“This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

How do I start spring cleaning?

Spring Cleaning Tip #1

Start by making a spring cleaning checklist. (Or use ours.) Review the Ultimate Guide to Spring Cleaning, so you don’t miss anything. It’s easy to quickly be overwhelmed when you have so much to clean. So write down everything you need to do before you start. It will also help you decide what room to clean based on the amount of time you have available. You’ll also be able to group similar tasks together.

Spring Cleaning Tip #2

Declutter your home. You can’t deep clean anything if you can’t get past the clutter. Get rid of anything sitting out. Clear your kitchen counters, clean off nightstands, pick up toys. Tidy up and organize as you go, but don’t worry about deep cleaning, just yet.

Related: Declutter Your Small Kitchen in 5 Easy Steps

Spring Cleaning Tip #3

Go through your clothes. This is the perfect time of year to empty your closets. Get rid of winter clothes you didn’t wear and summer clothes that don’t fit or anything that is out of style. Go through your kids’ clothes and box up anything that no longer fits. Either save it for a younger child, donate it to a friend or pregnancy center, or plan a summer garage sale.

What can I use for spring cleaning?

Spring Cleaning Tip #4

Gather your cleaning items before you start. The second best way to save time, after making a checklist, is having all your cleaning supplies on hand before you start. Make the checklist, then you know what items you will need.

• two or three medium sized buckets
• wash rags (I use old wash cloths), microfiber cleaning cloths, paper towels
• mop and broom
• rubber gloves
• Swiffer products: Sweeper, Wet Jet, Duster, Duster Extender
• Windex, Dawn dish soap, Febreze
• non toxic cleaning products: I use Branch Basics
• small ladder
• vacuum
• optional: carpet scrubber, pressure washer, lawn mower

What is the best way to spring clean?

Spring Cleaning Tip #5

Work on one room at a time. (Or one project at a time.) Don’t pull everything out of your closet and make a bigger mess that you’re not going to be able to clean up by the end of the day. Don’t dust a room if you’re not going to vacuum afterward.

Spring Cleaning Tip #6

Perform top to bottom cleaning. We want to make the most of the time we spend cleaning. So we don’t want to have to do double duty.

Start by dusting the ceiling. Wipe down lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. Remove and clean your curtains and wash the windows. Dust all the furniture and pull everything away from the walls. Wash the walls, then the baseboards. Vacuum the carpet or area rugs. Move the furniture to one side of the room, then scrub the carpets, rugs, or hardwood floors. Vacuum the carpet once more after the carpet has dried to pull the fibers back. Move the furniture to the other side of the room; scrub the floor, allow to dry, vacuum. Put all the furniture back and rehang the curtains.

By performing top to bottom cleaning, you allow the dirt and dust to fall to the floor, and then vacuum once you’re done.

Spring Cleaning Tip #7

Wash walls bottom to top. While this goes against Spring Cleaning Tip #6, it is the best way to prevent dirty water leaving streak marks. If dirty water runs over a dirty wall, it will leave streak marks that are hard to wipe away. Dirty water on a clean wall; however, wipes right up.

Spring Cleaning Tip #8

Check your smoke detector. Change out the batteries at the beginning of spring and fall to make sure you’re always protected. Check your fire extinguisher as well to make it hasn’t expired. If you don’t have either of these items in your home, now is the time to get them.

Spring Cleaning Tip #9

Change your filters. Use spring and fall as your marker to change water filters in your sink and fridge and air filters in your heating and cooling system. Give the lint trap of your dryer a good scrub as well to prevent a fire.

Spring Cleaning Tip #10

Make small repairs as you go. Create a list of larger repairs to be completed over the summer. You don’t want to bog yourself down with repairs when you’re trying to get things cleaned. If a drawer handle needs tightened, do it then. If your siding needs fixed or replaced, add it to your summer to do list.

How can I make spring cleaning easier?

Spring Cleaning Tip #11

Enlist the help of your family. Don’t think you have to do this all yourself. You made the mess as a family, you can clean it up as a family. Even small kids can help out with small tasks.

Spring Cleaning Tip #12

Hire outside help. If there is too much on your plate or there is a task that is not in your wheelhouse, consider getting some assistance. Either look into renting the equipment necessary to complete the tasks, or hire a rental company to clean your floors or drapes or a landscaping company to get your lawn off to a good start for the summer.

