The new year is just around the corner, and it is the perfect excuse to acquire new habits and leave behind some old ones. Maybe one of the goals is to keep the house cleaner and more organized, and why not start with the kitchen? It is one of the most used rooms in the house and deserves special attention. Ideally, set the stage for change: make a list of what works and what doesn’t and focus on what really matters.
If you have big plans for your kitchen but don’t know where to start, heed the advice that chef Carla Contreras shared with Apartment Therapy on what to throw away before the end of 2021.
- Foods that you will not (or cannot) use
If you have trouble keeping your pantry and refrigerator organized, you should start by reviewing these spaces. Contreras recommends taking everything out, donating what you know you won’t use, and getting rid of what’s expired. You should also pay attention to the freezer: there are certain foods that should not stay there for more than three months.
- Kitchen appliances and utensils
Kitchen appliances or utensils take up a lot of storage space and often make it difficult to access the things you actually use. For this reason, the specialist recommends creating a plan to save, throw away or donate what you do not use.
3.Damaged pans and pots
Do you remember those worn out pots and pans that you didn’t throw away in case you needed them? It is time to decide what to do with them. If they can no longer be used and are taking up space, now is the time to remove them from your kitchen.
- The “garbage” drawer
If the drawer where you keep the kitchen trash cans is not as functional as you think, for example, it is full of things that you do not need or that belong elsewhere, consider using it for something else. “I know it’s controversial, but this space could be put to better use,” says Contreras.
5.Knives
Have your knives seen better days? In this case, the end of the year is a good time to sharpen them or change them for new ones. In general, Contreras recommends that home cooks have their knives professionally sharpened at least once a year.
6.Cutting board
It is time to also check the cutting board. If it is damaged or scratched, consider replacing it with a new one as bacteria can grow and accumulate in the grooves or knife marks.
Source : Idealista
