How to Organize Your Kitchen for Efficiency

Keep Track of Wash Cycles

Have you ever had a child empty an entire dishwasher before it had actually been run? If you don’t like dirty dishes being put back in the cabinet with clean ones, try our handy trick. When our dishwasher had a stainless steal interior, we were able to use a dry erase marker to write the word “dirty” on the inside of the door each time it had been emptied. The word would stay there until the cycle ran again, then rinse clean with the dishes.

Another option is the one we use now: We re-fill the detergent compartment and close it as soon as we’ve emptied a load of clean dishes. The compartment will remain shut until the next time you run the dishwasher, so if you open the dishwasher and see that little detergent drawer empty, you can safely assume the dishes are clean. If it’s still closed, you know they’re still dirty.

Use Logic and Labels

Store things in cabinets closest to the point of use – cups near the sink or dishwasher; plates and silverware near the dining table; pots and pans near the cook top, etc. Label all shelves, drawers, dividers, etc. so that things can be easily returned to their proper places, even when someone besides Mom is putting them away.

Keep Tools Handy

Hang measuring cups/spoons on inside of spice cabinet door is another good way to organize your kitchen for efficiency. Keep blender and toaster plugged in and ready on the countertop or in a an appliance garage. Double up on tools like cutting boards and potato peelers so that more than one person can work at the same time.

Create Work Stations

Likewise, try to group items in activity centers – keep mixing bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, baking pans, flour, sugar, oil, etc. easily accessible from a baking center. Other centers could include desk area (pens, pencils, paper, envelopes, stamps, labels, stapler, scissors, etc) or coffee center (coffee maker, filters, coffee, sugar, creamer, etc.).