How can I motivate myself to spring clean?

Spring Cleaning Tip #13

Visualize a cleaner space. This may sound silly, but even making this list of spring cleaning tips has given me the much needed motivation to get started. Just thinking what needs done and picturing it complete in your mind may be all the motivation you need.

Spring Cleaning Tip #14

Use music to get moving. I always listen to music when I’m cleaning or working out. It breaks up the monotony of the task at hand. It’s also a good way to break down the task you’re working on. If a song is four minutes long, allow yourself five songs to complete your task. Either take a break and come back at refreshed, or move on to another task for another five songs.

Spring Cleaning Tip #15

Give yourself a reward when you finish. You could throw a party for Memorial Day. That gives you a fixed date to have everything completed. Or maybe plan a trip. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as coming back to a clean house after a vacation. And who doesn’t need some relaxation after deep cleaning an entire house?

Are there any secret spring cleaning tips you want to share? Let us know in the comments, and get your copy of the tips.

As a kid, spring cleaning was always something I thought happened in a weekend or two. Oh, but now that I’m an adult, I know just how wrong I was. It’s called spring cleaning because it takes an entire season to thoroughly clean the mess you’ve made over the last year. That being said, don’t try to get everything done in a weekend. It’s the quickest way to burn out and not get anything done.

Use this guide to spring cleaning any way you wish. If you want to follow it in the order it’s listed or if you want to jump all over the place, either way is fine. As long as you’re getting cleaned and organized, that is the goal. And if you need to a checklist to make sure you’ve covered everything, we have that too! So open the windows, let in some fresh air, and let’s get to spring cleaning.

“This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

When Should You Start Spring Cleaning?

Well, the simple answer would be the first of spring. However, if you live in a colder climate, you’ll want to wait until the snow has cleared before tackling any areas that are heavy traffic. You don’t want to scrub floors and then have snowy or muddy boots in and out. Same thing goes if it’s a rainy spring season. In those cases, you could actually start spring cleaning a little earlier by working on decluttering rooms or organizing closets.

I would wait until you can open windows before you get into dusting and using cleaners, just to keep allergens under control. Whenever you plan to get started, make sure you give yourself enough time for each room. The more you get done during your spring cleaning routine, the easier it will be to keep your home clean the rest of the year.

Let’s start with the basics steps to spring cleaning, and then we’ll cover each room.

Step 1 to Spring Cleaning: Declutter

Before you can get a thorough clean of your home, you need to declutter. This is also something that can be done while it’s still cold and messy outside. Go room by room, and trash or donate items you no longer need. Put all items back that are out of place. Declutter you home and then organize each room to make it easier to clean during the year.

Related: Declutter Your Small Kitchen in 5 Easy Steps

Step 2 to Spring Cleaning: Closets

The next thing I love to do before it is officially spring is cleaning out the closets. Now’s the time to go through your winter wardrobe and get rid of anything you haven’t worn, doesn’t fit, needs fixed or you just don’t love anymore. Have a donate bag, a to-sell bag (for your summer garage sale), and a trash bag. Now is also the time to go through your summer clothes as well and purge those items in the same way.

Old shoes and purses are another thing that collect in your closet. Now is the time to go through those items. Make sure to clean out any purses before getting rid of them; it may actually pay you to clean your closets. Go through any bedding that is stored in your closet. Sheets that are worn and you’re not using can be donated to an animal shelter. For anything you keep, wash it to keep it fresh and either remake your bed or put it away.

For kids’ closets, start with the clothes. Kids’ clothes sell best at garage sales, if you’re planning for that. You could donate them to a friend or a pregnancy support center. Or store them for your younger children. For kids’ toys, get rid of anything that is broken or missing pieces. They’re likely not playing with those, and they can be unsafe for smaller children. Anything they’ve outgrown again can be sold or donated to a center or younger kids. Get your kids to help. They can learn early how good it is to give to others or how to earn and save money.

Don’t forget to go through your bathroom closets as well. Old towels can be donated to an animal shelter (add it to your bag of old sheets). I usually repurpose old washcloths and dishcloths to be used as cleaning cloths (for showers or walls), which is perfect to keep your spring cleaning efforts going strong.

