Alright all you people who live out there, somewhere. Here is the first zone we are going to "Charm Up" a bit....
The Kitchen!
Thats Right, we are diving in HEAD FIRST!
Start working on the Triple D's for this zone, my friends, and don't forget to take your before and after pictures!
Deep Clean
This does not mean we are going to be scrubbing every hard surface (though feel free to do so if you have time and energy!) Our deep clean mission means doing all, some or one of the tasks on the detailed cleaning list below. You will be surprised at how much difference you will make by doing a deep clean of one thing in your kitchen (your fridge, your microwave, one cupboard etc.).1. EMPTY REFRIGERATOR /CLEAN THOROUGHLY
2. CLEAN MICROWAVE INSIDE AND OUT
3. CLEAN STOVE/OVEN
4. WASH COUNTER KNICK-KNACKS
5. STRAIGHTEN DRAWERS/CUPBOARDS
6. WIPE FINGERPRINTS OFF WALLS
7. WASH INSIDE WINDOWS
8. SCRUB DOWN COUNTERS
9. SCRUB DOWN CABINET FRONTS
10. SWEEP & MOP FLOOR
11. CLEAN UNDER SINK/THROW AWAY OLD RAGS
12. CLEAN PET DISHES
13. SOMETHING EXTRA- every kitchen is unique, pick something not on this list, like organizing your desk or the piece of counter that mail piles usually cover.
DeClutter
Again, this is not an assignment to pull everything out of all cupboards! Choose 1 drawer, 1 cupboard, or 1 pile of "stuff" and de-clutter it! If you want to do more, go right ahead- maybe you will light a fire under me to do the same! I just don't want you to get burned out and quit this challenge in the first week. Stay with me, take it slow and make it fun!
Decorate!
(My favortie "D" of this process!) There are a list of options you can do to fulfill this part of the mission, and it doen't have to cost a single penny! Here are some options:
Free Ideas-
.Rearrange what you have already have- the pictures on the wall, small knick knacks, the stuff above your cupboards (this is something I seem to want to change ALL THE TIME!)
. Pull items from other rooms- something might look better in the kitchen or fill that blank spot you have wanted to fill. Look around your house- you might be surprised at what you already have!
Cheap Ideas-
. Buy a new picture or paint the frame a different color of one you already have hanging.
. Buy new dish and hand towels or mat for under your sink (Wal Mart has some cute ones for under $10!)
. Look for knick knacks (ie. a utensil holder) at thrift stores or garage sales
. Update something already existing by painting or recovering it.
...I have been typing without stopping for a while now and ideas keep coming- I could type all day if my kids weren't climbing all over me!
So to sum it up, spend some time this week to work on making your kitchen just a touch more inviting. I can't wait to see all you do! Make sure you link yourself to our list, and grab our challenge button for your blog too. Good luck!
Oh Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThat little voice told me you were going to start with MY worst room. LOL. Thanks for the list, I havdn't done that one yet...maybe cause I was hoping it would be last. hahahaha. Off I go.
Blessings to you and yours
I am so excited for this challenge. My kitchen needs a lot of help...this is just the motivation I need.
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen is the one place I actually keep clean...or I go bonkers...but I do need to re-arrange in the cupboards because my hot husband is super helpful and is really good about emptying the dishwasher...I just can't seem to find anything when he does! Hee hee!
ReplyDeleteAll though I have been horribly sick these past few days, I hope I will have a little bit of energy here and there this week to do this! Our kitchen is really tiny because we are in an apartment and we are transferring to a different one next month, so our kitchen needs cleaned and de-cluttered anyways!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing some transformations!
I'd love to do this with you but I don't have a kitchen at the moment! We've gutted it and will be putting the new cabinets in in a couple weeks. I suppose I can clean out my fridge that is floating in there and I've already cleaned my stove that is also the only other thing currently in my kitchen. I can't wait to see some pictures from everyone else though!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Okay, I am going to try to do this. THe good news is I already did some deep cleaning of the kitchen last week since I was hosting Pictionary at my house. But, there are still cupboards to be cleaned out (one I am thinking in particular) and also definatly some decorating to be done (complete blank walls right now). So this might be good for me.
ReplyDelete