5 Steps to an Orderly Kitchen

It is Wednesday evening, Thanksgiving Eve... overnight guests will be arriving shortly: you have just finished preparing dinner for your nuclear family. You walk into the kitchen and .... Oh dear. Should you scramble and call in reinforcements? Will the kids and the spouse come willingly, prepared to do battle?

A quick run through is all that is really needed. After all, the entire kitchen will be utilized to its full capacity on the morrow with turkey and all the trimmings.

5 steps to an orderly kitchen- counters

Cooking is the top priority for your kitchen right now. School is on holiday. Remove schoolwork and folders, along with mail and do you really need that juicer out? Do not fret; they can all go back to their regular places- later.

5 steps to an orderly kitchen- purge

Clean out the refrigerator. Purge it from questionable items and spoiled food. It will not look empty come the morrow- with all the leftovers, which will be going in there. Leftover turkey sandwiches are the best. The more you purge, the less time will be spent in the attempt to find placement for all the leftovers. More time for visiting with family and friends. While you are at the fridge, go ahead and wipe the outside down and the inside front areas. There is no need to remove everything and clean the glass shelves.

5 steps to an orderly kitchen- oven- smoven

If you do not own a self- cleaning oven, do not bother with the hours long task of cleaning it. If you are that concerned with how the inside of your oven looks, make sure you are the one to remove the turkey from the oven. Spot clean grime and give the stovetop a good wipe down. After all, part of Thanksgiving dinner is making a mess, and that is when family and friends can pitch in with the cleaning.

5 steps to an orderly kitchen- sink duty

Load the dishwasher, or hand wash those dishes. Wipe down any soap bottles and cleaners you keep along the top of your sink. Place little used cleansers and oven mitts away. Pour lemon juice down the disposal for a sweet smell. Break out a new sponge in anticipation of guests offering to aid in the clean up the next day.

5 steps to an orderly kitchen-floors

If you are a Swiffer fan, then now is the time to be thankful you have one, swiffer your floors and relax. Guests will be here any minute. Push broom and dust pan? Not a problem, the job can still be done in minutes. Remember just get where you can see, the rest can wait for tomorrow's big clean up!

Sit down, relax. Enjoy the holiday.