Step 3 to Spring Cleaning: Top to Bottom Cleaning

Once the weather finally breaks, you can really get into serious spring cleaning. But to minimize your time with any task, you need to do it the right way. That’s why I always do top to bottom cleaning. Never heard of top to bottom cleaning? It’s simple; just start with the highest/tallest items in the room and save the floor for last. I recommend working on one room at a time, so you don’t get overwhelmed and so you are able to put the room completely back together by the end of the day.

Start first by taking down your curtains, and clean them according to the label. Next you’ll want to clean the ceiling. Ceilings don’t typically collect as much dirt as other parts of the house, so you only need to wash them, if you see dirt or mold, or if someone in your home has allergies. Otherwise, you can run a vacuum on the ceiling or use a Swiffer Sweeper; the long handle makes it easy to reach most ceilings.

While you’re looking at the ceiling, you’ll also want to take down any light fixtures, and wash them. Be sure to wipe down any ceiling fans or light fixtures that can’t be removed. The Swiffer Duster Extender works great for those high places, if you don’t want to get up on a ladder.

Working with our top to bottom method, you’ll want to dust all the items in the room, pulling them away from the walls, as you go. Take everything off the walls, and dust each item. Next you’ll want to wash the windows; inside and out, if you can. Now would be the time to clean the mirrors, as well.

Now it’s time to wash the walls. This is the one time in our top to bottom method that you actually want to start at the bottom. It is harder to wipe away a dirty streak from a dirty wall than wiping it from a clean wall, and we don’t want to spend any extra time washing those walls. I suggest using the Swiffer Sweeper again on your ceiling and walls in the fall, to keep the dust and cobwebs away. Once the walls are finished, you can go ahead and run your cloth over the baseboards and vents.

Once everything else in the room has been cleaned, it’s time for the floors. On hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors, I usually use a Swiffer Wet Jet, but when spring cleaning, I like to give the floor a good soap and water scrub.

For carpets or rugs, spring cleaning is the time of year you need to deep clean, so yes vacuuming is a must. After vacuuming, you’ll want to scrub your rugs with a rug shampoo or mild dish soap. For carpeting, you can use the same cleaner and scrub it by hand (time consuming), purchase a carpet cleaning machine, rent a machine, or hire someone to professionally clean your carpets. Once the rugs and carpets are scrubbed, let them dry and vacuum once more.

Scrubbing the carpets is usually a two day step, as you need to wait for one side of the room to dry before you can vacuum and move the furniture back. But once the carpet is done, that’s it, you’re good to move on to the next room.

Step 4 to Spring Cleaning: Electronics

While I mentioned that you need to dust all the items in a room before cleaning the floors, I wanted to mentioned your electronics. The Swiffer Duster is great for removing dust from televisions, laptops, or gaming systems. But you don’t want to forget about the smaller electronics, such as your phone, television remotes, game controllers, and your computer mouse and keyboard. Use a disinfecting wipe for those heavily touched surfaces. And don’t forget about your vacuum and broom. Empty the vacuum, dust the outside, and snip any hairs wrapped around the beater bar. Clean the bristles of your broom. Replace the batteries in your smoke detector.

What do you do for spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning is the yearly deep clean you perform on your home (inside and out). It’s the time to clean those areas of your home that normally get missed. So let’s go room by room, so we don’t forget anything.

Entryway

If you have an entryway, you should start there, as it is the first thing people see as they enter your home. If you have any winter coats there, put those away. Either store the coats in your closet, or rotate your winter/summer wardrobes. Keep your cold weather clothes in storage totes to make more room in your closets.

Go through any shoes in your entry space, and get rid of anything that no longer fits or is destroyed. Again trade out your winter boots for summer sandals. Set up a shoe rack in your entryway to keep your shoes in order in the future.

Perform any other decluttering tasks and then start your top to bottom cleaning remembering to vacuum or wash any rugs. It’s also a great time to change out rugs and go with a warmer theme to make your entryway a more inviting space.

Kitchen

The next step on your spring cleaning journey is your kitchen. You can actually start cleaning parts of your kitchen well before the weather has changed. You’ll need to clean out your refrigerator, freezer, and cupboards. Get rid of any expired food or anything that has freezer burn. Defrost your freezer, if necessary. Clean the shelves, drawers and walls of the refrigerator and freezer. Don’t forget the outside and the top. Clean the inside and outside of your cupboards. Rotate all your canned goods when restocking.

