Simple Cleaning Tip For My Sanity

No one told me that having your own home meant you will be cleaning your kitchen EVERYDAY. Every single day. Even if you didn't cook that day you will find yourself cleaning something off the counter, the sink, the coffee machine, or any surrounding area.

By the time dinner was finished, my kitchen used to look as if a toddler was given full access to spill and take anything out. Now what was wrong with me that my kitchen looked that way?

I usually have 3 or 4 different pots or pans cooking something at the same time that are a concoction of recipes my husband found on Instagram and sends them to me as hints of what he'd like for dinner. My parents worked long night shifts growing up so they didn't have much time to teach me to cook, but thank you insta and tik tok for coming through for me.

After I'm finished experimenting with different recipes, I used to be left with stress from the mess left behind and frustration because it took 2 hours to make all that food and it was eaten and gone in less than 15 minutes.

My old thinking was to wait until after dinner to clean up, but all I wanted to do afterwards was relax and watch a few Netflix episodes. Now my new thinking is all about this one tip. It's simple. Too simple. Here it is: I call it clean as you go.

That's it. Nothing complicated about it. As soon as I'm done with the seasoning and spices I put them back where they belong. As soon as I add the last ingredient to the pan I put it back whether in the fridge or throw it out.

I don't wait until after dinner to start the clean up process. I keep moving in between the cooking.

The second I no longer need whatever it is, it goes back to its place right after. As the food cooks, I'm wiping down the counters, taking the trash out, and loading the dishwater with the first load of dirty dishes, spoons, cutting boards, measuring cups, etc.

After dinner, the clean up load doesn't weigh as heavy on me anymore. Everything is wiped down clean for the most part. All that's left is loading the dishwater with the pots and pans, serving utensils, spoons we used and our cup and plate.

Lastly, I want to point out - don't be afraid to use the dishwasher! On average, dishwashers use less water than handwashing. Of course, there's certain things that the manufacture recommends to not be placed in the dishwasher and wash by hand instead.

Anyways, all you need to remember is clean as you go.

You already have the momentum as you're deep in the trenches of cooking food so keep yourself moving. Set a 10 minute timer on your phone and clean up as much as you can in that time. Make it into a house rule where everyone drops what they're doing and joins in on those 10 minutes of clean up.

Those small actions can make big differences. Now go and conquer clean up time!

What are your go-to #cleaningtips?