Challenge #4- Under the Kitchen Sink

Hopefully you had a restful weekend and are re-energized to get organized! If you are joining us for the first time, welcome to GO! (Get Organized!) month, sponsored by Darien Patch and The Seana Method. We are challenging ourselves this month to complete one small task each workday with the goal of getting our homes in order. Today we tackle that dark spot under the kitchen sink. 

Let’s recall the process we are using throughout the month:

THE PROCESS

• Gather your supplies:
  • Boxes or bags labeled with:
    • “Donate”
    • “Elsewhere”
    • “Store”
  • Trash can/recycle bin
  • Damp rag/wet wipe

• Empty challenge area for the day. And by empty, I mean EMPTY.

• Once the area is empty, wipe it clean with a damp rag.

• Now sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)
  • R- “Restore”: items to go back in
  • E- “Elsewhere: items to keep, but which don’t belong in this space
  • D- “Donate”
  • D- “Dispose”: trash or recycle
  • S- “Store”: items to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which are not regularly used. (These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.)

• As you are sorting, put items into the boxes/bags you prepared.

• Once you are finished sorting, put the “Restore” items back into your designated area.

• Carry the “Elsewhere” box/bag around your house and redistribute its contents.

• Move the “Donate” box/bag to the car to be donated.

• Trash/recycle the “Dispose” items

•  Put the "Store" box aside for now. When the month is over, these items will be packaged for long-term storage.

THE TASK

The cabinet under the kitchen sink tends to be a place we don’t frequently venture. Most likely you have cleaning supplies there, or perhaps another collection of items. If you have small children, you may have safety locks on this cabinet, which is a great idea. 

Keeping with the approach we've been using this month, today’s task requires that you empty this area and wipe it clean. Sort through the items using the system outlined above. You may be able to consolidate some cleaning supplies, and there may be some very old ones that you don’t really use (which can be pitched!).

Since liquids tend to leak, The Seana Method suggests that you use large plastic bins (such as the ones designed to fit into a sink for washing dishes- see image) to corral your bottles. These keep the “floor” of your cabinet from getting wet and warping.  Depending on the width of your cabinet, a tension rod can be hung across the front of the cabinet from which you can hang towels or other light items. Hooks are another great way to maximize the space, and can be hung on the sides of the cabinet or on the inside of the doors.  Use large Ziploc bags to hold your stash of sponges or other small supplies.

When reloading, put the items you use less frequently in the back, and those you use most often up front.  This isn’t a complicated task, just one that we need to periodically perform in order to keep the space fresh. Hopefully just looking at the clean space will give you a sense of accomplishment!

If you are enjoying GO! month, please tell your friends and invite them to get organized too!

Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method