Clear out the space under your sink. Scrub your dish drying rack or replace it, if needed. Scrub your trash can, inside and out.

Related: Organize Your Small Kitchen in 6 Easy Steps

Clean your appliances. Empty the bread crumbs from your toaster and wipe down the outside. Heat a bowl of water in your microwave, then wipe it out with soap and water. The steam will loosen any stuck-on food. Scrub out your oven, or use the self-cleaning feature, if you’ve had a lot of spills. Wash the drip pans on the stove, and lift the stovetop to clean underneath. Don’t forget to clean the drawer underneath the stove. I would even suggest to pull the stove and refrigerator away from the wall, to clean underneath.

If you have a dishwasher, get a dishwasher cleaner, and run an empty cycle while you’re cleaning the cupboards. Wipe down all the other appliances that are sitting on your counters collecting dust: mixer, blender, coffee pot, etc.

Once all the cupboards and appliances have been thoroughly cleaned, continue with the top to bottom cleaning method. Wash the curtains and clean the windows. Maybe replace the curtain with something springtime, to let in more light. Don’t forget lights or ceiling fans. Wash the walls and floor. Vacuum and wash any rugs. Replace worn rugs.

Dining Room

Not everyone has a traditional dining room these days. You know the ones, with the massive china cabinet and grand table. Usually the room where you, as a child, where never allowed to play and chairs you probably weren’t allowed to sit on. Whether it’s a traditional room, or more of a breakfast nook, it still needs that good deep clean.

If you have a china cabinet, now is the time of year to take all the dishes and glasses out and wash everything (preferably by hand, as most dishwasher detergents are too harsh). Wash or Windex the shelving and dust the cabinet. Move it away from the wall to clean the wall and floor. Move it back and replace all the dishware. Finish with top to bottom cleaning. Go through your checklist to make sure you got the lighting, the windows (and curtains), walls, the table, chairs, rugs, carpets or hardwood.

Living Room

Once you’ve decluttered, the living room should be fairly easy to clean. Use the top to bottom cleaning method, but I would dust everything before washing the walls and baseboards. Make sure to vacuum the couch and under the couch. Spray the couch and pillows with Febreze to eliminate odors and refresh. Don’t forget to wash the windows and curtains.

Bedrooms

If you started with Step 1, you’ve already gone through your closets, so now we’re just tackling the cleaning. Take all the bedding off and wash everything. Clean your pillows, as per the instructions. Either remake the bed, or swap out with your summer bedding. (Satin sheets are great for summer, since they stay cool.) Dust the bed, dressers, any other furniture and lamps, and wipe down mirrors. Clean lights or ceiling fans, wash windows and curtains, wash the walls and baseboards. Don’t forget to vacuum under the bed, and go through any storage containers you may have under there. Deep clean the carpets or rugs.

Bathrooms

The bathroom. (My least favorite room to clean.) Second to the kitchen, it’s the room you should keep the most clean. First, it’s the dirtiest, and second, it’s the room your guests will most likely see. Start by going through your cabinets. Clear out expired items: creams, makeup and medicines (move these to another room). Get new toothbrushes. If you keep cleaning supplies under the sink, clear out what you don’t use, and get a new toilet brush. Obviously, you’re going to clean your shower, sink and toilet, but also remember to clean your shower curtain, bath mats, and rugs. Perform the top to bottom cleaning method, and you’re done!

Laundry Room

For your laundry area, get rid of any old soaps and replace any broken laundry baskets or hampers. Use Affresh to clean the inside of your washer. Be sure to empty the lint trap of your dryer every time you use it. Take this time of year to clean the trap with soap and water. Vacuum the hose and all areas around the dryer. Then go outside and clean the outside of the vent. Finish with top to bottom cleaning.

Attic/Basement

If you have a finished attic or basement, all the top to bottom cleaning rules apply. If you only use the attic or basement for storage, now is the time to go through your items and decide to purge anything that you no longer need and pare down on the storage containers.

Garage

Your garage mostly needs to be organized. If you’re planning a garage sale over the summer, it’s even more important to organize. Try shelving for storage containers. Use a pegboard wall organizer to keep your tools off the floor. Get a tool tower for rakes, shovels and brooms.

