Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries
Serving Greater Cincinnati

5 Tips for a Clutter-Free Kitchen

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, maybe because it’s where so many different functions take place. It’s where families gather to cook, bake, clean, eat, do homework, sort mail, and just hang out!

This also makes the kitchen one of the toughest parts of the home to organize since there are many different supplies and equipment used in one space. If you’re having trouble keeping your kitchen clutter-free, we have some tips for you!

Follow these steps to get your kitchen in order:

white dishes on a shelf at Goodwill

White Dishes from Goodwill

#1: Keep pots and pans within reach

If you’re running low on cabinet space, try a new system for storing pots and pans. You could hang pots and pans overhead or hang them against a wall using a pegboard. Keeping your most-used pots and pans within reach will make it easier to maintain a well-organized kitchen since you won’t have to dig through cluttered cabinets to find what you need.

 

#2: Follow the ” one in, one out” rule

Mugs and novelty cups make great gifts, which means you might have more than enough taking up space in your cabinets! By following the simple rule of ” one in, one out,” you can free up space for any new gifts and keep your kitchen clutter-free. Here’s how it works: Every time you get something new for your kitchen, choose an item to donate. Besides mugs, cups, and dishes, Goodwill gladly accepts donations of kitchen supplies and small appliances!

Wooden tray from Ohio Valley Goodwill

Wooden Tray from Goodwill

#3: Put papers and mail in a designated spot

Incoming mail, school papers, coupons, and other paperwork can pile up quickly on your kitchen countertops. To ensure you don’t lose anything important, create a system for sorting your papers. You could use labeled trays, clipboards, or small bins to separate papers into categories and keep them organized. The key is to sort papers as soon as you receive them instead of letting them pile up!

#4: Clean out the junk drawers periodically

Junk drawers tend to be a catch-all for odds and ends, from pens and paper clips to batteries, charging cords, and spare change. While it’s perfectly fine to have a junk drawer, make sure you’re sorting through it every month or so to keep it from becoming unmanageable. Take everything out of the drawer, then toss out any broken items or trash and relocate the items that belong elsewhere.

white and clear storage containers from Goodwill

Storage containers from Goodwill

Shelf with wicker baskets at Goodwill store

Baskets from Goodwill

#5: Use bins and baskets to store pantry items

Keeping your pantry well-organized means having a ” home” for everything: baking supplies, spices, snack foods, kitchen appliances, and more! A great idea is to use small baskets or bins to hold things like chip bags, cereal boxes, and granola bars. Try taking dry goods like rice, oatmeal, flour, and sugar out of their original packaging and sealing them in labeled, clear glass jars or containers to keep them fresh. For an eco-friendly solution, upcycle some thrifted jars from Goodwill!

Another trick is to keep healthy foods at eye level and store any special treats on a higher shelf. This will make it easier to make healthy choices when you’re on the go!

 Get your kitchen in tip-top shape with Goodwill!

Giving your kitchen a makeover is easy with help from Ohio Valley Goodwill! Shop at Goodwill to find affordably-priced organizational supplies for every part of your kitchen, from bins to jars to functional décor like wall hooks or bulletin boards. And, as always, Goodwill is your go-to for donating the gently-used items that you no longer want or need! Simply gather your donations and bring them to your nearest donation center. We’ll take care of the rest!

Green graphic with text: "Donate 4 The Earth. Your donations make a difference. You create jobs in your community and reduce your environmental impact. Thank you!"

Your donations make a difference!

Best of all, your donation and shopping support is a meaningful way to help the planet and give back to your community. Goodwill resells donated items in our retail stores to help fund life-changing programs and services for veterans and individuals with disabilities. So, whether you shop, donate, or do both, you’re making a big difference!

Check out our locations to find a retail store or donation center near you. We’ll see you soon!