QUESTION:
My kitchen bench is a catchall for everything – how do I keep it organised and keep it clear for me to use the bench space for Cooking? The kids do their homework on the bench as well so it is covered with reports and papers of half finished projects.
ANSWER:
First
things first you need to clean the bench off – sort out all the papers –
recycle what you can. Next buy a
desk top filing system for the kids papers and file them on that so when
they
are doing their homework and they don’t quite finish they can put their
stuff
in their own manilla folder off your bench top.You can
also keep catalogues you need in the same file in a different coloured
manilla
folder for easy access.Don’t keep
electrical appliances on the bench (except maybe the kettle) as this
just takes
up valuable space. Clear a cupboard for
the appliances you use regularly under the bench.I have a
small wicker basket on my bench for those odds and sodds I find in the
bottom
of pockets and school bags that I toss everything into and clear out
once a
week. It keeps the mess off my bench and
confined to one easy to maintain area. Designate a
preparation area for cooking by placing a wooden chopping board in this
area so
it indicates to everyone this spot has a purpose and it is NOT to
collect your
junk.
Enjoy your new bench space and don’t forget reward yourself for a job well done.
Question: I have a small pantry where else can I store my tinned and non-perishable items that I buy in bulk? Bulked out in Melbourne
Answer: Dear Bulked out – As described above – why not sort out your linen cupboard and clear a shelf in there to store your overstock of supplies. Or you could use the space under your bed – store the tins in the clear plastic underbed storage units you can purchase at K-mart or Target these days.
Question: I have 30 towels in various conditions in my linen cupboard – HOW do I decide which ones I need and which ones I can get rid of. Some of them were wedding presents. – Too many Towels in Toowoomba.
Answer: Dear Too many Towels… How many people are in your family – I work on the basis of 2 towels per adult and 1 towel per child. Also 1 beach towel per person that is only used for the pool or the beach and when it is not Summer or swimming weather store them out of the way. Save about 3 old thin towels and sew them in half to be used as bath mats. Cut another 3 thin ones up into rags for washing walls and windows. All the rest can be donated to your favourite charity if they are of good quality or they local dogs home or pet shop to be used when they bath the dogs. Good luck and happy de-towelling.