Outside

You want the outside of your home ready for summer barbecues or pool parties. Clean doors, windows, and shutters. Rent a pressure washer to clean your siding. Wash down porches, railings and outdoor furniture. Clean your grill and your pool. Landscape your yard to give your home a fresh look: cut your grass, trim your trees and bushes, and plant some flowers. Wipe down your mower and gardening tools when complete.

Vehicles

One thing that’s often overlooked – your car. If you’re in a cold climate, wash your car or take it to the car wash in early spring to clean the salt from your car. Be sure to get the undercarriage as well, so you keep it from rusting. Vacuum the seats, floors, and trunk. Dust the dash and clean the inside of the windows. Double check when your car needs inspected or if it is due for an oil change to keep it in top condition.

Conclusion

There you have it: the Ultimate Guide to Spring Cleaning! Get a jump start before spring arrives to get ahead of your spring cleaning schedule and have more time enjoying your summer. Don’t forget to get the checklist, so you don’t miss any part of your home.

“This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Step 1 to Organize Your Small Kitchen: Contain the Paper

If you’re anything like me, you have a serious amount of paper coming in your home on any given day. Between the mail (bills), kid-related paperwork (report cards, parent signature forms), and work-related information for you or your spouse (medical, 401k), it’s hard to keep track of everything and can easily take over the top of most counters or tables very quickly. Get yourself some kind of organization system.

I like this one best because it hangs over the door, so it’s not taking up space in any room. You can even hang it in a closet, so it’s out of the way. Use one of the upper pockets for mail, since it’s too high for the kids. Then give each kid their own pocket to put school papers in for your review.

Step 2 to Organize Your Small Kitchen: Corral Those Small Appliances

If you’re not using an appliance often, and it will fit in your cupboard, store it away to make a cleaner looking space. We want the appliances that must remain on the counter to be less distracting and allow you to make the most of that valuable counter space. Get a cover for your mixer, so it stays clean and is out of the way. Get an expandable shelf for over your microwave to allow for more space for other small appliances. Use a corner shelf to organize your coffee area.

Step 3 to Organize Your Small Kitchen: Make the Sink Work for You

If you have a small kitchen, odds are you don’t have much counter space. The space around your sink might be limited, and even if you have the room, keeping a drying rack on your counter can make it look crowded. Use an over the sink dish drying rack to free up space, keep your soaps and dish cloths within reach, and let the dishes dry off into the sink. This one is adjustable to fit multiple sink sizes, and it can be assembled four different ways to your liking.

Step 4 to Organize Your Small Kitchen: Straighten Up Those Drawers

You should already have an organization for your everyday utensils. If not, let’s start there. Get this expandable silverware organizer so it fits any size drawer you have. And for all the other kitchen drawers, get this expandable drawer organizer. It comes with removable dividers, so you can use it any way you see fit. While it’s perfect for kitchen utensils, it also works great for tools, makeup, crafts, office supplies, and kids toys. (Of course, not all of those items are in your very organized kitchen.)

Need to find time to organize your small kitchen? Get the 7 Secrets to Time Management

Step 5 to Organize Your Small Kitchen: Make Good Use of Those Cupboards

Make Room for Pots and Pans

I know how it goes; I’ve been there. You start out with all the pots and pans stacked nice and neat inside of each other. The lids are neatly lined up waiting to be used. A week or two goes by, and you come back to a messy cupboard. Save yourself time and a headache, and store pots, pans and lids easily with this cabinet organizer. It works two different ways, so you can keep you lids matched to your pots or turn the pots on their sides for more room.

Store Baking Items

If you’d rather not store your baking pans in the drawer under your stove, I suggest making more room in your cupboards by turning the pans on their side, using an adjustable storage rack. It keeps your pans upright, so they no longer collect dust. Just move the dividers to create space for metal baking tins, glass casserole dishes, or even cutting boards (of all sizes).

Keep Food Fresh

If products, such as pasta, flour, sugar, and cereal, are kept too long in their own packaging, little bugs, called weevils, can get in them. Those bugs can infest everything in your cupboards that is not well sealed.

To keep the bugs away, make more space in your cupboards, and keep your food fresher longer, try these airtight food containers. These are nice because they come with labels, so you never have to guess what is in your cupboards. They’re great for storing pasta. I know if I don’t use all the pasta in the box, there’s a 99% chance of it ending up on the floor. They’re also great for flour and sugar. (I suggest getting a brown sugar saver, as well, to keep the sugar from clumping.) With these food containers, there is less waste and that is money saved.

