Organize Your Kitchen #8 Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings

by Tina on January 31, 2011

We’re on a Freedom Journey (Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings) that will declutter and organize your kitchen in 21 days, using about 10 minutes per day. Three weeks will come and go. If you are able to join us on this Freedom Journey, after 21 days, you will be celebrating in your newly organized kitchen. You can do this.

(If this is your Day #8 with us, you’ll notice a pattern. 🙂 )

Remember, first we declutter. Then we organize.

Declutter

  1. Gather all the herbs, spices and seasonings in your kitchen (dried or fresh). Look in all the drawers, cabinets, countertops, and spice racks.
  2. Sort “like items with like items” – make little piles on the countertop or table – there are tons of options for sorting – alphabetical, sweet only, savory only, herbs only, spices only, etc. I think alphabetical is the easiest. But, you pick what you like. 🙂
  3. Purge through your piles. Designate new areas on the countertop or table as Donate, Sell, and Trash piles. You can mark the designated areas with post-it notes or a slip of paper with each title on it. Scan the “like with like” piles. Remove anything you think is unusable, and place it in the Trash pile. Remove any items you no longer use, love or want, and place them in either the Donate or Sell piles. (It’s unlikely that you could Donate or Sell an opened seasoning. I list it here just in case you are able.)
  4. Make a Purge Storage Area. This could be individual paper bags, plastic bags (different than your regular trash bags), boxes, containers, or a section in your laundry room or garage. Label your containers to avoid confusion. Place your Donate, Sell, and Trash piles into the appropriate container. Place that container in its designated space until you get ready to dispose of these items.

Organize

  1. Take a look at the remaining herbs, spices, and seasonings – remember, you use, love or want them.
  2. Where do you want their home in your home to be? Storage Notes: keep all herbs, spices, and seasonings tightly sealed; fresh herbs are best kept in the refrigerator (use within a few days); dried herbs, spices, and seasonings are best kept in a cool, dry place (away from direct sunlight and heat (away from the stove) – use within six to twelve months). Near Food Prep Area? Cabinet? Countertop? Shelving?
  3. Do you have a container already in which you want to continue to house them? Will they fit in this container? If not, you may have to go back to the purging step (Donate or Sell).
  4. Would you like to buy a container in which to house them? Lazy Susan? Expandable Cabinet Organizer? Pull-Out Trays? Plastic? Stainless? Wood? Color? Style? Size? (Note: you may find it helpful to wait to purchase any organizing products until after you’ve completed decluttering and organizing. For now, just make notes about what you might like and the size it needs to be.)
  5. Locate your selection in which to house them.
  6. Place your items into your selection. Place the selection into its home.
  7. Enjoy being able to find your herbs, spices, and seasonings whenever you need them.
  8. Remember to return your herbs, spices, and seasonings here after each use.

Congratulations! You did it! We’ll continue your Freedom Journey tomorrow. There are only 13 days left to your newly organized kitchen.

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” I Peter 2:16 (New International Version)

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 Hello, my name is Tina Bonifacio, and I am a Professional Organizer working with residential and commercial clients in the greater Savannah, Georgia area. For more information, visit https://organizedbytina.com. Thanks for stopping by. You are welcome back anytime.


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