Cabinet Clutter
February 14th, 2007 (Organization)
1. Clear Out. Remove the contents of each cabinet (one cabinet at a time); jettison old and/or ineffective supplies and products. This includes all those tiny, bewitching bottles of hotel toiletries, cute little containers of jam (from gift baskets or room service), and shriveled packets of ketchup or other take-out condiments.
2. Categorize. Group remaining items into categories, e.g., (bathroom) cosmetics, dental, hair care, medications; (kitchen canned goods, glassware/mugs, cleaning products, cookware.
3. Contemplate. Do all of these items really belong in your cabinets? Think about which ones you use most often and when you actually like to use them; then transfer nonessentials to more appropriate areas (like a donation bin or perhaps the trash).
4. Cluster. Use narrow rectangular containers, preferably transparent, for easily accessible storage of products often used in tandem. For example, in the bathroom: skin care (cleanser/moisturizer/toner), dental care (toothpaste/mouthwash/floss), shaving supplies (razor/shaving cream/aftershave.