To save even more money on food, you also need to get your canned goods in order. Use this rotating can organizer to store your canned goods and keep them from expiring.

Wrangle Those Storage Containers (and Lids)

To save money, you want to keep food fresh as long as possible. Trying to track down lids that match containers not only wastes time, it wastes space. Get this nested set of storage containers with lids that attach, so you can always find a match set.

If you don’t need new storage containers, consider a lid organizer and stack the containers nearby.

Utilize the Space Under the Sink Well

Keep the space under your sink for dish washing items and cleaning supplies. Use an under the sink organizer to double your space. Keep the cleaning supplies from leaking all over your cupboards by storing them in these plastic bins. Keep items together for whatever room they’ll be used; kitchen cleaners in one, bathroom cleaners in another. You can easily transport all the supplies when you clean that room.

Step 6 to Organize Your Small Kitchen: Tackle the Refrigerator and Freezer

On the Outside

I don’t suggest chore charts, to do lists, or grocery lists on the refrigerator. If you have a small space, all that writing and scheduling is going to make the kitchen look smaller. Leave the refrigerator available for those kid art projects and A+ papers. Give each kid a special spot that is all their own to display whatever they want for one week, then file away the old papers. Get some motivational magnets to keep your family (and yourself) inspired.

If you need to use the top of the refrigerator for storage, I would keep those airtight food containers up there, with cereal or pasta. I use the top of my refrigerator to display decorative cups and store wine.

And on the Inside

Keep items sorted in the refrigerator and especially the freezer, with these clear bins. And keep leftovers from getting lost in the refrigerator with this set of Pyrex storage containers.

One Last Tip

So there you have it. The six easy steps to organize your small kitchen: contain the paper, corral the appliances, put the sink to work, straighten the drawers, use the cupboards wisely, and tackle the refrigerator/freezer.

You certainly do not need to purchase the items above to organize your small kitchen. However, it is much easier to keep your small kitchen clean if it is well organized. The most important part is making your kitchen work for you. Store items logically as to where they are needed. Keep cooking utensils near the stove. Keep all dishware together. Keep the silverware near the dishwasher (if you have one). Your kitchen should be organized in a way that cuts down on the number of steps you take to complete your task.

Organizing can be just as hard as decluttering. So to stay motivated, take it one step at a time. If you got through the paper or the cupboards, take a step back and look at what you accomplished, then save the rest for another day. Just be sure that since you now have a place for everything, those items always get returned to that place. It makes cleaning your kitchen that much easier.

Were you able to successfully organize your small kitchen? Let us know in the comments what products worked best for you.

“This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Step 1 to Declutter Your Small Kitchen: Clear the Countertops

The Paper Problem

I have a small table and kitchen “peninsula” (as my husband calls it) in my kitchen, and they are always the first things to be covered with junk. The mail comes in, and I say “oh just set it there on the counter, and I’ll look at it later.” A week goes by and now there’s a pile of mail I need to go through.

Let’s start the declutter process at eye level. First, go through any paper and throw away anything that is absolute garbage. If it’s mail, separate it into garbage or bills. (That’s probably the only relevant categories in most households.) Paper is the hardest thing to deal with, as there is always a constant flow. So going forward, you’re not going to put any paper on those counters. Deal with the mail when it comes in the door (trash or bill pile).

Other papers I find sneaking onto my counters are kid-related. At the moment, it’s mostly doctor information. Those progress papers they give you at every checkup. Set up a filing system, and file them as soon as you get home. In the future, I’m sure it will be report cards and parent signature forms.

For now, we just want all the paper out of the kitchen, so sort it and put it in a folder marked TO DO. We don’t want to get sidetracked from decluttering the kitchen with another project.

Small Appliances

Some appliances need to remain on the counter if you use them everyday: coffee pot (you need your daily caffeine fix), microwave, toaster, mixer. But those sometimes appliances don’t need to be there, if you need more space. My blender rarely gets used and yet it takes up prime counter space. The only reason it doesn’t get hid away in the cupboard is that it is too tall.

If you don’t have enough room for all of your most used appliances, dedicate a cupboard and switch out appliances, as needed. Broken appliances or ones you never use need to go. If you have something that’s still in good condition, either make a plan to try to sell it or offer it up to someone on your street or someone in a mom group.

