Declutter Challenge #3

Is your kitchen feeling lighter yet?  One more day in the kitchen this week!

The Large Utensil Drawer/Crock

photo credit: {iStock Photo}

Do you have a drawer full of spatulas and spoons and whisks or a crock that sits on the counter?  What?  You have both plus another drawer?  Aha!  Time to weed out.  I bet you have 5-7 cooking utensils you use over and over and over again. 

The Challenge: Look at every single cooking utensil in your kitchen. Immediately categorize it as one of 3 things:
1. I use it every week
2. I don't use it every week but I can remember the last time I used it and it was sometime since Thanksgiving.
3. I can't remember when I used this last or I remember when I last used it and it was definitely before Thanksgiving.

If it's #1 then put it back in your drawer.  If it's a #2, think for 10 seconds about whether you really plan to use it again and if so put it back.  If it's #3 put it right down into the box you just got out for items to be donated or into the trash (if it's broken or in disrepair).

I know what you're saying... "But, but, I don't want to donate it.  I might need it."  Fine.  Put it in that box.  Close up the box, label it and put it wherever your store stuff (the basement, the garage, whatever).  If you find in the next 6 months that you're missing something, go grab the box and get the item for your drawer.  If after 6 months you haven't opened the box, drop it off on your next trip to the local charity.

Cooking is something we do almost every day.  Treat yourself to utensils that serve you well.