Read Online Go Organize: Conquer Clutter in 3 Simple Steps by Marilyn Bohn - Free Book Online

plastics, when heated in the microwave, warp or melt possibly causing harmful chemicals to leach into the food. Older plastics tend to leach increasing amounts of toxins as they age. On the bottom of plastic containers is a number. When you need to use plastic, these are the safer choices to use with food: 1, 2, 4, and 5. Avoid numbers 3, 6, and 7.
     
These “freebie” types of containers have babies, multiplying and dividing faster than rabbits. If you must use them, make a rule that you will not keep more than five to ten (depending on the size of your family) of them in your cupboards. The other ones go to the recycle bin after using the product in them. They can also be used to store nonfood items.
     
    Honestly, do these yellow, white, (ugly) containers light you up on a scale of 7 or above? That is always your criteria when deciding if something is to be kept in your home. I know these containers are free, but it isn't about the cost, it is about how you feel. A much safer and more attractive choices for leftover containers are glass, pottery, crockery, and stainless steel.
    Keep dishes that you use most often in the easiest-to-reach places where they are most convenient to use and to put back in the cupboard after they are washed. Move the dishes you don't use daily to secondary spaces. This could be to a higher cupboard. Serving pieces can also go on higher shelves if they aren't used on a daily basis.
    Take out all bowls that have lids. (This should include serving bowls with lids and plastic containers you use for leftovers.) Match lids to the bowls. If there are bowls without lids or lids without bowls, put these orphans in a plastic bag. Label the bag “missing bowls/lids.” Keep the bag for one week (the orphans might be in a bedroom or some other place in the house). If matches haven't been found in a week, recycle the bowls and lids.
     
Tip: Plan two weeks to thirty days of menus at one time. From these menus, you can make your shopping list, and you will have a nice variety of dinners planned so meal time doesn't get boring. It will save you time and the frustration of wondering “what is for dinner tonight.” It takes the dread out of preparing dinner. There are a lot of preplanned menus available on the Internet that you can use for inspiration.
     
    Over the Stove: Take everything out of this cupboard and wipe it out. This way you can see what you have. This is such a tricky cupboard because, if you're not tall (which I am not), it is hard to get in and out of this cupboard easily. Do not store things here that would be a magnet for children to get into. If they think there are treats there, they will do their best to reach them and could be burned or sustain other injuries. Store things you might not use very often, such as seasonal dishes, plastic and paper products, wine glasses, pie tins, round cake pans, or vases. You decide what you want to keep in this semi-storage area.
    Over the Refrigerator: Take everything out and wash the shelves. Possible uses for this cupboard include wine storage, cookie sheets, muffin tins, cookie cutters, cake decorating supplies, and other items you don't use often. I recommend keeping a small, sturdy step stool handy to reach things in this cupboard and other cupboards that are too high to get into easily.
    Utensil Drawers
    Use a utensil holder for your flatware. The holders with a compartment in the back have room for the corn picks, vegetable peeler, measuring spoons, or ice cream scoops. If the holder slides around, use wide, double-stick tape or a nonslip mat under it to hold it in place.
    Large utensils can be kept in a nice container, like a crock, on the counter. If you keep them in a drawer, use drawer dividers to separate the spoons from the spatulas, the hand grater and cheese slicer, and other types of utensils. Dividers will keep everything from sliding around and getting lost and jumbled.
    If you don't have enough drawers or your space is limited, a