Knick Knacks

I love pictures! I have picture frames all over my house, including my kitchen counter. You may be wondering if we’re decluttering, why are you putting things on your counter? Well there’s this one section of my counter that I can’t reach, so I can’t put anything useful there.

If you have a place like that, then I allow you the freedom to choose your favorite knick knacks, and give yourself a little piece of happy in your kitchen. However, if your home offers no additional space, the knick knacks must go. One, you need all the space you can get, and two, those knick knacks can make a small room look even smaller. And that is not our goal today!

Step 2 to Declutter Your Small Kitchen: Say No to Junk Drawers

The Junk Drawer

Growing up, we had a junk drawer. It was right by the door and held all the random things you could ever need: tools (screw drivers, hammers, tape measure), tape (scotch, duct, electric), thermometers, scissors (not the sewing scissors!). There were times when we couldn’t even get the drawer open. I always assumed everyone had a drawer like this. But when I moved into my small kitchen, there was no room for a junk drawer. I decided I need one tape measure, and I would put it in this empty drawer. Well guess what? That drawer has held pens, notepads, calendars, coupons, chop sticks, and yes, the tape measure.

Well I say no more junk drawers! If you have one (or more), empty it! Find a home for everything in there. If it’s tools, buy a toolbox and keep it in your garage, basement or under the sink. If it’s pens or stationary, find a nice cup or a special box. If it’s not kitchen-related, it no longer belongs in the kitchen!

All Other Drawers

Are the other drawers created equal? Absolutely not! But we’re decluttering, not organizing our small kitchen. So for the purpose of decluttering, I need you to go through each of the other drawers: silverware drawer, towel drawer, measuring cups and cooking utensil drawer, etc.

Silverware drawer. Get rid of any rusted or broken pieces of silverware. If that doesn’t leave you with much silverware left, it may be time to get a new set. Or if you have sets that don’t match, let them go, and get something you really love. If there’s anything else lurking in that drawer that belongs somewhere else, move it or throw it out.

Towel drawer. My towel drawer is always on the brink of explosion. I have towel sets from before I was married, even after people gifted us with new towels as wedding gifts. If anything in there has holes or are threadbare, it’s time to get rid of them. I usually try to switch out old towels and dish cloths with my cleaning rags, then toss the old cleaning rags.

Cooking utensil drawer. I don’t know if everyone has a drawer like this, or if you’re using those utensil containers on your counter. I personally don’t like the container because I feel the utensils are never clean. (Maybe I just don’t cook enough.) But if you happen to have the drawer, get rid of any broken measuring cups or spoons. Go through the utensils. Are there broken pieces? Check the spatulas; sometimes the get sticky and need replaced. Check wooden utensils. If they are cracked, bacteria or mold can grow in those cracks.

For any other drawers you may have, dedicate a use for that drawer. Be it cutlery, cling wrap/sandwich bags, food storage containers/lids. Whatever you decide what that drawer is for, that is the only thing allowed in that drawer. Find a home outside of the kitchen for anything that doesn’t belong.

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Step 3 to Declutter Your Small Kitchen: Clear Out the Cupboards

Small Appliances

So those small appliances that were taking up counter space that I said to move to a cupboard now may need to be relocated. If it’s an appliance you use regularly, it gets to stay. I have a waffle maker I used a few times that was taking up precious cupboard space. Once my son started into solid foods, I really needed that cupboard to store his food and dishes. If you’re storing a sometimes appliance in your kitchen cupboards, it’s time to make a decision. Is it time to get rid of it? Or could you store it somewhere else, out of the way? (Garage, attic, basement)

Another thing to think about when going through your appliances is if you have any duplicates. I’ve had two mixers, two toasters, two crock pots, and three blenders. You need to keep your favorite or the one in the best condition, and let the others go. If they still work, you could sell them, donate them, or swap with a friend or other mom who may need what you have and have what you need.

Pots and Pans

Pull everything out and first match up lids to pans. If you have extra lids, get rid of them. (You don’t have space for I might need it someday.) If any pans are dented or rusting, they need to go. And if you have non-stick cookware that is start to pit or peel, get rid of them, as the coating can start to come off in your food. If you don’t have much cookware left after the purge, I suggest getting a new set of cookware.

