Oh, boy! Can my kitchen drawers get out of hand!!!
YIKES! I wonder what is at the bottom of that drawer?
Just take a look at this mess!
But with just a little time and a plan my drawer went from the mess above to an organized and neat drawer where I can find everything easily!
Here's how the drawer looks now. all pretty and organized...
Ta-Da!
Here are 5 tips that can be used to clean and organize any drawer!
1. TAKE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE DRAWER AND CLEAN THE EMPTY DRAWER
Everything needs to come out of the drawer... everything!
Once the drawer is empty, scrub it clean! Inside the drawer, runners, front... every inch of it.
Can you believe all of this was in one kitchen drawer. And that doesn't even include all the dozens of paper napkins that went right in the trash!
Things can get out of control pretty fast!
but wait... there's more...
2. SORT OUT EVERYTHING
Put everything into 4 categories.
Put Away, Give Away, Throw Away, And Put Back in Drawer (or closet, or cabinet, etc)
I suggest using 3 boxes or garbage bags for a large organizing job.
3. Edit Again!
BE RUTHLESS!
Look at all the things in your PUT BACK group. Ask yourself if you really need everything! Are there any duplicates that you don't really need?
Get rid of every single thing that is not useful.. or is tired... or very old... or doesn't work... or you have not used in the past 6 months!
4. Use Containers
Container are made to CONTAIN things so they don't become a mess!
So find bins and containers that will fit into your drawers and organize from there!
I found 5 containers that fit wonderfully in my drawer.
1 deep green bin
2 stackable containers
1 small plastic container
1 basket
5. Put everything away NEATLY!
Sooooo important. Pay attention to the way you put things away in your clean drawer. Use the space wisely!
Think neat! Be deliberate! When a space is clean and very organized it makes putting things away in an organized manner so much easier!
I filled the bottom stackable bin with straws and hot dog holders.
Rolled up bar towels were put in the top stackable.
I took a clue from a great suitcase packing trick... roll things. Not only does it look very neat, but a bin can hold more rolled tings!
Bins stacked.
I put paper napkins in a basket. I slipped small cocktail napkins in ziplock bags.
It keeps them much neater!
Before I put the basket of napkins in the drawer, I slipped the pad of disposable place mats under it.
The only thing left to put in the drawer were my coffee filters for my once-in-awhile coffee pourovers and my can't-live-without cheesecloth!
In a basket they went!
That's it! I could have stuffed the drawer full again... but my mantra was...
BE RUTHLESS!
And the result was a nice, organized, pretty drawer! And I know what's at the bottom!!!!
I bet you can find a drawer to organize! Let's get going!
Remember to
You have the greatest organizing tips!...I love that deep drawer!...I have one large drawer dedicated to napkins..i need to follow your advice and start editing!...Love how you placed your napkins in the bags..I am such a fan of those bags...I put my sandals in them...so off to do the same for the napkins...AND, in my next home...I am getting those fabulous deep drawers!!! Thanks Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteYou must have thrown a lot of things out. The drawer looks so neat now. The onlu problem with me at the moment is finding the time.
ReplyDeleteHugs Kay
I would love for my drawers to look like this Yvonne. I think I'd be (accidentally) be opening them up to show off to company! Yes, it is time for some Spring cleaning around my house. Thanks for the wonderful tips.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Patti
Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, Yvonne!
I contain my paper napkins a basket also, but I don't have them grouped in ziplock bags . . . . Such a GREAT idea! Looks like I'll be busy this afternoon bagging napkins ;0)
Happy Monday,
Suzanne
I wish I had a few or even ONE deep drawer. Well, come to think of it, my dish towels are in a deep drawer. I have lots of organizing to do when I get home!!!! Your tips are spot on. LOVE the cocktail napkins in the bags!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I so desperately need to do this! Thanks for the tips. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I have a few drawers that I need to work on and some closets too.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. All I need to do now is follow your advice. For now though those hot dog holders have given me a craving!
ReplyDeleteYvonne I will say a prayer that everything goes well for you today and a speedy recovery.
I like the idea of putting cocktail napkins in zip baggies, then you can 'file' them.
ReplyDeleteWow that drawer was packed Yvonne! You were ruthless. I recently cleaned out our master bedroom closet and boy was I RUTHLESS- 6 leafbags of clothing to the Children's Hospital Thrift store. Our closet can breathe.
ReplyDeleteNow to work on my dining room drawer that houses all those darn cocktail napkins and paper doilies!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Mary
From Virginia
Love the zip loc idea for storing cocktail napkins and rolling the towels. It is amazing how you find things you have forgotten where they were when you simply clean and reorganize. My biggest problem is my pantry. Things get lost constantly because the wire shelves are deep. Wish you could do a make over of my pantry for your blog. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the wonderful ideas! Hope your surgery goes well,God Bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking... I had surgery at 7:00 am and was home at 8:30! Felling great
DeleteLooks great! I like that tip about putting the cocktail napkins in ziploc bags. I have mine stuck all loose in a drawer in my dining room!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, especially putting the paper napkins in zip lock bags.
ReplyDeleteI hope all went well with your medical procedure...sending prayers.
XO,
Jane
Yvonne, I need to clean out and organize my drawers of cloth napkins. I've way more than I'll ever use, but find myself drawn to beautiful textiles like I am to beautiful dishes. You are inspiring me to get busy. ;-)
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS AWESOME ! I MEAN SPECTACULAR ! I NEED TO DO THIS TO MY WHOLE HOUSE ! AND IM GONNA TOO ! THANKS FOR THE INSPERATION !
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you found this post helpful. YOU GO GIRL!
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