the mess the cupboard easily creates even after you clean it out. And if you keep it clean, I guarantee that other family members just throw the containers and lids into the cupboard when unloading the dishwasher. Then when you open the cupboard to retrieve a container and matching lid, you cringe from the disaster as well as disgusted and easily annoyed at the time spent in finding what you want. Knowing this is the only cupboard that is untidy drives you crazy as all the plates are stacked neatly away and the wine glasses are hanging in an orderly fashion. Even the pantry has a rack for the back of the door full of canned goods.

My mom's kitchen had this cupboard growing up. She even attempted to keep it organized like I am trying to do now. To no avail. Most often, I give up knowing that I would literally have to unload the dishwasher every time if I want it looking perfect. But then I reach that point where I just cannot stand it anymore or cannot find what I am looking for.

So Judah and I attempted once again to tackle the cupboard this morning. I even had him pull all the containers and lids out for me so I would not have to bend over to mess with it. We matched the lids to the containers. Then we threw out extra or old containers.

Now I face the problem of putting them back away. For the bigger lids I place in racks nailed on the cupboard doors. But what about the smaller containers and lids that seem to multiply?

In the past I have left the correct lid on each container and stacked them neatly. This does not last, however, as family members fail to follow protocol. I have used bigger containers to store smaller lids and containers. Again though, this does not last as items are just thrown into the cupboard.

Currently, my containers are sitting on top of the counter waiting for my decision. I wanted to get your thoughts though on tackling this problem. Moms, how have you solved this problem?

Tip Tuesday: Storing Your Glassware!

I know I have a lot of glassware. I guess when I got married, I, in my dreamy state of mind, I was excited about all those parties I was going to have and the glasses I would need for my guests. Well five years and one kid later, I still have the glasses but have not hosted as many parties I was hoping....holiday parties, professional parties, campaign gatherings.

Thankfully, my cupboards in my small town home allow lots of storage space. The cupboards themselves actually reach up to the ceiling making great storage but difficult access for a short person. I have my stool though as well as a tall husband to reach those items stored at the top that I do not need or use as often.

I do put the everyday dishes right above the dishwasher...plates, mismatched glasses and mugs, and bowls. So when special company comes or I have absolutely no other clean glasses, we dig out the special stemware from the storage cupboard (by storage cupboard I mean harder to access).

One of these days, Sarah came over and reaching for a glass, she opened this cupboard to exclaim, "Holy Tip Tuesday, Batman." Thus came time to share my insane and compulsive excitement for storage solutions.

While I do not like to use these glasses everyday, I vowed that they would be accessible enough to have when needed. I did not want to take glasses (or other dishes for that matter) out of boxes, digging around the back of the shelf for the one item needed, and then repacking the boxes back into the cupoard. Can you imagine me kneeling on the counter, trying to reach out some item way up on the top shelf?

Instead, I bought some stemware racks to hang my glasses upside down. This allows more storage in my cupboard (and little kitchen) and keeps the glasses dust free at the same time. I can add more glasses upright on the open shelf space. I also have my beverage napkins, pitchers, and ice bucket stored inside as well.

So when I do have a party (even if it is not as fancy as I had originally dreamed), my glasses are ready and waiting! You need to just come over sometime and I will gladly open the cupboard. The proud part of my ego wishes that the cupboard doors were glass themselves to show off my idea.

Now my next move is to put some hooks under the cupboards to hang some of my decorative mugs for company. This will make some much needed room for all those toddler cups.

Wash Wednesday: Dirt Magnet #1 Dirty Silverware Container!

Have you ever wondered why the silverware container and utensil drawer are always dirty? You are only putting away clean items and yet you discover crumbs at the bottom when you empty it out.

With a number of guests last week at our house, we went through a lot of silverware. Sure enough as the usable silverware was getting low, emptying out the container, I noticed a dirty bin full of crumbs and lint leftover. Usually, when this happens (with a minimal amount of clean utensils), I wash out the container. I stick my plastic white bin, that I use for everyday silverware, in the dishwasher to wash.

My "special event" silverware are placed in a velvet wooded box. Even this gets dirty and I find myself taking the lint roller to wipe it down. If you have a drawer full of serving spoons, spatulas, and miscellaneous kitchen utensils, you will notice the same effect.

Why is this? You got me. Perhaps people are in a hurry to unload the dishwasher and do not notice a piece of food dried onto the fork or knife as they unload. Or then maybe you spill some crumbs when you open the drawer on your way to the table since the other hand is full of a plate of food. For whatever reason, this is certainly disgusting! Yuck!

This is why I try to keep up on cleaning out my drawers and containers periodically. Just think these crumbs could be going into your mouth but thankfully fall out in the "putting away" process.

With any new set of kitchen cupboards, I line the bottom with either contact paper or cupboard liners. The contact paper is good for a permanent kitchen situation to wipe down. The liners can also be cut to the size of the shelf to protect the wood and hide the crumbs that fall from the dishes. Tack the liners down with thumb tacks and remove to shake out the crumbs and wipe down the shelf.

Use water proof and rust resistant containers and organizers for easy cleaning. Most of these items are dishwasher safe. Wipe them down when you notice a shortage of the item it holds, making clean up minimal.

And above all else, be careful of putting away dirty dishes. Establish a communication system for "done" and "undone" cycles on the dishwasher so your loved ones do not unload dirty dishes. Wipe down the inside and outside (which has a lot of food and germs from hands) of cupboards and kitchen shelves periodically, being sure to get all cracks and crevices.

You will be surprised what you find inside your kitchen cupboards. Good luck attacking this dirt magnet!