Dishes

If you’re dishes are chipped, they need to be thrown out. You’re risking a microwave catastrophe. If you still have a mixed match set from college or when you joined houses with your husband, consider upgrading to a brand new set. When upgrading (or scaling back your current selection), take into consider just how many plates, bowls, and glasses you actually use. If you’re hosting people once or twice a month, it’s going to be more than if you host the occasional holiday meal. You could always rent dishware for that once a year gathering.

Food

Go through your canned goods, pastas, cereals, snacks, spices, etc. Now’s the time to throw out all the expired food. Reorder the space by date, so you’re not throwing as much away in the future and so you know what you have. This should now be on your weekly to do list. While you’re getting rid of all the expired food, it is a good time to make a grocery list, as some of the items you thought you had may need replaced.

Food Storage

We all know the joke about having no lids to our food storage containers or vice versa. Well it’s not funny when you have no space for items you can’t use. If it’s an actual Tupperware item, and if the lid or container is not lost, but broken, Tupperware should replace it for you. For anything else that doesn’t match up, throw out the mismatched pieces. Get this nested set of storage containers with lids that attach, so you never lose another piece.

Under the Sink

I believe the space under the sink should only be for sink-related items. Dish soap, kitchen cleaning items, scouring pads, and it’s a good place to store your dish drying rack (if you have the space). This also clears your counter by the sink, so your already small kitchen looks less hectic.

Related: Organize Your Small Kitchen in 6 Easy Steps

Step 4 to Declutter Your Small Kitchen: Tackle the Refrigerator and Freezer

On the Outside

I collect magnets. Mostly from trips I’ve been on, like a mini postcard collection. They take up most of my fridge, and I love looking at them, remembering all the fun times. But under some of the magnets are papers. Sometimes it’s Christmas cards or wedding invitations or drawings or the grocery list.

The more stuff that is attached to your fridge, the harder it is for your eyes (and mind) to rest. And with kids, the space of honor is the refrigerator. So for now, remove everything. Only put back the things a) you absolutely need or b) absolutely love.

As for those kid art projects and A+ papers, going forward every kid gets to have one thing on the refrigerator for one week. I suggest switching out on Fridays. If you have school-age kids, they can pick their favorite thing from the week, and hang it up. Every Friday, it’s a new showcase! (Keep the prior week’s showcase filed away.)

Don’t forget the top of the fridge. I use mine as a place to showcase decorative cups and some pictures. Remember, don’t overdo it with the knick knacks. But if you need this space for actual storage, it can be great for tall cereal boxes.

Now to the Inside

We’re going to declutter the refrigerator and freezer in one fell swoop. First, if you need to, defrost your freezer to make more room. Then start with the food. Expired food must go, but wait to get rid of it until trash day, so it’s not stinking up your kitchen. Also, any containers (I’m talking to you condiments) that have just a squeeze or two left should be thrown out. Any leftovers from a week plus need to go.

And the freezer is the biggest hoarder of food. Sometimes it’s something you tried once and didn’t really like, but never got rid of. If nobody is eating it, there’s no reason to store it. Give yourself props for trying something new, but don’t let it hold you back from making room for other new things.

Step 5 to Declutter Your Small Kitchen: Use the Drawer Under the Stove Wisely

Honestly when I was making my list I almost forgot about this drawer, so I wanted to give it its own space, so you didn’t forget it too. It doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t use this drawer for storage (even though that’s not what it’s intended for). I say use it however you feel suits your household. But if you choose to use it for storage, make sure it’s for items you actually use.

I keep my baking pans, cupcake tins, cake pans, and a pizza baking pan in mine. Don’t put things down there you don’t use, or don’t use very often. It’s gets dusty under there quickly if the items aren’t being used. You’ll spend more time washing and rewashing those items than actually using them.

One Last Tip

So there you have it. The five easy steps to declutter you small kitchen: countertops, drawers, cupboards, refrigerator and stove. Just remember to take it one step at a time to not get overwhelmed.

The hardest part of decluttering for me is getting rid of things I no longer use or need, so the trick I use to stay motivated is buying something to make the space more functional or more pleasant. However, you only get to buy something new once you’ve decluttered. It becomes impossible to declutter any room, if you keep adding new items to an already cluttered space. Good luck in your journey!

Were you able to successfully declutter your small kitchen? Let us know in the comments what worked best for you.