The Easy Way To Keep Your Kitchen Tidy Without Long Cleaning Sessions

Have you ever faced a veritable mountain of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and wondered just how things could get so messy so quickly? The kitchen has a tendency to get soiled and cluttered more frequently than any other space. Even with a minimalistic cooking style that doesn't use too many utensils, over multiple meals, the mess can quickly pile up. The sheer number of dishes, cutlery, appliances, and small tools that are invariably part of most kitchens adds to the problem.

Of course, one of the best ways to avoid a daunting post-cooking cleaning is to clean as you go while you prep your meal. However, there will always be elements that still require washing and tidying after a meal, and since most kitchens have multiple counter surfaces, there is a perpetual need to keep them clean and clutter-free as well.

By micro-tasking your kitchen's upkeep, you can essentially break down that one giant chore of kitchen cleanup into lots of tiny jobs that take only a minute and can sometimes be completed without even noticing. Every time you pass by the kitchen and notice something that can be done in one minute, pick up that task and finish it immediately rather than putting it off. You can even wash that pile of dishes a few at a time, or put something back in its place as soon as you notice it lying on the counter, instead of just adding it to the list of things you need to do. Over time, such micro-tasking of one minute chores becomes second nature, reducing how much one procrastinates before actually starting on something.

There are several benefits to dividing large tasks into smaller minute-long ones. Very often, people will shy away from a task if they don't know how long it will take. Cleaning the kitchen can definitely snowball. However, if it's just a few plates to clean or a single counter to wipe down, the task is much easier to approach. Plus, once you start a task, the motivation to do it (and continue with larger tasks) starts increasing. Another good idea is to start with tasks that are relatively easy or fun to do.

There's always lots to do in a kitchen, so keep an eye out for any small things that need taking care of. Clean any one surface of the kitchen that needs it, clear clutter that doesn't belong on the counter, put away objects or groceries, replenish dishwashing soap or paper towels, add a few dishes to the dishwasher — no task is too small. Even keeping an eye out for sanitation mistakes in the kitchen can help point you to things that need to be taken care of, like washing produce or disinfecting kitchen faucets from time to time. And when you can't find a specific task, you can always undertake a process like the Take 10 Away method to declutter and organize your kitchen drawers.

Finally, keep in mind that small tasks often go undone because there is no external pressure to do them (unlike the case for larger, more urgent tasks). If having a tidy kitchen isn't motivation enough, find other reasons to keep your micro-tasking going. For one, see it as physical activity, and intersperse long periods of sitting with a quick kitchen-cleaning task that doesn't take more than a minute of your time.